David Jenkins
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| posted on 7/3/10 at 10:30 PM |
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I've had many a cheery wave from Caterham and Westie owners, even though it's fairly clear that my car is not one of those. I've
also had quite a few friendly conversations.
Just chalk this one as a 'pillock first-class', to be treated with contempt...
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ashg
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| posted on 7/3/10 at 11:00 PM |
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one of the lads from caterham was down at vosa gillingham with a customers car when i had my IVA. he was a really nice chap, complimented my car on
the build quality. i got the feeling that they have a lot of customers that build cars with chequebooks rather than tools. certainly felt like there
was a level of respect for building my own from scratch.
the chap agreed that caterhams these days are virtually production cars especially now they are starting to get type approvals for stuff.
personally i think caterhams are a boring car to look at as everything is just an off the shelf part. i love locosts, roadsters etc etc because no
two ever end up the same.
sounds like the bloke you bumped into was a special character. there are places for people like that luckily its none of the shows we go to.
at events like stoneleigh,detling etc caterhams are out numbered by thousands so even the odd few special characters driving them tend to wind their
necks in.
Anything With Tits or Wheels Will cost you MONEY!!
Haynes Roadster (Finished)
Exocet (Finished & Sold)
New Project (Started)
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rf900rush
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| posted on 7/3/10 at 11:02 PM |
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Wife's Uncle had one many years ago.
Heard about my Rush. Now he's gone a bought another caterham.
Not one to build, but still a decent bloke with no car snobbery at all.
Did get my own back a few years back.
Wife got me a Caterham 7 day.
Couple of owners turned up in the Own cars gloves and all.
I turn up Wife, Kids and Mum, and got 1st over all.
I don't think many shared my joy 
Shame they could not drive. Round one, 1st went to a girl 
That must of hurt.
Fortunately most are not tosser's
Met two car owners recently round my way.
One V8 MX5 and a V12 E-type. Both had the time to show off thier toys.
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mangogrooveworkshop
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| posted on 7/3/10 at 11:14 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
You should have said "Oh, I thought it was a real Lotus!"
Oh that really digs them..
Funny the caterham owner that was in my driveway today is nothing like that......he was helping me with my flintstone modification to my footwell.
In fact his car was in here for a week whilst we sorted his gearbox and clutch out.....
Nothing to do with caterhams just more cox seem to buy them as a rule of thumb......
Dont get me started about the sailing crowd.....my boats 29 feet and 6 inches long...blah blah....aye the six inches is the dildo on the
tiller
Same thing in every crowd of money flashers....probably had an Iphone as well and the personality to match....
[Edited on 7-3-10 by mangogrooveworkshop]
[Edited on 7-3-10 by mangogrooveworkshop]
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Fozzie
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| posted on 8/3/10 at 12:02 AM |
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There are quite a lot of caterhams near me....I have always had a wave, a flash of headlights or a beep-beep........There is one in the next road from
me, I have to go past to get on the main drag......if he is outside, always get a wave!
Out of curiosity...did they ever do a 'put it together yourself' version? as a couple of years back, there was BRG one parked near the
shops, and I don't think that I have ever seen such a badly put together 'thing' in my life...
I have only had good experiences from the Cateringvan lot, sadly as has been said, I think the guy you had the misfortune to meet would have been like
that no matter what they owned .... 
Fozzie
'Racing is Life!...anything before or after is just waiting'....Steve McQueen
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morcus
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| posted on 8/3/10 at 01:23 AM |
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You get people like that in all walks of life.
If you drive an unusual car you should expect people to be intrested in it and want to ask you questions, in the same way that If you get a fast
looking car you should be expecting people to try and race you, it goes with the territory.
What you should've done is not mentioned locosts, you should've told him you've got a 'Real one' and were curious as to
what they put in replicas.
In a White Room, With Black Curtains, By the Station.
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RK
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| posted on 8/3/10 at 01:50 AM |
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I must say that the guy who gave me some mirrors for FREE was a C'ham owner/builder. Nicest guy you'd ever want to meet. Don't let
the guy put you off, although it does hurt a bit when you meet nasty people like that fellow "who couldn't build anything even if he
wanted to, and if he did it would be crap". There's one in every crowd.
