Pictures From a Recent Visit To The Westbury Chassis Works
Discussion
Turn7 said:
Whats the differnce between metric and imperial ?
Arch Motors produced the original imperial chassis and braze the joints. Steel Fabrications / Westbury are Caterham's own in-house business and they weld their chassis together. The welded chassis are meant to be stiffer. The easiest visual difference is shown in photo 4 above where the square section tubing at the front of the rear arch can be clearly seen. In an imperial chassis the tubing is round.T
Tango7 said:
Turn7 said:
Whats the differnce between metric and imperial ?
Arch Motors produced the original imperial chassis and braze the joints. Steel Fabrications / Westbury are Caterham's own in-house business and they weld their chassis together. The welded chassis are meant to be stiffer. The easiest visual difference is shown in photo 4 above where the square section tubing at the front of the rear arch can be clearly seen. In an imperial chassis the tubing is round.T
When did they change ? I assume the metric is the current chassis ?
Turn7 said:
Tango7 said:
Turn7 said:
Whats the differnce between metric and imperial ?
Arch Motors produced the original imperial chassis and braze the joints. Steel Fabrications / Westbury are Caterham's own in-house business and they weld their chassis together. The welded chassis are meant to be stiffer. The easiest visual difference is shown in photo 4 above where the square section tubing at the front of the rear arch can be clearly seen. In an imperial chassis the tubing is round.T
When did they change ? I assume the metric is the current chassis ?
Yes, I think the first metric chassis were 2007. Certainly friends with the early R400D had some of the first metric chassis cars and their's were 07 plates.
I think CC purchased Steel Farbications to increase the production of cars (and taking it inhouse was probably a good idea for them too) as the big thing made at the time was being that the chassis were produced by robots. Unfortunately I don't think this is the case now as its probably a man with a welding torch - as opposed to a man with a brazing torch... Really to make robot production worthwhile would take 1,000's of units like Ford or GM to produce rather than the 500-600 the annual demand typically centres around.
I think CC purchased Steel Farbications to increase the production of cars (and taking it inhouse was probably a good idea for them too) as the big thing made at the time was being that the chassis were produced by robots. Unfortunately I don't think this is the case now as its probably a man with a welding torch - as opposed to a man with a brazing torch... Really to make robot production worthwhile would take 1,000's of units like Ford or GM to produce rather than the 500-600 the annual demand typically centres around.
I bought my Arch chassis in 2007, but I asked for it, as I didn't want one of the newer Metric ones, having seen one with the weld spatter powder coated over.
It was apparently "Special order" and of course I had to pay a premium for it
So I guess 2006/7 was the changover date.
IMO the 12% stiffer thing is marketing BS.
I see from the OP pictures of where the sideskins are joined at the rear of the cockpit sides, and over the top of the wheel arches, that the building must have a problem with pigeons...
It was apparently "Special order" and of course I had to pay a premium for it
So I guess 2006/7 was the changover date.
IMO the 12% stiffer thing is marketing BS.
I see from the OP pictures of where the sideskins are joined at the rear of the cockpit sides, and over the top of the wheel arches, that the building must have a problem with pigeons...
I have to say, having built a Seven with the metric chassis, I was very impressed with the quality of welding on the chassis and suspension.
The Arch chassis does look nice when you look in the engine bay, but I certainly wouldn't spend extra to have one over the metric standard chassis.
The Arch chassis does look nice when you look in the engine bay, but I certainly wouldn't spend extra to have one over the metric standard chassis.
mickrick said:
I see from the OP pictures of where the sideskins are joined at the rear of the cockpit sides, and over the top of the wheel arches, that the building must have a problem with pigeons...
I expect if you saw an imperial chassis before those welds had been grinded flat, it'd look broadly simular. I do prefer the look of the Arch chassis though, and due to the lower temperature of the brazing process, it's easier to repair and effects the parent metals less. HustleRussell said:
mickrick said:
I see from the OP pictures of where the sideskins are joined at the rear of the cockpit sides, and over the top of the wheel arches, that the building must have a problem with pigeons...
I expect if you saw an imperial chassis before those welds had been grinded flat, it'd look broadly simular. I do prefer the look of the Arch chassis though, and due to the lower temperature of the brazing process, it's easier to repair and effects the parent metals less. Saying that, I wasn't impressed with some of the details on my chassis.
For instance, look at the way these holes where cut out.
Looks like it was knawed out by a rat!
Certainly not what I'd expect for the money it cost.
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