The Story of the SEVEN


Year Event
1957
Introduction of Lotus Seven at London Motor Show. Car offered with choice of Ford or Climax engines.
1959
Caterham Cars established as one of the first Lotus centres in premises on Caterham Hill, Surrey, selling Sevens and Elites.
1960
Caterham Cars exhibits Seven at first Racing Car Show.
1965
Caterham Cars supplies Seven registered KAR 120C for the Prisoner TV series.
1967
Caterham Cars becomes the sole concessionaire for Seven.
1973
Caterham Cars take over production rights for Seven from Lotus.
1980
The Caterham Seven begins its production sports car career on the race tracks.
1982
Caterham Cars celebrates 25th year of Seven with Silver Jubilee model.
1985
Introduction of De Dion rear suspension to replace live axle.
1986
Introduction of road going Super Seven race series after the success of a trial race at the Colin Chapman memorial meeting. Introduction of Seven HPC with most powerful engine option ever; 170 bhp Cosworth BDR.
1987
Caterham Cars moves production operation to spacious new factory at Dartford.
1989
Establishment of Caterham Seven one-make race series in France.
1991
First year of Caterham Vauxhall race series.
1992
35th Anniversary model introduced.
The Classic, low cost entry model introduced.
JPE - Jonathan Palmer Evolution launched at Motor Show. 0-60 in 3.44 seconds breaks the world record for a production car.
One make race series in Japan - only one-make series for imported cars in Japan.
Seven wins outright 24 Hour Race in Ohio, USA
1993
Caterham Seven K-Series introduced to Australia.
Caterham Cars wins Queen's Award for Export.
Caterham manufactures own six-speed gearbox.
1995
New racing Scholarship for novices.
1996
Caterham Superlight (470kg) introduced with modified 1.6 'K' power unit.
1997
Superlight 'R' (485kg) with 1.8 "K" VHPD engine (193ps).
1998
New one make race series in Turkey.
1999
Seven Zetec accepted by Sports Car Club of America; launch of R500 which breaks production lap record of the Nordschlieffe circuit at Nurburgring.
2000
Caterham launches SV; Caterham Blackbird introduced - class win at Nurembring 24 hour Race.
2001
Superlight European Championship launched; Caterham Beaulieu introduced; Opening of Caterham Midlands.
2002
Caterham Cars form business and marketing partnership with MG Rover Group. New Classic and Superlight (R300, R400) models released, together with new MG XPower engines.
2003
Caterham Cars celebrate 30 years of producing the Seven with the introduction of two new models, the Roadsport SV 30 and the Tracksport.
2004
The R500 Evolution is released; the first 2 litre K Series Seven, with an output of 250 bhp and over 170 lb/ft of torque. The all-new Caterham CSR is launched at a London venue, along with the new Cosworth Duratec engine, with 200 and 260 bhp versions on offer. The CSR utilizes the new Caterham chassis with in-board front suspension, independent rear suspension and new interior.