This ranks at the top of my favourite Late Brake Show videos. I was a child when the TV series ran, but watched it as an adult. The combination of two iconic cars and a fantasy location made for a solid 28 minutes of entertainment!
Thank you so much. We realise this episode is a glorified review of two cars, but one that Jonny has been wanting to arrange for over a year. Neither car are particularly practical, but it's about quirkiness and reborn classic machines with new drivetrains.
Once again, Jonny has hit the nail right on the head when assessing the 660 Caterham - it's the handling and not the speed, grip or acceleration that makes this such a great car. So many moaners about 'needing' more power when they haven't driven one, as I have. If you want power get a powerful version or something else, but it won't handle as delightfully and delicately as this.
What's the point of having power if you can never use it? I used to have a FIAT 126, and I used to love thrashing it around - and still below the speed limit.
Precisely! Fun at legal speeds. Cars like that put a smile on your face every time you drive them. As those above have mentioned: MX-5, Fiat 126, I'd add classic Minis, Lotus Elan and a bunch of others with light weight and precise steering. Smiles for miles.
84bhp is what the old 1600 Kent engine had in things like the Escort Mexico, so it's kind of an appropriate level of power for the classic style Caterham.
My late father loved The Prisoner and watched every episode, unfortunately he missed the last episode due to an engineering exam and only saw it when it was repeated in the 80s, great episode Jonny
@@TheLateBrakeShow I have a YT channel called The Thamesmen, and some videos are gold for some reason. It's such a balance I have no idea what is gold or not - This is. Bravo!
I work for a company with a somewhat sprawling campus of buildings, some are production facilities, some are just offices, lots of people going back and forth between them. Some on foot, some on (company) bikes and some in cars or small vans because lugging a 100lb bit of pipework on a bike kinda sucks, even if it's only for half a mile. We could absolutely use a small fleet of electric Mokes, some with 4 seats, some as small pickups. Personally, I think we could use at least one Caterham Kei as well, because the nearest bakery is like 3 miles away and sometimes we need someone to pick up some cake *right now*. (We're Danish)
The reason the Caterham is so lively is that it has a power to weight ratio of 170 hp/ton! I am surprised it has so narrow tyres as 165's would give better grip! On the Moke if they did do retro on the wheels the Weller whites with blue and red pinstripes would really set it off! Two great reviews again there Jonny!
The way this thing moves is awesome without any tyres at all! so smooth.. Me and my Mr took ours to Hull last month and had diner at the Sushi Banzai Pub. The crowds were fantastic. There were several Damens coming in - twin Voiths too! spin on a dime! they threw us a line and we tugged away for hours.. loads of photos.. Those 3,000hp MTUs are sweet! no pops or bangs on deceleration :)
On tiny Lord Howe Island in the South Pacific , the Parks and wildlife ranger drives an early 70s Moke that belongs to the New South Wales govt. Perfect for purpose ... including taking bewildered tourists back to their accomodation
I bought a new Moke in 1983 and ran it for 3 years in Porto. It was such fun! In those days it came fitted with side panels, so for longer journeys you could clip yourself in, but without heating it was still freezing in winter... A joy to take around town and especially to the beach!
On the looks of the Caterham: me and Mrs took mine to Sheer, in Surrey, last Sunday. We parked up in the middle of the village and went in the White Horse pub opposite for a roast dinner. I could see the car from our dinning table. In the space of an hour about 40ish people took photos of it or selfies with it. A group of Japanese tourists even queued politely and took photos. This happens everywhere we go. People love Caterhams for that look. I was driving west on the A31 Hogsback one evening, with the sun low and dusk falling when I saw a couple of Lamborghinis in the rear mirror approaching at high speed. One passed, then lifted with pops and bangs from the exhaust, and pulled in a safe distance in front while the other tucked in behind me. The three of us stayed like that for a mile or so before they both sped off. Their way of showing the Caterham respect?
Loving this! Been a Prisoner fan since I was in my teens and popped my Caterham cherry this summer courtesy of Highland Caterham Hire 👍👍👍 my wife was considering wearing a bicycle helmet when she got it - thankfully she didn’t and loved it - one day… As an ex 2cv (Dyane) owner I think these older character cars make sense as EV fun cars
Two great cars that refuse to be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered* *(except for the Caterham 660). Their life is their own. Be seeing you!
Several years ago I drove an old Suzuki 3 cylinder car thing when my car was in for repair. I was blown away by the performance of the little engine. I can imagine how the Cateram feels with that little turbo charged baby engine 🙂
The Daihatsu Charade GTti from the late '80s also had a 3 cylinder turbocharged engine - albeit at 1.0 litre (993cc to be precise, if memory serves). I bought one new and it was worthy of its "pocket rocket" label with 100bhp :)
The Moke looks oddly proportioned - particularly around the front - not sure why it’s so large - the battery looks compact? Caterham is absolutely awesome - loving the retro purple too ❤
I'm an MX-5 guy, I'm currently in Australia for three months and looked for one to buy while I'm here instead of renting, couldn't find one for a reasonable price, I wanted something cheap to run, and ended up with a 2010 Suzuki Alto, my first three-cylinder car. I absolutely fell in love with the sound of the pokey little engine. As soon as Jonny drove off in the Caterham there was that sound (with the added bonus of turbo choo-choo). The Alto is nothing to look at, lacking in power (like my beloved MX-5s) but I absolutely love listening to the wonderful engine sound from that tiny engine, it's a joy!
