Build A Caterham 420R Kit Car In 30 Minutes // Time-lapsed of course!

Almost 3 years after turning on the first GoPro to film our Caterham 420R Kit Car build, I finally got around to creating this video...
This video is a recap of the major points of our build and is in no way representative of everyone's experience - every Caterham and every build is different!
It has taken many many hours of editing to get this video into the shape you see here. The audio is a bit janky in places and there are too many jump cuts in the pieces of me to camera... but after 3 years I decided I just had to get something published.
Hopefully it's of some use to anyone building, or looking to build, a Caterham.
[ Bonus points for anyone who can count the number of "in the ends", "at the end of the days" and "measure twice, cut onces" :-) ]
Finally, yes.. I know sessions 24 and 32 a missing - I forgot to roll the cameras for some reason.
00:00 Intro
03:20 Arrival
04:20 Session 1: IVA Trim and Steering Rack
04:57 Session 2: Body Protection & Gearbox, Bellhousing, Engine
05:31 Session 3: Harness Tapping *
05:41 Session 4: Front Suspension
05:59 Session 5: Front Suspension & Headlights
06:35 Session 6: Headlights & Front Suspension
07:44 Session 7: Uprights
08:13 Session 8: Brake Pipes, Front ARB & Dinitrol
08:33 Session 9: Horns and Final Front ARB Fit
08:57 Session 10: Engine Mounts, L-Hose & Hoist Extensions
09:35 Session 11: Engine In
10:53 Session 12: Attempted Gearbox Shift & Electrics
11:59 Session 13: Exhaust Headers, Cat & Lambda Probe
12:49 Session 14: Steering Column & Oil Tank
13:43 Session 15: Odds & Ends, Radiator & Heater Unit
14:17 Session 16: Roll Over Bar, Engine Plumbing & Bonnet Test
14:48 Session 17: Engine Plumbing
15:43 Session 18: Prop Shaft & Differential
16:22 Session 19: Handbrake Cable, Diff Oil & De-dion Tube
17:16 Session 20: Handbrake, De-dion, Rear ARB & Radius Arms
18:03 Session 21: A-Frame, Rear Hubs, Brake Pipes & Wheels
18:55 Session 22: Knee Trim & Carpets
20:13 Session 23: Carpets & Seats
20:43 Session 25: Engine Start
22:01 Session 26: Water Bleeding
22:11 Session 27: More Water Bleeding
22:39 Session 28: Boot Floor, Fuel Filler & Carpets
23:39 Session 29: Fuel Filler, Torque Rear & Rear Wings
25:11 Session 30: Washer Bottle
25:42 Session 31: Rear Brake Hose, Rear Lights & Indicators
25:58 Session 33: Front Wings, Lights, Handbrake
26:59 Session 34: Brake and Clutch Fill & Front Wings
27:54 Session 35: Front Wings, Handbrake Cable & Tidy-ups
28:26 Session 36: Repeaters, IVA Mirrors, Wipers and Rear Hubs
29:38 Session 37: Getting Ready for PBC
30:44 Post Build Check
31:25 Individual Vehicle Approval
32:41 Conclusion

[@Purplemeanie]

Wow! 100,000 Views !! That's Bonkers. Thank you for all your comments, which I think have been overwhelmingly positive. I never thought this video would get more than a few thousand views... my family and the few hundred or so people a year that are building a car. I'm amazed that this video has been so popular. If you'd like me to make some more videos about, or with, the car, then please make suggestions in the comments. Thanks for watching, John

[@SlothOnMeth]

Section 25 says stqrt instead of start lol Love the vid!

[@Purplemeanie]

So it did! Good catch, thanks! 👍🏼

[@samb2334]

Purplemeanie 140k now!! I’m 14 and I think me and my dad my build one as a father and son thing

[@jamiewalker8772]

Yessir! Excellent video. Once this mx5 turbo is done I wish to do exactly this. I had an R500 superlight back in the day. Miss it!

[@Purplemeanie]

Everyone should build a Caterham at least once in the motoring life!

[@satsahota1765]

Respect to this man for A: building the car B: taking the time for making this video C: seeming to be an absolute gentlemen.

[@Purplemeanie]

That’s very kind of you to say so! :-)

[@nunuk7]

@@Purplemeanie I totally adhere to @sat sahota statement. I didn't had the opportunity to build it myself (EU 485S), but I can see how well spent were the approx. 2.5k £ Caterham is charging for taking care of the assembly. Well done!

