Building a Caterham, where to start....
Discussion
Righty, I'm sick and tired of not having a decent car... it's been over a year and I cant cope...
So thanks to a generous friend with a garage I'm going to realise a little dream of mine and build a caterham.
Thing is I'll have access to very very cheap parts via a contact at a motor factor.
I'm guessing many of the bits of a Caterham are donor parts from other cars, so it would be silly to buy the whole kit from them as it would end up costing me a lot more.
I want to be building it with 100% new parts too, no used donor bits and bobs. (except the engine, likely to be a ford unit of some kind at the moment, zetec probably, although I'd like to get a focus ST engine if possible!
Anyone know of any resources where I can start planning and putting shopping lists together, parts which are caterham specific and those which I can source from my contact.
Plan is to start the build in spring next year and have it ready to go by early summer.
Thanks!
So thanks to a generous friend with a garage I'm going to realise a little dream of mine and build a caterham.
Thing is I'll have access to very very cheap parts via a contact at a motor factor.
I'm guessing many of the bits of a Caterham are donor parts from other cars, so it would be silly to buy the whole kit from them as it would end up costing me a lot more.
I want to be building it with 100% new parts too, no used donor bits and bobs. (except the engine, likely to be a ford unit of some kind at the moment, zetec probably, although I'd like to get a focus ST engine if possible!
Anyone know of any resources where I can start planning and putting shopping lists together, parts which are caterham specific and those which I can source from my contact.
Plan is to start the build in spring next year and have it ready to go by early summer.
Thanks!
Do you want a caterham or a kitcar?
A caterham has loads and loads unique parts there isn't that many bits shared with other cars.
The front uprights, front calipers, engine, 5spd box, diff, rear bearings and brakes are from other cars the rest is caterham.
All the suspension, chassis, steering rack, 6 spd box, radiator, bodywork, sump pan, etc are unique to the caterham
Your best bet is to go down the locost route
A caterham has loads and loads unique parts there isn't that many bits shared with other cars.
The front uprights, front calipers, engine, 5spd box, diff, rear bearings and brakes are from other cars the rest is caterham.
All the suspension, chassis, steering rack, 6 spd box, radiator, bodywork, sump pan, etc are unique to the caterham
Your best bet is to go down the locost route
Edited by thinfourth2 on Thursday 14th October 18:41
Building a Caterham, where to start? With a kit from Caterham - there are loads of unique parts and most people don't use any donor vehicle parts at all.
Building a Lotus-7-inspired-sportscar, where to start? With a decision about what one to build - there are loads of different kits and guides out there from Locost to Westfield via numerous others, each requiring different donor parts and different self-fabricated parts.
Building a Lotus-7-inspired-sportscar, where to start? With a decision about what one to build - there are loads of different kits and guides out there from Locost to Westfield via numerous others, each requiring different donor parts and different self-fabricated parts.
Buzz word said:
A caterham is a full kit. Everything is included for the purchase price. I would expect that to be the case for £25k+. Try looking up westfield, mnr, mk, tiger etc if your budget isn't that big.
Although the cheapest Caterham kit is £13,300, but in essence you're right.Buzz word said:
A caterham is a full kit. Everything is included for the purchase price. I would expect that to be the case for £25k+. Try looking up westfield, mnr, mk, tiger etc if your budget isn't that big.
Actually £15K will get you a brand new one as the classis kit starts at £13,300 
You can get a starter kit, which is basicaly a paneled chassis, with all the wiring, dash, clocks, brakelines, installed.
Then as you have funds, buy a front suspension pack, later on a rear suspension pack, steering pack, Etc. Etc.
That way you can take your time, and build the car you want.
Most parts are interchangable, so you could build yourself a basic car, and upgrade later. You will always be able to sell the upgraded parts on.
Caterham where recently doing a good deal on a "rolling" starter kit, I recall it was less than 6k.
Then as you have funds, buy a front suspension pack, later on a rear suspension pack, steering pack, Etc. Etc.
That way you can take your time, and build the car you want.
Most parts are interchangable, so you could build yourself a basic car, and upgrade later. You will always be able to sell the upgraded parts on.
Caterham where recently doing a good deal on a "rolling" starter kit, I recall it was less than 6k.
Arse, I thought more parts were from donors.
The reason I wanted to go the caterham route was better resale values, even the possibility of turning a profit on it in a couple of years when I get bored of it (based on a lot of donor parts that I would get very cheaply), and excellent help and support.
I might have to have a bit of a rethink here.
Not a slight on the other 7 type cars but I really wanted it to be a Caterham, whats a westie like? much the same I'm guessing.
Can you tell I'm new to kit cars...
Keep suggestions of other kits coming so I can look around!
Thanks
The reason I wanted to go the caterham route was better resale values, even the possibility of turning a profit on it in a couple of years when I get bored of it (based on a lot of donor parts that I would get very cheaply), and excellent help and support.
I might have to have a bit of a rethink here.
Not a slight on the other 7 type cars but I really wanted it to be a Caterham, whats a westie like? much the same I'm guessing.
Can you tell I'm new to kit cars...
Keep suggestions of other kits coming so I can look around!
Thanks
davido140 said:
The reason I wanted to go the caterham route was better resale values, even the possibility of turning a profit on it in a couple of years when I get bored of it (based on a lot of donor parts that I would get very cheaply), and excellent help and support.
