Birkin History
Having been named after his famous relative John Birkin Watson founder of BIRKIN Cars of South Africa came by his love of fast, nimble automobiles naturally. Especially his love of the Classic Lotus Super 7 Series 3. And that was the car John wanted. But by this time Colin Chapman's company no longer manufactured the Super-7. In the early 1980's John built his own version of the Lotus Super-7 S3. And like Colin Chapman, John was eventually convinced by his friends to build cars for them.
In 1983 BIRKIN Cars was born. The BIRKIN S3 was officially launched, 50 years after Tim Birkin's death, at the 1983 Formula One Grand Prix of South Africa in Kyalame. The launch was attended by Colin Chapman's widow, Hazel, and the Lotus Formula One team drivers, Nigel Mansell and Elio De Angelis. The build quality was excellent. Many experts consider the BIRKIN S3 the finest of the modern Super-7's. In fact, the initial order for BIRKIN Super-7's were all delivered to Lotus dealers.
By 1988, BIRKIN cars had produced their 200th car. Since that time, 1000's of cars have been produced in South Africa and shipped all over the world. The build quality, design refinements, manufacturing techniques and craftsmanship of BIRKIN cars continues to be nothing short of world class.
Today, BIRKIN Super-7's are produced and sold as component cars. Through your local dealer you can order any of the individual bits and pieces to build your personal Seven. You can order a complete box of parts for a BIY (Built It Yourself) Kit that will allow you to become personally acquainted with each and every nut, bolt and piece of your Seven. You can also order a factory assembled "rolling chassis" completely assembled and including everything you will need for your Seven except the engine and transmission.
