craig chima

I need to sell one of my two Lotus 7 race cars and BOTH cars have near-identical components as follows: Fresh all-steel, dry-sumped 1500cc Pre-Crossflow motors making in excess of 160bhp with 45DCOE Webers, custom intake manifolds, headers and exhausts with merge collectors, roller-rockers, billet cams, custom TDC oil pumps, custom lightweight flywheels/7.25" clutch assemblies and best-of-the-best components throughout. The motors would cost over $20K to duplicate. Both also have FRESH Spridget-based dog ring transmissions with Hewland internals, lightweight driveshafts, fully-adjustable brake bias pedal assemblies, adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars, limited slip differentials, fresh fuel cells, billet axles, aluminum radiators, MSD ignitions, etc, etc, etc. Differences between the two cars as follows: Vintage-only car: This is the red/silver car that I built in 2010 and have raced roughly 20 times since then and has proved to be the fastest vintage-prepared Lotus 7 in the country (208's at VIR or W-G, 58's at LRP, 2:29's at RA, 1:36's at M-O, and 1:54's at Pitt-Race). This car has fully-adjustable aluminum bodied QA1 shocks all around, and a BMC based rear axle assembly with 3.9 Tranax LSD differential, rear drum brakes, one set of VTO wheels with Avon ACB10's and weighs right at about 1000# without driver. Legal with all vintage groups and still immaculate. SCCA car. This car won the 2020 SCCA Runoffs in FP and can be raced "as-is" as a front running SCCA car or would be an easy conversion to vintage. The car underwent a ground up restoration of the chassis (powdercoated) including all new aluminum panels during the winter of 2021/22 and has only 4 race weekends on it since that time. Primary differences between this car and the above "vintage-only" car are a substantially stronger chassis and SCCA compliant roll cage where the weight W/O driver and required ballast is +/- 1200 #. This car also has a custom English Ford based rear axle housing with full-floating axles, rear disc brakes and allows for adjustable rear camber (zero to 3 degrees negative). It also has 3 way adjustable remote-reservoir Penske shocks and THREE full sets of wheels with fresh tires plus tons of suspension and other spares (complete set front and rear fenders, diffs, axles, uprights, etc). It would also be an easy conversion to vintage specs (different front fenders and likely converting the rear disc brakes back to drums). Both cars are pristine, and will be delivered 100% race ready to the new owner and the price is the same $48,000.00 for either car. Please contact me for additional details, information, or pictures. Craig Chima, CC Motorsports, (330) 807-0742 or chima97@aol.com

If your search doesn't turn up anything useable, I do lots of rear housings (Ford, BMC, TR, etc) for both street and race cars. Ford housings are easily the strongest (and heaviest) but will still distort when welding brackets onto them but I have jigs for all types and can straighten after fab work is done if needed. I just need location of pickup points and the height off the housing for centerline of bolt holes. PM or email if you need assistance. Craig Chima, CC motorsports, Akron, OH

As I continue to downsize my shop I've decided to sell the 4 post lift that I've used for the past 15 years or so. When I bought it, I was specifically looking for a lift that didn't take up a ton of room in my shop but was also big enough and heavy duty enough to be suitable for a small sports car. The footprint of the 4 posts is 128" long x 94" wide and the actual platform is 124" long x 78" wide. The capacity of the lift is 2500# and the platform is cable operated and is run by a 110V electric motor which can be seen in the pix. Everything works as it should and it is still in excellent condition and has never let me down. It's a great lift if you simply need extra storage, or for getting a car up in the air in order to work on it. The price is $1300 which is a little less than 50% of what I paid for it. Located in Akron, OH and I'm happy to help disassemble (probably a 2 hour job -- it's going to remain in place until it's sold). When I picked it up, I used a small open 12' x 6' single axle trailer and that's all someone would need in order to transport it. Craig Chima (330) 807-0742 phone or text or chima97@aol.com

Shocks have been sold separately. Project price now $4100.

