Building from "scratch"

[Skyedriver]

Discussing with an Elise owner, he hasa chum who is building a Caterham.
(I built a CKD in 1990)
We got onto the possibilities of buying a new frame and then sourcing all the parts s/h from the likes of the OC and Ebay etc.
Yes it would be a Q plate but would you be able to build a car at a reasonable cost?

[DCL]

In a word, no! But let me qualify that, like for like it will cost you more, with second hand bits and compromise you maybe able to do it cheaper but it'll have a lower value too.

I'm on my fifth (kit) car now, two were scratch built. Only do it if you enjoy the build process, sourcing parts, and taking your time. Financially there's little or no gain unless your project management skills are spot on.

[freebee]

q plates really going to knock the aftersales value and you have to be really choosey about buying secondhand parts off ebay etc.

you could do the exercise on paper..... list out all the major parts and their costs either derived from ebay, caterham or where ever etc just rough estimates then total it up, you could probably by a complete second hand car for less.

but if its the project management / sourcing / build process you enjoy then get stuck in.

Edited by freebee on Tuesday 2nd April 11:52

[Skyedriver]

Guess the big bits are straight forward, it'll be the little bits that soon add up. just wondered as you do from time to time see the odd bargain bit and you could spec up your own car (or alternatively end up with a total mis match of bits)(Remember Johnny Cash's song about a 55 56 57 58 Chevvy or whatever, the guy worked at the factory and kept nicking bits).

[TelfonTurd]

Buy a wrecked chassis and logbook and you won't get a Q-plate. You can get it rebuilt (essentially a new chassis from Arch without paying Caterham's margin) and work from there.

[Skyedriver]

TelfonTurd said:

Buy a wrecked chassis and logbook

Been watching the auction for a wreck (see other thread)
Not cheap
Back in '81 I bought a much hacked about Lotus 7 and completely stripped it and rebuilt it, inc new ali.
Would happily do that again if I could find one at the right price.

[TelfonTurd]

In 2009 I sold the bare chassis of K2RUM with the V5 for £2k. That was a 1993 pre cat logbook. Bruce would "repair" it for around £2k.

[Skyedriver]

Even a nice plate!
In conversation it was thought that very few Caterham/Lotus Seven get scrapped, they just get rebuilt, generally by their owner.
£2.5k is a hell of a lot cheaper than the auction car although you do get a lot of (potentially useless damaged) bits to go with that one.
Either way, presumably you get a Cat C or D on your "log" book.
So where do I look out for a "wreck" then. I've seen the ocassional complete one on fleabay (usually quite pricy); guess it's a case of checking "Blatchat" forums etc.

Interesting about the de dion tube bending (see above). I was always a live axle man and it took a lot to bend them as the mounts onto the chassis or the A frame would bend first.
Did have one fall over (it was stood on end in the garage) and hit me on the head once when I was lying on the garage floor, that hurt. (The blood got in my eyes a bit too!)

[freebee]

The auction one seems to have sold for 7050. I bought my write off through a dealer, there have been a few come up during the last 12 months. dedions bend and crack under stress try a google you will some references and pics. the accident with mine seems to have forced it updwards and its given the back of the diff a good smack!!

[TelfonTurd]

Er yes, that rather special plate was not included, though the chassis changed hands again and has now been reunited with the plate.....

[Skyedriver]

[quote=freebee]The auction one seems to have sold for 7050./quote]
Is that a good price?
Seems expensive after what we discussed
If there's one comes up at a sensible price, could someone let me know?

[anonymous-user]

I'm building a Caterham 1700 Super Sprint from 'scratch' at the moment as a track car, but not in the UK, picked up a new chassie with engine box, carbs, engine elec and axil, and sourcing the parts, nearly complete, front suspension from demon tweeks, 420 pound, Uprights and brakes Hi spec, 925 pounds, R500 wheels DT 800 pounds, Carbon fiber body panels and seat (China) 1500 pounds, fuel pumps and regulor were 175 pound, Tyres old new stock formula BMW free, all these prices will be plus VAT in the UK, we can fabricate the rear suspension, body work, fuel tank radiotor etc locally.
So yes you can do it but not cheap,