Caterham Seven HWM Edition Honours 1951 HWM-Alta Racer
Caterham and sports car dealership HWM have unveiled the Caterham Seven HWM Edition, a limited-edition model inspired by the legendary 1951 HWM-Alta grand prix car.
HWM, short for Hersham and Walton Motors, began operations in 1938 and built a strong reputation in motorsport. The team became the first British outfit to secure a Grand Prix victory in the post-war era. The 1951 HWM-Alta cemented the team’s legacy. The car achieved seven wins, seven second-place finishes and ten third-place finishes in international events. The driver line-up included racing legend Sir Stirling Moss.
Caterham and HWM will offer only 19 examples of the Caterham Seven HWM Edition to customers in the UK. Prices start from £57,990.
Each car comes finished in HWM Green as standard. Designers scanned the colour directly from the 1951 HWM-Alta racer. The model also features side panel louvres inspired by the HWM-Alta race car, a bespoke nosecone grille, and suspension wishbones finished in Retro Grey. Engineers also apply the Retro Grey finish to the anti-roll bar and headlight brackets. The exterior design includes a bespoke HWM Caterham nosecone badge and a centrally mounted chrome fuel filler cap.
The interior continues the historic tribute. The SuperSprint dashboard features a hand-turned aluminium design with SMITHS chrome dials. The cabin also includes a solid metal master cut-off switch and a polished wooden quick-release Moto-Lita steering wheel. Designers finish the gear knob and handbrake in chrome and mount them on a body-coloured transmission tunnel top. Buyers can choose leather or composite race seats featuring the HWM logo to complete the cabin.
Beyond the bespoke details, the Caterham Seven HWM Edition is based on the Seven 420. It runs a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre Duratec four-cylinder engine that produces 210 bhp at 7600 rpm. The lightweight construction delivers a power-to-weight ratio of 375 bhp per tonne. A five-speed manual gearbox sends power to the rear wheels. The car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 136 mph.
Each car carries a ‘1 of 19’ plaque on the passenger side of the dashboard to highlight the exclusivity of the Caterham Seven HWM Edition.
HWM operates from Walton-on-Thames in Surrey and now runs as a luxury sports car business. The company became the official Caterham retailer for the South East in 2023 and supports customers with both road and race cars.
HWM’s experience as a race car manufacturer, combined with collaboration with Caterham’s engineering team, helped shape this special edition Seven and its many unique design 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.”