Jaeggernaut Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Could any good mechanic work on a caterham? Does anyone know of anyone specific in the GTA/Toronto area? How about a body shop to repaint a caterham? Thanks to @Croc, I may have found one. But I'll post when it's solid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 I don't have a specific recommendation but I would call the Caterham Canada importer. Definitely will not be local to you but will likely have picked up local-to-you owners who they may be able to put the question to or even better, connect you with other local owners. You may want to paste this question also in the Canada section of the forum way below and search that section of the forum for people who are located in Toronto. Its actually a pity there is a pesky border in the way but your closest dealer is only 1-1.5 hours away in Buffalo. Non-starter unfortunately as trying to get a Caterham back and forth for service is a no go thanks to customs protocols. The other option which a lot of us have done around the NY metro is find a good race mechanic or old school exotic brand mechanic. They may not know the cars but they have the right mindset to work on the car. I would suggest you be your own parts sourcer - call Caterham UK parts directly - they will arrive in a week that way. No suggestions on paint place sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaeggernaut Posted July 3, 2018 Author Share Posted July 3, 2018 thx croc. the car is going to come bare aluminum. which is worrisome to me. seems like it's unprotected .. any experience with this? i've been told this is not a problem and that many caterhams drive around like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 When I first brought my Caterham to my mechanic and asked if he’d give fixing it a shot he said:”Why not, it’s just a car, right?” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 Bare aluminum can oxidize a bit into a dull patina or be polished to a mirror finish. Even paint takes time(wash, clay bar, wax, dry- add in polish if it has oxidized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 Ditto on finding a good mechanic who is performance-oriented or a good race shop; guys who can turn a wrench on pretty much anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 thx croc. the car is going to come bare aluminum. which is worrisome to me. seems like it's unprotected .. any experience with this? i've been told this is not a problem and that many caterhams drive around like this. My Caterham has been "bare aluminum" for over ten years that I've had it. It really depends on "the look" that you are going for: I wanted a "traditional" look, and the club racers of the early Sevens history didn't waste time or money with polishing or painting--it wouldn't improve the speed or handling and would be harder to replace after the inevitable racing shunt, scrape, etc. IF you want a "fast and flashy" look then you are going to have to polish and/or paint. Another point--you can't easily reverse the paint/polish, but I can ADD paint or polish any time..... Just my thoughts..... Taber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaeggernaut Posted July 3, 2018 Author Share Posted July 3, 2018 @Taber10 what do you mean you can't easily reverse the paint/polish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 @Taber10 what do you mean you can't easily reverse the paint/polish? Once you paint or polish the "virgin" aluminum, it is difficult to return the aluminum to the original "satin" or "brushed" natural state. Not that I have done any of that to my Caterham...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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