Caterham Cars

Year of foundation 1957

The history of Caterham Cars is inextricably linked to that of Lotus, and in particular to an iconic model: the Lotus Seven.

The Origins and the Passing of the Baton

It all began in 1957, when the brilliant British engineer Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus, launched the Lotus Seven. With his philosophy of "Simplify, then add lightness," Chapman created a streamlined, agile, and high-performance sports car, which could also be purchased as a kit.

In 1959, Graham Nearn founded Caterham Car Services and became an official Lotus dealer, focusing specifically on the sale of the Seven. For over a decade, Caterham established itself as a reference point for Lotus Seven enthusiasts.

In 1973, Lotus decided to discontinue production of the Seven to focus on more modern models. Graham Nearn, deeply attached to the model, did not give up. With a handshake and an informal agreement in a pub, he purchased the exclusive rights, designs, and production tools for the Seven from Colin Chapman. Thus, Caterham Cars Ltd. was born.

From Lotus to Caterham

Caterham immediately resumed production of the Seven, initially with the Series 4. However, given its success and market demand for the more classic styling, production quickly shifted to the Series 3, which became the true heart of the brand. The Caterham Seven, while retaining the look and philosophy of the original design, was constantly evolved and improved over the years.

Evolution and Innovation

The 1980s and 1990s: Caterham moved to a new headquarters in Dartford, Kent, where its production facilities remain today. Increasingly powerful and high-performance versions were launched, including the 1992 JPE (Jonathan Palmer Evolution), which set a record for acceleration from 0 to 100 mph (about 160 km/h) and back. The "Caterham Academy" was introduced, a single-make championship for rookie drivers that trained thousands of enthusiasts.

The 2000s onwards: Caterham continued to evolve, introducing new models and engines, while remaining true to its philosophy of lightweight cars focused on the pure driving experience. Extreme versions such as the Seven 620 were launched, as well as unexpected collaborations, such as one with LEGO for a brick model of the Seven 620R.

New era and future

In 2011, Caterham Cars was acquired by Team Lotus Enterprises, a group led by Tony Fernandes. This led to the brand's expansion and entry into Formula One with the Caterham F1 Team (from 2012 to 2014), an experience that ended without any major success but which put the brand in the spotlight.

Today, Caterham continues to produce the Seven, an icon of motorsport. With over 100 variants produced over the years, the car lives up to its original promise: to offer an authentic and uncompromising driving experience, a living tribute to Colin Chapman's philosophy and an example of how a brilliant idea can survive and thrive over time, thanks to the passion of those who believed in it.