Greetings and Start

Hi, I'm Vincenzo.

On 23 July 2006, Top Gear Series 8 Episode 7 was aired where the lads built a Caterham kit car. Since then, life sort of changed a little. Not into an obsession, no. But, a soothing anticipation came over me. One day I would build my own kit car. At least as pretty as the Caterham 7. Period.

Having studied the available options available in the country I live in, I decided to get myself a Caterham Road Sport SV. Where I live, in Switzerland, engines must comply to the Euro 4 emission norm and this has consequences in the price of the car. So I had to wait and save a bit more money than the GBP 15'000 that the car on TG cost. But then, around February this year, came the day I had it and I was off to the Swiss dealer Fredy Kumschick. And I ordered my RS 1.6 SVS. Yes!

A few weeks later I received the sad news that a new Swiss law was passed. Apparently all new cars were to have both a crumple zone and an energy absorbing bonnet for pedestrian safety.
Caterhams have none of these an the new law basically cut off the sales of Caterhams in Switzerland.

Car safety is a good thing but forcing this onto small series cars will not make a difference at all. Caterhams are used on sunny weekends on roads where there are very few pedestrians. To my astonishment, the Swiss law makers recognized this and were about to adapt the law and add exceptions. Probably some time in May/June 2009.

So there I was with cash to burn but nowhere to bring it to. Oh bother. What else than to devote life back again to working.

Months later, to my complete surprise, Fredy Kumschick called saying he had reached an exceptional agreement with the automotive authorities in Switzerland. Import of new Caterhams was allowed again. Oh joy!

With the newly gained capital I was able to change my mind and instead order a Caterham CSR 200. The beauty of this all is that contrary to the policy at Catergam UK, I could have my CSR as a kit.

Last Thursday I went to Fredy Kumschick and with a good friend of mine we loaded the car kit into a trailer and brought it to my garage.

So here we are.