Caterham

caterham
History

A brief history about caterham: Caterham’s history is deeply connected to Lotus, as the company was born from one of its most iconic creations. In 1957, Lotus founder Colin Chapman unveiled the Lotus 7 at the London Motor Show — a minimalist, lightweight, open-top sports car designed to deliver pure driving pleasure at an affordable price. Its simplicity and agility made it an instant success among enthusiasts, establishing a new class of road-legal racing machines in Britain.

By 1959, Graham Nearn’s Caterham Car Services became an official Lotus 7 dealer, and when Lotus decided to end production of the model in 1973, Nearn purchased the rights to continue building it under the name Caterham. The company reverted to the earlier Series 3 design after the less successful Series 4 and has remained faithful to Chapman’s original concept ever since — a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports car focused entirely on performance and driver engagement.

In the 1980s, Caterham expanded its reach with the introduction of “Starter Kits,” allowing enthusiasts to assemble their own cars from complete kits. The do-it-yourself format became a cultural phenomenon in the UK, embodying Caterham’s philosophy of mechanical purity and accessibility. The brand also celebrated its heritage through special editions like the 1989 Prisoner model, inspired by the Lotus 7 featured in the classic TV series of the same name.

The 1990s saw Caterham pushing technical boundaries. In 1992, the company set a production-car record for the 0–100–0 mph sprint with a Caterham 7 powered by a 250-horsepower 2.0-liter Vauxhall engine, demonstrating its capability to rival far more expensive supercars. Though the company experimented with a closed-body roadster called the Caterham 21 in 1994, only 48 units were built before production returned to the beloved open-top 7 platform.

Caterham’s motorsport legacy is a defining part of its identity. For decades, the Caterham 7 has served as the foundation for one-make racing series such as the Caterham Academy, established in 1995 to help amateur drivers experience competitive racing for the first time. These events are widely regarded as some of the purest expressions of grassroots motorsport, emphasizing driver skill over mechanical advantage. Many successful British racers, including those who advanced into professional GT and endurance series, began their careers behind the wheel of a Caterham.

The brand’s spirit also reached international racing. Caterham cars have appeared in hill climbs, time trials, and endurance events worldwide, often outperforming larger, more powerful competitors thanks to their exceptional handling. Between 2012 and 2014, Caterham even entered Formula 1, acquiring the Team Lotus F1 operation and competing under its own name. Although the F1 project was short-lived, it reinforced the brand’s reputation for courage, innovation, and the pursuit of performance beyond its size.

Today, Caterham continues to build cars by hand in Dartford, Kent, staying true to its founding principle: delivering an unfiltered, mechanical connection between driver and machine. Each Caterham 7 — whether built in the factory or assembled in a garage — is a direct descendant of the original Lotus philosophy: simplify, then add lightness. Caterham’s origins are inseparable from Lotus. In 1957, Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus, revealed the Lotus 7 at the London Motor Show: a featherweight, open-top car built purely for driving joy at a low price. It quickly became a cult favorite in Britain for its agility and minimalist design.

By 1959 Graham Nearn’s Caterham Car Services was a Lotus 7 dealer, and when Lotus decided to end the model’s production in 1973, Nearn purchased the rights and continued building it under the Caterham name. The firm kept the original Series 3 chassis and has remained faithful ever since to Chapman’s philosophy of lightness, simplicity, and performance.

In 1984 Caterham launched a “Starter Kit” for enthusiasts to assemble their own cars. The concept was a hit in the United Kingdom and remains part of Caterham’s identity today. The company also celebrated its heritage with special editions such as the 1989 Prisoner model, referencing the TV series that made the Lotus 7 famous.

Caterham proved its engineering prowess in 1992 when a 250-hp 7 set a record for the 0-100-0 mph sprint, confirming the car’s supercar-level performance. The short-lived Caterham 21 coupe followed in 1994, praised for its refinement but produced in only 48 units before the brand returned to its purist roadsters.

Racing has always been central to Caterham’s DNA. The Caterham Academy, launched in 1995, introduced hundreds of amateur drivers to motorsport in identical cars, creating one of the most respected entry-level racing series in the world. Its alumni include professional racers who later competed in GT and endurance championships.

Caterhams have also appeared in countless racing events worldwide — from hill climbs to endurance races — where their light weight and balance often outperform far more powerful rivals. Between 2012 and 2014, the company even ran a Formula 1 team, born from the former Team Lotus operation, carrying its underdog spirit to the highest level of motorsport.

Today Caterham continues to hand-build its cars in Dartford, Kent, staying true to the idea that driving should be raw, mechanical, and joyful. Every Caterham 7 remains a direct descendant of Chapman’s timeless principle: simplify, then add lightness.