1999 Caterham Super Seven Is a Featherweight Flyer

The Lotus Seven had razor-sharp handling and performance but few creature comforts. The Seven proved so successful that production lasted from 1957 until 1972. Lotus sold the tooling to UK-based Caterham Cars, which still cranks out new Caterham Sevens today.

Add Lightness

Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus Cars, had a simple formula for increasing performance in any car, whether a road-going two-seater or one of Lotus’ Formula 1-winning racers: “Simplify, then add lightness.” Few vehicles reflect Chapman’s philosophy better than the Lotus Seven and its Caterham descendant.

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This right-hand-drive Caterham was recently imported from the United Kingdom. Before it came to the US, Caterham Midlands in the UK upgraded its fuel-injected, 115-horsepower Rover four-cylinder engine from Roadsport tune to Supersport specification. The upgrade increased oomph to 133 horsepower.

That may not sound like much, but a new Caterham Seven checks in at a featherweight 1,200 pounds. Depending on powertrain and specification, new models are capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in less than three seconds. Top speed is 150 mph.

Recently Serviced

This Caterham shows fewer than 29,000 miles since new. Its timeless style and excellent overall condition make it nearly indistinguishable from a new model. Recent service items include:

• New timing belt
• New water pump
• Brake adjustment
• Oil and filter change

A stack of service records and receipts accompanies the sale. The Super Seven carries a clean Tennessee title.

All Business

True to Chapman’s vision, the Super Seven is all business inside and out. Everything is there for a reason.

The interior includes black leather bucket seats and matching dash. A big speedometer and tachometer sit directly in front of the driver. Ancillary instruments and a row of toggle switches spread across the remainder of the dash.

Leather wraps a thick Momo steering wheel and the five-speed manual transmission’s shift knob. Beyond that, don’t expect many creature comforts. There is a heater, but no air conditioning or radio. The Rover powertrain’s melodious soundtrack is plenty of entertainment.

Uncompromising

The Caterham has a convertible top, a full tonneau cover, and pop-out side curtains rather than side windows to keep out the weather. A factory roll cage and five-point safety harnesses protect the driver and passenger.

Noisy, uncompromising, and with barely enough room for a bag of groceries, the Caterham Super Seven is not for everybody. But for sheer driving fun and race car performance, Chapman was right. It’s not about more convenience or power—it’s about less weight. The Super Seven proves lightness still rules the road.