Pronounced "KAYTER-UM". Caterham Cars, U.K. has been associated with Lotus, and the Seven in particular, since 1959. Caterham became the sole distributor of the Seven in 1967, and in 1973, bought the exclusive production rights for the Seven from Lotus. At that time Caterham reverted to the popular Series 3 style. In the years since, Caterham’s engineers have continuously developed the Seven to keep abreast of modern technology, while maintaining the timeless, classic appeal.
Did I say quick...?
In June of 2004, Automobile Magazine tested a street legal Caterham Seven Classis with the Superlight package powered by a stock Ford SVT engine at the challenging Barber Motorsport Park track. The Caterham was pitted against some of the quickest street machines available and was once again able to prove that the Seven is the ultimate car on the track or the road.
With a lap time of 1:41.7, the Caterham out lapped the:
- Honda S2000 by 9.1 seconds
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution RS by 6.5 seconds
- Lotus Elise by 5.2 seconds
- Dodge Viper SRT-10 by 3.6 seconds
- Porsche 911 GT3 by 2.4 seconds
- Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale by 1.1 seconds
What a great looking car
The Caterham Seven is a small, lightweight, two-seater sports car renowned for its performance and handling. Various other manufacturers offer a similar lightweight, minimalist package in a seven-esque shape, but Caterham own various legal rights around the design, manufacturer and name of the original car and have taken legal action in the past in order to protect those rights. The modern Seven is based on the Series 3 Lotus Seven, though Caterham have developed it to the point that no part is the same as on the original Lotus.
Built for Speed
The Lotus 7 was conceived by Chapman as a car to be raced. Whilst still a prototype, in September 1957, it was raced at the Brighton Speed Trials and by the end of 1958 Graham Hill was winning races with the Coventry Climax-engined 'Super Seven'. The car has had a strong racing history throughout its life under both Lotus and Caterham stewardship.
After dominating open class races for decades Caterham Super 7 Racing, a one-make championship for Caterhams, was begun in 1986. Caterham 7 races have since expanded to include club and competitive races in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, Canada, the United States and Asia. In 1995 the Caterham Academy, a novices-only format, was introduced in the UK. For £16,995 (2007 price), entrants get a modified Roadsport kit (although a factory-built option is available for extra cost) with a sealed 120bhp engine and 5-speed gearbox. Having completed the ARDS license qualification, the season then consists of four sprints followed by four circuit races. The Academy is designed as the first step in a well-established chain of Caterham race formats (Graduates, Super Grads, Roadsports, Caterham Challenge and then on to European circuit formats).
The car was banned from racing in the USA in the 1960s, as being "Too fast to race" and again in the UK in the 1970s for the same reasons, which prompted Caterham Cars boss Graham Nearn to produce 'T' shirts with "Caterham Seven, the car that's "Too Fast to Race. .." .Both bans were later lifted. In 2002 an R400 won its class (and came 11th overall out of 200 starters) at the Nürburgring 24-hour race by 10 laps, ahead of competition that included Porsche and BMW racecars, leading, once again, to a ban on entry in subsequent years.
Because You Have to Have One...
If you're interested, contact Caterham USA, located in Denver. Check out their website and when you decide you need to invest in a Caterham, give them a call! They have a helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable staff and ensure that you will get the best service and answers to your questions. They have a breadth and depth of knowledge regarding Caterhams, racing and most things automotive which they will happily share with you.
Caterham Collectibles
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