LOTUS SEVEN
With so many variants, placing a fair value on one of these featherweight, but hard-driving legends is no mean feat. Here’s a quick primer…
When Lotus decided to plough a new furrow away from its no-frills Seven, Caterham bought the rights and Caterham continues to build epic little track-smashers that adhere to the principals and aesthetics of Colin Chapman’s original (in Series 3 guise) to this day– even though none of the components are now shared. Dozens of manufacturers worldwide have made their own interpretation of the original Seven, and each needs to be judged independently.
Home-built cars made from Lotus or Caterham kits shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand, because they’re not necessarily worth any less than factory-built examples. Andy Noble of Kent-based specialist, Sevens and Classics, says: ‘To be honest, they’re often painstakingly put together and better than some that were built in the factory. We’ll always judge a car on its own merits.’
Caterham also offers a certification service so home-built cars can still get an official seal of approval – it’s well worth seeking out.
Prices depend on mileage, spec and condition, less so on age, with performance models such as Superlights and limited editions fetching a premium.
Don’t expect originality to affect values as much as it would for more conventional classics, unless you’re after an early Lotus-built car (1957-72). These are rare, especially in original condition, and it’s very much a seller’s market in which faithfulness to the spec of Chapman’s hallowed original is a big plus factor.
Few examples are alike because upgrading components is common, and it needn’t effect the value. ‘Upgrading is all part of the fun of owning a Caterham,’ says Andy. Just avoid cars with engines that have never been a factory fit, or haggle hard, as they’ll be tricky to sell on.
This could all be immaterial if you’re generously proportioned, because there’s a real possibility that you won’t squeeze in, making an early test drive vital. If you’re bigger than average, try one of the slightly larger 2000-on SV models.