Caterham has revealed a limited-edition version of its lightweight Seven sports car inspired by Britain’s first Grand Prix-winning manufacturer, Hersham and Walton Motors (HWM). Called the Seven HWM Edition, it will be limited to just 19 examples and is based on the 210bhp Seven 420.
Founded in 1938 by John Heath and George Abecassis, Surrey-based HWM is best known as the world’s oldest Aston Martin dealership and became an official Caterham retailer in 2023. In the post-war era, however, HWM enjoyed a brief spell as a small but successful racing-car constructor, becoming the first British team to record a Grand Prix victory when Stirling Moss won the Grand Prix de Bari in 1954, driving an HWM-Alta derived from the team’s early-1950s Formula 2 racers.
The special-edition Seven takes visual inspiration from HWM’s first works racing car, the 1951 HWM-Alta. Its bodywork is finished in HWM Green, colour-matched from the 1950s racer, and features side-panel louvres and a bespoke grille with a vestigial starter-handle hole. Other aesthetic flourishes include a Retro Grey-finished anti-roll bar, suspension wishbones, and headlamp brackets, along with HWM emblems and a chrome fuel-filler cap.
Classic design touches continue inside, with a hand-turned, aluminium-style Supersprint dashboard, a classic Moto Lita steering wheel, Smiths gauges and a chrome-finished gear knob and handbrake. For those seeking maximum support, composite race seats are available, while leather and tartan-upholstered chairs offer a more period-correct cockpit. Each car receives a numbered 1-of-19 plaque.
Underneath the retro touches sit modern Seven 420 mechanicals. A 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder Duratec engine develops 210bhp, driving the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential. 0-60 mph takes 3.8 seconds, and the Seven achieves a top speed of 136 mph.
‘It’s been a real privilege to work with HWM on this special limited edition,’ said Caterham CFO Trevor Steel. ‘Drawing inspiration from the legendary HWM-Alta racer, this car pays tribute to Walton-on-Thames’ rich racing heritage while celebrating the lightweight, driver-focused ethos that defines Caterham today.’
Caterham Seven HWM Edition prices start from £57,990. For more information, click here.
