- Seven iconic Sevens driven at Longcross test track to celebrate anniversary
- Cars assembled included the original Lotus Seven Series 1 from 1957, Caterham Seven VVC (Prisoner Edition car) and the ballistic Superlight R500, famed for its hair-raising speeds around Top Gear test track
British sports car manufacturer, Caterham, has celebrated 60 years of its revered Seven by bringing together some of the most esteemed examples in its history.
Powering around the twists and turns of the Longcross test track was the original Lotus Seven Series 1. Reaching a top speed of 78mph and featuring a Ford 100E engine and aluminium bodywork, the Series 1 was the ideal, lightweight sports car when it was launched by Colin Chapman in 1957.
Also present was one of only 13 Lotus Seven Twin Cams in existence, with its Twin Cam engine and lightning-sharp steering – and the CSR 260, renowned for being tuned by Formula One engine suppliers, Cosworth. At the time, it was the only Seven model to feature in-board front suspension and independent rear suspension, resulting in a 25 percent increase in torsional stiffness and a sublime ride quality.
Possibly the most iconic car on show was a replica of the Seven ‘Prisoner Edition’ VVC, owned by former Caterham boss Simon Nearn. The real VVC starred in the opening sequence of the cult 1960’s TV show, ‘The Prisoner’.
It wasn’t the only Seven in attendance with fine TV credentials, as the Superlight R500 set pulses racing, too. Piloted by tame racing driver The Stig in 2008, the absurdly fast Seven shot to fame after completing a lap of the Top Gear track in just 1m 17.9s, embarrassing a plethora of supercars with far heftier price tags and winning Top Gear’s ‘Car of the Year’ in the process.
Completing the line-up was the retro, swinging sixties-inspired Sprint and the tarmac-chewing 620S – both from the current Seven range.
Caterham Cars CEO, Graham Macdonald, said: “What a great line-up; an apt number of Sevens, all of which have made their mark in Caterham’s history. It’s great to see how the Series 1 has been developed over the years – you don’t get a better accolade than becoming a Top Gear track icon.
“Over the 60 years of the Seven, we’ve never lost Colin Chapman’s engineering essence – a lightweight, high-powered machine that is fit-for-purpose. Every Seven provides a raw, pure, fun driving experience like no other vehicle. Long may it continue for the next 60 years.”
