7evin Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 (edited) Hey Guys, I am going to be in London for business and I am going to try and visit the birth place of the Caterham that we all love. If any of you Caterham drivers need small parts that I can bring back for you let me know in the next few days. Maybe while I'm there I can talk someone into letting me drive one of those Caterham RS Levante..... If you caterham guys know anyone you can pull some strings with I would be indebted to you...... Edited September 19, 2009 by 7evin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Kevin, If your timing is good, you can rent a Caterham at one of several tracks and do some laps. You can also rent one for the road. Here's a link to the August issue of Caterham Life put out by the factory. There will be info on their various events and contact info. http://www.caterham.co.uk/assets/pdf/caterham_life/August_2009.pdf They can probably point you to tracks with rentals as well as road car rentals. I think you can arrange a factory visit through them as well. Take lots of pictures, I'm green with envy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 7evin, The "birthplace of Caterham" is at an old commercial garage in Caterham-on-the-Hill, Surrey, outside London. However, the current location of the Caterham plant is in Dartford, which is another location entirely. In 1985 my sons and I took the train from London and visited Caterham at Caterham, and it was a fascinating glimpse of British cottage industry -- the informality of it, the fairly ramshackle premises, the workers' own cars (an old Aston, a Jag, and others) parked about so that they could be worked on when the odd moment of down time present itself; the discarded Seven nose cone from a Le Mans race, with two driving lights moulded into the nose fairing, etc etc.) I bought a T-shirt and a nice framed, etched-on-brass cutaway drawing of a Seven, but not much else. I believe the old Caterham garage building is still there, now occupied by some outfit that is doubtless oblivious to the history haunting the premises. I'm sure Ansar Ali runs a tighter ship at Dartford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Kevin, I've been to the Dartford factory a couple of times. It's not easy to find especially if you're driving alone. (concentrating on staying left and looking around is not easy) Tony Mills and Darren (last Name?) are the guys in the parts department. First time in I got a tour of the assembly area, (not very big) Last time two years ago, Darren said they weren't allowed to bring custsomers into the shop for insurance reasons. Give it a try anyway. I'd ask you to bring a couple of Rover K oil filters home but they are not the kind of things that you can jam easily into a suitcase. Enjoy the trip. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7evin Posted September 15, 2009 Author Share Posted September 15, 2009 Thanks for all the good info. I was considering renting one for a week but it has been raining pretty heavy ever since we landed... We shall see As they say here.... Cheers Mate 7evin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7evin Posted September 17, 2009 Author Share Posted September 17, 2009 Alright Guys, I was able to pull off a personalized tour of the factory.... Told them I was a member of the best 7's group in the world and they made special arrangements to allow us to be there. I am stoked. Will report back tomorrow pics and a story hopefully. Takes about an hour and a half to get there by Tube/Train/Bus Cheers 7evin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 All right Kevin way to go but you do know they do know who you are as you are world famous when it comes to speed in a 7 even if it is not a Caterham...:rofl:...:driving:...have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7evin Posted September 18, 2009 Author Share Posted September 18, 2009 (edited) How do I even begin.... As you would expect... from 7's people... They were so nice.... It seems no matter what part of the planet I travel when I meet 7's people they are always so nice..... Must be all the fresh air they get by driving an open cockpit car... We rolled out of the sack and ran down the street about 15 min and jumped on the tube. 15 min to the train station at Cannon street and southbound to Dartford. (Slade Green) 20 minute walk from there and we were 15 minutes early.... (total trip was about 1.5 hours to get there) We were greeted at the plant By Gideon Wigger (Operation Director). This chap worked for Lotus for 15 years... To say he knows what's going on is an absolute understatement. This guy has every customer that has a car on the line memorized.... Each customer's name is on the car as it goes through all the processes (along with a Build sheet) as we walked through we would ask questions and he would look at the name and tell us the story.... I was very impressed. Some weeks they are unleashing 7 of these little beasts into the world.... This is a well oiled machine. Pic 1. This is your first view of the magic... I so wanted to go put on some coveralls and go to work... I'm quite sure these boys could teach me a thing or 2 or 3 or 1000... pic 2. This is where they roll through the door and begin their life in the plant. They are all mig wielded except for the CSR's they are still brazed... and beautifully so. I wanted to give each one some cool name... maybe after the 