I think one of the reasons Caterhams have such good resale values is that they are so standard that buyers are less worried about badly constructed kits and/or badly sourced parts. Unfortunately this means it scuppers your plan!davido140 said:
Not a slight on the other 7 type cars but I really wanted it to be a Caterham, whats a westie like? much the same I'm guessing.
Westies are very good indeed and a lot more dependent on the skill of the builder than a Caterham. Build one well and it could work for your plan but I'm not sure how much of each car is donor-sourced.davido140 said:
......Can you tell I'm new to kit cars.........
At the risk of being pushy can I suggest that as you are in Hampshire you come down to our Workshop in Fareham where we can show you a selection of customers kitcars we are working on and 'Cough' perhaps sell you something.At the very least you will have seen more kitcars than you have so far.
See my profile for details.
Steve
Mate, no offence bit you don't seem to know much about kitcars, especially Caterhams. If you deviate from the build sheet 1% on a Caterham the dealer network will not touch it and neither will many Caterham owners who do not know much mite than how to change a wheel. So it will not have very Good resale
Apart from resale value why just a caterham? The extra amount you spend surely outweighs the extra few quid you'll get come resale time?
When I looked into my next kit I considered a poverty spec caterham or a very well specified kit for ££££'s less. Yes its worth less come resale but it costs much less to build.
When I looked into my next kit I considered a poverty spec caterham or a very well specified kit for ££££'s less. Yes its worth less come resale but it costs much less to build.
jason61c said:
Apart from resale value why just a caterham? The extra amount you spend surely outweighs the extra few quid you'll get come resale time?
When I looked into my next kit I considered a poverty spec caterham or a very well specified kit for ££££'s less. Yes its worth less come resale but it costs much less to build.
Because he thought he could build his own Caterham for Locost money, not understanding that a Caterham has no "donor" parts as such, so no way for him to build it cheap using his parts sources - i.e. it wouldn't be a Caterham so wouldn't command the Caterham money on resale. A simple mis-understanding.When I looked into my next kit I considered a poverty spec caterham or a very well specified kit for ££££'s less. Yes its worth less come resale but it costs much less to build.
davido140 said:
Plan is to start the build in spring next year and have it ready to go by early summer.
This should give you plenty of time to hop in your car and visit some of the manufacturers (or build agents) and try their cars. I guess most of them would be prepared to advise you on the best way to go about your build too.You have LOTS of options, buy some magazines and do some research, maybe take in a show or two - don't know how handy it would be for you, but the Exeter show is on in about a week, so if you could make that ...
Have a think about what you want from the car too - do you want to take it on the track? Are handling and performance your main priority? Do you want an easy build or are you prepared / capable of doing some more complex stuff? How much do you want to spend?
All stuff to think about, but whatever you choose, GOOD LUCK!
Thanks again for the pointers, to answer a few questions..
Ewenm is spot on about why I thought a Caterham was the best bet, turns out that's not the case.
Steve, I'll definitely pester you for a visit in a couple of weeks, thank you for the offer! Love your Ultima by the way, I'd really like to build one of them but I think it's going to blow the budget ever so slightly!
Lee, no offence taken, I DONT know much (if anything) about kit cars, assuming I buy something in the new year I've a couple of months of educating myself before I ake a choice (or bin it off a a stupid idea and buy another TVR, hopefully not)
With regard to how complex the build can be and what I can take on myself, I think we (I'll be building with a mechanic chum) will be all good with most stuff, except welding which we dont have the skills or tools for, maybe some outside help with the electrical system, depends on how it's supplied/purchased, and we havent factored in time or cost of rebuilding an engine
to any specific spec, it'll be an off the shelf lump with low-ish miles out of a crashed focus most likely.
In order to complete it in the timescale we've set though it needs to be a fairly well documented and supported kit, again a reason why I was thinking Caterhams.
Certainly lots of food for thought! I'll pop down to WH Smiths after work and get some bedtime reading material! I guess I'm looking for "practical kit car" or something like that?
Cheers
Ewenm is spot on about why I thought a Caterham was the best bet, turns out that's not the case.
Steve, I'll definitely pester you for a visit in a couple of weeks, thank you for the offer! Love your Ultima by the way, I'd really like to build one of them but I think it's going to blow the budget ever so slightly!
Lee, no offence taken, I DONT know much (if anything) about kit cars, assuming I buy something in the new year I've a couple of months of educating myself before I ake a choice (or bin it off a a stupid idea and buy another TVR, hopefully not)
With regard to how complex the build can be and what I can take on myself, I think we (I'll be building with a mechanic chum) will be all good with most stuff, except welding which we dont have the skills or tools for, maybe some outside help with the electrical system, depends on how it's supplied/purchased, and we havent factored in time or cost of rebuilding an engine
to any specific spec, it'll be an off the shelf lump with low-ish miles out of a crashed focus most likely.
In order to complete it in the timescale we've set though it needs to be a fairly well documented and supported kit, again a reason why I was thinking Caterhams.
Certainly lots of food for thought! I'll pop down to WH Smiths after work and get some bedtime reading material! I guess I'm looking for "practical kit car" or something like that?
Cheers
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