After a few months tucked away under its cover in the insulated & humidified garage the improving weather meant that it was time to get the car ready to go out again. Continue reading Oil Change & First Blat of the Season
Category Archives: Post Build
Where to store the doors?
The doors are a bit of a pain to store if you want to go out without them or work on the car. Here is my solution to keeping them out of harm’s way…
Battery Conditioner
As the autumn looms my thoughts turned to the time when the car would spend more time in the garage than on the road, I wanted to get a battery charger / conditioner fitted to keep the battery in good shape. Continue reading Battery Conditioner
First Service
The car went to Caterham Midlands for its first service this week. Continue reading First Service
More bits…
I ordered this tunnel bag from Demon Tweeks.
I can’t bring myself to go out without phone or wallet and of course need the house keys. The harnesses are guaranteed to make anything you have in a pocket dig into you uncomfortably so it made sense to have somewhere to stash all the stuff when in the car.
The product seems well made, with metal clips underneath that hook under the tunnel top cover to make sure it stays in place.
Sat Nav in a Caterham?
I know the purists may choke on their coffee on reading the title of this post, but I wanted to try and find a way of getting a portable sat nav in the car. Continue reading Sat Nav in a Caterham?
Minor gremlins?
Having run the car for a few weeks here are a few observations.
We have been spoiled by modern, premium cars and the one thing that the Caterham does not shield you from is NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness). You hear everything, which is not bad, just different. You do find yourself wondering is that a gremlin, or just a “characteristic” of the car.
Having said that it is great to be so close to the mechanics. I don’t think I will tire of seeing the front suspension hard at work over undulating tarmac, or seeing the front wheels actually turning into a bend. Driving the car doors off is a particularly invigorating and sense-stimulating experience. Just make sure you are wrapped up!
A Frame groans
Initially there was a groaning from the NSR of the car, particularly when the car was manoeuvring at low speed. Forums suggested this was the A Frame bushes and should settle down.
Gearbox noise
The gearbox is noisy on a trailing throttle / under engine braking especially in 4th and 2nd gear. It sounds like gravel shaking on a metal tray.
Brakes
The brakes squeak horribly, especially at low speed. I need to put some copper slip behind the pads.
No chance of an Oscar…
First attempt with the roll bar camera.
Not quite tight enough given the way the camera rotates in the airflow…
Hood Bag
I sneakily added this to an order I placed with Caterham. It’s a bag for the hood which can be velcroed round the roll bar. Continue reading Hood Bag
First failure
We had to leave the car with Dave at Premier Paint Guard for a few hours, so Carl got a lift back to collect it. See paint protection post. On the way back his wife, who was following in the car behind, noticed that the indicators were not working. Continue reading First failure