ianashdown

It would appear my three small gauges, Amps, oil pressure and water temp are all correct for my car, but in sad condition. Does anyone know who, in the US preferably, can refurbish these instruments. These are something I could send away for reconditioning with not time pressure. On the topic of AC instruments, does anyone know anything about the company? Do the still exist, what country are/were they. Every time I try to search online all I get is air conditioning gauges! This means that I still need to find the Smiths Speedometer and Tachometer (Rev Counter). I do have the chronometric Tach that I could use, and I think it would be quite cool, but not original and needing some work to make the mechanical drive connection, but maybe I can find one of the new Smiths Classic gauges that look right-ish, if I can’t find the actual correct ones. Ian

Hi, Thats what I had imagined! Easy enough to modify the original part if needed. I have a few of the gearboxes and can get parts made easily so I think this could be done. There are a few people who can refurbish Smiths gauges, that one definitely needs rebuilding, but I didn’t know Nisonger had stopped the repair side. I’ve used them several times, they did very nice work. Ian

Here is my dash. You can see the red vinyl under the green. The green is really stuck on there, I think it will be difficult to remove it without damaging the red. Also, if I am able to preserve the red vinyl it kinda limits my eventual color choices for the car. On the assumption that I cannot save the red vinyl, i may explore black leather dash, outer side panels, seats etc. with the color piping to highlight the car color. I’m undecided on the eventual car color. It was originally white from the factory, and I actually think they look pretty good in white. Pale yellow, Lotus yellow and red are all my favorite, depending on the day! Then there is the decision of how much, if any, alloy remains. I did hear the the vinyl faced steel has been reproduced by someone in the UK, so replacing the whole dash might be an option. Ian

I found those pictures too. SW seems unlikely as OE. Much more likely as a U.S. replacement. I think I have a Smiths chronometric Tach that will fit, that might be fun! I’m going to hit the books to see if there are any part numbers listed. Here are what I have. Ian I’ve just realized that this Tach is electronically driven, not mechanical. My Chronometric will be mechanically driven and I’m not sure if I could get a mechanical drive from this engine, the Cam I think. There must be a way, I just am not aware of how. Ian

I found some pics on Google that show AC and SW gauges! Was there a definitive spec or was if flexible depending on supply availability? My dash looks to be un-modified, I even found the red vinyl underneath the green later added cover. Ian

I know I unloaded the pedal/ master cylinder assembly with the cast aluminum mounting bracket, so it’s here somewhere. It’ll be a place to start. I am worried that I may be missing the handbrake, I believe they are next to impossible to find. I don’t know if the wiper motor had an industry source, but I haven’t given up hope it’ll be in some box yet to be unpacked. Ian

I’ll have to go seek out that thread! Ian

Really? This is a surprise! I just assumed, we know what assume stands for -right?, that all the instruments would be Smiths. I will post the pics. Thank you for mentioning this! Ian

To be honest, this it turning out to be better than I could have hoped! Funny that the 7 Oracle suggested I should not buy this car! I had a feeling that there were many original parts in the half dozen photos I saw, plus the story seemed genuine, if somewhat strange! I took a chance! So glad I did! lan

Yes! All kinds of surface improvement possibilities. Ian

There are still a few ‘significant’ part missing/yet to be found. Wiring Harness Steering Wheel - only found non-Lotus examples. Not expecting to find this Instruments & Switches - lots of Stewart Warner and AC, nothing yet that could be original. Pedals & M/Cylinders - I saw this Assy. when unloading, it here somewhere! Handbrake - I haven’t seen this at all yet! Wiper motor & Cable - no sign of this yet! Intake Scoop - easy to get a new scoop, so not too worried. Clutch Slave Cylinder - I’ll probably fit a new part So it seems the two most concerning missing, as yet, parts are the Wiper Motor and Handbrake. As this was a race car, at some level, it’s conceivable that that they had been previously removed. Ian

And these!

I ‘discovered’ a few more 7 parts in amongst many MGTD and unknown Renault parts! some good ones today! Ian

I took this information. Years ago when rebuilding old Triumph motorcycle engines. I have a system now. First of all I use the largest glass beads I can get. They leave a nice closed satin finish and tend not to get imbedded in the material. Low pressure seems to work but requires some patience. The parts are then given a run in the ultrasonic cleaner. The theory being the vibrations dislodge any beads that may be remaining. So far I’ve seen no signs of any glass beads in the filters at first oil change, although I’m not sure if you would. Ian

I’m thinking my car may have run without any cover at all. This seems to have been a track car of some kind and that would have been OK I assume. Ian

I’m not one for over dressing my cars. Less is more. So I’ll probably just keep it natural. Neither of these steering wheels will be used. I have a collection of steering wheels from several previous race cars, an E-Type, MG A etc etc and had a plan to make some kind of Art piece with all of them. I guess these may be added to the collection. Unless anyone can use one. Ian

That might be a nice idea! At the moment the plan will be to just get what I have running nicely and reliably etc. The engine has already been tuned, to some level, the Cosworth cover is really just for decoration. If I do upgrade the engine it will probably be to the 120E that was part of this deal in a mild-ish state of tune. Ian

This should look good! I hope I fits . . . Should it painted? Ian

This is that adaptor! Ian

In the box unpacked this afternoon we’re two steering wheels, neither of them Lotus, but could be candidates for my long considered wall of wheels! There were also these two panels. I think they are MG, but they have a similarity to the inner cockpit side panel. If anyone disagrees, please let me know. Ian

Going through another box, this afternoon, of mostly MGTD parts that I hope I can find a home for, I found a tag, not sure exactly what for, but is little things like this that add to the provenance. APO SF 96323 is a Military address apparently. Both the owner I bought the car from and the guy he bought if from were Military or ex-military. And the date 23 JUN 1968 just adds credence to the story of this car. Cool stuff! Ian

This car was shipped with an A Series BMC engine and ‘box, the 105E engine and ‘box were fitted, I’m told, in ‘64or ‘65. So we know it a user aftermarket mod. I will check the ratios one day soon. I’ve read the the 105E engined cars used a gearbox that used a modified Standard Triumph shift extension. Mine has this. Whether it is the correct Ford ‘box I’m really not certain at this point. However, it is the ‘box that was used and therefore will be the ‘box I use. It’ll be the best version of the car that existed in the ‘65 to ‘68 time frame. Hopefully . . . Ian

Yes, that looks to be exactly what I have but, as you say, with an adaptor for the Ford ‘box. It’s ugly, and heavy, but I might just use it, but I will see if I can take som poundage out of it! Ian

Hi, I had read this same story. Looking at the chassis it clearly seems to be missing what might seem to be ‘obvious’ tubes. The one at the bottom of the seat back is arguably the most obvious, but there are several panels that lack triangulation. I will be looking carefully at adding some tubes to the chassis in an attempt to gain back some stiffness. What I don’t want to do is loose the ‘essence of 7’ that I’m sure is partially because of the flexi-flyer nature of the car. I will also keep a careful eye on the additional weight I’ll be adding back. Ian

Hi, This would make sense! This car was originally a BMC powered car. I have a quite well engineered, if a bit on the heavy side, gearbox mount that is attached to the tunnel. It certainly appears to be a retrofit. Looking at the mount again in these photos, it seems like part of it might be original and only the very heavy part is the retrofit to adapt to the gearbox change. I just need to mock this up to figure it out, but I think the flat cover is not going to work with this combination. So, a round cover may have to be made. Ian