[@Purplemeanie]

I agree, £2.5k is good value for the work they do... however, I think I’d have paid them money not to build the car :-) I enjoyed it so much! :-)

[@nunuk7]

@@Purplemeanie I totally get it, plus the proud you have to feel driving something you've ensambled with your own hands, that's another level. Hats off! ;)

[@twistedyogert]

Of course, he's British. England couldn't build an empire and help win two world wars without a good work ethic.

[@sventobergte845]

'Your wife leaves you, she's in bed with a milkman and you're like ohhh where is my front suspension unit?" - Jeremy Clarkson

[@Purplemeanie]

I always made sure to be out of the garage when the milk-man visited.

[@goatflieg]

Loved that episode of Top Gear!

[@bobkin611]

@@Purplemeanie Hahaha

[@Dorfuto]

“James does it need a washer yes or no?” - Jeremy Clarkson

[@Purplemeanie]

🤣

[@yw9686]

I hope they went back and put all the washers in. LOL

[@tdolan500]

Great video, I’m amazed how much fixing and adjusting it takes to put one together. You would think after nearly 50 years the kits would be pretty seamless to put together.

[@Purplemeanie]

You would think, wouldn’t you!?

[@gsilva220]

It's an english car, after all...

[@jamesbarrett5534]

I built a car way back in 1997 (2.0 Vauxhall HPC) and had FAR fewer fiddly problems. Maybe the cars were simpler back then!

[@colinscutt5104]

🤣

[@logotrikes]

I did it the hard way. Bought Dennis Ortenbergers book "Legend of the Lotus 7", took some photos of a local Caterham 7, and with a stick welder and hacksaw started cutting out bits of tube. Here in Australia the rules can be strict, and they're much stricter now than 1993 when I started this 2 year penance. I used a Toyota 4AG Twincam engine/ gearbox and computer. Registering was far from straightforward because it failed twice, different parts being picked out by different inspectors. Finally I got the title, registration but couldn't find an insurer. In Australia basic 3rd party insurance is covered in the registration cost so I managed with that. Kept it 5 years, not one single issue, it never let me down, never blew a fuse, nothing. It was featured in the local paper and I even had a 10 minute spot on a local radio station. I sold it to a guy who kept it for a few years and then sold it to someone fairly local. This guy has done Perth to Sydney and back in it twice and loves it to bits. I still see it around occasionally...

[@Purplemeanie]

Wow! Now that would be a whole video series worth watching. Even the Perth to Sydney run would be a great story.

[@logotrikes]

@@Purplemeanie I laid my story out not to impugn your work in the slightest, it's just that my route took a little longer. I took progress pictures but in those dark old days there wasn't much in the way of digital cameras so little has survived other than a couple of pictures I keep on my desktop as a reminder. These were taken with a digi. It was the current owner dropping by for a chat... My email address is [e-mail] If you're interested send me a blank email and I'll send a couple of pix by return and a few words about the fun and games I had.

[@Purplemeanie]

Email sent.

[@bobkin611]

Man I love how you placed everything out on a table just to get to know the kit. You are the kind of dude I'd want to build a car with. The type that puts tools back when they use them lol Great video bro!

[@Purplemeanie]

Is there any other way of doing it?! Ha ha ha! Thanks for watching!

[@tonygoacher7659]

I built mine (310S SV) last year using various reference points including your Purple Meanie blog. Thank you so much for putting the extra time in to make the blog and this video. It's really appreciated.

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks Tony. I’m glad what I’ve done is useful. Hope you’re enjoying your 310!

[@simonlloyd7557]

I MUST get one of these one day..

[@Purplemeanie]

Well I would agree with that... but I am a bit biased :-)

[@vincenzo-zocca]

Great stuff. Thanks for sharing! Was allowed to do self-assemble my CSR. Yes, it's even coded as a such in the frame. Crashed it after a scary bit of aqua-planning and consequently got the opportunity to disassemble it and reassemble it again. Happy memories.

[@Purplemeanie]

Wow! That sounds like an adventure!