I have this Lotus 7 project car for sale and it would make a great vintage race car/track day car/or even potentially a street restoration project. I was intending on building this chassis up into a S2 vintage race car for a customer but he recently purchased an Elan and has backed out of the project. The chassis came from Chris at Sevens & Elans and is super straight, clean, and rust free except for some mild surface rust where the paint has peeled from the chassis tubes. I am certain that it is an early Lotus 7 chassis based on several key "tells" on the frame but unfortunately at this point there is no way of verifying that. The tin chassis tag was removed and the short frame section where the front of the pedal stanchion bolts to was cut out at some point before me ending up with the project. This section of the frame is where the original Lotus frame # would have been stamped and I can't imagine why it would have been cut out unless someone wanted it for another car in order to claim it was an original Lotus 7. It would also be a simple task to replace this section and I am willing to do this for the new owner if they so desire. But, I digress and here are other relevant details of the parts that accompany the project In addition to being a clean, straight and rust free chassis, there have been some nice reinforcements made to the transmission tunnel and rear transmission mount as can be seen in one of the pix. And while there are some imperfections in the aluminum skin, in my estimation if someone was careful in removing it when doing the frame, the skins could be easily cleaned up and re-used. There is also a nice aluminum bonnet (hood) and intake scoop included but no fiberglass. Most of the front suspension bits are also included and are as follows: Upper and lower a-arms, sway bar, proper early uprights with the bolt on caliper brackets, brake calipers, spindles, hubs, a rebuilt RHD steering rack and also the fender stays. I will also provide wheel bearings, trunions, bushings in order to complete the front suspension. Shocks: There is a nice set of QA1 adjustable aluminum bodied coilovers and 185# springs for the front and steel Spax adjustable coilovers and springs for the rear. Aluminum brake/clutch pedal stanchion including the original clutch and brake pedals. There is no gas pedal but that is an easy thing to fabricate Steering shaft with nice 3 spoke leather Racetech steering wheel, plus a proper early aluminum steering wheel hub attached to a ratty old steering wheel. BMC 3 into 1 header and exhaust. I have $4375 invested in everything above and at this point would just like to get my money back out of it. I will also consider selling off the parts listed above individually so if you are interested in anything mentioned please shoot me an email or PM and if some of the parts end up being sold, the price of the project will be adjusted downwards accordingly. Located in Akron, OH and it could also potentially be put on a pallet and shipped with the parts placed inside the chassis if someone desired. Or, if someone is interested in going vintage racing and having me build them a top-notch vintage race car this would be an ideal starting point and I am certainly open to discussions in that regard. Craig Chima, CC Motorsports, (330) 807-0742 or chima97@aol.com

Doing some shop cleaning and have the following stuff all related to English Ford rear axles and rear end parts for sale: 3.77 Quaife limited slip unit completely set up in Magnesium housing. Ring and Pinion are in great shape, backlash is to spec and absolutely ready to install. I used this in my SCCA car a couple of times but it is not a ratio that I will likely use again but is perfect for street use (i.e. lower revs) or track use with low aspect ratio tire. $1750.00 4.11 CWP assembly. Very nice crown wheel and pinion gear set. $150 Rear Axles and bits for late Lotus 7's or solid axle Caterhams: Lots of stuff here. 4 axles, all which have been magnifluxed, with outer bearing, steel collar, and housing end cap in place. Axles also come with cryo treated rear rotors fitted (easily removable if not needed) in case someone was interested in doing a rear disc brake conversion. Also have 2 bolt on rear caliper brackets, pumpkin seals, and boxes of new bearings, seals, o-rings, etc as seen in the pix. $500 for all (pretty much a lifetime supply!) or will separate as requested. All of the above is all track tested and was used on National Championship winning Lotus 7 but I have since converted to a rear axle setup which allows for up to 3 degrees negative camber and so it is extra to my needs. Contact me at (330) 807-0742 or chima97@aol.com. I have lots more pix of all of the above parts and am happy to send or discuss as requested. Craig Chima, CC Motorsports, Akron, OH

The nickel plated bar is sold. Caterham 3/4" wide track bar still available.

