Caterham 7 Aero to Windscreen

[SBD762]

I've always had an Aero since day one on my car. I wear prescription spectacles all the time. It's a fag having to wear goggles or over glasses etc.
I really like look of the Aero. But am thinking of going to a full screen, perhaps avoid all the hassle of "dressing up" etc.

The big problem is I am not keen on doors and apparently without them the buffeting compared to an Aero is horrendous.

Anyone here come up with a way to avoid buffeting with a full screen without having to have extreme bolt in bits and pieces hanging all over the car.

Hence I like the clean lines of no doors.

Or, is buffeting a myth with no doors?

[clumsen]

I have driven mine without any doors and it fun up to about 50mph then the air is almost sucked out of your lung. it's a weird sensation but it isn't to bad for short runs.

For a longer run I would go windscreen and doors or full areo, but defiantly not windscreen and no doors.

I know you can get the wind deflectors but have never tried them, so couldn't comment.

[gareth h]

I'm part way through a project to fit a cut down screen (hopefully aero benefits with windscreen protection,) will let you know how it goes

[SBD762]

Thanks Gareth H
Look forward to hearing your results and perhaps some pictures?

[Aeroscreens]

I've been aero'd since 2002 albeit with Brooklands. 2 years ago I needed glasses for partial long vision correction but mainly for reading (seeing ahead was fine but couldn't read the SatNav). I ended up buying new goggles with prescription bi-focal lenses from UKsportseyewear. Works for me

[BertBert]

I hated the aeroscreen for road use for the very same reason. Screen doors is the best way to enjoy a Caterham. What's the downside?

[wile7]

Personally I have found windscreen and no doors similar to a Brooklands set up (don't have an aeroscreen as such so can't comment). Some folk say half doors work a little to cut down on buffeting but I have not tried/don't have those.

I prefer windscreen simply because the first time a bit of road carp hits you in the face at speed it hurts Even with glasses on I always think 'what if.....'.

I've found that windscreen/full doors on a tour work fine (Geneva to Perpignan for example). I think that the Brooklands set up (especially on a clamshell car) look majestic IMHO and for short blats are brilliant.

The acrylic deflectors in standard form are useless and not worth the £50 folk ask for them. A bit of heat (oven if you don't have a workshop facility - the joys of being a Design teacher....) to flare them out/curve them improves things a bit as does wedging something (I've used pipe insulation foam before) in-between the windscreen upright and the deflector to push them out a bit (if that makes sense).

I'm playing around with an improvement to the design using my students as prototype makers Watch this space around October time to see how we go.

[Stridey]

I got some of the Perspex side screen pre bent second hand. I find they are great if I'm doing local journey under say 50mph. On my doors I removed the mirrors and fitted small mirrors to the screen. Mirrors are carbon effect ones from Car Builder Solutions. (Two drill holes each side, tapped, 1/2hour job). Removing mirrors means the doors can fold and fit in the boot. So you can decide what to put on, when. I bought two carrier bag tidy bags on eBay (home made type things) to store the Perspex screens in.

Edited by Stridey on Wednesday 5th August 11:12

Edited by Stridey on Wednesday 5th August 11:13

[Sbend]

I hardly ever have the doors on, as for me the whole pleasure of the car is the 'open' feel. If the wind deflectors are splayed further out from the bodywork, there is a reduction in buffeting - doesn't stop it but it helps. To do this I used a couple of chrome door stoppers fitted to the bottom of the perspex deflectors - drill a hole and bolt through using rubber washers either side of the perspex to avoid cracking - and the rubber buffer at the end of the stopper rests against the cockpit edge trim. The stopper itself is 3" long - Homebase, B&Q etc. - and it sets the deflectors out 3.5". Have to say that with the doors off, I find the biggest problem is wind buffeting my ears which above 50 mph can get really sore, so good ear plugs are a must.