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iank
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| posted on 8/3/10 at 07:50 AM |
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I know a few Caterham owners, some of the nicest guys you could meet and not at all snobby, but they do say some of the people they meet at shows do
the same as the numpty you met and give them the 'only a Classic/K series/Not a R500/no carbon or titanium' treatment.
There are people like that everywhere and in every hobby, just get on and build something you're happy with, and then if you get any grief
suggest you're sorry they don't have the mechanical skills to build their own 
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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mackei23b
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| posted on 8/3/10 at 09:23 AM |
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Allways been friendly to me, in both the MK and Westfield.
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Paul M
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| posted on 8/3/10 at 11:18 AM |
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You must have embarassed him - he obviously had no idea what engine he had in.
Muppet, I've met a few over the years and have had similar experiences, also met a few decent petrol head types as well but they are in the
minority, in my expereince anyway.
If you want real snobbery try going to a club Lotus meeting in a Westfield jacket.
You dont have to wait long to find out what other cars a Lotus owner has, where they go on holiday, how much they claim on expenses or why they prefer
1st class travel.
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mcerd1
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| posted on 8/3/10 at 07:19 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mangogrooveworkshopSame thing in every crowd of money flashers....probably had an Iphone as well and the
personality to match....
I bet he's an ice climber aswell....
[Edited on 8/3/10 by mcerd1]
-
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 8/3/10 at 08:09 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by balidey
ior look at it from HIS point of view. you've jsut spent about £40,000 on a new car, its your pride and joy, not had it more than a week, been
saving for years, wanted to build your own but family commitments meant you just couldn't, but now you've got one, one of the best
performance cars money can buy and guess what...... every frikkin time you park up somewhere total strangers wander up to you as if they are your best
mate and say 'oy mister, ow fast isit?' Or 'what injun its got unda ya bonnet'
So you decide the best option is just to act like a cock to them.
Sorry but that would MAKE him a weapons grade cock. You don't have to stay and talk for hours to every stranger who shows interest in your car,
but a civil tongue costs nothing. If he goes around being rude to random people then he is far more likely to lose out when someone takes exception
and something nasty happens to him or his car.
quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
You should have said "Oh, I thought it was a real Lotus!"
[Edited on 8/3/10 by MikeRJ]
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welderman
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| posted on 9/3/10 at 08:01 AM |
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I just think you got a tosser of a car driver in all aspectes of the word W@NKER, ive spoke to a few cateringvan driver/owners and there all ok, mate
of mine has had a few including lots of other toys to drive.
You were unlucky, but dont let it put you off.
Joe
Thank's, Joe
I don't stalk people
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/23/viewthread.php?tid=172301
Back on with the Fisher Fury R1
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RK
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| posted on 9/3/10 at 01:36 PM |
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The sad part is, that when his car breaks down in the parking lot (name a small English car that doesn't), there's one person who would
very likely know what to do, but "won't be able to help unfortunately - love to - but got a family emergency etc."
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goaty
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| posted on 9/3/10 at 05:47 PM |
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got to say something here too, i have met many who are very frinedly and love to share info and stories, but on the other side i have met alot of
caterham snobs, look down upon us who like to build them and tey seem to think caterham are whats being copied.....how little they know.
ignore them then show them up if they are snobs in my eyes, cant wait till i back on road
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bassett
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| posted on 9/3/10 at 07:17 PM |
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The one chap id started talking to was a right badge snob soon as i mentioned what i owned it was like oooh not a caterham then. From all other brand
kit cars ive always had a good chat with the owners as in general we are an open bunch and appreciate that DIY touch plus its rare you come across
these niche market cars. Atleast ours arent all the same with a good foot between the rear tyre and the arch
At the same time maybe this was a one off or just part of a small minority as i guess it happens everywhere - your job status, the car you use
everyday with engine size snobbery etc so i wont paint all caterham owners with the same brush just yet anyway.
My MNR Blog Updated Jan 2010 - Track Day Prep Begins!
