New 420R owner

[Max-Wilde]

Hello,

I thought I would finally join up rather than just browse now that I am actually in the fold!

My car is a 2020 420R with a few nice bits! Only had a couple of dry days with the car so far, but I’m already converted, it’s an absolute riot.

I look forward to joining a few meets and track days etc.

[Max-Wilde]

jimhcat said:

Lovely looking car. If you don't already have an aeroscreen I would strongly recommend you get one for track days.
It takes minutes to swop between the two and the difference on track feels like another 100bhp

Thanks! Oh yes an aeroscreen is the top of the list! I have heard it’s a massively different experience, looking forward to trying it out!

[Max-Wilde]

Blue 7 said:

Congratulations on your purchase & good choice! I love the colour! I’ve had my 420R for almost three years now & I absolutely love it, I can’t imagine ever selling it. Roll on the summer!

Thanks much appreciated! Ah glad to hear it’s a keeper! Yes 100% can’t wait for a bit of dry weather!

[Max-Wilde]

nunuk said:

Congrats, nice unit! Another converted here, since late 2019 and with only one serious regret: not having come to faith much much earlier!

Thanks! Yes likewise! I have always had 400bhp-500bhp modern cars, and the small lightweight thing is a revelation, completely different experience!

[Max-Wilde]

Managed to get a couple of hours in the car this morning when it was dry and semi sunny, shortly after I got completely soaked, found some amazing roads around hitchin, Hertford and ware though.

Every drive gets better and better at the moment as confidence grows, it really is an amazing car, the way it turns blows my mind!

[Max-Wilde]

AndrewGP said:

Very nice indeed, I really like the colour with the contrasting carbon arches!

Thanks!

[Max-Wilde]

First little job done on the car today, replacing the standard paper filter for the K&N panel filter from the 420r race car.

[Max-Wilde]

Blue 7 said:

It’s looking great! You can’t beat a bit of fettling.

Cheers! Oh yes, I’ve got an ever growing list of things to buy and bits to tinker with!

[Max-Wilde]

Had a meet up with some of the Herts club guys today 👍

[Max-Wilde]

Another little job off the list, steering wheel spacer!

Even with the lowered floors, when going round left hand bends I have to make sure my foot is in a certain position on the clutch pedal in order for my hand to pass my leg, so hopefully this spacer will solve that problem and I can leave my clutch leg in the natural position at all times!

[Max-Wilde]

Blue 7 said:

I think little tweaks like that can make all the difference. I’ve raised the driver’s seat slightly in my car (rather ironic, given I have lowered floors!) & fiddled extensively with the pedals, but feeling comfortable in the car helps you to feel at one with it, which is what Caterhams are all about.

100% enjoying doing a few little bits to make it feel mine, it didn’t feel right on certain bends, if it stepped out and my clutch foot wasn’t in the right place I’d worry my knee would be in the way of correcting it! So hopefully this will make a huge difference!

[Max-Wilde]

g7jhp said:

Lay by at the top of the hill after Langley heading towards the bend next to Knebworth Park?

Yes! Lovely bit of road!

[Max-Wilde]

Another job ticked off the list, fitted the JAL LED indicators and clear lenses. Looks so much better!

[Max-Wilde]

I spent the last couple of days giving the old girl a facelift!

Fitted new plates front and rear, caterham LED lights at the rear, led indicators on the front with clear lenses, carbon winglets and carbon FIA cover. Much improved! Really happy with the LED lights! Massive difference that brings the car a bit more up to date!







And the finished article!

[Max-Wilde]

Blue 7 said:

It’s looking fantastic. I do like those rear lights, I think Caterham did a fantastic job of producing something with an updated look, but still in keeping with the classic looks of the car. A tricky balance to strike.

Roll on the spring!

Thanks! Yes I agree, they have done a great job

[Max-Wilde]

mr momo said:

Fantastic !

Love the :
- padded Tillets
- suede Momo
- LED front indicators & rear lights


Aero is a must (with a good pair of Whileys or a helmet) !
If you get the Aero, you may well get the aero mirrors too.

Is it 5 or 6 speed (can't tell) ?

Edited by mr momo on Saturday 12th February 12:02

Thanks! Seats are heated too!

Yes full carbon aero is the next thing on the list! I was going to fit retaining channels this week but found the original builder had fitted them already! Very grateful for that! So the switch over should be very easy!

[Max-Wilde]

Had time to fit a few more bits today, replaced the gear knob with a new one as the original so one was looking a bit tired, also replaced the plastic handbrake handle with the nice machined aluminium one, nice little freshen up for the cabin!

[Max-Wilde]

framerateuk said:

Quite like the look of the machined handle.

Do you have to cut the plastic one off, or is it removed easily?

Years ago I removed one on a Fiesta ST and it was a matter of cutting away at it with a knife until it came off!

The removal was fine! Just wrap the handle in the microfibre then use mole grips to twist it back and forward to brake the adhesive. The difficulty was getting the Alu handle to fit, the handbrake has a metal welding seam on the underneath that needs to be ground off, also it has a few edges that need to be ground down before the new handle will fit, as you can see mine required a few bit of grinding down!

[Max-Wilde]

Managed to get a couple more bits ticked off the list this afternoon.

applied Tesa tape to the leading edge of the aero wishbones to avoid stone chips.

also hopefully after the car goes back to Caterham in a couple of weeks for some warranty bits, I will be able to book some track days. With that in mind I had a couple of tow straps sitting in the garage from a previous project so I thought I might as well get them fitted to the seven. I made sure to wrap most key areas with electrical tape to avoid any metal on metal, and secured the D rings and straps with a few cable ties to make sure nothing will be rattling around!

[Max-Wilde]

I bought a set of retaining channels to fit to make the aero change easier in the future. I spend about 15 mins wrestling with one of the knee panels and getting absolutely nowhere, I manage to get it just loose enough to take a peak behind it and found that the original builder had already fitted the retaining channels, I have never been more grateful for anything in my life!