Donnie

1960 Lotus Seven Series 1. Rebuilt BMC 1275 with .02” overbore to increase it to 1300cc. Documentation of engine rebuild is in the photo gallery. Rebuilt rib case gearbox. Rebuilt 1.5 inch SU carburetors. Less than 500 miles on both. This is by no means a “Restoration”. Purchased in December, 2020, it had served as a race car at least most of its life and the body shows signs of it (patina?) As a race car it had been stripped of all unnecessary equipment. Wings, windshield, dynamo, etc. were removed. Unfortunately, the Commission number had also been removed . Fortunately, the frame (chassis) number (L563/763) was permanently etched into the frame and certifies that, in deed, it is a Series 1 Seven. The chassis number was traced to the Progress Chassis Company, date of manufacture between September, 1959 and October, 1960. Since Lotus did not cross reference chassis and Commission numbers the commission number remains a mystery. A letter from The Historic Lotus Register concerning this is included in the photo gallery At some point in it's life, a Lotus 26 (Elan) independent rear was installed in favor of the solid axle. Since the Elan did not begin production until 1962 it is unlikely that the installation was a factory job. The conversion none the less appears professionally done. The IRS conversion extended the rear tread by about 3 inches and the wheelbase by the same amount. A gallery photo shows the extension of the rear wings . In order to return the car to the street I had a red vinyl interior installed, produced a dashboard with all needed instruments including a GPS speedometer, installed a GM alternator, installed headlamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, and license plate bracket and lamp.I then rewired the complete car, installed 14” VTO alloy wheels with Vridrstein tires, Caterham front wings and aftermarket rear aluminum wings, installed 5-3/4 inch headlights, parking lights, rear running lights and stop lights. Also included are race tires mounted on wire wheels and complete Weber 45DCOE carburetor and manifold. Car won first in class at Lotus Owners Gathering in Knoxville last month. Encourage inspection and test drive. Please call if additional photos are desired. $25,000 or a trade for an interesting (British) project would be considered.

Series 2 or 3 windshield complete with stanchions. New glass. Bought for my series 1 but works only on 2 or 3. Prefer pickup. Original glass was cracked when shipped to me. $350 OBO

The annual Lotus extravaganza will be held this year in Knoxville, Tennessee August 25 - 27. There will be a concours, an Autocross, beautiful touring opportunities in the Great Smokies and lots of surprises. For complete info and to reserve your spot log into LotusLtd.com.

Anyone considering the purchase of SB1633, a car that has been advertised everywhere for the past 6 months or so, should PM me first.

Please PM me prior to responding to an ad which is appearing in several auction sites for White 1962 Seven Series 2. Asking about $35,000. Don

I'm assuming they are not interchangeable between series'. Currently using Brookland screens but would prefer a windshield if one can be located. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance. Don

I have rewired it with my own wire and it's back on the road. Total time, 8 hours. Spent days trying to make sense of the Autosparks harness to no avail. It clearly is not made for my Seven. Complained to Autosparks twice and got 2 form letters.

Thanks all for the info and encouragement.

Croc - Actually I did specify (and paid for) two mods. The electric fan mod and the alternator mod. Got the fan mod. Did not get the alternator mod. Lots of extra dangling wires. In addition, the ignition wire grouping and the fuse box grouping are over 3 feet apart. Can't imagine where they proposed I mount the fuse box. Would reach half way to the front wing. I'll study all the info I have and see what I can come up with. Might just trash it and make my own. And to think I complained about devoting 2 days to rewire my Bugeye with a Moss harness.

Saw those. Thanks anyway.

Bought a Series 1 Seven that has always been raced. The only electrics on the car was a tach, stop light and cooling fan. All wired directly to the battery. No generator, no fuses, no head lamps. I ordered a "complete" wiring harness from Autosparks of UK and after 4 months I received it. It got caught up in Covid delays. I got a lot of wire in lovely colors but no wiring diagram. Call them and they told me that no diagram was available. Spent a week trying to make sense of it with very little headway. Studied schematics from other Sevens but nothing matched up. I've rewired several Brit cars without a hitch but I'm lost here. Any thoughts out there?

Thanks. Will be interesting to see what happens.

Anyone know anything about this ad or the dealer? He has no Ebay history. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1919-Lotus-Other/333018508206?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

1992 Series 2 on EBAY Chassis SB1211. PM Donnie with any questions http://www.ebay.com/itm/131611088600?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

License plate bracket is sold.

Leftover parts for sale: K&N type air cleaners for DCOE and DHLA 4.5 x 7 x 3.5 Look new. $50 Moss 1-3/4" SU/Stromberg air cleaners. Cleanable foam. 4.5 x 7 x 2.5 Never installed $40 Ram Stacks. Heavy chrome for 1-1/4" SU's. 1960's vintage. Perfect condition $40 Lucas starter M35G from Kent x-flow. Very good condition $75 Aluminum roll bar mount mount license plate bracket. LOTUS 7 etched on front. $35 Radius arms for Series 2 Seven. Excellent shape $75

Steering bellows still available?

Saw this on Ebay this morning http://www.ebay.com/itm/301688517962?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Bought a rear end from them a couple of months ago and would consider them a good source.

Thanks for the input. I'm told that Spax has cleaned up their act of late and has improved quality. May be sorry but I got a deal on an open box, unused set so I figured I'd give them a try. Had Bilsteins on my Caterham and loved them. What are the specs of your springs? Free length and PSI. What is the primary use of your Seven?

Anyone out there with a Series 2 Seven with a Cortina axle? If so, what rear coilovers are installed. The Spax units designated for Series 2 & 3 (Spax G776) are too long by at least 2 inches. Thanks for any help. Don

Selling two air cleaners that I purchased for my Seven but would not clear my clam shells. Waited too long to return. They are either K&N or Redline. No lettering on the units. Fit 40/45 DCOE. Virtually brand new. The measure 7"x4.5"x3.25" high. Permanent filter is cleaned periodically. $80 for the pair Call Don 865-414-6990

I have a Detroit Locker differential for sale. Fits Cortina Mk 1 & 2, Escort Mk 1 & 2, and Anglia 105E. 22 spline English axle. Replaced it on my Seven in favor of a LSD for a more docile street experience. Great track/autocross rear but a little jerky for everyday street use. Asking $150.00

Actually, the differential unit that I am replacing is a Detroit Locker. There are no spacers. I assume that spacers will be needed if there is side to side movement greater than spec.

Thanks everyone for the input. I also felt that it would be doable until I found that no shop in my area would touch it. I'm thinking now that its a matter of unfamiliarity. I actually spoke to a shop manager at a local Ford dealer that had never heard of a Cortina. Think I'll just go at it.

Thanks for the input. I consider myself a pretty competent mechanic but, although I have a factory manual, I figured it might be best to let someone specifically experienced so as to have someone else to blame if something goes wrong. As I'm sure you're aware, extracting the rear is something you'd rather not do twice. Cheers Don