Although the purpose of this is more of a repository of ideas, since it's entitled 'Blog' and accessible by the 7 Community I thought I better add a bit of text lest anyone can be bothered to read through my stream of unitelligable thoughts.

For many years I'd fancied a Caterham and really wanted to build one from scratch, I soon realised that the spec I wanted would be rather too expensive so a second hand car was a better idea.  When a friend decided to sell his I jumped at the opportunity.

The Car - A 1995 K-series Supersport which had been up-graded from 1.4 to 1.8. with a few extras:

• LSD
• Dry sump
• 633 Piper cams and verniers
• Roadsport cage
• QR steering wheel
• Sticky tyres

One of the first things I did was to 'add lightness' by removing the windscreen and doors and replacing with a JPE Aero, and soft-bits half doors.  Another little addition was an Emerald ECU.  When I got it the engine was running on the original MEMS but the torque curve was a bit odd, the torque was very slow to come in but then a big dollop would appear once the revs picked up.  It made the car feel quick but in reality is was quite compromised, and curve could do with being flatter.  Dave Walker did his stuff and power and torque curves look good.  The power is respectable for a non-flowed head at 156bhp (I must look up the torque figures).

The Car has given me pleasure for a number of years and although I haven't clocked up that many miles the experience of ownership is what I probably love the most.  Those miles I have clocked up have mostly been on track.  Latterly the car is feeling a little tired.  Early years of ownership only required regularly oily maintenance but the last few visits to the track have ended prematurely with a number of niggles.  Alternator belt disintegrating, the K-series click, oil evacuating the engine and an electrical issue caused by water ingress........

A few years ago I thought about consolidating my cars and considered parting company from my MGF (which I bought new in 1996, not a great car but nicely fettled and i'm rather fond of it) and selling the 7 and maybe buy something like an Elise or Exige.  I even went down the root of test driving a few but soon realised that in order to get the visceral ecceleration of the caterham I would only be happy with a super charged car,  rather out of my budget.  The idea also crossed my mind that I could possibly re-build the Caterham but in the end other plans took over and the money went elsewhere.

Well now the car budget is looking to be replenished and my mind is now back to re-building the Seven.  So what should I do.....? Simple freshen up or an opportunity to up-grade.  I think we know the answer already...!

WISH LIST 

• Superlight Cage        
• Lowered floor           
• Long-nose     
• Nitrons or Bilsteins  
• Re-skin          
• PPC engine bay        
• Gear box        
• Dashboard    
• Carbon Half doors    
• Softbits Boot lid        
• Wiring loom  
• Tyres 
• Re-furb wheels         
• 5 point harness
• Brakes           
• Paint  
• Labour           

My guestimate for this is currently            £14,500

• Engine (flowed head)         
• MTB's 1500
• Re-map
• Wide track suspension        
• Stack dash

Add on these bits and the bank account is going to take a further hammering.

Now here is the dilemma...... Is it viable to rebuild or do I sell the car for say £6K and buy a different car.

What could I get for £20,500?

A quick trawl through the Caterham pre-owned pages  throws up a few cars mainly 125bhp Sigmas and an SV R 200bhp (£18,500 Sold)

The SV R would be a nice car and ten years younger but is it like for like. It doesn't have the cage, the suspension, half doors or PPC engine bay,  take those off and the re-build is just about viable but it is still an old registration and older chassis.

Mmmm

But there was something which I just read in Low Flying this month.  John Aston's Aussie anecdote ' you don't own that Seven mate, you're just her custodian....'

On this alone I think I have only one choice....... Re-build.

A re-build would definately make it MY seven.

Watch this space.