Issue One, December 1995

The Caterham 21 is the beginning of a new era for Caterham Cars. Having developed the Seven prgressively since taking over manufacture from Lotus in 1973, it now offers the chance to experience Caterham motoring in a more practical format. The car is not regarded as a replacement for the Seven which continues in production indefinitely.

Aware that many companies are entering the market with new cars in the £20-£25K range, Caterham realises that the 21 needs to be different and infinitely more exclusive.
Production of the MGF will be in the region of 18,000/year, the Lotus Elise over 700/year and the BMW Z3 over 35,000/year. By comparison, the 21 will be made at a rate of no more than 200/year.
Amongst the many visitors to the ['95 Motor Show] stand were senior managers from Lotus, BMW, Mazda and Fiat who were keen to see the new arrival.
Jez Coats, Caterham's technical director has no intention that the 21 will compete head-on with any of these cars, however. "We believe that enough people understand that Caterham's attributes of excellent handling and performance from a compact engine are more appropriate than ever to today's enthusiast motoring," he said. "The 21 represents a synthesis of all that is best in a Caterham and offers a level of practicality that will be appreciated by a new and wider range of customers."

The 1995 British Motor Show provided Caterham with the opportunity to show the 21 in its near-production form for the first time. Prototypes chassis 7 and 8 were shown. The blue composite bodied car represented the car in Clubmans form and the Lightweight alloy car was painted a light metallic green.
"It was interesting to note how many people could not tell the alloy car from the composite 21," commented Steve Saxty, sales & marketing manager. The alloy car generated a significant level of interest. The 1000 man hours needed to handcraft a bespoke bodystyle allows customers to choose many features that will be unique to their car in the tradition of handbuilt British sportscars of the past.
The blue car accumulated around 12 years of typical wear on its interior. The car stood up remarkably well considering the lack of sympathy it was given by the many who sat in it. Of particular delight for the company's development team was the performance of the lightweight carbon-fibre door hinges. They showed absolutely no drop or sagging at the end of the show, testament to Caterham's abilities to use high technology materials where needed.
The reception at the Motor Show by the public to the near production specification cars was exceptional. Even those that have attended many car launches in the car industry were amazed at the positive comments received from the public. However, the Caterham development team were keen to assess the comments of customers. It became clear that many who sat in the car wanted further forward adjustment of the seat and a repositioned seat belt stalk. These have now been addressed and solved.
Several features of note by visitors to the show were the style of the interior that has both a unique and practical style. "We were particularly pleased at the reception given to the large boot space and front positioned spare wheel, adding to several safety features on the car, as it forms part of its crushable structure at the front," said Coats. "The Seven has forced us to become packaging experts and we have enjoyed maximising the extra space in the 21." he added.

Return to the Caterham 21 Register page.