GregM

Hi all, Just wanted to share a project I recently completed for my 4 years old son who loves our Lotus. It’s a 3d printed Lotus bed. Screws onto a standard full size IKEA bed frame. Anyway, if someone is still looking for an original Christmas gift idea, that’s an option. Files available for download here: https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/home/full-size-lotus-seven-caterham-themed-bed-for-ikea-frame Cheers!

Not finding the poster I wanted to gift my son to put in his bedroom, I ended up making one myself with the photos of my own yellow DSK seven. If any of you are interested, let me know! I had a few printed and you can find them here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1374376593/poster-lotus-7-super-seven-20-x-30?ref=listing_published_alert

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/298682179147585/

Thanks John, very interesting interviews. So you actually had a chat with Pat Prince as well?

Hi David, I apologize for misquoting you and I do genuinely appreciate that you looked into the details of the car I purchased and confirmed that the chassis was constructed by Pat Prince. To be perfectly honest, I am still trying to wrap my head around about who did what in the construction process of this specific vehicle while I am also learning bits of history about DSK, company I have not heard about prior to now. Speaking of, who is Pat Prince and what was his role in the DSK story?

Thanks for getting simplesevens back online! David has confirmed the Seven I just got is a DSK but it was put together under Pat Prince.

Some interesting documentation that came with the car.

The builder is believed to be Bill Giltzow from NJ.

Yeah, that's what I thought. It's definitely missing. It should be a quick fix. Thanks.

Maybe one of you guys know: the oil filler neck on that 13b engine has a small port at its base and it’s currently not connected to anything (left open to the engine bay) which doesn’t look right. What is this supposed to connect to on the rx-7 ? I’m thinking PCV valve but since it’s a rotary, it’s obviously different. Oil catch can?

The filter itself is 4.5 x 7 by 4 inches tall. I initially looked into that e-3341 but it turned out that it needed an e-3954. The difference is one being an oval, the other a rectangle which is what I need. Thanks for the suggestion though. https://www.jegs.com/i/K-N/599/E-3954/10002/

If that is the case, isn't it better to release them away as soon as possible instead of heating up 3 mufflers and 15 feet of pipe?

Yeah I will most likely experiment with the exhaust. Not only I'm not completely sold to the Supertrap idea but the entire exhaust system on this car is over complicated and heavy. Yes, it does loop above the rear axle. All that might not be unique but it goes against the "light is right" motto. For the intake, right now, I need to find a new filter. Not sure what air cleaner this is but the carburetor is a Mikuni 44PHH. First on my to do list, after a good clean, is to sort the wiring harness. Everything works but some wires seem to have been added after the fact and will cause electrical gremlins as soon as humidity shows up.

You are possibly right regarding the need to run on premix. The engine is not very loud as it goes through 3 different mufflers (2 pre-mufflers then a supertrap) besides, I like it a bit on the loud side.

My yellow "DSK 13B" has finally showed up. Lots to explore but everything works and looks solid and well put together. Needs a good detail and a bit of TLC. I am still talking with David Kaplan, DSK founder, about this car since, per him, the car has not been assembled by DSK. I am being told however that the chassis is the last chassis DSK has sold which is what I am trying to verify. Anyway, besides its origin and history, this car has a Mazda 13b rotary engine which should make things more interesting. More to come!

Today I found out that the yellow Seven I purchased does, indeed, have a Lotus manufacturer plate. Perhaps like David mentioned earlier, it has been rebuilt from a wrecked Lotus? photo taken by the seller:

Absolutely agree. I grew up in Europe where sevens are a dime a dozen and always wanted one. I had designed and built open wheel race cars back in the mid 2000’s and currently work in this field, so I am very familiar with designing, building, developing and improving vehicles in general, high performance ones in particular. I am still curious to find out what DSK is there on that specific car I’m getting (if anything). The friend who checked the car for me in Arizona (former Local Motors) did mention that this seven looked professionally built (yet needs some TLC) and he is very familiar with kit cars for obvious reasons.

Honestly I don't mind if the conversation continues here. It is what it is. If the car I purchased is a DSK or not, it won't change the fact I wanted one. I will soon find out if there are any DSK bits in it or none.

Hey David, Nice to hear from you directly! If you look at the post right above yours you can see how people claim they are in possession of a "DSK" seven. I do not know (yet) if it is true or not as I do not have the car here with me. A friend of mine who lives close to the seller has inspected the car for me and gave me the green light to purchase it. Now I am in the middle of the logistics phase to have the car transported to NC where I live. Once I have the car here, I will be able to assess myself all that. I would be very interested to continue this conversation when I get there.

I will. But first is to get the car here to NC.

All of this is most likely correct. Again, I’m no rotary expert but, from what I understand that premix helps with the seals (but might reduce the lifespan of other components). It is also advised to use higher octane with premix (to your point)

I believe that you don't want to premix a rotary if your car has a catalytic converter. Also a premix-ed rotary won't pass emissions. Besides those two points, the rotary apex seals will last longer if using a premix.

I grew up racing go karts when they all had 2 stroke engines so I'm very familiar with the scent and the character. Never had a rotary but fell in love with the sound of it at Le Mans Classic a couple decades back when I heard the Mazda 787b idle in the paddocks for the first time.

It appears that we are neighbors and it also sounds like you moved from the West Coast to NC just like myself. Did a job in racing triggered the move as well?