[@jamiewalker8772]

If I may ask, how did you qualify to be allowed to build your own CSR? When we got the R500 a while back they insisted that a caterham mechanic had to do it. (A fine job he did I may add but we wanted to do it)

[@vincenzo-zocca]

​@@jamiewalker8772 The Swiss dealer, Fredy Kumschick, was so kind as to allow that. Possibly that was driven by the fact that I otherwise would have chosen a different -as in "cheaper"- model. His workshop also had assembly instructions for the CSR which were indispensable. Essentially the suspension is a bit more complex and the engine wiring is perhaps slightly different compared to the usual self assembly models. Fredy is a bit of a character. There should be a video of him crashing one of Bernie Ecclestone's cars. One of the Brabhams if I recall well. If I'm not mistaken Fredy was given the odd opportunity of restoring the car using Bernie's 2nd exemplar. All free of charge I believe.

[@readrepairs]

that's a great idea to photograph everything first

[@Purplemeanie]

A bit OCD though 😉. Thanks for commenting 👍🏼

[@chrisking5355]

Great video, loved the creepy crawly running up the wall at 13.51ish

[@Purplemeanie]

Glad you liked it. That was actually a slug crawling up the wall :-)

[@tvdinner325]

Well done. A very handsome car.

[@Purplemeanie]

Thank you! 🤩

[@WireWeHere]

Exhaust spring installation assistant... about an 8 inch piece of tubing or round stock, with a hole to catch spring anchor, with an OD less than the spring hook ID with one end cut with a little angle can be slipped over one of the header spring anchors to extend the spring to hook in place.

[@Purplemeanie]

That's a good idea 👍🏻

[@xray111xxx]

I love this car. Minimalist, makes fun back again. Simple and just loads of fun. Light and fast, and a car that keeps you honest.

[@Purplemeanie]

Absolutely! Strips everything back to the raw driving experience.

[@simontompson]

Thanks for putting this together and sharing. I found my build pretty stressful, but what a thing to finish, and what a car to enjoy at the end of it all!

[@Purplemeanie]

I was surprised how unstressful my build was, I was a lucky one... I know many people have a much more stressful time than I did. And yes, they’re fantastic cars to build, own and then use. All the better for knowing that I (you) put it together.

[@jamesengland7461]

That purple is gorgeous!

[@Purplemeanie]

Yeh, often get that comment, looks even better in person. Thanks for taking the time to comment. 👍🏻

[@jamesengland7461]

@@Purplemeanie great video of a car that must be an endless blast to drive! You must take immense satisfaction in having built it with your own hands and some help from good friends. Well done!

[@kj007a]

An eloquent, articulate and concise tutorial of an enjoyable to watch, diligent build. Thank you!

[@Purplemeanie]

You're welcome!

[@davelittlewood195]

Stunning colour

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks! It's called Lotus Aubergine. If I'd have known the internet had such a thing about aubergines (eggplant) then perhaps we'd have gone for another colour 🤣

[@davelittlewood195]

@@Purplemeanie Nooo, I think the colour is perfect. Think I should have gone for that when I had the TVR resprayed

[@rodharries3059]

Awesome Video! I have wanted to build a Caterham for years!

[@Purplemeanie]

Go for it!

[@thatginettaguy1714]

Well done, great build. I will never forget the feeling of starting the car for the first time on something you have built yourself

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks. And yes, first start is a mixture of apprehension, excitement and relief when it finally fires!

[@resnonverba137]

I greatly admire your patience and ability. Your car looks great too.

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks, I’m very lucky to be able to drive it around.

[@NDEEZMiata]

Hope when my son is a bit older we can build one of these together…. It looks a lot more difficult than I thought…but I’d rather know a car inside and out that I’m going to track…no better way than to build it yourself lol Gorgeous spec, love the purple. Thanks for the video!

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks for the comment and watch. If you’ve got a reasonable level of practical knowledge then building a Caterham isn’t too difficult. I’m probably biased, but the quality of the kits from Caterham are better than others, but of course that’s reflected in the cost. Hope you manage to get one built at some point 👍🏻

[@wrstew1272]

Phenomenal video! Years back had a buddy who had been a professional photographer for a major race team, and he was bonkers about the car. He owned the local hobby shop and sales were secondary to talking about its virtues. Being a former aircraft mechanic myself, he found a fellow gearhead to bounce ideas with. Will be back!

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks for the comment. I think anyone who gets a ride in a Seven never forgets it, or in fact many get the bug and have to scratch it by buying one. They're not for everyone, but any gear-head will appreciate them.

[@djrphotography]

I love this build and the video edit. Informative, detailed and to the point. Congratulations on the build too! It looks awesome!

