Gunscrossed Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 OK, I've seen a couple of cars for sale privately and although I'm fairly confident usually when buying cars this will be my first Caterham and I'm slightly concerned about possible chassis issues rust/damage etc.Is there anyone in the south east who does pre-purchase inspections? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 Lots of L7C members ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted November 21, 2016 Area Representative Share Posted November 21, 2016 Look for bubbling of the side skin at the bottom level with the wlndscreen triangle or a little forward. Caused by corrosion in the grot traps i.e. The gap between the pedal boxes and the side skin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunscrossed Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share Posted November 21, 2016 The cars I'm interested in are generally not that old but a few have been ex-academy.I guess I'm slightly worried that they may have been crashed and repaired.Is the absence of a chassis number on the offside front edge generally a sign that the car has had some work? (see pictures)http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1479/13685019/24550865/412956865.jpghttp://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1479/13685019/24550865/412956864.jpgOr am I way off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 Way off. Older cars had a rivet on chassis plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunscrossed Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share Posted November 21, 2016 As I say, I'm looking at cars from about 2007 on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 Ahh. I didn't spot that. Mines 20 years old so not much help! If it's been repaired by Arch/ Caged it should have been repaired on the the chassis jigs, so should be as good as new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickh7 Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 One of the very best 7s I know has had several trips back to Arch and is as good as new. Mine has never had a bump yet the side skins are shot and chassis could do with stripping down and reloaded coating. So don't be scared of ex racers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunscrossed Posted November 22, 2016 Author Share Posted November 22, 2016 Certainly not afraid of buying an ex race car just want to know exactly what I'm getting. It's strange that it's only when cars are recorded as cat D or C that it affects the value whereas some have had extensive unrecorded crash repairs and make good money. Anyone have an answer to the chassis number question? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Mackenzie Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Metric chassis will have the chassis number on the side (look for the 2 short diagonals each side in the engine bay), imperial car (look for one long diagonal each side ) will have the chassis number on the pedal box.Cross over year 2007/8 when they went metric, but there are still some later reg cars with an imperial chassis.CheersIan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 My 2008 car (metric) has its chassis number stamped on the O/S top chassis rail:Even if the car has had extensive chassis repairs, such as a new long front, the chassis number should be carried over and recorded in the same place (provided the repair has been done by the correct people -- CC Westbury for metric cars).JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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