The Challenge

Creation of an ultra-exclusive reimagined 1950’s sports car for new luxury brand Caton. Featuring a unique combination of OEM-grade design and engineering with traditional craftsmanship techniques.

Our Approach

Envisage supported Caton’s design and build to feature precision visual and performance enhancements, wholly in keeping with the ethos of the original car. Introducing a subtle smoothness, gently amplifying the visual dynamism while fully respecting the engineering and design principles of the original car.

Inside, the cockpit is totally new with a focus on the very best in contemporary and period materials. Thanks to a redesign of the transmission tunnel and new five-speed manual gearbox there has been a transformation in cabin space.

Exterior design and body

The design team sympathetically redesigned the front grille, enhancing the sense of depth and proportion. The grille, on the front of the car, is a piece of art with each slat individually created, pieced together to create a floating look, behind the Caton hexagonal trim, a shape that flows throughout the vehicle. 

The car’s original quarter-length bumpers have been removed and the front remodelled to create a smoother,

cleaner look. The front valance has been elongated to hide the front of the chassis’ legs, creating a more premium feel. Subtle remodelling of the headlights has achieved a similar effect and created superior illumination with the integration of LED and daylight running lamps.

Additional detail to the car’s rear fender has been added, giving a bit more volume and creates a greater sense of dynamism. A key example is the volume on the bonnet. Re-sculpted, by hand on an English Wheel, to create a smoother line that flows down the front of the car, to replace the flatter bonnet of the original, foundation car. The rear bumpers are gone, as are the external boot hinges, replaced with new internal hinge running on modern gas struts. The boot handle is deleted too, and the lid is now opened by an internal release mechanism, run by a new, modern key.

Interior Design

The redesign of the cabin wholly maintains the essence of the original car, while creating significantly more space. This has been achieved primarily through the redesign and narrowing of the transmission tunnel, made possible by introducing a new five-speed manual gearbox. The standard car used a three-speed gearbox originally designed for column-shift actuation, with the gear lever positioned offset on the left-hand side of the transmission tunnel. Now, the gear lever sits in a central position on the top of the transmission tunnel, transforming both the aesthetic appeal of the cabin and driving pleasure.

Thanks to restyling the rear and a different pedal box fitted, it’s reported that in development testing a 6ft tall driver needed to move the seat forwards towards the cabin. The gearbox has been replaced, with a new five-speed manual transmission to enhance space and practicality within the cabin, and to transform the driving experience.

The new gearbox is provided by world-leading transmission experts. The highly proven unit is exceptionally durable, and its five-speed configuration endows the car with a much more comfortable long-distance touring ability. But it’s over a hairpin strewn mountain pass where drivers will really appreciate the difference.

Conclusion

The finished Healey by Caton is a reimagined work of art and utterly fitting for the modern age. Delivering an unrivalled, immersive, intoxicating and highly emotional driving experience.