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks D R. Comment much appreciated! There should be lots of cool stuff to make videos about in 2021.

[@musicmaker99]

That looks a LOT harder than I was expecting. I would definitely go for the factory build.

[@Purplemeanie]

Where's the fun in that 😀. Though building the car is just the stepping stone to the next 10 years of summer driving!

[@astonmartin4360]

The best 30 minutes I have spent in 2020.Nice work sir.👍👍👍👍My late father built an Elan kit in 1968.It was in the Embassy cigarette colours.

[@Purplemeanie]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. One of my neighbours has an Elan, fantastic car!

[@henrysiegertsz8204]

Absolute perfection! Entertaining and informative from the first second and compulsive watching till the credit roll! Congratulations on a beautiful build sir!

[@Purplemeanie]

Thank you for your very generous comment. I just make videos that I’d like to watch, and it seems that others seem to like that too 😀👍🏼

[@goatflieg]

I took a break from building my Van's RV-8 aircraft and watched this; it helped inspire me to get back to work. Don't get me started on R.T.F.M. moments... I had to drill a hole in an interior wall and feed my aileron tubes into the wings (one through the fuselage as well) just because I missed the sentence: "If you're building in close quarters, the aileron tubes should be inserted into the wings before fitting the wings to the fuselage." I've a few build-related videos on my channel... can't wait until I'll post a first-flight video.

[@Purplemeanie]

Awesome! I’ll take a look at your channel. I think we’re all long standing members of the RTFM club! :-)

[@md55603]

Another great video, mine was built when I bought it but I can see from this and other blogs the satisfaction (and frustration at times) of building it yourself.

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it Mark.

[@hojo9115]

Really enjoyed this , thanks for sharing and congratulations on successfully building your caterham

[@Purplemeanie]

Glad you enjoyed it. Seems a long time ago it was finished.

[@briancotgrove8480]

Way back in the early sixties I was driving a truck to Harlow to deliver steel tubing to the Lotus Factory when a little aluminum-bodied toboggan passed me as if I was parked. It was one of the original Sevens built at the Lotus Works. That day was when I first saw and fell in love with what is now the Caterham Seven. At that time the original car was powered by an A Series BMC 1000cc (997cc really), they were easily obtained and easy to work on and produced good "HP" at that time I also part-owned a MINI group 3 Saloon which was also powered by an A Series 997cc, I was the dog's body mechanic (with ten-inch steel fingers) and driver of the little beast. I still haven't given up the idea of owning one *Caterham Seven* but have no desire now (at my time of life) to build one myself although I have given a hand in a couple of other builds. It all looks too hard and would play havoc with my aging bones. But, thank You for an excellent video and "WELL DONE TOO"

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks for the comment Brian. I like to think you're never too old to follow your dreams. John

[@Maverick8t88]

Man, what an inspiration! Now to get back to work on my ‘53 International hot rod pickup.

[@Purplemeanie]

Glad you enjoyed it... that hod-rod sounds fun!

[@colinscutt5104]

good choice on the body colour

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks!

[@MD-hk8rp]

Thanks for taking the time to set this up. great guide.

[@Purplemeanie]

You’re welcome. I really enjoyed making the car, and the video… double win! 😀

[@davidwhite903]

Great video, maintaining the excellent high standards of your blog.

[@Purplemeanie]

Glad you enjoyed it David!

[@steveturpin4242]

Well done...gives me great confidence! Thanks

[@Purplemeanie]

You mean, even I could do it? Too true! 🤣

[@steffydog]

Wow, I couldn’t do that, but it’s been fantastic to watch, thank you so much for sharing. Enjoy 🏁👍

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks for watching! 👍🏼

[@climbbmilc93]

Currently building an academy car, so many little pointers which were a massive help like polishing out the front ARB sockets due to power coat build up!! Thanks! 🙌🙌

[@Purplemeanie]

You’re welcome. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’d have the time to do Academy but that looks to be an awesome experience. Especially if its anything like Rob Oldland’s experience. Thanks for watching!

[@s2pointoh]

Thanks for sharing! Definitely on my bucket list.

[@Purplemeanie]

Go for it!

[@richardjones1367]

Huge respect to you! I’m thinking of one day building one & your video has made me realise how much I want to!! Thanks

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks for the comment and glad I could be some inspiration for you having a go. I hope you manage to have a go and good luck!

