A minor 'off' at the end of August 2005, resulted in the need for some extensive repair work, primarily involving a new long front to the chassis.

However, this cloud had a silver lining, given that the car was nearly 20 years old this 'opportunity' allowed for some extensive refurbishment, a complete stripdown to bare chassis, followed by a trip to Arch where the chassis was shot blasted, powder coated & re-panelled.

The car was then rebuilt from the ground-up replacing anything that looked worn and sorting out various niggles not least of which was the wiring.

The rebuild was extremely interesting and I have learnt a lot about the car in the process, not least of which was the discovery, from chatting to Bruce at Arch, that my car was the 9th de-dion Caterham ever built.

A big thanks to all those that helped during the rebuild, notably:

• Chris Burridge for the countless Sundays he gave up to help me put the car back together, for his patience with a mechanical numpty like me and his especially for his detailed knowledge and attention to detail to ensure that the car has been rebuilt without compromise
• Clive Mackenzie and his guys at CAM Panelworks for the superb paintwork, the attention to detail in the fitting of other key cosmetic parts such as rear wings, windscreen etc. and transporting my car to and from Arch
• The guys at Redline Components for keeping me supplied with regular deliveries of the numerous parts required during the rebuild. Their knowledge of older cars, especially the limited run models such as my very early de-dion, is unparalleled.
• Last but not least Bruce Robinson and the guys at Arch Motors for the chassis refurbishment, the insight they were able to give me into my car and and their friendliness/approachability, particularly during this difficult period having been shafted by Caterham Cars

Details of all the modifications performed on the car over the years prior to this rebuild can be found here

23rd April 2006 - All finished!

Last day of the rebuild spent doing a spanner check and setting the camber, tracking, ride height and flat flooring the car

Check the new pictures page for a full complement of post-rebuild piccies

19th April 2006 - She drives!

Yesterday involved completing all the jobs pre-requisite to getting the car mobile & road-legal, and today she moved under her own steam for the first time, just under 10 miles in fact.

A few more little jobs to complete followed by suspension setup and spanner check and it'll all be done (thank God!)

10th April 2006

After yesterday's significant achievements I took it easy today and completed a few of the numerous cosmetic jobs, fitting the fuel filler, putting protective tape on the bonnet, fitting badges etc.

9th April 2006 - She's alive!

7th April 2006

Car is ready for (hopefully) its final assisted journey, Clive and his team at CAM panelworks have worked wonders (as always) and with some assistance from my little boy the car is loaded onto the trailer for the trip home

27th March - 5th April 2006

Car back to the professionals(!) at CAM Panelworks for various jobs (cutting exhaust hole, fitting rear wings, painting interior panels/ front wings/noseband). During that time my frequent visits have seen the C/F dash, wing protectors, fuel tank & rollbar refitted.

13th March 2006

Cooling system reconnected, alternator refitted, various other minor jobs completed

12th/19th February 2006

Engine & Gearbox back in, new fuel hose & filter/regulator, yet more wiring loom work!

29th January/5th February 2006

Two consecutive Sundays of nothing but wiring looms & brake pipes, tedious work but years of various alterations now nicely loomed in. Also finally replaced the circuit breakers with a modern fuse box

15th January 2006

It's Lime!

The rebuild commences, all suspension on and at long last it looks like a car again. So much more to do though!

7th January 2006

Car now at CAM Panelworks where it has been prepared ready for primer, colour should go on on Wednesday, can you guess what colour it might be!

17th December 2005

Car collected from Arch, looking as good as new. After a few little last minute mods we were loaded up and on our way home. Also got a piccie (btm right) of the jig where my car was 'born' 20 years ago!

10th November 2005

Car off to Arch for new long front and complete refurb. Bruce gave us the tour and I learned that my car was the 9th De-Dion Caterham ever made!

30th October 2005

With an early start and 4 pairs of hands the stripdown is completed just before lunch.

Big thanks to Clive, Chris & Ian

23rd October 2005

A full day sees the removal of engine, gearbox, starter motor, oil pump, oil cooler, pedals, master cylinder, seats, carpets, tunnel panels, roll bar, fuel tank & filler cap

16th October 2005

The strip-down begins, lowering myself in gently but a couple of hours sees the headlamps, radiator, expansion tank & hoses, exhaust, battery and alternator removed

13th October 2005

Insurance go-ahead given.
Photo on left shows car pre-strip down. Photo on right shows the damage, NSF impact has pushed chassis inward by approx 1/2", enough to mean a trip to Arch!