09/08/2026
If I were to trace my love of cars back to where it all began, I could pinpoint it down to one brand and one car - the Caterham Seven.
This is entirely my Dad’s fault. From my earliest memories, he was constantly talking about his dream of one day owning his favourite car - the Seven. Every car event we ever went to, it was always the Caterhams Dad would be obsessed with! I vividly remember watching the now famous episode of Top Gear where the Stig hooned around in an R500… I think it was after that lap that I realised just how much I wanted to drive one.
After a number of experience days and a rented Caterham for his 50th birthday, 10 years ago he realised that dream and bought an R400 Superlight. A car he and I have enjoyed massively, from early morning drives and events to our first track day together at Goodwood.
So, when Caterham offered me a week with one of their cars, I think it was the most excited I’ve ever been to receive a press car. I opted for this, the 420 Cup, as it seemed the closest comparison to Dad’s R400. I could have gone for a standard 420 for the most direct comparison, but selfishly, I really wanted to try living with the sequential box. Absolutely no regrets with that decision - it’s the most heroic feeling.
Annoyingly, Dad’s car wasn’t available until the final day of my loan, but I’ll remember that one drive we had together, in both cars, for a very, very long time.
Thank you, Caterham.
