2018 Caterham Seven 310 Academy

This Caterham Seven Academy-derived car has been upgraded to 310 specification, which places it in the sweet spot of the Seven range. The 310 package gives you a lightweight, naturally aspirated chassis with a far more serious power-to-weight ratio than the entry-level cars, without the cost or intensity of the range-topping models. Caterham's Academy cars are built for the one-make racing series, so the underlying car comes with a motorsport-focused pedigree.

This 2018 example has covered just 5,715 miles, which is low for a Seven of this age and suggests it has been used sparingly rather than worked hard. It is fitted with a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive, which is the traditional Seven formula of direct steering, minimal electronic intervention and a very close connection between driver and road.

Caterham Silverstone offers it at £25,995. At that price it offers a usable, road-legal way into Caterham ownership, with the Academy heritage and the extra performance of the 310 upgrade.