Kess Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 This just showed up and I thought I would share: The World Famous Seven, designed by Colin Chapman of Lotus, was originally the super light weight Lotus Seven. In 1973 Caterham Cars LTD began producing the Seven after purchasing the rights. For over 40 years, Caterham has retained the Seven's original spirit while incorporating advanced design technological, including technology gathered from the Caterham F1 racing team. Caterham began to breathe new life into the Seven worldwide, especially in the USA. First was the reworking the model options and designations for the Seven. The second and most important step was to align with Superformance as the new US Distributor. Superformance and Caterham Cars LTD is proud to introduce the New US Caterham Seven Model Lineup. Caterham signs new US distributor Caterham Cars and its iconic Seven will be officially sold in the USA with a new US distributor as of January 1st 2014. Superformance (http://www.superformance.com) is based in Irvine, California and will sell several variants of the Seven. Increased American interest in the legendary British sportscar was sparked earlier this year, when X Factor supremo Simon Cowell took delivery of a Seven CSR 260 at his home in Los Angeles. Superformance will stock a range of Seven variants, although primarily the higher-power incarnations of the car, which have traditionally been more popular in the American market. The range will include the Seven 480 and the new Seven 620R, which will top the US line-up initially. Caterham Group CEO, Graham Macdonald, said: "The US market has always been a difficult one for us, thanks to the stringent federal homologation rules. But we know there is an appetite for our particular brand of lightweight and performance and we already export our SP/300.R to the States through Dyson Racing. "In the last two years, Caterham has significantly broadened its reach internationally and signing a new official distributor in the form of Superformance in America is a natural extension of how our brand is expanding, rapidly, across the globe." Sevens will be shipped to the USA in part-built form and sold as rolling chassis via Superformance's nationwide dealer network for customers to then complete the build personally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 Wow, I wonder where that leaves Caterham USA in Denver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedwagon Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 Buy in Denver!! Superformance gives no support for the S1 so one can expect the same here. Many S1 parts are of unknown origin or special made and unobtainable at any reasonable cost, for example my S1 will soon look more like the rest when it needs a new wind screen (easier to build a new frame that houses flat glass that is easily replaced) Buy your car from those who have a history of support for those already sold. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceBe Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 More details will follow in the days to come, but it is worth pointing out a couple of things at this point: 1) Caterham 7's will continue to be engineered and manufactured by Caterham Cars, LTD. Superformance has been handed the keys to mainstream distribution of partial vehicle kits here in the US. Any real or perceived issues with other SuperPerformance products, present or past, has no relevance to the engineering or production of the Caterham 7. 2) Superformance has an established dealer network, which will begin selling Caterhan 7 vehicles moving forward. 3) Beachman Racing, an Authorized Caterham Dealer, will continue to offer and support the Caterham community in that role, with the full spectrum of activities (pre-sales, technical support, Caterham-supplied and custom parts/systems for road and track, driver education, track support, etc.). Caterham is what we do. As with anything else, many factors influence the purchase process. Loyalty and previous experience is always a component, as well as professionalism, responsiveness, expertise, and location, to name a few. This is an exciting time for the Caterham 7 here in the US - as Superformance will most certainly step-up brand-awareness, which as we all know, will inevitably drive increased interest in such a special and capable car. Cheers, -Bruce Beachman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucky dawg Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 Having a full time organization to distribute Caterhams could be a big step forward in the US. They may even have a marketing budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Odd that Caterham UK would sign on as its US distributor a company that has been actively assembling and marketing its own Seven clones....... So Beachman Racing is an "Authorized Caterham Dealer" -- is it part of Superformance's "established dealer network"? Who exactly make up the Superformance "established dealer network"? I got my Caterham and accessory parts through Caterham USA in Denver in 2007-2010, when Ben Wofford was running the show there, and I was always pleased with their advice and service -- particularly when I had a rear wheel bearing go out on Saturday morning of the 2010 Monterey Historics, and Ben had delivered replacement parts to my motel by first think Monday morning..... Sorry to see Caterham USA apparently become history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Well, it was in fact "first think," as well as being "first thing..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucky dawg Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 It has been several years since Superformance had their own 7 clone. Beachman Racing is the dealer I bought my CSR through two years ago. I was very impressed with his attention to detail and build quality. If you want info on his Caterham background, do a search on this site of his name or for Thunderhill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bball7754 Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 My experience with Caterham USA certainly changed after Ben left, and I'm going to leave it at that. I wonder if this change is being driven from across the pond. Tony F. certainly seems to be changing things at Caterham, and it would not surprise me if he wanted to increase brand recognition in the US prior to the introduction of the planned new Caterham model(s). Time will tell. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2k7 Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 (edited) xxx Edited January 24, 2014 by s2k7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceBe Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Steve - your guess is spot-on. -Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersportsp Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 So where am I to get parts moving forward? Caterham USA? Superformance? Dealer? All or none of the above? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceBe Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 As previously mentioned, factory and custom parts are available through us (Beachman Racing) - what do you need? As the US distributor, Superformance will offer replacement parts in that role, directly and/or through their dealer network. -Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBilawsky Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Sorry for the thread drift, but I wanted to get this message to Speedwagon: As a prior S-1 owner, I know that the Superformance national distributor in California has 3 windshields in stock for the S-1 if you need one. Call them and talk to Dave Cope. They will help you out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Bruce, What is the status of Caterham USA in Denver with this change? Will they still be a dealer but not the distributor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klasik-69 Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 My experience with Jon at Caterham USA has always bee a pleasant one. He goes out of his way to quickly answer questions and ship parts needed. I have to agree that Superformance is a quality company but I don't see the advantage of Caterham and Superformance joining efforts when Superformance has a very limited dealer network and not always the best reputation of service. I'm sure they felt that going with Superformance would lead to increased sales. Time will tell. However, my support of Jon at Caterham USA will not be diminished in any way. I only hope he can hang on and continue to conduct business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Jon has been very responsive to me as well for over 13 years. Hopefully he'll still be around to provide support. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rikker Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 I think the US dealers try hard enough. I have always thought that Caterham UK was almost indifferent to the US market, always seeming to do just about the minimum to keep visible and buoyed up by some hard core Seven fans that put up with a lot because they love the cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S1Steve Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 (edited) One can only hope Superformance will provide better support for Caterham than they did for the S1 owners.. Once you got the car, Superformance was done with you ...... Edited January 3, 2014 by S1Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James A Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Bruce Beachman and Superformance, please, please, please, homologate a newer chassis and engine than the one we are stuck with in SCCA E Production! Not hard to do, but very much needed and oh, how about some sponsorship when we win races as it sells a lot of cars. Even if it is selling us parts for our race cars at dare I say cost?? There is aways a lot of curiosity and visitors to our paddock at every race. So much could be done to advance the brand in the USA yet nothing has been done since the cars were homologated in 2000. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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