Super 7 Cars Incorporated

Colin Chapman's iconic Lotus 7

Today’s Caterham Super 7 cars, with their blend of traditional styling and ultramodern components, trace their lineage to an original 1950s-era Colin Chapman design - The iconic LOTUS 7. Born in London in 1928, Chapman studied structural engineering, earned his pilot’s wings with the Royal Air Force, and went on to become one of the great innovators in motorsports design.

A highly successful race driver, Chapman founded Lotus Engineering Ltd. in 1952. Chapman’s vision of light, powerful cars and performance suspensions guided much of his development work, and in 1957 Lotus debuted the 7 at the Earl’s Court Motor Show in London.

Entering series production soon afterward, the first Lotus 7s were priced at $1643 and weighed only 725 lbs.; fast and responsive, the Lotus 7 was one of Chapman’s masterworks, an advanced machine that surpassed the earlier Lotus 6 as a vehicle that could perform beautifully on the track and be driven legally on the road. The 7’s basic design was to stand the test of time, continuing in its popularity for the ensuing 50 years.

1959

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Colin Chapman and Lotus Cars Ltd. introduce the Lotus 7, a two seat sports car in kit form.

1967

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Graham Nearn and Caterham Cars Ltd. are appointed sole world concessionaires for the Lotus 7.

1973

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Manufacturing rights for the Lotus 7 are obtained by Caterham Cars Ltd.

Lotus Cars Ltd. retains the name ‘Lotus.’

All Mark 7 cars become known as Caterham Super 7s and are available in component form or fully built with a variety of powerplants and gearboxes.

1976

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Lotus distributorship, Ennerdale Engineering Ltd. opens in Duncan, B.C., Canada

1977-80

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Ennerdale Engineering builds 8 Lotus/Caterham Super 7s.

1979

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Last fully built new Super 7 sold in B.C. Government regulations prevented further sales of the Caterham Super 7; new emission and safety requirements made the car ineligible for the National Safety Mark issued by Transport Canada.

1980

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Ennerdale Engineering moves to its present home in Chemainus, B.C.

1999

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Caterham Cars introduces a right hand drive motorcycle-powered Super 7, using a Honda “Blackbird” engine,but production is short lived!.

Caterham Cars introduces the ‘SV,’ an increased dimension chassis.

2000

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Super 7 Cars Inc. opens in Chemainus, B.C. as a division of Ennerdale Engineering.

Super 7 Cars Inc. obtains the world rights to manufacture left hand drive motorcycle-powered Caterham Super 7s.

Super 7 Cars Inc.’s research and development work begins.

2001

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The Caterham Super 7 GSX 1300R Hayabusa is born.

The Caterham Super 7

After its birth in 1957, the Lotus 7 continued to be a widely popular sportscar for race and hobby drivers. The Lotus 7’s evolution continued when, in 1973, Caterham Cars obtained the manufacturing rights from Lotus. 7’s from then on were dubbed the Caterham "Super 7" – an apt name, as it was becoming clear that the car’s fundamental design was nearly impossible to improve.

After dominating open class races for decades, a one-make championship for Caterhams was begun in 1986; Caterham Super 7 circuits have since expanded to include club and competitive races in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, Canada, the United States and Asia. The Caterham Super 7’s size was changed only once, when in 1999, Caterham introduced the SV chassis, an expanded tubular frame designed to accommodate a greater range of drivers.

In 2000, Super 7 Cars Inc. was formed in Canada as a division of Ennerdale Engineering. With extensive experience in racing and in specialty automotive engineering and technology, Ennerdale Engineering began the development of left hand drive motorcycle powered Super 7, and in 2001 began custom manufacture of

Heading into the 21st century, Caterham Super 7s are continuing in their tradition of innovation, style and boundary-breaking performance; once again, the Caterham Super 7 is the car of choice for discerning leisure drivers and motorsports addicts.

Super 7 Cars Inc. Canada

Caterham Super 7s for the North American and world markets; previously barred from Canadian roads by emissions regulations, Super 7 Cars Inc.’s vehicles, once again introduced the awe-inspiring performance of the 7 series into the Canadian market. Powered by the Suzuki Hayabusa engine, motorcycle powered Caterham Super 7s began competition in North American races; in 2003, a Caterham Super 7 GSX 1300R driven by David Saville Peck, ran from 0 to 100 kph in 3.25 seconds, a feat verified by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The original Lotus 7

Caterham Super 7 Racing

Caterham Super 7 Hayabusa “Spec” Race Car

Caterham Super 7 Hayabusa road car

Disclaimer: All road cars supplied by SUPER 7 CARS Inc. are inspected, certified, titled and road registered in the province of BC, Canada. Specifications are subject to change without notice. Super 7 Cars Inc. is licensed by Caterham Cars (UK) Ltd. to build Caterham Super 7s for the Canadian market and are built to the specific regulatory requirements of each Province. All Road Cars built by Super 7 Cars Inc. are inspected, certified, road tested and registered in the Province of BC Canada and meet all requirements the BC Motor Vehicle Act and the BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations . Please contact Super 7 Cars Inc. for additional information and current specifications.

2003

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The 1st production Caterham Super 7 "Hayabusa" is delivered

2004

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Super 7 Cars Inc. is awarded the exclusive Canadian rights to all Caterham models

2005

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Corven Investments purchase Caterham Cars from the Nearn familly and Ansa Ali - ex MD of Lotus Cars - is appointed the new MD of Caterham

Super 7 Cars Inc. forms Super 7 Motorsports

2009

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Greham Nearn - the Founder of Caterham Cars - dies