02 Apr 07
Driving a Caterham is an experience any true petrolhead must experience - it's a world away from today's modern cars - the classic 7 is 50 years old this year after all. But even with its little eccentricities - the indicators work off a toggle switch on the dash instead of a stalk and the heater only has two settings (hot or naff all) - it's absolutely brilliant.
A day-to-day drive though? Admittedly, there isn't a huge amount of luggage space - although drive it on your own and you can fill up the whole passenger side. And when it rains you will get wet, even with the 'weather equipment': park up overnight with the tonneau cover on with all the zips and fasteners secured and I guarantee that they'll be a wet patch on the seat and a puddle of water in the footwell.
But so long as you are going into any drive prepared for a downpour and keep a spare set of clothes in a waterproof bag, you - well I could anyway - could happily live with these little inconveniencies as the Caterham 7 gives so much back.
And in today's modern, comfortable and dry cars filled with technology and weight that takes you so far away from the thrill of driving, having a car the term 'driver's car' was invented for is something to be applauded.
The Caterham is in a class of its own. It's not just a car: it's more a metal extension of the driver.
