The Barchetta Scorpion! (A Caterham Replica made in India!)

DKG · 13th August 2008, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathew57

Hope all this will help

No Sir definitely not!!! Here we have one of two individuals who have crafted cars that look like the perfect replicas of Caterhams, all indigenous, and the creator wants to sum it up in one post!!

Mathew you are a genius. And we want tons more. TONS.

Please start a detailed account of how your dream began, all the planning, the drawings, Jeez...I am completely stumped.

Wow the Indian cottage industry has arrived. Three cheers to the pioneers, Mathew and Rizwan (in Bombay) for an outstanding job done.

I have to meet you someday!

vintagepoint5 · 13th August 2008, 19:35

Congrats Mathew, excellent job, share more details of chassis pictures,
driving and road test performance etc. Appreciate if you share more info. like time to complete one car and approx. cost and any technical problems encountered.

Good luck!

Mathew57 · 13th August 2008, 23:36

Hi everyone,

I first saw a Caterham when I was in England doing my engineering in !975 and immediately fell in love with it.

I susequently worked with British Leyland and later Peugeot in Nigeria. I returned to India in 1983 and started a manufacturing unit here in Bangalore totally unrelated to cars.

Then around 1998, I decided to build one for myself.

First thing I had to do was to get the chassis designs. This was sourced from the net and countless magazines and the like. I also had to do alot of scaling back etc to get it right.

Then , it was a question of building the chassis. There were alot playing around with springs for the suspension. The body was made in 19 guage mild steel sheet and FRP for the nose and mudguards.

Its a bit difficult to put all this into words.

This first car had an Esteem 1300 SOHC engine. The suspension and drivetrain were the same as the present one that I have.

This was the car that was featured on Top gear and later on CNBC and also in Society and Autocar Magazines.

I subsequently sold it.

Now at 58, I don't think I'll be able to build another. Its too much of an effort in terms of enegy and time. Alot of machining had to be done by me on my lathe. The gear knob for example , made from Aircraft grade aluminium took me one week to machine and polish.

So as you can see, to build her to these specs, took alot of passion and it was a labour of love. I had only my Man Friday to help me who has been with me from the age of 12 years.

As to the cost, the hardware i.e. engine, drivetrain, aluminium sheet, T7075Grade bar stock. carbon fibre, electricals, painting etc came to about 2lakhs+. But my effort and labour is altogether a different story. Difficult to put a price on it.

I would however be more than willing to help anyone out in case they want to build one.

One note of advise- This is not a car for someone who doesn't have his/her head between his/her shoulders. Its a car for mature drivers who think responsibly.

There are many who have asked me what the max speed is, and I have said that I don't know. It is too dangerous to try that on our roads. The only place I can think of is the Yelahanka Air force Station's runway!!!

srijit · 14th August 2008, 10:23

Wow, Mathewji, that is a wonderful story.

You said that your car was featured on Top Gear. Was it the magazine? Could you tell us which year?
Also were there any difficulties in getting the car road legal?
If someone were to build a car like this now, how hard is to get it road legal?

narayan · 16th August 2008, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathew57

Hi everyone,

I first saw a Caterham when I was in England doing my engineering in !975 and immediately fell in love with it.

I susequently worked with British Leyland and later Peugeot in Nigeria. I returned to India in 1983 and started a manufacturing unit here in Bangalore totally unrelated to cars.

Then around 1998, I decided to build one for myself.

First thing I had to do was to get the chassis designs. This was sourced from the net and countless magazines and the like. I also had to do alot of scaling back etc to get it right.

Then , it was a question of building the chassis. There were alot playing around with springs for the suspension. The body was made in 19 guage mild steel sheet and FRP for the nose and mudguards.

Its a bit difficult to put all this into words.

This first car had an Esteem 1300 SOHC engine. The suspension and drivetrain were the same as the present one that I have.

This was the car that was featured on Top gear and later on CNBC and also in Society and Autocar Magazines.

I subsequently sold it.

