by a genuinely nice caterham owner in his 220bhp vauxhall caterham last night.

first time out in a caterham and must say i was mightily impressed. you do get a nicely put together car that is well setup. nothing dorrogitory against other kits, but it is obviously a well sorted package from the factory as you'd expect for the money!

it felt quicker than most cars i've been in including the isonblade and a couple of mk's.

i'd put it about par with jimgiblets r1 phoenix in terms of performance. 220bhp, 600kg vs 160bhp, 380kg, slightly lower power to weight, but far more torque to compensate. i can vouch that it got to 120mph very quickly

I also remembered to pick up the 7.25" twinplate ap clutch whilst i was there, which was what i'd met him for in the first place

certainly gives you a bit of a boost, remembering why it is that you have that 'thing' in the garage that you want to finish asap

Ned.

Ahhh, so they are into kidnap and brainwashing now

Look into my eyes, You will like me and think my car is value for money.

no i'm not saying it's value for money and i wouldn't pay for one, but it was well put together and very quick, and the owner was a decent chap, quite interested in what i'm building etc and not the typical stereotyped caterham owner.

quote:

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Originally posted by andyace
Ahhh, so they are into kidnap and brainwashing now

Look into my eyes, You will like me and think my car is value for money.

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quote:
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no i'm not saying it's value for money and i wouldn't pay for one, but it was well put together and very quick, and the owner was a decent chap, quite interested in what i'm building etc and not the typical stereotyped caterham owner.
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OK Then, Look into my eyes, I am a decent chap and my car is well put together and very quick.



Only Joshin !

I have still never ridden in - let alone driven - any 7 based car! maybe this is why my build is taking so long - need the motivation

quote:

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Originally posted by DaveFJ
I have still never ridden in - let alone driven - any 7 based car! maybe this is why my build is taking so long - need the motivation

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quote:

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Originally posted by andyace
OK Then, Look into my eyes, I am a decent chap and my car is well put together and very quick.

Only Joshin !

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I sat in one to make sure I could comfortably fit then I built it. First drive was on track

I have never sat in one either. (Other than in my chassis on a drill box for a seat !!!)

Would love to, however if not then my first drive in mine will be that bit more special.

Ned

As we are into confessions, I too have had a ride in a Cateringvan

Again, nice guy (whom I've known for over 20 years) and a genuine enthusiast. Trouble is he keeps asking about the state of my, ahem, build

I keep telling him I'm busy on other things

Anyway if anyone is interested its a seriously modded crossflow with twin Webbers, lightened flywheel etc and everything that can be internally polished has been.

What left the biggest impression was the braking. You needed the four point harnesses to stop you ending up under the dash. Absolutely awesome!!!

Almost upset him though, when I asked if his uprights were Sierra or Cortina. Wish I had a camera, the look on his face.......

Cheers

Mark

quote:

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Originally posted by DaveFJ
I have still never ridden in - let alone driven - any 7 based car! maybe this is why my build is taking so long - need the motivation

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quote:

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Originally posted by ned
no i'm not saying it's value for money and i wouldn't pay for one, but it was put together very quick

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I sat in some in a showroom near Derby a few years ago. We were on the way to Europa spares in a Locost at the time. They didn't mind us parking on their front and didn't try to sell us anything either.

Caterham have a nice garage/showroom in Caterham (funnily enough) and i have sat in quite a few. Very nicely put together but well over priced. If i had enough dosh for one then i would probably buy one even though they are expensive.

I dont understand why Caterham owners get suchbad press. Im sure 99.9% of them are bloody god guys and jolly decent chaps. After all, if it wasnt for Caterham the 7 spirit woulnt have been kept alive. I think we owe them some respect..

never seen one parked outside a church ......... are there any vicars driving 7s....DarrenW






[Edited on 22/7/05 by woodster]