Stevensonjr

Are these Caterham or Lotus doors, or are they all the same? An interior photo would help if you could. Who furnished the top and doors in the photos? I can’t get anyone in the UK to answer my email requests about original series 2 doors etc. thanks,Bil

Anyone have an idea where I could find doors for my series 2, 1965 Lotus 7? If nothing else, just the metal frames would do it for me, I could have the fabric and plexi added by a shop here in town. A drawing with dimensions would work too. Thanks, Bill

Can anyone tell me that the Austin Healy 1000 windshield to scuttle seal has the same “T” shape that fits the windshield base on my Series 2 Lotus 7? I thought Lotus might have used an existing seal as they did with other existing parts. thanks, Bill

You pretty well described my engine, I’ve had no trouble with a Pertronix electronic dizzy. Easy to tune by ear even though I checked it later with a a light, it was where it needed to be. You also need an air balance snail for the Webers. There are several books that detail Weber tuning. What works for one engine may not work for another with close to the same specs. A cross between knowledge and magic is necessary for tuning. A low pressure electric pump, 2 1/2 to 4 lbs needs no regulator. Bill

I’ve just finished 150 road miles on my 7 with DRIVEN 15-50 non synthetic break in oil. The engine is a modified 1500 Kent ford with dual DCOE 40’s, rally cam, new forged pistons, rods, shaved head, 4 into one tubular exhaust,etc. I’d like suggestions on what oil would be best for day to day operations. No track days, just enthusiastic open road, run thru the gears on occasion. Opinions? Thanks, Bill

Fuel cell is from Summet Racing, 10 gallon. Bill

I found a junk yard in Arizona with a TR7, 4 speed rear end. (Not the 5 speed rear end,) shipped it to Chris Beebe in Wisconsin. He cut the housing and axles down, cut off all the TR7 mounts and welded the Lotus 7 mounts in place. He had it gray powder coated and also changed the TR backing plates and studs to 7 parts so I could mount the original Lotus 7 front and rear brakes. Bill You can find Chris Beebe on the internet, I found the TR junk yard on the internet too. Bill

I ordered the radiator from Caterham, specifically for a series 2 super 7, then fabricated 4 mounts to move it as far forward as the nose cowling allowed. I had to weld a 45 degree (about) angle on the bottom water hose tube to clear the frame crosspiece. Also mounted a thin 10” electric fan with shroud to pull thru the radiator, not much room but it just fits. Don’t remember where, just an Amazon fan google. Bill

More pics

I figured you were going to use it, it will tell me about the Caterham offering. Thanks, Bill

How wide is the anvil looking top? Bill

Thanks, 11Budlite, I just sent him an email. Bill

I called Moss a while back, they said that they have nothing with the “t” shape required on the windshield side of the rubber strip. It fits in the t shaped groove on the bottom of the frame. Bill

Where would the best source for a new scuttle/windshield rubber for my series 2 original Lotus 7. I can order from the UK but I’d rather buy from a US supplier. Thanks, Bill

I bought a narrow Bendpac lift, to fit my shop. 12’ ceiling, locking rachets, air switching(. air conditioned shop) electric over hydraulic.

We will start on the engine after we cleanup all the parts. Here is where we are now.

It’s a Monocoupe 90, designed around the less than desirable Lambert 5 cylinder radial. Monocoupe people love originality so we are going to try to make the Lambert work. The engine only had a 300 hr TBO back in the day, so that’s the first thing that needs attention. We have a truck load of parts to work with but may have to machine or cast usable parts. We have a great engine man available and a machine shop so we’ll see.

When I’m solo the Cub gets off the water in 6 seconds. The 0-200 and the flat pitch float plane prop really make it jump. Cruise is about 70 max. I put a C-90 in the L4, replacing the C-65. It’s on wheels with good performance with 2 on board on a no wind hot day. 1400’ strip at the ranch with obstructions. Today I finished rib stitching the 32 ft one piece Monocoupe wing. I’ve got it on a rotisserie fixture which makes it a fairly easy one man job. I built the fuselage up last year, covered it and Poly brushed thru silver, waiting on the wing.

