Caterham

Caterham Cars, known for its lightweight sports cars epitomize the essence of British motoring.  The company’s origins trace back to 1957 when Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus Cars, introduced the Lotus Seven.  It was a minimalist sports car designed for performance and handling rather than luxury.

The pivotal moment arrived in 1973.  Graham Nearn’s dealership, Caterham Cars, which had been one of the original distributors for the Lotus Seven, acquired the rights to the Seven design from Lotus. This acquisition marked the birth of Caterham as a car manufacturer. From then on, Caterham continued to produce the Seven, staying true to the car’s original philosophy of ‘simplify, then add lightness’, a principle coined by Colin Chapman.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Caterham began to make subtle changes and improvements to the Seven. Despite these updates, the company remained committed to the car’s original design and purpose.  They continued producing a lightweight, open-top sports car that offered exhilarating performance and handling. Caterham’s versions of the Seven were offered in a variety specifications, catering to both road use and track racing.

The 21st century saw Caterham expanding its reach and exploring new territories while still focusing on the Seven. The company introduced several new models of the Seven.  These offered more power and modern amenities while maintaining the car’s classic design and lightweight construction. They also started to broaden its market, appealing not only to traditional enthusiasts in the UK but also to a global audience.

The Evolution of Caterham

In 2013, a significant move was made by entering the world of Formula 1, though its tenure in the sport was relatively short-lived. This venture into F1 showcased the ambitions with high-performance motorsports.

Today, Caterham Cars continues to produce the Seven in various models.  Manufacturing the more road-friendly versions to the high-performance track-oriented variants. The company maintains its dedication to Colin Chapman’s original vision for the Seven. They remain a unique and respected name, synonymous with a pure driving experience and a deep connection to the heritage of the British sports car.

If you want to check for recalls, try this.  Visit our list of common Caterham manufacturer issues for specific vehicles to see if yours is on the list.