Now at 58, I don't think I'll be able to build another. Its too much of an effort in terms of enegy and time. Alot of machining had to be done by me on my lathe. The gear knob for example , made from Aircraft grade aluminium took me one week to machine and polish.

So as you can see, to build her to these specs, took alot of passion and it was a labour of love. I had only my Man Friday to help me who has been with me from the age of 12 years.

As to the cost, the hardware i.e. engine, drivetrain, aluminium sheet, T7075Grade bar stock. carbon fibre, electricals, painting etc came to about 2lakhs+. But my effort and labour is altogether a different story. Difficult to put a price on it.

I would however be more than willing to help anyone out in case they want to build one.

One note of advise- This is not a car for someone who doesn't have his/her head between his/her shoulders. Its a car for mature drivers who think responsibly.

There are many who have asked me what the max speed is, and I have said that I don't know. It is too dangerous to try that on our roads. The only place I can think of is the Yelahanka Air force Station's runway!!!

i salute you Mathew

dinar · 16th August 2008, 12:04

Thats, nice The creator on the Forum... Have got tons of questions sir, Have been trying to build something like this for ages now. First obstacle is the registration, I do not want to keep the car as a show piece and/or drive it at night [illegally].How was the car registered as the chassis is not original.

.anshuman · 16th August 2008, 15:40

Awesome work Matthew,looks very good and that suzuki engine and low weight looks very yummy to me, now waiting for some lucky member to post a drive report sometime soon.

thiyags22 · 18th August 2008, 16:57

You are an inspiration. Hats off!!

Thiyags

wanderernomad · 25th August 2008, 13:47

Awesome work, Sir. Shows the passion involved and the effort needed. hats off to you.

prabhuav · 25th August 2008, 14:10

Mathew,

Too bad we dont have a smiley that shows a kneel down. Trying this one
_o-<

This just mindblowing.

Vijay

GTO · 25th August 2008, 14:33

Quote:

11. Kerb weight is around 380kgs.

That's a minimum power to weight of 300+ BHP / Ton! Ajmat, when are you driving it?

FlyingSpur · 19th March 2009, 13:56

How come no one's seen one in Mumbai. A friend has built one, and taken me for a quick spin around the block as well. pretty wild experience. Colour is blue. I'll ask when I meet him next, if I can post more here.

Manuuj · 19th March 2009, 14:19

B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L machine..the work has been executed perfectly..
many congratulations on completing this piece of art..
many just dream of doing this (myself included), you have done it! my respects!

If you wouldn't mind would you care to share the time line and expense incurred..just ballpark figures would do..thanks!

vijaythacker · 19th March 2009, 14:55

mathew, salute to the work and effort you gave to create this BEAUTIFUL piece of art.WOW.

lejhoom · 19th March 2009, 17:10

Mathu ji,
If this is not passion, the what is?
Please write a detailed report as to how you actually worked on it. It can turn out to be a huge inspiration for others.
Congratulations!

13th August 2008, 19:35	#32
vintagepoint5 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jeddah/Hyd Posts: 421 Thanked: 65 Times View My Garage	Congrats Mathew, excellent job, share more details of chassis pictures, driving and road test performance etc. Appreciate if you share more info. like time to complete one car and approx. cost and any technical problems encountered. Good luck!
	() Thanks

