2018 Caterham Seven Supersprint
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Photos provided by the seller
Highlights
• Only 166 miles from new
• One-of-60 limited edition
• One owner from new
The Appeal
Car enthusiasts of any generation will recognise the charmingly anachronistic and unwaveringly pure Caterham Seven – perhaps now the last true champion of lightweight simplicity on the new car market, since Lotus has ditched the Elise to move upmarket as a gap-filler in owner Geely’s portfolio. To keep things interesting, the now Dartford-based Caterham Cars has continued to devise variations of the theme over the decades, with the Seven 160 being the uniquely laid-out entry-level model with a 660cc Suzuki K6A turbo engine and a live rear axle for absolute simplicity.
In 2018, to commemorate 60 years of the Seven’s lineage (going back to Colin Chapman’s original Lotus Type 7 design), Caterham created the Supersprint, an upgraded 160 shot through with retro touches and references to historic motorsport. Thankfully the oily bits were also enhanced to back it up, with a previously optional limited-slip differential made standard, track-spec adjustable Bilstein suspension and a power boost from 80 to 95bhp (which only has to propel 490kg plus driver and fuel).
Only 60 cars were made and, upon its debut at the Goodwood Revival, they sold out in the appropriately-sized span of just seven hours. This, then, is a rare opportunity to have a rare sort of Seven – a car with which to make every sunny day count.
Only 60 cars were made and, upon its debut at the Goodwood Revival, they sold out in the appropriately-sized span of just seven hours. This, then, is a rare opportunity to have a rare sort of Seven – a car with which to make every sunny day count.
The History and Paperwork
• First registered in September 2018
• V5 included; brand new MOT until 31st August 2023
• Main dealer service history, last serviced in 2020 at 151 miles
• Owner handbook included
• Personalised registration not included in sale, actual registration: BV68 TWG
The Interior
• All original and unmarked inside
• Retro and bespoke trim throughout
• Lowered floors
• ‘Innes Tan’ diamond-stitched seats with embossed classic logo and four-point harnesses
Caterham offered the Supersprint in a selection of fixed interior/exterior colour schemes each inspired by a different historic race track. This one features the ‘Dijon’ navy-over-tan specification with leather seats and gaiters, colour-matched tan dashboard and body-coloured transmission cover top. All Supersprints feature Smiths gauges, a bespoke metal battery cut-off switch, a reflective metal gear knob and chrome bezels on everything, plus a plaque denoting which of the 60 examples your one is.
Customers could choose to have one of the seats and ‘Brooklands’ fly screens removed for ultimate weight-saving, but the car you see here does allow a passenger to join in the fun. This example also features the optional lowered floors – handy for taller drivers, especially as the retro 12” wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel cannot be removed. The car you see here has barely been driven, lives in a garage and comes with a mohair tonneau cover, so it presents like a brand new car.
The Exterior
• Supersprint-specific Dijon blue with historic grey chassis and rollbar, light grey nose band and racing decals
• Mesh grille, classic smooth bonnet, twin ‘Brooklands’ windscreens
• Retro mirrors, fuel cap and taillights
• Paintwork in immaculate condition
• Optional stainless steel rear wing guards
The Supersprint’s throwback aesthetics inside are matched on the outside with white painted 14” steel wheels and the aforementioned racing-inspired livery, which includes the car’s edition number inside large racing roundels and the historic logos of Caterham’s parts suppliers Avon Tyres, Draper Tools and Millers Oils on the bonnet.
Oh, and don’t forget an old map of Dijon-Prenois below the twin ‘Classic’ taillights on one side. Again, as the car has rarely seen the outdoors in its lifespan hitherto of just under four years, the condition of the car from nose to tail is excellent.
Oh, and don’t forget an old map of Dijon-Prenois below the twin ‘Classic’ taillights on one side. Again, as the car has rarely seen the outdoors in its lifespan hitherto of just under four years, the condition of the car from nose to tail is excellent.
The Mechanicals
• All original Supersprint specification
• Factory performance upgrade over 160 with more power, standard LSD and adjustable Bilstein suspension
• Never driven on track
This car’s lack of mileage means that wear and tear on the engine and running gear is all but non-existent, with the fluids and filters having been changed two years and just 15 miles ago. The seller notes that even with scant use the car fires up and runs just as well as one would expect of a recently manufactured car.
The limited-slip differential and 15bhp power boost help give the 160 platform a bit more bite when the road (or track) opens out in front of you, with better traction and a shade more oomph to give a 6.5-second 0-60mph time and a breezy top speed of 100mph. But of course, being a minuscule, flyweight car with a 660cc three-cylinder engine, it barely uses any fuel in the process. If the handling isn’t quite to taste, then the track-tuned suspension with Bilstein struts is adjustable to help you find your preferred balance.
The limited-slip differential and 15bhp power boost help give the 160 platform a bit more bite when the road (or track) opens out in front of you, with better traction and a shade more oomph to give a 6.5-second 0-60mph time and a breezy top speed of 100mph. But of course, being a minuscule, flyweight car with a 660cc three-cylinder engine, it barely uses any fuel in the process. If the handling isn’t quite to taste, then the track-tuned suspension with Bilstein struts is adjustable to help you find your preferred balance.
Summary
In a world where performance cars are starting to resemble rocket-propelled tanks, the Seven’s cheerful less-is-more approach only becomes more refreshing as an antidote to the furious horsepower arms race. What’s more, as Caterham has done such a good job of preserving the Seven’s design whilst thoughtfully keeping the mechanicals up to date to get through regulation changes, you get all the character of a classic with the reliability of a modern Japanese engine.
The seller wants this 166-mile example to go to somebody who will use it more than they have been able to themselves. If you enjoy accessible sports car thrills at legal speeds, then you won’t regret doing so.
The seller wants this 166-mile example to go to somebody who will use it more than they have been able to themselves. If you enjoy accessible sports car thrills at legal speeds, then you won’t regret doing so.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 2018
- Make Caterham
- Model Seven Supersprint
- Colour Blue
- Odometer 166 Miles
- Engine size 660
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Redditch
- Location Worcestershire
- Country United Kingdom
19
bids
- La•••• £26,250 10/08/22
- Ri•••• £26,000 10/08/22
- La•••• £25,999 10/08/22
- La•••• £25,750 10/08/22
- Ri•••• £25,500 10/08/22
- Ri•••• £25,250 10/08/22
- ba•••• £25,000 09/08/22
- be•••• £22,000 09/08/22
- 01•••• £21,500 09/08/22
- be•••• £20,500 09/08/22
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