[@fonzeyontrack5212]

Great video, one of the best ways I've seen of covering a build

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks. Hopefully the nearly 3 years it took to go from car-build to KZbin video was worth the effort/wait :-)

[@Abdullah_khan2288]

Does it classify as a super seven

[@Purplemeanie]

Well I think its super! Super Seven is actually a model name like Seven 420 or SuperLight. But mine isn’t that particular model name.

[@Bloempottest]

This is so cool! Thank you for the video.

[@Purplemeanie]

No problem. Glad you liked it. 👍🏻

[@patentlyrubbish]

Great video - triggered so many memories from my build in 2011. Love the colour!

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks. Had the Purplemeanie domain name for nearly 30 years and making a purple car just had to be done if I was going to blog it all. Have you still got yours?

[@patentlyrubbish]

Purplemeanie I sort of still have it! I wrote it off in a racing accident in 2016, bought a replacement, wrote that one off a few months later, and rebuilt the original car onto a fresh chassis over the winter. I’m still racing that one… 😀

[@Purplemeanie]

Great that you've got a car, not so great you've written a couple off - ouch... that's a bit pricey! I've loved taking mine on a track but for various life reasons haven't got to as many as I'd have liked. Can't wait to get back on track again.

[@leroy9979]

Great video, very comprehensive.

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks.

[@Michael_Donnelly]

Fantastic video, thanks for making and sharing can’t wait to build mine.

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks. Good luck with your build. What stage are you at?

[@Michael_Donnelly]

Purplemeanie Well I’m at a very early stage, debating between an academy package or a regular kit.

[@Purplemeanie]

If you’re looking at Academy, then have you seen Rob Oldland’s channel... a great look at doing Academy: kzbin.info/door/ovER5GiegKYCctnxP9VwoQ

[@scottyab]

Love the video, thanks for sharing. Its a bucket list item to build my own car and caterham seems ideal.

[@Purplemeanie]

Can’t go wrong with a Caterham. There will be bumps but great fun.

[@martincoutts6747]

Fantastic video. What a great job you have done.

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks. And thanks for watching

[@JeffLifeInReview]

Lot of hard work there. Congrats

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@the72gt]

This is great, very well done. 👍

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks!

[@PeterJUren]

I don't normally watch vids that go more than 30 mins, but this one was very interesting. I think it would have been a bit tedious if you had uploaded 40 odd parts showing each of the sessions so, in that regard, you made the right choice. Congrats on the build.

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks Peter. Always difficult to know how to pitch these things. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@twarken5078]

Fantastic video, thanks so much for sharing!

[@Purplemeanie]

You’re very welcome!

[@reynardfvl]

Great video! Brings back good memories of building mine!

[@Purplemeanie]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@markcarleton7809]

Great summary and over view of the build. Thanks so much for pulling this together, hard to find a better description in 30 minutes. I'd be happy to buy your car, very professionally done and I'd say I have some reasonable perspective on making that call as a professional manufacturing engineering manager :-)

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks for your vote of confidence! Much appreciated!! 👏🏻

[@fkez0510]

This dude reminds me of a teacher I had back in school 😂

[@Purplemeanie]

Nobody ever said that about me before! Thanks for watching, hope you enjoyed being back a school! 🤣

[@paulcooper2897]

Wish such a project was possible here in Canada .. thanks for sharing!

[@Purplemeanie]

You’re welcome!

[@zzota]

Great video. Well done!

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks!

[@smit247]

Fantastic video - looking to pick up a 420 kit at some point in the future and absorbing all the knowledge I can for now

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks. In my opinion the 420 is the sweet spot. Nothing wrong with any of the other variants for the right person, but for me the 420 has exactly the right combination of performance, practicality and fun.

[@smit247]

Purplemeanie I’m still to test drive any of the variants, but on paper the 420 looks like the one for sure. Very early stages in my journey, first step building a garage, let alone just tidying one up!

[@Purplemeanie]

😀👍🏼

[@Dave-in-France]

Thoroughly enjoyed this build video as I have a hankering to do a Caterham myself, one day.

[@Purplemeanie]

Glad you enjoyed it, and good luck with getting a build underway.

[@GR-sg2lv]

Half way through... bloody hell hats off to you

[@Purplemeanie]

:-) About 250 people build a Caterham every year in the UK (or at least start one). I'm amazed I seem to be the first to document it on KZbin, but I'm not that unique.