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Daddylonglegs
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| posted on 9/3/10 at 08:39 PM |
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Just as Goaty said, he just showed his ignorance when assuming that all 7 look-alikes are based around his car make! Maybe it would be useful to leave
a little history of the 7 document copy in the cockpit of all these 'higher beings' (assuming they can read of course)
It looks like the Midget is winning at the moment......
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boggle
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| posted on 9/3/10 at 08:44 PM |
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i cant wait to see him on the road....
just because you are a character, doesnt mean you have character....
for all your bespoke parts, ali welding, waterjet, laser, folding, turning, milling, composite work, spraying, anodising and cad drawing....
u2u me for details
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greenwood03
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| posted on 9/3/10 at 11:27 PM |
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Pity to see a thread like this - because as usual the actions of a minority gets blown out of all proportion, in turn creating the illusion that
'they must all be like that'
I've had the good fortune to meet a number of owners of Caterhams, not only have they been good blokes to have a chat with - they've also
welcomed me to either join them on run outs, or have joined in with some of the 'intermarque' runs/meets that i've arranged.
Infact you'll find a high proportion of them having nothing but respect for guys that build their own car, irrespective of whether its a
locost/tiger or whatever. There was a post some months back by a Cat owner who seemingly made a disparaging remark about a Tiger that was for sale.
Reading his post a number of times I'm 99% certain that he wasn't poking fun, he was picking the owner of said car up on the description:
Net result, 5 pages of posts ALL from Cat owners, - he basically got flamed as they saw his comment as unncessary and wrong.
To the OP - pity that you had that you experienced that conversation. However a bigger pity would be to let that cloud prospective views of the
majorty. Beacuse in doing so the 'them + us' will forever continue. My personal opinion is that yep, there'll be a fair few knobs
that own one, just the same as there's a fair few knobs that own tigers like mine. That's life!
http://southernkitcars.comIntermarque Club for owners in the South/South East
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Brommers
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| posted on 10/3/10 at 12:06 AM |
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Absolutely - as with most things most are fine, some are total dick-wipes. IME there are two types of Caterham owners. The first group are proper
petrol-heads, and appreciate any fellow petrol-head's enthusiasms.
The second group don't really care about cars or driving - they're just after another toy, another status symbol, another excuse to go
willy/wallet-waving at the world. They chose a Caterham because it's an expensive toy they can boast about. Sadly, that group tend to be
cocks.
The only thing I'd say is true about Caterham drivers generally is that they always look so bloody miserable when they're driving the damn
things. Never worked that one out...
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Ninehigh
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| posted on 10/3/10 at 02:47 AM |
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Can't drive something like that and expect no-one to show an interest. I wouldn't be surprised if soon he has to fit holes to drain all
the spit out of the cabin.
Last time someone was like that about their car my response was "race ya"
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andkilde
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| posted on 10/3/10 at 01:51 PM |
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Hmmn, don't know if this would translate but I drive an old Mini here in Canada, which is relatively uncommon. You get a lot of folks approach
to ask about the "little" car. A fairly high percentage offer to buy it for a few hundred dollars. It gets old. I don't know if
I've ever come off snippy with anyone but I imagine I've rolled my eyes at a lot of folks. Occasionally I'll rush off pretending to
be in a hurry as I'm lacking the patience to grit my teeth on a given day.
With the Cateringvan owners I would imagine that many of them are simply less knowledgeable about their cars than builders. We can't all be
anoraks
t
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spdpug98
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| posted on 10/3/10 at 04:32 PM |
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I think it is a big shame that people are like that, it can happen in any situation and it is just that – that person is a c0ck!
One of the nicest people I have met since I built mine is a Caterham driver, he even refers to my car as a ‘7’, which may horrify other Cat’ owners.
Not long after building my car, I took it down to one of Poole Quay’s theme nights with this particular night being for the ‘7’. I had a feeling that
they would probably send me round the other way and into the main car park! However, to my surprise they let me park it in the middle of all the Cat’s
(probably about 100) from all over the South & South West. The next day I got an email from the Organiser from the Caterham Club thanking me for
bringing the car down!
My Blog: http://spdpug98.wordpress.com/
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