Caterham has added a new vintage-looking Seven 'Sprint' model.
With retro detailing, the Sprint model is aimed at Seven purists, as well as gearing up for the brand’s ‘60 Years of the Seven’ anniversary next year.
The Sprint, priced from £27,995, will be available to order from September 9, when the car will be launched at the Goodwood Revival - a fittingly retro setting.
Powered by the same 80hp, three-cylinder Suzuki engine installed in Caterham’s entry-level Seven 160 model, 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, said: “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 marks the start of Caterham’s ‘60 years of the Seven’ celebrations, which will culminate with a Caterham festival at Donington Park next summer. To reflect the anniversary further, only 60 Sprints will be destined for the UK and European markets.
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 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.
The wheels are 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, the sepia-toned impression continues, with a wooden-rimmed sports steering wheel and scarlet red dashboard complete with a ‘classic oOOo instrument layout’. The tacho features red and yellow sectors, in true ‘60s style. The interior panels and Muirhead Scottish seat upholstery is hand-stitched in the period style and finished in scarlet red.
The Caterham Seven Sprint will be available as a factory-built car only.