For those of us that like the more classic style motor cars of days gone by as well as those produced today, the following news arriving at MotorMartin Towers will cause quite a stir. And rightly so. Caterham Cars have informed MotorMartin that they have built a variant of their iconic Seven that was seemingly planned in the mid-1960s but never launched – the Caterham Seven Sprint.
It really does appear as though dug up in a time capsule as the retro detailing of the Caterham Seven Sprint will delight Seven purists and provides the perfect scene-setter to the brand’s ‘60 Years of the Seven’ anniversary, which will be celebrated next year.
The Sprint, incredibly well priced from £27,995, will finally be available to order from September 9, when the car will be launched at the Goodwood Revival, a fittingly retro setting for a car with one wheel firmly planted in the ‘60s.
Fortunately the Caterham is to be powered by the same 80hp, three-cylinder Suzuki engine installed in their entry-level Seven 160 model and the Sprint features a host of nostalgia-soaked features, including a choice of six paint colours that were original British manufacturer colours available in 1966/67.
Caterham Cars CEO, Graham Macdonald, shared with MotorMartin that: “We have always prided ourselves on continually developing the Seven during the 44 years we have been custodian of the model.”
“But we never wished to dismiss our heritage either and I know there are plenty of Seven purists and aficionados out there who will really appreciate the level of detail we’ve gone to with the Sprint to resurrect the spirit of those early cars.”
“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.”
The launch of the Sprint heralds the start of Caterham’s ‘60 years of the Seven’ celebrations, which will culminate with a spectacular Caterham festival at Donington Park next summer. To reflect the anniversary further, only 60 Sprints will be destined for the UK and European markets. So best get in their quick in MotorMartin’s opinion.
Caterham have explained to MotorMartin that the Sprint chassis is powder-coated grey, making it period-accurate for a Series 2 Lotus 7, while the suspension and rollover bar are also reminiscent of Colin Chapman’s original.
With flared front wings, polished exhaust silencer and uniquely retro-styled, individual rear lights, the Sprint harks back to the early days of the Seven and the choice of paint colours completes the exterior effect.
Keeping with the theme, wheels will be painted cream and finished with polished hubcaps, while the main bodywork, emblazoned with retro Caterham branding and Sprint logo, is available in original British colours, named by Caterham to reflect their heritage – Cream, Mellow Yellow, Regency Red, Camberwick Green, British Racing Green and Misty Blue.
Inside the cockpit hasn’t been forgotten either as the sepia-toned impression continues, with a wooden-rimmed sports steering wheel and dashboard in wood effect, complete with a classic oOOo instrument layout. The tacho even features red and yellow sectors, in true ‘60s style.
Meanwhile, the interior panels and Muirhead Scottish seat upholstery is hand-stitched in the period style and finished in striking scarlet red and in MotorMartin’s eyes, looks incredible.
The interior and luggage space are fully carpeted, as befits a ‘60s connoisseur and there are very few concessions to modern life, the main one being the three-pot Suzuki engine, which generates performance good enough to be considered beyond mundane but perfectly capable of a more leisurely application.
The Caterham Seven Sprint will be available as a factory-built car only.
Please visit http://www.caterham.co.uk or call 01293 312300 for more information and set aside a few hours as you’ll soon find yourself lost amongst the details of this amazing machine. Well done Caterham.
Where will you go?