[@nicolasdossantos7658]

Now i'm thinking of buying one and building it with my dad! Would be an awesome project! Thanks man

[@Purplemeanie]

Good luck!

[@ColinMill1]

It's fun watching this as I think my build done around 2004/2005 is perhaps the longest ever at way over a year (all hell broke loose at work within days of the kit arriving meaning I almost totally shelved the build for about 7 months!) I remember spending many a happy hour over items like the headlights and the boot cover fitting (back then this was left to the customer) Being an awkward sort I did the build entirely on my own except for having someone slide a bolt in while I bench-pressed the diff into place.

[@Purplemeanie]

Great to hear your story Colin. Have you still got the car?

[@ColinMill1]

@@Purplemeanie Thanks for the reply. Oh, yes, I'm never giving it up. I have wanted one since I was a kid in the late 1950s or early 60s having seen a review in Autocar or Motor (I forget which) so it was fantastic to be able to satisfy that desire so many years later. I was also a great "Prisoner" fan. Anyway, I saw a picture of a bare-metal/green Classic in Evo in about 2004 and that just triggered me off to order one (the only time, I think, I have ever blown serious money without gaining full "family manager" permission beforehand). My younger daughter is going to prize the keys from my cold hand when the time comes...

[@RadDadisRad]

So cool, love these cars!

[@Purplemeanie]

Me too!

[@hickslightfoot]

that was really entertaining to watch... thanks for posting...

[@Purplemeanie]

You're welcome Charles, glad you liked it.

[@readrepairs]

Great presentation style. Thanks for the vid. Inspiring

[@Purplemeanie]

You’re welcome, thanks for watching.

[@farfartony751]

Nice vid. Well done.

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks!

[@Ronbc000]

Well done. Magic👍

[@Purplemeanie]

Glad you liked it!

[@richardsedorski1206]

Very enjoyable vid lots of work and skill well done.

[@Purplemeanie]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@brucebogstrotter1796]

Driving in the rain to the SVA with no wiper, hanging out the side made me proud to be British. Top bloking.

[@Purplemeanie]

Thank you. I pride myself on going the extra bloking mile! 😀

[@ianpattison6643]

I’ve recently ordered a 170S and this video both excites and scares me. Fingers crossed for a relatively smooth build!

[@Purplemeanie]

Hi Ian, I went on a run last weekend with a guy in a 160S. He had a wail of a time, I'm sure you will too!

[@edwardgeorge2514]

That’s so cool to do it your self

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks. It was a life long bucket list item. Really glad I did it.

[@olivergarthwaite8908]

Thanks for the great video!

[@Purplemeanie]

You’re welcome!

[@7Spot556]

Nice build vid. ... been there, done that, ... doh!

[@Purplemeanie]

:-) It seems such a long time ago now!

[@RS265trophy]

you earn an award

[@Purplemeanie]

Thank you!

[@sk8guitardrums]

great build video. looks like even Caterham which comes in a semi assembled kit, there is still a lot of work to do and fiddling around to get everything to fit right. 2004 i built a Tiger kit car, you have to do a lot more as you get the chassis bare frame, some bodywork and suspension pieces etc and have to supply your own engine and gearbox. It was a good learning experience and like yourself i remember i had a wet day for the vehicle test day. If i had the money, time and a garage i would love to build another kit car someday.

[@Purplemeanie]

Yeh… you’re right, the Caterham’s come with a lot more already done than other kits…. And more than I was expecting to be honest. Good luck with any future builds!

[@fabslyrics]

Superb work, I dream about putting one together since I ran a few laps at the wheel of a catheram superlight at Palmer sport in Bedford in a corporate event back in 2007 , 650kg 200bhp was magnificent.

[@Purplemeanie]

Yep. They are very special on a track.

[@asten007]

Wow, I’ve always wanted to do something like this with my dad. Looks like such a good patience tester, and character builder. Looks like it would be tons of fun afterwards also. Just wish there was kit company like this in South Africa 🙊🙊

[@Purplemeanie]

It was definitely great fun, and a great sense of achievement. Unfortunately it’s more and more difficult for companies to sell kits. Would be awesome to drive in the sun in SA though!👍🏻

[@asten007]

@@Purplemeanie I’ll definitely keep searching and find one soon... hopefully 🤞

[@placesyoullgo9484]

The original Lotus 7 was advertised as 0-60mph in 3 days. This was how long it took you to build it from the kit. What took you so long! the reason to build it from a kit was to avoid sales tax. But then the whole thing only cost 1000 pounds (UK money) I remember a friend who had a Lotus 6, with a Triumph TR2 motor. Talk about fast roller-skate!

