Photo: Caterham
From 1957 to 1973, Lotus had built the Seven. The lightweight two-seat open-top sports car is the embodiment of the British manufacturer’s mastermind, Colin Chapman. Then Caterham bought the rights to the Seven, which is why the Seven soldiers on even today, almost six decades after the first Seven was manufactured.
Baptized Sprint, this particular version of the Caterham Seven is said to have been seemingly planned in the mid-‘60s, but it didn’t make it into mass production back then. Now, though, Caterham has proudly announced it will build 60 units of the thing, each priced from £27,995. The retail price translates to approximately $37,215 or €33,020 at current rates.
The question is, what do you get in return for the money? For starters, a three-cylinder Suzuki engine, the 80 hp turbo unit you might find under the hood of the entry-level Caterham Seven 160. Incidentally, the Seven Sprint is £10k more costly than the model it is based on. But then again, the fittingly retro styling cues are worth it, as is the choice of colors. The Seven Sprint can be had in no less than six paint jobs inspired by old-school finishes.
Caterham Cars chief executive officer, Graham Macdonald, puts it best: “It’s a car that has been built today, with all the benefits that modern engineering brings with it, but the essence of the swinging ‘60s and is the perfect precursor to our 60th-anniversary celebration in 2017.” As for what lurks underneath the body panels, the Sprint rides on a chassis that’s powder-coated grey. In other words, it’s a nod to the Series 2 Lotus Seven. What’s more, the suspension and rollover bar are also inspired by the Series 2.
Besides the flared front wings and steel wheels with polished hubcaps, the Caterham Seven Sprint is just as special once you hope inside. The wooden-rimmed sports steering wheel, period-correct oOOo instrument cluster, everything if lovely in there. Last, but certainly no least, the tachometer is adorned with red and yellow sectors, while the seats and interior panels are wrapped in acres of scarlet red Muirhead Scottish leather upholstery.
If you want one, you’d better hurry up. With only 60 examples in the offing, the Caterham Seven Sprint is a collectible in the making.
The question is, what do you get in return for the money? For starters, a three-cylinder Suzuki engine, the 80 hp turbo unit you might find under the hood of the entry-level Caterham Seven 160. Incidentally, the Seven Sprint is £10k more costly than the model it is based on. But then again, the fittingly retro styling cues are worth it, as is the choice of colors. The Seven Sprint can be had in no less than six paint jobs inspired by old-school finishes.
Caterham Cars chief executive officer, Graham Macdonald, puts it best: “It’s a car that has been built today, with all the benefits that modern engineering brings with it, but the essence of the swinging ‘60s and is the perfect precursor to our 60th-anniversary celebration in 2017.” As for what lurks underneath the body panels, the Sprint rides on a chassis that’s powder-coated grey. In other words, it’s a nod to the Series 2 Lotus Seven. What’s more, the suspension and rollover bar are also inspired by the Series 2.
Besides the flared front wings and steel wheels with polished hubcaps, the Caterham Seven Sprint is just as special once you hope inside. The wooden-rimmed sports steering wheel, period-correct oOOo instrument cluster, everything if lovely in there. Last, but certainly no least, the tachometer is adorned with red and yellow sectors, while the seats and interior panels are wrapped in acres of scarlet red Muirhead Scottish leather upholstery.
If you want one, you’d better hurry up. With only 60 examples in the offing, the Caterham Seven Sprint is a collectible in the making.
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