Rebuilding a Caterham

[Ex Boy Racer]

Further to my question of a few days ago...

Caterham had an argument with a tyre wall, needs new front suspension and chassis needs straightening.

Taking it to get a quote tomorrow, but wondering just how much work would it be to strip down, take to Arch for repairs and rebuild myself.

Any suggestions/experienced guesses would be welcome. Say i put in 20 hours a week, how many weeks? Is it feasible for a reasonably able spannerman who is no expert?

[Aeroscreens]

Here's the details of my rebuild back in 2007/08. At the time I certainly wasn't that familiar with spannering let alone rebuilding the 7 having purchased it 2nd hand. Yes, I did receive help from a few willing club members and I learnt an awful lot in the rebuilding process. Taking it apart is a lot quicker than putting it back together though....... but nevertheless a very satisfying experience even if the budget went out of the window.

[Ex Boy Racer]

Thanks for that. Getting it done by August seems a tall order...

[CharlesElliott]

What's the damage, just a long front? If so, I would have thought that 60 hours is more than enough time.

[tight fart]

Built mine in two weeks from kit while going to work everyday, they aren't that complicated?

[anonymous-user]

tight fart said:

Built mine in two weeks from kit while going to work everyday, they aren't that complicated?

They're not that complicated but still 80 hours or more depending on how well they're built. Then again, a new kit's a different thing to rebuilding an old car, assuming there'll be a fair bit of renovation going on during the rebuild.

[tight fart]

Not when it comes back from Arch. If you had a race tomorrow it would be done.

[battered]

Sounds like a long front replacement. Not bad to rebuild, depending o.j. what else you do. It could be a couple of weeks at 20h pw, plus delta "while I'm here I'll just".

[Tango7]

Factor in delays for getting people sorted for painting and powder coating. The spannering bit in taking apart is the easy bit. Getting it painted takes time and even longer if you trial fit things first to get holes drilled etc and then removed for spraying. It depends a lot on what standard of finish you want at the end. It can certainly be turned round very quickly if its a race or track only car but if you want a immaculate road car this will take a while longer to get sorted.

[carphotographer]

Nice rebuild aeroscreens ....