Joe Petty

Police say this is not that uncommon, they steal the rig and open it up to see what's inside. They asked me several times if I left the key in the van, finally realized that 2005 was before the "smart keys" with the chip in them. Without the chip, they just slim-jim the door and pop out the ignition cylinder and drive off. 10K spectators at the show, so hard to say who or why.

I apologize for the frequent "bumps", but I am in a 2 week window before the insurance declares a total loss, so I am hoping for a quick sighting/recovery. Updated 9/14 STOLEN : 1962 Lotus 7 - Ford Van - HaulMark Trailer Sat 9/8 8PM to Sun 9/9 7AM Hotel Parking Lot: Hampton Peachtree Corners, 440 Technology Pkwy, Norcross, Ga 30092 The Van and Trailer were recovered Wed (9/12) in Chamblee, Ga Lotus 7 is still missing 1962 Dark Green/Aluminum Lotus 7 SB1478 - Fl Lic: 62 SEVEN Dark Green fenders and nose with polished aluminum Red interior and dash 1500cc Pre-Crossflow Cosworth Ford This is a real Lotus 7 Series 2 restored to original condition. These are some of the easily identified (and hard to disguise features): - Right hand drive - Wooden steering wheel - 155x13 tires on Minilite rims - Air scoop on left side of hood - Tow ring under right front frame rail While these features "may not hold up in court", I did a nut and bolt rebuild of this car and can provide photos, details and unique modifications. If you see this car on the road or advertised, call the police, then call me! Don't be a hero and don't fall for a scam! Thanks - Joe Petty (904) 524-9717 joepettyjr@yahoo.com Here is a picture from the Norcross show, it was stolen later that night. The bonnet is behind the car leaning against the chain link fence. http://www.usa7s.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=14562&stc=1

Lotus still missing Van and trailer have been recovered in Chamblee, Ga. Ignition switch damaged, but otherwise sounds like the van and trailer are OK Thanks to all - Joe

Sure will! Thanks - Joe

More info now that I have started digging through paperwork! STOLEN : 1962 Lotus 7 - Ford Van - HaulMark Trailer Sat 9/8 8PM to Sun 9/10 7AM Hotel Parking Lot: Hampton Peachtree Corners, 440 Technology Pkwy, Norcross, Ga 30092 2005 Gold Ford Van ---- Fl Lic: DXW W26 Chateau window van Gold(Light Brown) with Dark brown lower panel Tinted windows, small Lotus and motorcycle stickers on back door 2007 White 20' HaulMark Enclosed Trailer - Fl Lic: HXD F27 Rear door/ramp, single side door "JOE PETTY 904-524-9717" bumper sticker on front Small Lotus, Barber and motorcycle stickers on back No marking on sides Recessed white wheels with 2" fenders 1962 Green/Aluminum Lotus 7 - Fl Lic: 62 SEVEN Right hand drive, wooden steering wheel, full windshield Dark Green fenders and nose - polished aluminum hood, sides and rear Red interior and dash Minilite style alloy wheels, steel wheel on spare mount Note: Both Alloy and Steel wheels were in trailer Rear braced roll bar, white tonneau cover ID number SB1478 Any info please contact Joe Petty (904) 524-9717 joepettyjr@yahoo.com http://www.usa7s.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=14554&stc=1 The Rig Thanks

STOLEN Saturday night (9/9) from Hotel after Norcross British Fayre: Gold 2005 Ford Van, White 20' Enclosed HaulMark Trailer, Green and Polished Aluminum 1962 Lotus 7 - Joe Petty (904)524-9717

I had the glass replaced on my 1962 7 last summer ($150) Local shop cut safety glass and mixed up some "special sauce" since the rubber seal was rotted. Fits and looks nice and seems to be as waterproof as a 7 can be I soaked the screws and got them and the frame loose before giving it to the shop, but left the broken glass in place. Good Luck - Joe

Be sure to check the rubber part! I had a soft mount with a tear in the raised o-ring and a sliver of rubber would flop around and occasionally jam the butterfly part way open. After many return springs and cable/ linkage inspections, I finally found it when I had the carbs off. The mount looked normal, you had to rub over it to find the loose section, apparently the inlet vacuum was enough to get the sliver out in the venturi. 3K idle when you don't expect it is quite a thrill!

On the road with 1500 pre-crossflow, just in time for driving season here in Florida! http://www.usa7s.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=13576&stc=1

Also - Several of us Lotus folk go to the Jacksonville Cars and Coffee at the Avenues Mall second Saturday of the month (couple days from now). I am not aware of any regular 7-ish attendees, but always good for a morning of looking and you never know who might show up. Several of us went over to LOG in Birmingham last month, so should be some new stories! Joe 67 Elan 62 Super 7 (in rebuild)

I am also looking for one of these for my 62 Super 7 with the wooden steering wheel. Please post if you find a source. Thanks - Joe

You may want to check if the transmission is setup for a "neutral detection" switch. I have an old Ford Cortina gearbox and it has detection switches for reverse and neutral. The neutral switch is midway on the "singlerail" shift rod housing. Joe

Greetings! Retired, Math teacher, garage mechanic, moped dealer, copier technician and computer engineer. Lived in Key West for many years and owned a '64 Lotus 7 back in BC (before children) and had many fond memories of a much simpler existence and the joy of 7 ownership. In 2000 I purchased a '67 Lotus Elan (from WireWheel) which I completely rebuilt over the next 10 years or so. It is a delightful driver and I was surprised how much it feels like a 7, or maybe that is just that "Lotus Feeling". I retired a few years ago and after catching up on all the things I had been putting off, I found myself scanning the internet looking for an interesting project. Last summer I found a post on USA7 for a '62 Lotus 7 out in Texas and decided it sounded like a good prospect. Since I had not driven out West for many years and my wife had never driven beyond New Orleans, I decided we would take the extra seats out of the van, drive out, and if it checked out, rent a trailer to bring back the car. First night out of Jacksonville, we stopped in Lafayette, La and had dinner at Randol's seafood resturant and dance hall - Saturday night and Cajun music and dancing what a treat! Sunday was overnight in San Antonio, Tx and the Riverwalk and Monday afternoon we arrived in Odessa to evaluate the car and size up the situation. Surprisingly, this '62 7 was almost identical to the '64 I owned 40 years earlier: dark blue, Super 7 with 109E engine, wooden steering wheel... We agreed on terms and started locating and loading the pieces. The car was completely apart and over the years the owner had accumulated spare parts and restoration pieces so there were many "baskets"! Fortunately I had reserved a 12' enclosed U-Haul as it was College break and the students had taken all the available rentals! We finished loading the next day; the car and the spares completely filled the trailer and my van! Couple days to drive back to Florida, then 2 days unloading and storing all the pieces in the garage and back porch. The target is to have this back together for the Lotus meet (LOG) in May which will feature the 60th Anniv. of the 7, so it should be a very busy Spring! Joe Petty http://www.usa7s.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=12287&stc=1

Thanks guys! I had not seen Xtra Special Sevens and they seem to have exactly what I am looking for and lots more. Joe

Wanted - Pair of Weber DCOE40 intake manifolds for an early Lotus 7 with the Ford pre-crossflow head. Got the carbs, got the scoop in the bonnet, just need the manifolds and any linkage. Thanks - Joe

Sold and now in Jacksonville, Fl Regards, Joe