Colin Chapman's Lotus 7
- Colin Chapman
Today’s Super 7 cars, with their blend of traditional styling and ultramodern components, trace their lineage to an original 1950s-era Colin Chapman design. 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.
- The Lotus 7
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.
The Caterham Super 7
- Caterham R300
After its birth in the 1950s, the Lotus 7 continued to be a widely popular sportscar for race and hobby drivers. The 7’s evolution continued when, in 1973, Caterham Cars obtained manufacturing rights from Lotus. 7’s from then on were dubbed the Super 7 – an apt name, as it was becoming clear that the car’s fundamental design was nearly impossible to improve.
- Caterham Super 7 Racing
After dominating open class races for decades, a one-make championship for Caterhams was begun in 1986; 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 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.
Super 7 Cars Inc. Canada
- Super 7 GSX 1300R Hayabusa “Spec” Race Car
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 began the development of left hand drive motorcycle powered Super 7, and in 2001 began custom manufacture of 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 Super 7s began competition in North American races; in 2003, a Super 7 driven by David Saville Peck ran from 0 to 60 mph in 3.25 seconds, a feat verified by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
- Super 7 Inc.'s GSX 1300R Hayabusa
Heading into the 21st century, the Super 7 cars are continuing in their tradition of innovation, style and boundary-breaking performance; once again, the Super 7 is the car of choice for discerning leisure drivers and motorsports addicts.