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Lotus Seven
It's origins can be traced to the Lotus VI of 1953, which was the firms first production sports car. It was a popular club racer. Built around a space frame chassis, reinforced by aluminium panels, with the engine of the builders choice. This was usually the Ford side valve 1172cc.
This was replaced by the simular in apperance Lotus Seven, which was sold in both turn key and kit form. The kit form continued until the VAT cancelled the advantages of DIY.
Chapman's philosophy was simple, build the simplest, lightest minimalist car possible and the performance would follow.
In the mid 60's chapman decided that the kit car lotus seven didn't have a place amoung it's newer offerings such as the Elan. From the beginning the car was intended for home construction by enthusiasts this basic mechanical ability.
Graham Nearn, of Caterham Car Sales who sold and serviced Sevens, covinced Chapman to assign distributing to his small premises in Surrey.
In 73 Chapman finally decided the little Lotus' time was up. Nearn purchased the remaning seven parts, including the jigs and moulds.
Cateham turned the remaining pieces into Series 4 Sevens. The fibreglass (earlier cars were riveted aluminium) 70's restyle of the venerable original, and wasn't what customers wanted. Caterham turned to building ever better series three's.
The pinacle of this development came in 92 with the Caterham seven JPE (Jonathan Palmer Evolution). Medical doctor, former F-1 driver and F-1 commentator was instrumental in the development of the most brutal Seven evolution ever. The 520 Kg car was powered by a GM 2.0 litre DOHC engine tuned to the tune of 250Hp (186kW) at 7750 rpm. The doctor also specified suspension, twin piston AP racing calipers and wheels and tires best suited to race track conditions. The nose scored carbon fibre and aluminuim construction, along with an aluminium radiator. A UK auto mag managed to get a 0-60mph run in 3.5 seconds, as opposed to the factory quoted 5. Obviously, in such a light weight high powered car, the launch is critical and Caterham obviously assume few people have the skill to run under five seconds.