SENC

I was going to speculate that since the PO had S2 bits laying around perhaps he was going to put a pre-crossflow engine in this - other than the scoop, would be a fairly simple swap. I wouldn't discount the Ford/Lotus engine out of hand. Parts new and old aren't hard to find, nor are good blocks and heads (even new ones). Elan owners who wanted an updated motor have generally gone the Zetec/Duratec route, so those may work in the S4 Seven, too.

Also, check out the Lotus 7 registry site, some good information and pictures there - as well as information on contacting the registrar who may have access to information on yours. http://www.lotus7register.co.uk/ser4page.htm

If you haven't already find a used copy of Tony Weale's book on the Seven - lots of great information and details including the S4. Ortenburger's Legend of the Lotus Seven is also useful.

Check the downloads section, there are some useful resources there. I have the Series 4 section out of the old shop manual published by Caterham for the Lotus S2,S3, and S4 after buying the licensing from Lotus. The S2 and S3 sections are in the download sections, but I didn't have reason to scan the S4 section. Happy to send that section to you if you need it, just PM me your address.

The 560sl was the last of the R107 class Mercedes, whose hardtop retained that pagoda look from the prior class of Mercs. I really prefer the look to the later SLs. You're right, and she already has new shoes (that and brake fluid flush were first!) and, for that matter, new feet. The original wheels had been chromed by the dealer, as was frequently done in California at the time, but the chrome was peeling. Refurbished factory wheels were cheaper than I suspected I could have the chrome ones redone, even if possible to do well.

While we're on the topic of long noses, my most recent addition to the project list. More like the recent Cadillacs than my Lotus - heavy and with a big engine - but a fun ride. I wasn't looking for it and generally don't go for black cars, but it was offered to me twice over a couple months time and I thought it might just satisfy my bride's wishes for an older convertible sportscar. It's an 80k mile 560sl that has been driven less than 10k miles in the last 15ish years. It was well maintained, but as you'd expect for a car driven so little it is in need of a fairly complete refresh. To date, all major system fluids and filters have been flushed/changed, timing chain guides replaced (chain itself exhibited next to no stretch), cam oilers replaced, and plugs replaced. The plan now is to work on some minor and/cosmetic stuff and to take advantage of nice days to get some miles on it to see what it might need.

Redline can provide a tonneau cover for you.

cool!

Sorry Bruce - I knew that, but just got caught up in the story. Cool car and story.

Great write-up Barry!

Just be patient - there are only so many of them, but the right one will come along. Don't discount importing one, either - with shipping costs on the way down and still a good exchange rate, that may be a viable option. I imported mine a number of years ago because it was too good a car to pass up given its price. If you haven't found them, yet, there are a few active FB groups for Lotus and 7s - the historic lotus group being one. They would be good places to let your interest be known.

Not professing experience to confirm, but I believe the answer is yes. In fact, one of the "tells" if an S2 or S3 is largely original vs potentially a build-up is looking at the windscreen frame. If the "a" or triangle is solid/one piece, it is a Caterham frame - whereas you can see the joints on the Lotus ones. That would suggest to me a common fit.

@SevenAmerica

You can cool in the air or water - cooling in water is just quicker than waiting - and for the purpose of removing work hardening and brittleness in copper washers works just as well

Reading this thread reminds me I need to trial my Samsung Galaxy earbuds. I read recently that they utilize 2 microphones, and that if exterior noise is loud that in addition to noise canceling they also flip over to an internal microphone to capture voice through the vibrations traveling up the ear (or at medium external noise they blend the inner and outer microphone pickups to provide clearer voice). Do other earbuds have similar technology? Wouldn't this solve the issue, if implemented well?

@slowdude, love the Cortina!

Just received a Christmas present for myself - some Melvill and Moon seat covers for aforementioned LR3. The leather seats are in surprisingly good shape, just a little wear/tear on the outside of the driver's seat, so this is a combination of protecting them and covering the black I'm not hugely fond of (in hot summers particularly)

This LR3 took over the daily driver and towing duties from the F250. A 2007 with 130k miles, it is my first Land Rover. The body and interior were clean and the motor strong, and it is a vehicle I can do most other work on - thus my preference over a new or newer vehicle. I've been extremely happy (even surprised) at the comfort of the ride on the road both in town and on the highway - better in my opinion than my wife's 2020 X3. It also tows much better than the X3, with a 7700 pound towing capacity - and the air suspension is fantastic when hooking up a loaded trailer. I've done a little work to it, mainly catching up deferred maintenance, and the drive train is a little whiny so planning to replace the front diff this winter as I'm 90% sure the current diff pinion bearing is what is causing the noise. These vehicles are pretty much at the bottom of the depreciation curve and I picked it up for $5,500, so don't mind a little extra investment if I can get another 100k or so on it. The terrain management system is fantastic, and this one has a rear locking diff so I should be set for most trouble I get into hunting/fishing. All that, and I love the classic boxy shape. Fuel mileage isn't great (about 20 on the highway), but better than my F250 was so still feels like a win.

Great little car, and better story!

The green F250 was my daily driver from 2010 until earlier this year, when I sold it and bought an LR3. I used to tow horses when my girls were younger, and it was a great vehicle for that purpose. In fact, it was a great vehicle all around and I miss it, but just didn't need anything that huge any longer. It was quite a transition moving from F250 to Elan and back.

@JohnCh - Great looking Elan! I have a similar picture. And, yes, ridiculously narrow, not too different from the Seven.

1969 Lotus Elan S4. This is the car that stoked my interest in wrenching on cars. My dad bought it from the first (maybe second) owner around 1980 - it had been used for rallies and the like. Dad always liked these little cars and had grown up working on cars, so this one that needed some love was perfect for him. He restored it mechanically and had it resprayed (original color), and it was a daily driver for him for a number of years. He also rallied it a bit. I bought it from him about 10 years ago, as he had gotten to the age he couldn't get under it to work on it anymore - and 20+ years after it's restoration (a lot of them outside), it was needing a refresh. I'd never really worked on cars other than helping him as a child. I started out working on the brakes and then suspension, and found I really enjoyed it. The gearbox leaked badly, so it came out (with the engine) and I rebuilt it. The car is off the road again now as I need to investigate a valve issue. A hugely fun little car.

I have custom-molded plugs from BigEar - though there are several other similar companies. I'm a hunter and shooter so initially had their pure noise suppression for those sports, so when I wanted a combination of exterior noise suppression and access to phone/music I used them again. I went wired, but have a small, cheap BT transmitter with a noise suppression mic it plugs into. Telephone/music quality is perfectly acceptable, though I generally have everything off as I prefer the car sound. On the latter, the plugs cut down the volume and the wind noise enough to protect my ears and keep me from getting road-weary... but let me hear enough to be aware of whats going on in the car and it's surroundings.

You'll like the Pirellis. I put a set on mine (took off a way outdated and hard set of Pirellis). They look the part and ride great - a perfect match for our light and nimble cars - and better on our diffs than wider, stickier tires.

I agree!