CARS GLOBALMAG November2016 | Page 98

THE ESSENCE OF THE 60’S Powered by the same 80hp, threecylinder 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 heralds the start of Caterham’s ‘60 years of the Seven’ celebrations, which will culminate with a spectacular 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.