Inspired by the 1951 HWM-Alta racer
Caterham and official Caterham retailer HWM partner to create special edition Seven in celebration of the HWM’s racing heritage
Like the original HWM racing cars, only 19 examples of the limited-edition Seven will be made available to customers
The HWM Edition is based on the Seven 420 and can be specified in both the standard and large chassis
Special edition harks back to original HWM racer with bespoke exterior and interior features
Prices start at £57,990
Caterham and sports car dealership HWM have launched a limited-edition model, the Seven HWM Edition, inspired by the legendary 1951 HWM-Alta grand prix car.
HWM (Hersham and Walton Motors) was founded in 1938 and boasts a rich motorsport heritage that includes becoming the first British team to score a Grand Prix victory in the post war era. However, it was the 1951 HWM-Alta that cemented the outfit’s legacy, notching up seven wins, seven seconds and ten thirds in international events with a driver line-up that included racing legend Sir Stirling Moss.
Only 19 examples of the HWM Edition will be made available to customers in the UK, with prices starting from £57,990.
Each one of the 19 will be finished in HWM Green as standard, with the colour being scanned from the 1951 HWM-Alta racer. Additional similarities include HWM-Alta race car-inspired side panel louvres, bespoke nosecone grille, suspension wishbones, anti-roll bar, and headlight brackets finished in Retro Grey. There’s also a bespoke HWM Caterham nosecone badge and a centrally-mounted chrome fuel filler cap.
The historic homage continues throughout the interior, with the SuperSprint dashboard being a hand-turned aluminium design, complete with SMITHS chrome dials, solid metal master cut-off switch, and a polished wooden quick-release Moto-Lita steering wheel. The gear knob and handbrake are also finished in chrome and are set on a body-coloured transmission tunnel top. A choice of leather or composite race seats featuring the HWM logo complete the cabin.
Beyond the bespoke elements unique to the HWM Edition, this limited-edition Seven is based on the 420, which features the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre Duratec four-cylinder engine boasting 210 bhp at 7600 rpm, which delivers a power-to-weight ratio of 375 bhp-per-tonne. Mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, it accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 136 mph.
As a final touch, each car is finished with a ‘1 of 19’ plaque located on the passenger side of the dashboard, noting the exclusivity of this Seven.
Based in Walton-on-Thames in Surrey, HWM is now better known as a luxury sports car business, appointed as the Caterham retailer for the South East in 2023, supporting customers with both road and race cars.
HWM’s history as a manufacturer of race cars, combined with working with Caterham’s engineering team, have helped create this special edition Seven, with a plethora of unique features.
Trevor Steel, Senior Vice President of Operations & CFO, Caterham Cars said: “It’s been a real privilege to work with HWM on this special limited edition. 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 what Caterham is today.
“Bringing together two iconically British brands with deep roots in motorsport made this project especially meaningful. It reflects a shared commitment to engineering purity, performance and craftsmanship - values that have shaped both our histories and continue to drive us forward. We’re proud to honour that with a car created for true enthusiasts.”
Guy Jenner, CEO at HWM said: “We are immensely proud to celebrate HWM’s remarkable history as a works team and grand prix car constructor. This project has given us a unique opportunity to tell the story of how a small outfit from Walton-on-Thames took on the greatest teams in European grand prix racing during one of motor racing’s most inspiring eras.
“Our sincere thanks go to Caterham for being such an enthusiastic and committed partner. Each of the 19 hand-built cars showcases exquisite detailing, with an outstanding sense of quality and craftsmanship.”
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