I’m still in aviation too, on a hobby basis. I’ve totally rebuilt a Stearman, in WWII Navy colors with a 670 Continental. Also rebuilt a J3 with an O-200 and put it on floats. I keep a WWII Piper L4 Observation plane at my ranch to run the fence lines and count deer and alligators. When I was in business I had a 560 Commander, boy those Garretts were loud! Too old to travel now, but I remember—- Cheers, Bill

Thanks, I didn’t think it would take 3 years but it was so interesting I couldn’t quit. Bill

Small world, my Daughter went to Tulane too, before she went to LSU medical school. New Orleans has changed since the storm. The people are different, attitudes have changed, and none of this is for the better. I live in Lafayette, about 2 1/2 hours across the swamp west of New Orleans on I-10. You mentioned the heat in Louisiana, that is a major problem with the 7. I had to insulate the outside of the pedal box and the passenger footwell. I also insulated the whole tunnel then put carpet over all. I louvered the bonnet with 2 strips on the front one third. It’s ok now on a hot day, before insulating I couldn’t touch the tunnel with my leg or rest my arm on it. My feet still feel the heat but nothing like the heat before the insulation which felt like my shoes were melting. It will be nice on a cool day with no heater needed. I would like to see photos from the West Virginia meeting. Cheers, Bill

I’m not familiar with plans for the owners meeting. It’s a pretty long haul from Southern Louisiana to West Virginia, so probably not. Bill

About 3 years ago I acquired a derelict 1965 miles lotus super 7 race car, roll cage and all. It seems that a Woman bought and raced this car in the New Orleans Louisiana area in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Never could get a name or specific events, just the “story”. Every panel and wing on the car was damaged or repaired in a poor fashion so I stripped the body completely and cut the roll cage off. The engine and trans were out of the car when I bought it and I sent both for overhaul. The best I can figure is that the car sat unused for at least 20+ Years. I replaced some of the tubing and had the frame media blasted and powder coated to match the original grey paint. I took some liberties with the engine and had it rebuilt to fast road or rally specs. Tony Ingram supplied the parts and specs and I had the work done by Dave Hayden, a local British car specialist. He changed to twin DCOE 40’s, a rally cam, new pistons, new bearings, higher compression, better rods, a total rebuild. Dave also went thru the transmission and upgraded as necessary. At this point Tony suggested that the Triumph 10 rear end wouldn’t cut it with the new engine power. I found a TR7 complete rear end and had it narrowed and Lotus 7 mounting points welded on to replace the Triumph brackets. I also installed the original 7 brake drums and hubs with new studs to match the front wheel pattern and size. at this point I ordered new body panels from ARCH in the UK and found new wings thru Tony Ingram. It was an interesting project to fit the new panels on because all of the bends are not finished, especially the boot panel which took a lot of attention to form it around the top boot tubing. The wiring was tough for me because I’m just not good with it. I wired it using aircraft wire and one system at a time as I do with the antique aircraft I build. I only burned 4 fuses while fitting the wires. Everything finally worked, including the overhauled Smiths gauges that were in the car when I bought it. I bought 5 wire wheels and New tires, had the car painted, tuned it myself and now it’s on the street ready to go. It has surprising acceleration and handling.

MV8, I’ll give you credit for being the smartest guy on this topic and a ride in my Original 7 whenever you get down here. You still flying or did you retire before they cut everyone’s retirement in half? My College roommate was a Delta pilot after An Air Force F4 stint in Vietnam. Delta screwed him out of half of his retirement during bankruptcy. Cheers, Bill

Looks like MV8 is right on, looks to be an HS engineering Sabre Seven. HS produced kits and completed cars from the mid 70’s to 1991 when they shut down. Leo’s 7 Sabre photos in an album on this site show his Sabre 7 as he raced it a while back, this album is where I got the details to ID my project. This is not Leo’s car, it’s an unfinished project with current Louisiana registration and title in my name. lf anyone would like specific photos of the project let me know so I can take them this weekend. I am going to the ranch today and the project is in a hangar there. I have finished the restoration of the original 7 and have no desire to start another project. If anyone is interested, we can talk or email directly. Thanks, Bill