The bonnet does seem to chafe against the bodywork, resulting in some small, but unsightly patches of bare aluminium.
I ordered some more self adhesive foam from Caterham and put some additional strips on the underside of the bonnet and on the “shut points” to keep this under control. I also put a couple of bits behind the springs on the front bonnet catches which were also marking the bodywork.
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!
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.
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.
The brakes squeak horribly, especially at low speed. I need to put some copper slip behind the pads.
First attempt with the roll bar camera.
Not quite tight enough given the way the camera rotates in the airflow…
When we first picked up the car I could help noticing that the front number plate was not perfectly central or level. We had to take it off for the paint guard to be applied to the nosecone and that was when I found out that it was only attached to the car with a few thin strips of double sided foam tape. Continue reading Front number plate fixing
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