Finally got myself a 7
Discussion
After growing up around Caterhams and using my fathers on track (way back when I was a fresh faced youngster), I’ve finally bit the bullet and got one for myself.
Left a deposit for this one at GPSevens and hopefully will be picking it up next week:
https://www.gpsevens.co.uk/portfolio-item/caterham...
It’s an ex academy car and has seen a lot of track use, so obviously the paintwork is showing some wear and tear, but the asking price for a De Dion car was too good to ignore. Plus, as not only will the car be mainly used for sprints and hillclimbs, it’ll also be being wrapped in blue(all my dads Caterhams were blue, now a tradition), so paintwork was of no concern to me.
No major plans for the immediate future, will be stripped down over winter to wrap it, have a few bits powder coated and treat it to a set of new bushes and then sprint/hill climbed next year with the current setup.
I’ll probably start hankering for more power at some point next year and either go for a 1.8 KSeries or a Duratec lump, but have instilled upon myself to do at least 1 season of hillclimb use before I go down the rabbit hole!!😄
Now patiently waiting for it to be ready to collect! Hopefully I’ll get a few weeks of use(and maybe a track day) before the weather starts to turn.
Left a deposit for this one at GPSevens and hopefully will be picking it up next week:
https://www.gpsevens.co.uk/portfolio-item/caterham...
It’s an ex academy car and has seen a lot of track use, so obviously the paintwork is showing some wear and tear, but the asking price for a De Dion car was too good to ignore. Plus, as not only will the car be mainly used for sprints and hillclimbs, it’ll also be being wrapped in blue(all my dads Caterhams were blue, now a tradition), so paintwork was of no concern to me.
No major plans for the immediate future, will be stripped down over winter to wrap it, have a few bits powder coated and treat it to a set of new bushes and then sprint/hill climbed next year with the current setup.
I’ll probably start hankering for more power at some point next year and either go for a 1.8 KSeries or a Duratec lump, but have instilled upon myself to do at least 1 season of hillclimb use before I go down the rabbit hole!!😄
Now patiently waiting for it to be ready to collect! Hopefully I’ll get a few weeks of use(and maybe a track day) before the weather starts to turn.
Looks a great car and brilliant fun, very good vfm!
On the topic of bushes, I've been there a couple of times and I think the metalastic bushes that are used are extremely hard wearing. I've replaced some in the past just because of age and am not really convinced they needed it.
If you are going to do some, the job is made much easier with a proper press, it's much harder using a vice. You can use sockets to push in and out, but if you can make suitable tubular pieces to push with, it's even easier.
On the topic of bushes, I've been there a couple of times and I think the metalastic bushes that are used are extremely hard wearing. I've replaced some in the past just because of age and am not really convinced they needed it.
If you are going to do some, the job is made much easier with a proper press, it's much harder using a vice. You can use sockets to push in and out, but if you can make suitable tubular pieces to push with, it's even easier.
BertBert said:
Looks a great car and brilliant fun, very good vfm!
On the topic of bushes, I've been there a couple of times and I think the metalastic bushes that are used are extremely hard wearing. I've replaced some in the past just because of age and am not really convinced they needed it.
If you are going to do some, the job is made much easier with a proper press, it's much harder using a vice. You can use sockets to push in and out, but if you can make suitable tubular pieces to push with, it's even easier.
Thanks for the input, I intend to try and get it on a track day before the weather turns so I can get a feel for the car before I go replacing all the bushes, however I will be getting the front arms powdercoated so will replace those as the old ones will have to be removed anyway.On the topic of bushes, I've been there a couple of times and I think the metalastic bushes that are used are extremely hard wearing. I've replaced some in the past just because of age and am not really convinced they needed it.
If you are going to do some, the job is made much easier with a proper press, it's much harder using a vice. You can use sockets to push in and out, but if you can make suitable tubular pieces to push with, it's even easier.
Marc p said:
Thanks for the input, I intend to try and get it on a track day before the weather turns so I can get a feel for the car before I go replacing all the bushes, however I will be getting the front arms powdercoated so will replace those as the old ones will have to be removed anyway.
Makes sense. As a thought I have found a few things in the caterham that I am currently refurbing to be more expensive to refurb than buy new. Worth a check that the cost of new bushes plus powder coating is actually cheaper than a new wishbone. Also, I have been really enjoying removing rust and flaking powdercoat (wire brush and flapwheel) and repainting with POR-15. Seems a super resilient finish and looks very original.Cheers
Bert
Well I picked up the 7 just over a week ago and absolutely loving it!! Already managed to cover over 200 miles in it.
The spec gets better and better as I slowly go over it, in addition to the mods I knew about before getting it, I now know it has a rebuilt engine by Caterham with forged rods and pistons, Titan LSD, wide track front, Apollo anti-cav system, R300 exhaust and track spec Bilstein coilovers. I’ve also discovered it’s running more than the standard 120hp, it’s a smidge over 140hp.
Already started buying bits for the winter re-fresh, so far a new pair of rear wings and my buddy is selling me his spare pair of 8x13 rear 8 spokes, Caterham half doors and a set of Avon ZZR’s………..I’m sure many more parts will be bought!!!
The spec gets better and better as I slowly go over it, in addition to the mods I knew about before getting it, I now know it has a rebuilt engine by Caterham with forged rods and pistons, Titan LSD, wide track front, Apollo anti-cav system, R300 exhaust and track spec Bilstein coilovers. I’ve also discovered it’s running more than the standard 120hp, it’s a smidge over 140hp.
Already started buying bits for the winter re-fresh, so far a new pair of rear wings and my buddy is selling me his spare pair of 8x13 rear 8 spokes, Caterham half doors and a set of Avon ZZR’s………..I’m sure many more parts will be bought!!!
Tobermory said:
Nice car, and GP Sevens are a top notch outfit to buy from, they sold me a K series Supersport a couple of years ago and were very helpful, I woudl buy from them again without hesitation.
Definitely!! Before purchase, Damian was very open about the car and kept stressing to me that it’s been a track car and the bodywork is not the best and sent me numerous photos and videos. However the car was actually far better than I was expecting, yes the wings had the usual stone chipping and spider cracks and the body has the odd mark and blistering from the steel to aluminium reaction, but it was free of any actual damage and polishes up lovely!Then after purchase, I’ve had a few questions and needed some advice and they’ve been happy to help and answer any questions I’ve had. I would certainly recommend them to anyone who’s after a seven and if/when the day comes that I decide to go for a later Duratec car, I’ll definitely be going back to them.
Marc p said:
Definitely!! Before purchase, Damian was very open about the car and kept stressing to me that it’s been a track car and the bodywork is not the best and sent me numerous photos and videos. However the car was actually far better than I was expecting, yes the wings had the usual stone chipping and spider cracks and the body has the odd mark and blistering from the steel to aluminium reaction, but it was free of any actual damage and polishes up lovely!
The car looks lovely! Congrats!Mine had some very tatty paintwork and worn seats when I bought it (it was mechanically excellent though and had all the bits I wanted). When I took it get a few things done, the de dion tube had 'Changed for Autosport 09' written on it. Turns out the car was one of the drift experience cars
.Sounds very similar to yours! You'll be amazed how well it can clean up. I've had it 10 years and I finally had it re-painted by TSK last year and it looks brand new.
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