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Collection - Simon's 160

700newtons

Entry posted by 700newtons

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Maybe the best orange car in the world...

I collected the car today from Crawley (with the help of Rob J) and drove it back to Somerset via family in Newbury. We avoided main roads and had a great blast along A roads.

It is fantastic, and better than I imagined. The 160 is a lovely car.

The car handles very well, and has quite a bit more 'poke' than expected. My intentions to run the car in gently with low revs were not always stuck to. Overtaking on A roads was not much of a problem.

Interesting reactions from folks too. A few thumbs up, a few challenges to go faster (but declined).

It took a while to get used to the (rather) limited visibility behind (I need to do a bit of work on my mirrors). I also had a few little anoyances like the key fob got in the way when using the clutch.

The IVA

It took two attempts to get through the IVA (but nothing to do with my build skills, I hasten to add). Fortuntely I paid caterham to get it through, and this turned out to be a good move. The hassle would have been considerable.

Registration

This took 2 weeks. The DVLA returned my built up vehicle report for some extra details, and this slowed down, but when I rang them they were willing to help rush it through.

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  • Leadership Team
700newtons
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Does anyone check this end of the 160 thread anymore?

I have signed up for the 'intro to sprinting' at Curborough. It would be nice to see some other 160s. *byebye*

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700newtons
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I finished the 6000 mile service today, and did a bolt check of the suspension and engine mountings.

All seems fine; the only slightly loose bolts were the engine mount bracket to engine bolts (on the drivers side). I'm told by a friend that this can be common.

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PeterM

Hi Simon,

Happy New Year to you and all 160 owners...............we need a separate blog or blatchat section to keep the conversations going!

I have also done a tightening up all round. Whilst I wouldn't call them loose I was able to 'get a bit more' with the torque wrench around a couple on the back suspension. And the LH lower front wishbone fixing, where the spring washer had started to spread meant the bolt had loosened.  

I almost took the car out for a small blat in the sunshine this past weekend but thought of the salted roads and chickened out. So here's looking forward to the 1st blat of 2016.

Regards to all

Peter 

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700newtons
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Peter,

And to you!

We have had our first blat of 2016 - I never thought that I would take the car out in January. While the weather was still mild, and before the gritters had started their work, we went down to the excellent bakery in Rousldon Village near Lyme Regis. The car is now firmly underwraps until the salt has washed off the roads.

We have a few plans for this year - as well as the intro to sprinting at Curborough, we plan to go the the Le Man Classic in July. I'm also quite keen to get the car on a trackday (for novices). Nothing sorted yet though.

Do you have any plans?

Simon

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NedK

Hi all

I've been out a few times on shortish trips over the winter - when the sun is out it's hard to resist. The car is doing very well, with no issues at all.

I've got a FIA rollbar on order, as I want to do more trackdays this year. I've got one at Goodwood coming up in Feb. And I've also copied Martin's excellent idea of making a phone mount using the two tonneau popper bases on the top of the scuttle - very tidy. 

One thing that surprises me is that there aren't more 160s out there (or at least, on here). I wonder how many have been sold in the UK.

Best to all, and see you when the salt is gone!

Ned

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700newtons
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There are some new 160 owners that have posted under Mike Stallard's L7 blog.

Are you thinking or entering any sprints or hill climbs Ned?

Simon

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NedK

Ah that's good news, I'll have a look.

Hopefully yes, both. Not sure about doing things with the L7C though - I'll see how the intro to sprinting thing goes!

I'm in the middle of doing up a 1969 Lotus Elan at the moment, so will hopefully be able to take that on a track later in 2016 (lots of work to do in the meantime tho!).

Ned

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PeterM

Hi All,

So far I'm booked into the Saturday at the Silverstone Classic; a blat in Wales organised by the local area; Goodwood FOS (spectator!) and BMW Golf Championships at Wentworth to satisfy my other passion! I have also registered for the Soft Top Sunday at Goodwood (but not expecting a mere kit car to be selected) and Dunsfold Handling Day is on the cards when details are issued in March.

Meanwhile the 'white 160' has grown a white painted 7 on the grille (looks nice) and has a draught reducer between the seats courtesy of a Chrissie present.    

Peter

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700newtons
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Sounds good.

I had a great afternoon today helping our students sort out the headlamps on the school Caterham. It is a lot easier once you know what you are doing - we made a neater job that compared to my first attempt last year (using Daniel French's excellent blog).

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