Description
A rare opportunity to acquire one of the earliest Caterham Superlights ever produced.
This is Superlight number 102 of only 196 examples built and was factory ordered with the optional 1. 8-litre Rover K-Series engine. The car is accompanied by the original Caterham purchase order, extensive invoices, maintenance records and a substantial history file documenting more than 25 years of ownership.
Originally supplied in the UK, the car was later campaigned in British hill climb events and retains documented competition history, including period videos still available online.
Imported from the UK in 2020 and registered in Italy in 2021, the vehicle is now road registered and certified as a historic vehicle.
Specification
Factory-built 1. 8 Rover K-Series
Caterham 6-speed gearbox
Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
Jenvey throttle bodies
Reverie carbon fibre airbox
Professionally developed cylinder head
Approximately 179 bhp
Adjustable Pro-tech suspension (2022)
Upgraded aluminium radiator
Original carbon fibre dashboard, professionally refurbished
The car performs exceptionally well and benefits from a carefully developed and reliable engine package together with upgraded cooling and suspension systems.
Condition
The vehicle has covered approximately 47, 000 miles.
One of its most appealing features is that it still retains its original factory paintwork. Only minor cosmetic refinishing has been carried out over the years to the nose cone and carbon fibre components.
The car presents exactly as a genuine early Superlight should: highly original, mechanically sorted and displaying an honest period patina consistent with its age and documented competition history.
Included with the Sale
The car is currently fitted with an aeroscreen and roll cage.
Also included:
Original windscreen
Doors
Soft top
Additional roll bar
This allows the car to be enjoyed in either pure lightweight specification or traditional road-going configuration.
Documentation
The car is accompanied by:
Original Caterham purchase order
Extensive maintenance records
Invoices and receipts
Historic registration documentation
Competition-related history
Period videos and supporting material
A large collection of detailed photographs is available upon request.
The car can be inspected near Imola, Italy.
European buyers welcome. Assistance with transport and export arrangements can be discussed.
Serious enquiries only.
I bought this car in the UK in 2020 after a long search for an early Caterham Superlight with genuine history and documented provenance.
What attracted me most was the fact that it is one of the original Superlights, production number 102 of only 196 built, and that it was factory specified with the optional 1. 8-litre Rover engine from new. The car is accompanied by its original Caterham purchase order, extensive invoices and a substantial history file, something that is becoming increasingly rare.
Unlike many Caterhams that have been rebuilt, heavily modified or restored over the years, this car still retains its original factory paintwork and much of its original character. It has clearly been used and enjoyed throughout its life, including a period competing in British hill climb events, but without losing its authenticity.
Since acquiring the car I have focused on careful maintenance and sympathetic improvements. The suspension was upgraded with adjustable Protec dampers, the cooling system improved with a larger radiator and the engine benefits from Jenvey throttle bodies, a Reverie carbon airbox and a professionally developed cylinder head. The result is a car that remains true to the spirit of the original Superlight while offering outstanding performance and reliability.
What I enjoy most is its character. Modern sports cars are often faster, but very few deliver the same level of involvement. The combination of low weight, direct steering, mechanical grip and the sound of the Rover engine on throttle bodies creates a driving experience that is difficult to replicate. Every journey feels like an occasion.
For me, however, the most special aspect is the history. This is not simply another Caterham Seven; it is an early Superlight with documented provenance, original paperwork and a traceable story spanning more than twenty-five years.
