2021 Caterham 170S

Finished in Porsche Frozen Blue with a Biscuit Beige leather interior, because ‘LJ21 ENL’ started life on the Caterham press fleet it was kitted out with just about every option available – but then you need something special if you’re going to lure Tiff Needell behind the wheel.

Which they did.

Mind you, who could turn down the opportunity of being given the keys to this?

Because it’s powered by a turbocharged, three cylinder, 660cc Suzuki engine that’s mated to a five-speed gearbox, which might sound like an odd combination but the combination of 84bhp and an all-up weight of 465kgs gives you what Top Gear called: “a car for local adventures on small roads. Or nipping around cities. Honestly, at either of those things, it’s an absolute hoot.”

You’ll reach 62mph in 6.9 seconds on your way to a top speed of 105 mph but the Seven is more about the way it does things than outright performance. The chaps at Goodwood tested it and wrote: “The tyres are laughably small, 155 profile on the front and 165 on the rear, but that’s more than enough of a contact patch for something that almost confuses gravity. The little Caterham will grip, and then when it doesn’t there’s an instant connection to your brain telling you what’s going on and what should be done about it through the tiny, but wonderfully unassisted, Momo steering wheel.”

Offered with only two former keepers and just 8,030 miles on the odometer, it’s nonetheless been spoiled with seven services in its four-year life. Which isn’t surprising because Caterham would have obviously wanted it at the very top of its game while it was with them.

It then passed into the hands of a friend of the seller’s who’d just bought a house with a small garage, and while most of us would have bought a Fiat 500, he was better than that and bought this.

How’s that for lateral thinking?

The seller then bought it for his son just over a year ago, who’s continued to pamper it, treating it to two services in that time. However, he’s just started a family and if there’s one thing the Caterham ain’t, it’s a family car…
 

Apart from the Porsche Frozen Blue paintwork, the Caterham 170S’s specification includes LED lights, clear indicator pods, a polished exhaust system, a full windscreen, side screens, and both a spider and a full hood.

Plus, of course, the gorgeous and unique-to-the-model 14-inch ‘Juno’ alloy wheels that have a polished lip and are fitted with a matching set of Avon ZT7 tyres. These were made in 2020/21, so are almost certainly the same ones Tiff enjoyed wringing every last ounce of grip out of.

As for its condition, given it’s only covered 8,000 miles in four years – and has been serviced seven times in that period – you’d expect it to be good.

Which it is.

As good as new, in fact.

Maybe even better because someone else has run it in for you and shaken out any teething issues, leaving you with only fuel to add.

Because there’s nothing to put right, tidy up, or replace: the leather-covered rollbar is immaculate, as is the tiny fabric cover behind it. The lights are free of cracks and chips; the badges and decals are all immaculate; and the coachwork is free of scuffs and scratches.

The diminutive wheels are free of scuffs and scrapes, and the tyres have plenty of tread left; even the suspension components are still nicely painted and still sport their alignment marks.

We doubt the roof has ever seen rain. In fact, we doubt the roof and side screens have ever been used in anger full-stop, and the set-up includes a minimal spider top, which is big enough to give you shelter from the sun while still giving enormous airflow.

If you peer closely, you can see a few light chips to the rear mudguards, plus a few gentle marks to the stainless-steel wing protectors. The bracket that holds the side-exit exhaust on is rusty too, which is truly a #firstworldproblem 
 

The interior benefits from Biscuit leather seats, complete with the Seven roundel, diamond-quilt stitching, and headrests.

They are joined by a Biscuit leather transmission tunnel, and a black leather-covered dashboard. The Momo steering wheel is leather-trimmed too and has been fitted with a quick-release hub.

Even the rollover bar is wrapped in hide.

This one’s also got the lowered floor to give a bit more space in the cockpit and, wonder of wonders, a heater.

Instrumentation is sparse but comprehensive enough with speed, engine revs, fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature.

As for the rest, the gearlever is so short and the gearknob is so fat that you need little more than telepathy to shift gears. The matching handbrake has the Caterham name on it.

The carpets and mats are, like everything else including the seats and the leather padding on the transmission tunnel, pristine. It could all be no more than a couple of months old rather than four years.

The boot is so clean we doubt it’s ever seen luggage.

Honestly, there’s nothing in here for even the most demanding bidder to worry about. 
 

The Caterham’s service history is the finest we’ve seen for a long time having racked up seven visits in just four years:

•    01.07.2025 and 7,970 miles – service by Caterham HWM
•    21.06.2024 and 7,541 miles – service by Caterham HWM
•    07.08.2023 and 7,224 miles – service by an Approved Caterham Service Centre
•    13.04.2022 and 4,739 miles – service by an Approved Caterham Service Centre
•    06.01.2022 and 1,964 miles – service by an Approved Caterham Service Centre
•    19.10.2021 and 1,201 miles – service by an Approved Caterham Service Centre
•    03.09.2021 and 619 miles – service by an Approved Caterham Service Centre
•    21.07.2021 and zero miles – pre-delivery inspection by an Approved Caterham Service Centre

The engine bursts into life when you press the big red starter button and it idles and revs beautifully. It also has an excellent exhaust note and healthy oil pressure.

The engine bay is as clean as everywhere else, and the ‘Press Team’ plaque is still in place under the bonnet. The fastidious among you might like to replace a few rusty fasteners, but that’s the extent of the cosmetic imperfections we would worry about.

As for the underside, we doubt it has ever seen rain as it is as impressive as everything else. Even the Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers still have their labels on, which gives you discreet bragging rights among the cognoscenti as they peer at your new sportscar.

Again, if we’re being ultra-picky then some of the paint has worn off one of the tie-down points but that’s about your lot.
 

The Caterham’s MoT certificate is valid until July 2026, and it was issued, like the one before, with no advisories.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the Caterham comes with some old MoTs, service paperwork, the Owner’s Handbook, and a V5 registration document.
 

The 170S is something of a niche car, even by Caterham standards.

Of course, even with the lowered floor, it’s a dance that’s only open to those under six feet but if you prize handling above all else, there’s anything better.

At any price.

But that limited appeal does mean it’ll be cheap for a Seven because we predict the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £20,000 and £25,000, which is astonishing value for a car with this one’s provenance, service history, mileage, and condition.

It’s like a new car, but better, not least because the new ones start at £30,000 for a poverty-spec example – and you can have this one now.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.