Have two front anti roll bars that are extra to my needs. Both are 3/4" diameter and work great to limit body roll when compared to stock bars. The black painted one is stock wide track Caterham (just over 38" end to end), and the nickel plated one is standard Lotus 7/early Caterham (about 35.5"). I don't have the threaded inserts for the Caterham bar but they are easy to get (or you can remove from your existing bar) and the nickel plated bar was modified so that you can use a "1/2" through bolt" from the back of a stock upper arm, through both washers and bushes and into the bar. $50 each plus shipping from Akron, OH. Craig Chima, CC Motorsports, chima97@aol.com or (330) 807-0742

Shocks sold. Thanks to those who inquired. Craig

I have a set of four very lightly used AVO externally adjustable shocks for use on original Lotus 7 or solid axle Caterham. They are for stock diameter springs (1 7/8 - 2") and have adjustable spring perches for ride height adjustment. Fronts are 12" compressed and 17" extended and the rear bayonet shocks are 13.5" compressed and 18.5" extended length. $250 for all four. Craig Chima, CC Motorsports, Akron, OH. (330) 807-0742 or chima97@aol.com

Have an original electric fan and horn that were removed from an original Lotus 7 when I converted the car to vintage race car spec. Fan intended to go in front of radiator on the stock mounting bracket. Both work as intended. $50 for both INCLUDING SHIPPING to Continental US so pretty much a giveaway price to anyone who can use them. Please email chima97@aol.com or call (330) 807-0742 if interested. Thanks, Craig

I have made some revisions to my SCCA Lotus 7 over the winter and as such, am selling the front a-arms that were on the car when it won the 2020 SCCA Runoffs. These will bolt on any Lotus/Caterham chassis and the width is similar to a Caterham "wide track" front suspension (the bottom a-arm is adjustable from 14.75" to 16" wide and top arm can be adjusted accordingly). A-arms are chromoly and the lengths done to give optimal camber curve and are fully adjustable for camber and caster and will accept a stock Caterham style upright. $500 for the set of four (the rod ends would cost you over 1/2 this asking price). A chassis mount will need to be done to accommodate the front/upper a-arm but I can assist with this as well if needed (see pix of how it attaches on my car). Call or email for details. Craig Chima, CC Motorsports, (330) 807-0742 or chima97@aol.com

Yes, it is sold and the list of others who wanted the car is now probably at least 10. But it went to a good home and Lotus enthusiast in Colorado.

Well, as Henry suggested, it didn't last long. Have a verbal commitment to purchase with deposit being sent, and one more person on the "waiting list" so pretty sure it is spoken for. Craig

I have reluctantly decided to sell my 1965 Lotus 7 project (SB1961) and am posting detailed information here. I would very much like for this car to go to a dedicated 7 enthusiast since I will not be able to finish it myself (recent spinal fusion of L1 to L5 which will preclude me from doing major restoration and mechanical work in the future). As such, the project is being listed only on this website and also the simplesevens website. Details of the project along with a single picture below will give you an idea of the current status but in a nutshell this is a straight, sound chassis with probably 99% of the parts needed to complete the restoration included, plus major mechanical components (1340 cc Kent pre-crossflow motor) and Close Ratio transmission both recently professionally rebuilt. Lots of additional pictures can be seen on the simplesevens website or I would be happy to email or text as requested. If finished properly, this is easily a $40,000 car and in my estimation the only major expense left is painting the car. The rest is disassembly, cleanup of chassis, and reassembly (sweat equity). Asking $17,500 and I am open to close and reasonable offers to the right enthusiast. Car is in Akron, OH. Craig Chima (330) 807-0742 or chima97@aol.com

