RE: Caterham 270R: PH Fleet

RE: Caterham 270R: PH Fleet

Wednesday 17th February
Caterham 270R: PH Fleet
Ben's Caterham faces its first real test - the IVA!

Driving a car built with your own hands for the very first time is quite a daunting prospect. We were strapped for time getting the Caterham ready for its IVA*, and it had only turned over for the first time the day before the test. With the sun shining and my stomach full of butterflies, the little Seven spluttered into life for its day of reckoning. It seemed to be running lumpy, but I didn't hesitate and set off on a back-road route to Gillingham in an attempt to enjoy the journey.I made it with time to spare, plus a bag full of tools and spare trim and parts in case any remedial work was required. The tester started by examining the quality of the build which, thanks largely to the helping hands I had, went swimmingly. The emissions test came next, but disaster struck - it failed. I instantly knew there was nothing I could do, and the car was facing a retest. Like a dog with its tail between its legs, I followed the car down the test line as the inspection continued. Annoyingly besides a few minor snags, the Seven would have been ready to go and should have been a swift retest away from being a road legal Caterham. Just that emissions failure to sort...

After lots of head scratching, my car was trailered off to Caterham South for the technicians to find out what was wrong. It transpired that the throttle set-up was out, which had clogged up the spark plugs and prevented the car from running smoothly. With a quick turnaround and a new set of plugs, I was on my way to Gillingham again with no roof, no doors and in the rain. It could only get better, right?

After being assaulted by the wind and rain, I arrived once again at the test centre with baited breath. Much to my happiness it flew through the emissions test, and the other little niggles had been rectified so they were quickly ticked off. I'd done it! I had built a car in the space of five weeks (although the time between articles would have you thinking otherwise), and proved to the VOSA test man that it was roadworthy. Despite the sharp rain battering my face and my numb hands, I was driving back to Caterham smiling, knowing that in a couple of weeks I'd have my registration through and be on the road. In fact, I had the call from Caterham that my registration had arrived on the morning of my birthday; how's that for a gift?

Finally I had to get the paint protected, as Sevens are prone to stone chips and paint damage due to the low ride height and exposed front wheels.fitted the latest 3M Scotchgard Protection to the nose, wings and side panels to protect the stunning Valencia Orange finish. I have to say I've never considered it before but, given how discreet and cost-effective it is, I'll be having it again in a flash on future new car purchases. Given that it cost probably the same as a respray on the rear arches, it was a no-brainer.

All that's left remaining now is to put 500 miles on the clock with some careful consideration for the engine so that it's properly run in. Then I'll be blatting my way to Wales to drive it on some of my favourite roads. But until then, welcome to the world GN15 LZT!

FACT SHEET
Car : 2015 Caterham Seven 270 R
Run by : Ben Lowden
On fleet since : April 2015
Mileage : 253

*IVA Test (Involuntary Vehicle Approval). A fancy extended MoT test, where some bloke in a hi-vis jacket pokes your car with a sharp pencil to see if it's roadworthy. See also; tyre kicking, blagging it, be nice to the man in the high-vis.

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[Images: Ben Lowden/]