[@Purplemeanie]

Yeh... you're right.. I took a long time. Part of the problem was that I was savouring it 😀. But it was also that I blogged all the build on my website and that took me as long as the build itself.

[@alanions5220]

Great video

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks!

[@Chefcouchon]

Very in depth video thanks

[@Purplemeanie]

You’re welcome

[@ctrmint]

Cracking video!

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks Mark. Hopefully it'll be useful to people getting into a build.

[@ctrmint]

Purplemeanie definitely, though your blog is brilliant, it was my goto source during my build.

[@carlogarneri7873]

I'll buy a kit when I'll retire. I dream of it since I begun working and I'm over halfway there ❤️

[@Purplemeanie]

It’s a great project to do… so good luck with getting to yours.

[@tinleg8696]

Hi great video loved it would like to see a series of normal speed, you and your friends should try the north coast 500 but remember all the roads through the highlands which are Better for the smaller car if you know what i mean. look forward to seeing more

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks for the comment. As for the normal speed video... that would be 160 hours! I thought the 30minutes would be too much, but the only comments have been that people are good with the length or want more - amazing. I only recorded the video in timelapse mode, so I can't really create a normal speed video, it would look very jerky. I may have a look at making something that isn't quite so sped up... for sure there will be less people that want to watch it, but some might. The NC500 is definitely on my list. I have had all the books bought for me already and I have itineraries from others in the club that have done it a few times. Hopefully soon.

[@lorismaglio273]

You have my respect Sir ❤ I hope to have one of these one day, maybe a 270S... Aniway I would not have the courage or the time to kit build it! Respect ❤👍💯

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks for the comment. I hope you manage to get into a 270. They're awesome!

[@lorismaglio273]

@@Purplemeanie i hope it! I mean i am only 14 I have all the time 😄💯👍

[@thecaterhamcave]

Great video !!

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks!

[@Purplemeanie]

By the way... Your videos are looking to be exactly what I originally set out to do when I first turned on my cameras. But doing a blog and vlog proved to be too much. I’m glad someone is getting around to doing an in depth video series. Keep going if you can, they’re already looking great.

[@brettjones5247]

@@Purplemeanie Thanks John, I've done all the filming it just the editing and voiceover I need to do now as the car is almost finished.

[@garyhaber333]

I own a 1927 bugatti replica built on a vw chassis, and a replica 65 Shelby cobra... This is the newest self built dream car I need in my garage!!!!!!😍😍😍👍👍

[@Purplemeanie]

It would be rude not to then! 😉

[@TheNorville2]

Wow, that was a lot more work than i thought it would be, not sure i have the time and patience to be building from scratch.

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks for watching and commenting. “From scratch” is a bit of a stretch, its more like a big set of Lego or Meccano ! :-)

[@hugoevans3005]

Fantastic video and a beautiful job, that's a stunning car you have there in the perfect spec! Bad luck on the wipers but in my experience they're useless in heavy rain as it runs down the inside of the screen too! 😂

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks for the vote of confidence. You clearly have experience of a Seven in the rain and I can whole heartedly agree with your analysis of the wipers! 😀

[@johnhunt2388]

what a great experience.

[@Purplemeanie]

Yes. I'm very lucky to have been able to achieve a life long bucket list item.

[@swamp847]

nice vid very informative :) ... Did you have to change the tyres around as they seem directional and "wrong" on one side of the car (front and rear)

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks... and good catch! They spotted that the wheels weren’t on the right corners at the Post Build Check. I’d worried so much about so many other things for IVA that I’d completely forgotten about the directionality of the tyres. Simple fix though! :-) Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@imnotamechanic3491]

I have a countach replica 'kit' in the garage, its been around a few people i suspect in the 30 years since it was first 'built' and is still not finished. I haven't started yet, watched your video to get an idea of whats involved - made me realise how I definetly dont have a 'kit' car - no instructions, no made-to-fit parts, intended engine hadn't even been designed when the car was first built, so I am going to need to learn a heck of a lot of skills - but for me, the main thing is the experience of building the car and what I learn through it. I hope to document it on YT too.

