Nothing like a cheery news story of British sales success to brighten up a particularly grim Monday, is there? Today, it's from Caterham, which is celebrating 60 years of the Seven in style with a sales record.
While a number hasn't been released, Caterham has stated in a jolly release that last year's "record haul of over 600 orders" has been surpassed again with two months of the year still yet to run. An impressive achievement on its own, but all the more praiseworthy given the previous record had stood since 1996.
One assumes that success will be partly due to it being a 60th anniversary year; if you'd been saving up for a Caterham, why would you buy it in the Seven's 59th year? In addition there was the rapid sellout of the Supersprint, plus another packed Academy grid, and the introduction of the 310 in the heart of the range, to help the cause.
"For the Seven to reach 60 and to continue to be such a sales success is a huge achievement... We continue to prove the Seven is a timeless classic" said CEO Graham Macdonald, adding that "we will continue to ensure the future of the Seven is bright."
Excellent news for Caterham then, but that also means a new Seven order will be a fair way from arriving on your drive. And, as discovered with our Fleet build, the options can soon add up... If you must have one now (and autumn is a great time to get a deal on a sports car) then the PH classifieds are crammed with Sevens. As many as 177 of them, in fact.
This Superlight R looks perfect, packing a 200hp K-Series, a limited-slip diff and a six-speed manual in a lovely BRG, Series 3 body. But there's everything, from a nearly-new Superlight 20 to a crossflow-engined Supersprint from 1996. Take your pick!