Great episode Jonny - Lovely setting with some interesting cars! I have fond memories of holidaying as a kid in North Wales in the 70's to Portmerion and seeing the Moke there! the electric modern example doesn't do it for me though - I'd prefer to have the Cat - but probably look at what other tuning options I could sort to get a little more BHP (I have eaten a few more pies than you though!) Your channel has really developed.... credit to you and those that help with the filming and production!
My Dad worked in Kennet Road opposite Caterham Cars and always had a soft spot for a Caterham. He used to occasionally pop across the road with his Hyster 7 tonne forklift if they needed a hand loading or unloading heavier stuff.
Another great episode. Both cars are ace but the Moke is probably limited in the uk without a petrol or hybrid engine. The Caterham looks great fun and love the classic looks. The colour really suits its classic lines. Definitely meant for those welsh roads. Fabulous to see that Port Meirion allowed you to film on location. Brilliant. But what’s the news on the Porsche? Come on Johnny!
If you want petrol then buy an original Mini Moke, a good late 80's version will cost you around half a new EV version would be and it will be classed as a Classic in the UK as its over 30 years old... I have a 1988 with a galvanised chassis, 4 speed and even though its a 1l I can hit 80mph and get 30mpg... The engine is an A series Mini and every single part is available...
Love this review. If I ever won the lottery a Caterham would be on the list. Always has been. For a while they have been going for bigger and more power engines and tbh that kind of makes them a little frightening 😂 This one looks like really usable power and dynamics. Again, great review Jonnie. Thank you
I loved the twin review in Wales, the perfect setting for this review. That Catarham is probably the answer to having fun in the UK on the road and the occasional track day. The Moke isn't my thing as an ownership prospect, but if I were somewhere like the Baleric Islands and one was offered as a rental car I think I'd quite enjoy it.
What a cracking episode. I loved The Prisoner after disovering in my teens, late one night on Channel 4. Two quirky cars reviewed in the quirkiest of locations. Great job Jonny. Be seeing you!
Omg how cool! Ive stayed in Portmeirion a few times (Belvedere & Government house), i adore it there! Watched the whole prisoner series, My friend and I ended up on a deserted beach shouting no6 is unmutual 😂its a great series, give it a watch if you haven't already!
Great episode Mr. Smith. I really believe in, less-is-more, and this is Exhibit A. My neighbor on Vashon Island Washington had one of these. He picked me up one day as I walked along the Sound, it was awkward walking into the middle of the road to get into the passenger seat. It was only a mile and a half to my house, but man, what an incredibly fast and fun ride from a driver’s seat with no wheel. Cheers 🍻
Caterham it's a really big British dream car. Unfortunately, I have no experience driving such cars due to the lack of interest in them on the market in my country, but the dream of a long trip in this car always haunts me when I see it on video or in a British car magazine
My 1969 Volkswagen (beetle) with a 2.2 L Twin 40 Weber has 155 / 15 inch tyres. Needless to say that they where not on par with the engine power (160 HP). Thank you so much for this lovely video. The scenery of the North Wales is tremendous. Cheers from Canada.
I love it. The Cappuccino had a similar engine, very likely an earlier version of his one. That was a great fun car. This looks even better, certainly lighter. The Mokes would work well here in Mauritius. Very cool.
I would need the bigger version of the Caterham 😂 I love Portmeirion, if you get a chance to stay there do so, a magical place in the evening when all the punters have gone home. I can see the Moke being towed by Motorhomes 😂
I've always lusted after Caterhams, and I've always lusted after all the kei cars that we don't get in this part of the world. This is the one to get, for sure. I understand why the higher spec Caterhams exist, I do, but this is by far the one I'd actually spend money on. Small wonder it goes well too, it's about the same power to weight as an EG Civic VTi with some nice headers on it. Thanks so much for showing it off to the world, and bringing the gospel of Caterham to everyone!
The kei-terham - I sat in that very car at goodwood this year roughly a month after driving an r500 (narrow body). Unfortunately I never got into the top half of the rev counter but on the whole it did drive very nice. I fit great in the wide body cars, and I've always been a 3 pot fan, so a super seven 600 is very high on my car bucket list
My most revered tv show from my childhood! Thank you for reminding this teary eyed oldster. The Caterham is cool & the Moke is marvelous & I'll take both....