[@Purplemeanie]

That sounds like one heck of a project. Good luck... and I look forward to seeing the videos.

[@STITCHWA]

I wonder if you can get these kits in Australia definitely a bucket list car for me. Well done It dident look easy, that colour is freaking awesome. Cheers

[@Purplemeanie]

Not sure about Australia. I have been chatting with a guy called Martin from the West coast of Oz who built (from scratch) his own Seven look-a-like in the 90's. Fascinating story. You can see some of what he got up to in the other comments. Good luck with a build if you get to do one. Lots of people seem to like my build blog at www.purplemeanie.co.uk if you ever get to do one.

[@4g63attack]

One day I will own a Caterham 7.... thanks for the video.

[@Purplemeanie]

You’re welcome! 👍🏻

[@johngreen8693]

Loos good and fascinating process - congrats! Which Dinitrol protection treatment did you use?

[@Purplemeanie]

I'm no expert on corrosion protection so went with what I'd seen other people recommend: Dinitrol 3125 HS.

[@mopedmarathon]

Great video, really well done sir. That didn’t seem like 33 minutes at all. Very interesting to watch your trials and tribulations. Have you thought about heli tape for the areas of body work that chafe? You could even get a carpet tile designed for heavy traffic areas and cut strips from it to make a hard wearing yet slightly soft non scratch pad?

[@Purplemeanie]

Thanks for the comment. Hmmm... no I hadn’t thought of heli tape or carpet. I’ll have a think about that. Thanks. John

[@mopedmarathon]

Purplemeanie had another thought. 3m make a product called dual lock. It’s basically really strong Velcro where both sides are of the plastic hook type. It’s very strong. We used it to hold number plates on super cars for testing and they never came off even at 170mph plus (on a track). It does end up being about 3mm thick when it’s mated together though so might create an unsightly step. It would stop the panel flexing at that joint though it that’s a problem.

[@Purplemeanie]

@@mopedmarathon Hmmm. I'll have a think about that. I use the dual-lock to secure the number plates on the car, so could try it out elsewhere.

[@chriswood2674]

Great video! Which wheeled axle stands did you use? They look like they get decent height.

[@Purplemeanie]

Hi Chris, the axle stands are from CJ Autos - but I added some of my own castors. You can see them in pictures on my blog, like here: purplemeanie.co.uk/index.php/2017/08/11/our-kit-car-has-arrived/

[@pedfolio]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Can I ask, how much you need to spend on 'bits' beyond what you need to pay for the car itself? Wheeled axel stands, hoist, any other special tools, all the testing and the fees for pickups, etc? Excluding the basic tools every garage already has, of course :)

[@Purplemeanie]

That’s a good question. I forget but I think the car registration cost about £200. As for tools and stuff that wasn’t in the kit… I spent a few hundred pounds, but you could probably get by with just the regular screwdrivers, spanner’s, Allen keys, drill bits, socket set etc. There is a high torque wrench required but many people just get those wheel hub nuts tightened up at the Post Build Check and so don’t need the torque wrench. You can see all the stuff I used here: purplemeanie.co.uk/index.php/2018/07/01/caterham-420r-build-tools-and-trinkets/

[@kululv]

Just watched your build video. Congratulations, that is a nice car! I was surprised about you installing an oil tank! Does this engine have a dry sump?

[@Purplemeanie]

Yep, it does. There's a theory that the Ford 2.0L Duratec can suffer from oil starvation when cornering hard on tracks. There's not a lot of evidence for that theory but I thought it best to be safe rather than sorry. Thanks for watching.

[@gooseuk1985]

Great video, i am toying with the idea myself on getting a 420r. Just out of intrest is it much cheaper unbuilt ? Thank you for putting such a great video togther wonderful

[@Purplemeanie]

Hi there, thanks for watching. I think a kit is about £2k cheaper than a prebuilt one. You should talk to a dealer to talk about options though as i think wait times a quite long at the moment. Good luck! 👍🏻

[@JamesandRibble]

Enjoyed the vid, well done. Could I ask, is this the standard or larger chassis?

[@Purplemeanie]

It's the SV (or Series 5... V being 5) which is the larger chassis. Gives me more elbow room, a little more space in the boot, a bigger fuel tank and slightly more room in the footwell. Though some say they S3 looks better than SV. All very personal choices and in now way meant to say SV is better than S3, just my choice.