7 dwarfs... pic 3. From left to right. Gideon, Doc Harmony, Caterham R500 and a chic from Formula 1. pic4. In this step they do everything that needs to be done before they get painted. I believe he said paint takes 24 hours for turn around... Wow. Edited September 19, 2009 by 7evin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7evin Posted September 18, 2009 Author Share Posted September 18, 2009 Pic 5. Back from Paint and all the electrical gets added and tested. pic 6. Hardware time ...... Look at them all lined up getting all the good stuff... Pic 7. I am not sure what Doc is telling Him..... What ever it is its some thing rather small. pic 8. Here they finish the final details before she puts her feet on the floor for the first time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7evin Posted September 18, 2009 Author Share Posted September 18, 2009 Pic 9. Touch down..... Now it is time to take them out for an extensive Test Drive.... Thats the Job I want..... Pic 10. Looking out the back door..... I just want to have carnal knowledge with all of them.... I could go on and on about their craftmanship but most of you already know this. I have to say this was the high light of my trip to the UK. Thank you to all the folks at Caterham Cheers 7evin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Great shots Kev. Mind if I post the link on Blatchat? I think the UK guys who have cars on order would be pretty interested in these pics? Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7evin Posted September 19, 2009 Author Share Posted September 19, 2009 (edited) Please help yourself Tom. I have a bunch more but it is too difficult to post them here because it only allows 4 at a time and they are all at the bottom so you can't nariate around them and make the story flow better. Or at least I have not figured it out yet. That is one thing I liked about the old forum better. If you would like more shots I would be happy to email them to you, Edited September 19, 2009 by 7evin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7evin Posted September 19, 2009 Author Share Posted September 19, 2009 All right Kevin way to go but you do know they do know who you are as you are world famous when it comes to speed in a 7 even if it is not a Caterham...:rofl:...:driving:...have fun. LOL .... You are funny Martin, I wish I could fill those shoes..... Thanks for the vote of confidence Cheers 7evin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Thanks 7evin, I just posted the link. If anyone asked for addtional photos I'll let you know. Just figured that seeing your soon to be delivered car on the assembly floor would be a nice tease. You didn't happen to squeeze a spare Rover k series engine into your suitcase for me did you? It wouldn't fit in mine either the last time I was there. :smilielol5: Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 So Kevin, Did you order a new Caterham while you where their..... Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7evin Posted September 19, 2009 Author Share Posted September 19, 2009 You didn't happen to squeeze a spare Rover k series engine into your suitcase for me did you? It wouldn't fit in mine either the last time I was there. :smilielol5: Tom Tom, I was all about it, but I could not convince my wife to leave her new shoes behind... I really like you but..... I like her more and she lets me have a race car.... Sorry Maybe next time though... Cheers 7evin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Kevin is a smart man........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7evin Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 (edited) So Kevin, Did you order a new Caterham while you where their..... Martin As Clint Eastwood AKA Dirty Harry so aptly put it " A Man has to know his limits" I saw several that I really liked, But I know my wifes limits and do not like reaching them... When Red heads reach their limits they go into full avalanche mode.... Not pretty... Its like going into a turn way too hot knowing you are not going to make it.... You pucker up and wait for the impact.... Hoping it will be minimal.... I think we have all been there at some point in life... Her and Mojito are allot alike Fast, Fun and Furious..... But step over the edge and hang on for dear life... So what I am saying is.... No.... I left all the pretty toys on the shelf.... Edited September 20, 2009 by 7evin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 As Clint Eastwood AKA Dirty Harry so aptly put it " A Man has to know his limits" I saw several that I really liked, But I know my wifes limits and do not like reaching them... When Red heads reach their limits they go into full avalanche mode.... Not pretty... Its like going into a turn way too hot knowing you are not going to make it.... You pucker up and wait for the impact.... Hoping it will be minimal.... I think we have all been there at some point in life... Her and Mojito are allot alike Fast, Fun and Furious..... But step over the edge and hang on for dear life... So what I am saying is.... No.... I left all the pretty toys on the shelf.... As I said before your a smart man........:driving:on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athens7 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Great pictures! Thanks for posting them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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