Caterham 7 SV build day 6

Day 6 was another slow one, but the end must be near! We've been slightly hamstrung by Caterham as they have been slow sending us bits that we needed but fingers crossed that the stuff will arrive this week to allow us to finish the build.

We've fitted the interior and the other rear wing. Still to go are the cycle wings, rear light clusters, windscreen and fitting the hood. Then we'll fire her up. Still waiting for VOSA to give us a date for the IVA test (needs to be done before it can be registered) - it's been nearly a month since we applied so fingers crossed it will be done in the next couple of weeks - I think there are a few people looking forward to driving it!

Austin-Healey 100/6 TV star!

BBC2 this week at 6.30pm midweek eves is showing "Antiques Road Trip" starring a couple of antique dealers driving around Scotland looking for bargains to sell at auction. And this week the undoubted star of the show is the club Healey. Catch it on the BBC iPlayer if you've missed it!

Caterham 7 SV build day 5

A frustrating day..... Lots of fiddly little jobs that didn't really seem to progress the build. We fixed the wiper mechanism, the headlights and indicators, fitted the rear carbon stone guards - these took an hour each! And lots of riveting.

Whats left? Carpets, seats, transmission tunnel. Fitting the indicator repeaters on the cycle wings and fitting them, finishing the rear wings, fitting the windscreen. Then fill up all the fluids, connect the battery and cross fingers! Watch this space.....

Caterham 7 SV build day 4

It's starting to look like a car! That's the diff in place - thanks Caterham, your instructions weren't great for that - the driveshafts, the De Dion tube (a sort of rear subframe for the suspension and rear wheels) the rear suspension and brakes. This weekend we need to finish the rear brakes, fit the rear wings and roll-over bar then fit the interior, sort all the weathergear - windscreen, hood etc, and the electrics - lights, indicators and wipers. We'll then fill with fluids - coolant; engine, gearbox and diff oils; clutch and brake fluids, connect the battery and try and start her.......

Caterham 7 SV build day 3

Another good saturday afternoon's work at the club. That's the exhaust, fuel system, radiator, heater, cooling system, pedal box and steering column all built up.

The diff is proving problematic, but a phonecall to Caterham this week implies that this is common, and "drifting" - hitting with a large hammer - should sort it out.

That just leaves sorting the diff and the rear suspension before finishing the bodywork and body electrics and starting the tests - watch this space for mores

2010 Caterham 7 SV Build Day 2

The engine and gearbox are in! After 2 afternoons work it feels as if we are on the downslope. With all the front suspension, brakes, engine, clutch, starter motor, gearbox, gear lever and engine electrics all in place it feels as if we're over halfway through.

Next weekend we'll fit the exhaust, radiator, water and heater pipes, propshaft, differential, driveshafts, rear hubs, rear brakes and rear suspension. All that we need to do after that is fit the interior, rollbar, windscreen and the prestart checks, lubrication, brake and clutch fluids. Then it's off to the DVLA to be tested. Keep an eye on the window for further progress.

2010 Caterham 7 SV Build Day 1

Yesterday we started building our new C7 Roadsport. Beautifully painted in Lamborghini Pearl White, it will be fitted with Matte Black cycle wings and finished with a red stripe! We hope to have it finished by early March, so that we can get it registered in time for the new season with a 2010 plate (a "60" plate I think...)

The build is being done in the downstairs window so any passers by can see the progress.

We made good progress, and have mostly finished the front suspension, steering

and brakes. The engine is next - we'll start that next weekend. Watch for more updates on the blog.