13th August 2008, 23:36	#33
Mathew57 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 7 Thanked: 14 Times	Scorpion Barchetta Hi everyone, I first saw a Caterham when I was in England doing my engineering in !975 and immediately fell in love with it. I susequently worked with British Leyland and later Peugeot in Nigeria. I returned to India in 1983 and started a manufacturing unit here in Bangalore totally unrelated to cars. Then around 1998, I decided to build one for myself. First thing I had to do was to get the chassis designs. This was sourced from the net and countless magazines and the like. I also had to do alot of scaling back etc to get it right. Then , it was a question of building the chassis. There were alot playing around with springs for the suspension. The body was made in 19 guage mild steel sheet and FRP for the nose and mudguards. Its a bit difficult to put all this into words. This first car had an Esteem 1300 SOHC engine. The suspension and drivetrain were the same as the present one that I have. This was the car that was featured on Top gear and later on CNBC and also in Society and Autocar Magazines. I subsequently sold it. Now at 58, I don't think I'll be able to build another. Its too much of an effort in terms of enegy and time. Alot of machining had to be done by me on my lathe. The gear knob for example , made from Aircraft grade aluminium took me one week to machine and polish. So as you can see, to build her to these specs, took alot of passion and it was a labour of love. I had only my Man Friday to help me who has been with me from the age of 12 years. As to the cost, the hardware i.e. engine, drivetrain, aluminium sheet, T7075Grade bar stock. carbon fibre, electricals, painting etc came to about 2lakhs+. But my effort and labour is altogether a different story. Difficult to put a price on it. I would however be more than willing to help anyone out in case they want to build one. One note of advise- This is not a car for someone who doesn't have his/her head between his/her shoulders. Its a car for mature drivers who think responsibly. There are many who have asked me what the max speed is, and I have said that I don't know. It is too dangerous to try that on our roads. The only place I can think of is the Yelahanka Air force Station's runway!!!
	(1) Thanks

14th August 2008, 10:23	#34
srijit BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 598 Thanked: 8 Times	Wow, Mathewji, that is a wonderful story. You said that your car was featured on Top Gear. Was it the magazine? Could you tell us which year? Also were there any difficulties in getting the car road legal? If someone were to build a car like this now, how hard is to get it road legal?
	() Thanks

16th August 2008, 12:04	#36
dinar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: goa Posts: 1,066 Thanked: 57 Times	Thats, nice The creator on the Forum... Have got tons of questions sir, Have been trying to build something like this for ages now. First obstacle is the registration, I do not want to keep the car as a show piece and/or drive it at night [illegally].How was the car registered as the chassis is not original.
	() Thanks

16th August 2008, 15:40	#37
.anshuman Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Good-Gaon Posts: 7,763 Thanked: 11,124 Times View My Garage	Awesome work Matthew,looks very good and that suzuki engine and low weight looks very yummy to me, now waiting for some lucky member to post a drive report sometime soon.
	() Thanks

18th August 2008, 16:57	#38
thiyags22 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Madras / Bangalore Posts: 149 Thanked: 19 Times	You are an inspiration. Hats off!! Thiyags
	() Thanks

25th August 2008, 13:47	#39
wanderernomad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,552 Thanked: 1,296 Times View My Garage	Awesome work, Sir. Shows the passion involved and the effort needed. hats off to you.
	() Thanks

25th August 2008, 14:10	#40
prabhuav BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 672 Thanked: 129 Times View My Garage	Mathew, Too bad we dont have a smiley that shows a kneel down. Trying this one _o-< This just mindblowing. Vijay
	() Thanks

19th March 2009, 13:56	#42
FlyingSpur Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,936 Thanked: 1,449 Times View My Garage	How come no one's seen one in Mumbai. A friend has built one, and taken me for a quick spin around the block as well. pretty wild experience. Colour is blue. I'll ask when I meet him next, if I can post more here.
	() Thanks

19th March 2009, 14:19	#43
Manuuj BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New Delhi. Posts: 895 Thanked: 6,473 Times	B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L machine..the work has been executed perfectly.. many congratulations on completing this piece of art.. many just dream of doing this (myself included), you have done it! my respects! If you wouldn't mind would you care to share the time line and expense incurred..just ballpark figures would do..thanks!
	() Thanks

19th March 2009, 14:55	#44
vijaythacker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 1,499 Thanked: 75 Times View My Garage	mathew, salute to the work and effort you gave to create this BEAUTIFUL piece of art.WOW.
	() Thanks

19th March 2009, 17:10	#45
lejhoom BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 407 Thanked: 257 Times	Mathu ji, If this is not passion, the what is? Please write a detailed report as to how you actually worked on it. It can turn out to be a huge inspiration for others. Congratulations!
	() Thanks