Have a set of fiberglass Caterham rear fenders for sale. They are 12" wide and recently primered and would just need scuffed in order to be painted at this point. $200 for the pair plus shipping from Akron, OH. Craig Chima, CC Motorsports, Akron, OH. chima97@aol.com or 330 807-0742

Thanks all! Back home in Akron now and it was obviously a good end to long week. Feels good to get another win, 18 years after the last one (with 12 years away from SCCA during that time). The car had a horrible push all week and I spent 6 previous sessions trying to dial it out with different front tires, compounds, etc. I went about things drastically different from Ethan (pole Lotus) as I was looking for as much straight line speed as possible and sacrificing some handling in the process. His car was unbelievably hooked up in the carrousel and he was 1 sec faster in segment 2 whereas I was a little quicker in 1 and 3. The Integra had us both covered by 7-8 mph in terminal velocity so we knew that if he got in front it was going to be a long day. But I guess it was my day all around. I was only 3# over the minimum weight as we rolled across the scales (way too close for comfort!) and I would have definitely been light if not for the 3 double yellow laps and less fuel burned during that time! Hate to see the misfortune of Ethan and Kevin but that's racing and I've been in their shoes 3 different times (leading the Runoffs) and had mechanical misfortune strike so it's nice to get one when I wasn't the absolute fastest car on the track. Fingers crossed for no lead trophies over the winter and I'm going to have it handling way better for Indy next year! Craig

Looking for a 3.9 English Ford ring and pinion gear set, or complete differential (typically used in Lotus 7's, Elans, Cortinas, Anglias, etc). Will buy outright or trade for 3.77 or 4.11 R&P. Let me know what you have. Thanks, Craig Chima, CC Motorsports, (330) 807-0742 or chima97@aol.com

This is probably what you are after. Right side dry sump mount. I just did a test fit on motor with 5 port Titan pump with 3/4" scavenge pipe and fits fine. It's not so much that you need the tubes spread wider, you need them to be radiused (bent) in order to clear the pump.Email me directly or PM me for additional information. Craig Chima, CC Motorsports, chima97@aol.com

Is the bonnet still available? If so, can you please email me at chima97@aol.com. I have a couple of questions about dimensions. Thanks, Craig Chima. (chima97@aol.com)

Kind of a subjective question as depends on where "sound" readings are taken, max rpm used at sound station, and amount of plates used but under 98 for sure even with sound meter on the "exhaust" side of the track at 8000+ rpm and likely far less than that under different circumstances.

I have a couple of different side exhausts from different race car projects that are now extra to my needs. Both would be ideal for Ford motor cars as they are 4 into 1 collectors with 1 5/8" tubes. Both are 38.5" long from tip-to-tip and the one has an extension with turn out that brings total length to just about 50". Both also have Supertrapp muffler systems on them and will include extra plates as needed for both. Both also have bungs welded in for Oxygen sensors. $50 each which is about 20% of the cost of the parts that were used to build them. Craig Chima, CC Motorsports, Akron, OH. (330) 807-0742 or chima97@aol.com

All, I've been watching Croc's ad list recently and haven't seen anything that fits the bill. Would like to find a 70's or early 80's solid axle Caterham (or possibly pre-lit Westfield) with crossflow motor that is a decent "driver" (i.e. no show cars wanted!). These cars occasionally pop up in the $15K to $17K range and that's basically what I'm after. Will consider cars that need some TLC and don't mind cars that are in need of engine/tranny/driveline work but I'm not looking to take on a big restoration project at this time and will definitely consider RHD. If you have anything that you're considering selling or know of anything that's currently out there that seems to fit these parameters feel free to let me know. Craig Chima, CC Motorsports, Akron, OH. (330) 807-0742 or chima97@aol.com

Tank, pedals, and scale sold. Thanks for the inquiries. 7 velocity stax and CWP still for sale.