Front end

n line with the Caterham build guide I started at the front end the car. Prior to commencing any "true" build tasks, I followed the advice given in Andrew Bissell's blog, which was to start with the IVA trim around all the openings in the bodywork. I followed a similar technique, by cutting V shapes in the back of the IVA trim where it was necessary to fit around some of the front suspension supports. On the whole this seemed to go pretty well, although it was quite a fiddly little job, but, with the help of a few plastic golf tees (used to shape and support the rubber trim) it's all in place. Considering the fact it was so fiddly, I am glad I did not leave this until the end!

All nicely siliconed in place

Following the IVA trim was the initial fitting of the steering arm (with IVA trim), which was a nice straightforward job to start with and a good introduction to the Caterham system of fastener packs and how the instructions were going to refer to the content.

The lower wishbones were  assembled several times with a few different washer arrangements to get a good fit and spacing, before finally being torqued up; this is definitely easier as a two man job. For the upper wishbones the rear bolt was inserted and tightened, while the front bolt opened a new avenue - front lighting!

Since the front headlight mount needs to be installed prior to the front bolt of the upper wishbone, it is advised that the headlights be assembled. Cue the return of the horrible IVA trim tat was required on the indicator cones. Eventually, I gave up with silicone and superglued the trim in place; this worked much better. as for the rest of the assembly, it was pretty painless, if a little fiddly and required a new hole drilling (the Caterham pre-drilled holes were miles off!). Unfortunately, I then realised I could not put this on the car, due to a lack of rubber grommets to protect the cables.

This turned out to be the start of a bit of a trend... I went on to try and fit the dampers only to find that the bolts that should be in the chassis, were absent. Undeterred, I looked for the uprights and brake callipers to ensure they were assembled, alas none were to be found...

That pretty much sums up the front end at the minute - stuck, with a lack of parts...