Funnily enough I watched the first episode of The Prisoner not long ago, having heard about it but not seen it before. The setting of Port Merion was very striking - like they found the setting and reverse engineered the show around it! But I didn't go to the trouble of looking up what it was, so thanks for clearing up the mystery! Great to see it looks basically unchanged in 60 years
The 7 was born from the specials of the fifty’s. My 1958 Ford special with a Falcon shell only has 30bhp 1172cc Sidevalve of raw power put down by 145 x 15 Ballamy wheels and still as much fun to drive today after 60 years together. So this grandchild should give the same smile per mile result but doubt it’s longevity and historic impact on the real deal.
Don’t forget the original Lotus seven actually had the Ford side valve motor in so they never actually had a lot of power when they were brand-new. Enjoy your thing Michael
Fabulous episode - thanks! I drove both a Moke at art college in the late ‘60’s and a friend’s Lotus Seven a few years later so its great to see the new ‘eco’ versions! That ‘K-terham’ is a thing of classic beauty. It needs to live in my lounge next to my Ducati 916!
I'm too young to remember The Prisoner first time round, but growing up as an 80s/90s forces child I do remember it fondly as one of the limited shows on SSVC! (Along with endless repeats of Black Adder, Minder, The Professionals, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), Columbo, and The Sweeney! Happy days!) ETA: Pun totally intended.
Having owned a Moke for close to 30 years - won't be swapping. For such a simple shape the new one looks "wrong". And my '77 Moke has a pair of small shelves either side of the instruments - fine for wallet, phone or a note book and never going to fall out of the car. And you want that gearbox whine.....
Well well, great minds and all that!! - I recently made a bike tour video taking in Portmeirion and last month filmed a review of the Caterham Seven 170 (basically the same car as you drove here)...mines not out until October 21st but we come to very similar conclusions! Needless to say your videos are always waaaay better than mine but I thought that was a good coincidence being a fan of your work.....
The Prisoner TV series was a great experience as a child. The Moke became my favourite car. Thanks for this time-travel episode. I agree that this new version is not quite there. Indeed it needs more retro parts, like the steering wheel. And I find the front too tall, too lumpy. There is a lot of air above the battery, they should have made it more flat.
The Caterham is a genuine sportscar, which is to say it's about the driving experience, not about hooning around. You have just enough power to get you to the next corner, and the chassis to get you around that corner in style.
Between the two I would have the K terham for sunny day's out. I have driven both the original Moke and a Lotus 7, the MOKE ! well i couldnt wait to give it back. Thanks for the review Johnny. Be seeing you .👌
It’s what Caterhams should be like. The ever increasing power outputs we’ve seen over the years have taken the heart out of a great driver’s car. They were always supposed to be nimble and quick, there was absolutely no need to make them into muscle cars. My first car was a Clan Crusader, it worked on the same principle.
I always liked the way the Seven looks and I especially like the version with the long fenders - I even think it is the best looking of the small Brittish sportscars with a "30s "kind of body-style, way cooler then any similar Morgan or MG. I have driven one, but only at a moderat speed around the carpark at work, but that was enough to get a feel for just how magnificent it must be at real speed on some twisty back road. I wish I could try that next time... The Moke is fun, too, but I prefer the Citroën Mehari. Like the Moke, it is as ugly as it is funny looking, but strangely in a more elegant way... Never driven any of them, though...
Caterham Super 7, I agree, it looks like a total blast. Sounds like a motorcycle engine. Speaking of, imagine this same car concept: Carbon fiber hard top removable, beefed up drive train, 6 speed, limited slip differential, neutrally aerodynamic front fenders, powered by a Yamaha V-Max motor. Actual, old school, spoked chrome wheels.
The Lotus provides a perfect representation of the power it originally had, I believe that was even much less than 80bhp, if I remember correctly the Type 1 had less than 40bhp. This was enough to win races.
Two of my favourite cars in one video! Big bucket list for me is to own a Lotus 7 car at some point. I have always loved them since seeing an original Lotus 7 in Winchester as a child. We also rented a Moke on Majorca in the eighties which was a hoot.
This is the best episode by far Jonny. If my parents were alive today they'd have the Keiteram Turbo Super Seven 600 to use as a weekend getaway car. Caterham's only have to handle well & not for speed whilst enjoying the countryside & stopping off at a country pub for lunch. I do like the EV Moke but I can only see them operating at island resorts or if you live in the British Virgin Islands with several zeros in your bank account.
I have a 170R in Japan, and I 100% agree that is is the most pure incarnation of a driver’s car there is. Nothing else comes close. I’m surprised you fit!
I really enjoyed this! I love a Moke, but I also love a Caterham in its most basic form Having watched the video I'd take the Caterham, but the Moke would be kinda cool to own if I had a holiday home and needed to drive short distances there
Great vid Jonny! Portmerion is an amazing place and highly recommended, especially if you stay in the village itself. The Hotel restaurant is absolutely fantastic, one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten in. Be seeing you!
