notakit

How strict are they enforcing said law? So often the police look beyond the letter of the law when the vehicle is this unique. I would look around and see how many local "hot rods" observe the law.

Thanks cs3tcr! You're right about the rear end; the only thing series I about it is its the same live axle. "Five link" (two pairs of control arms per side and a panhard rod) eliminates the twisting of the original and is a bit lighter. I'll give Mike Brotherwood a hollar next week. I didn't have ideal weights for testing in my vise so I used a bathroom scale on the drill-press, then pulled the chuck down till the spring was an inch shorter. I took the scale's compression into account as well. Spring rates look correct but way too long. If I cut them down the spring rate goes way up. Custom springs may be my only option.

There is virtually no friction at all. One of the few things I've changed from original design is a five-link suspension with rod end bearings. The only friction would be the damper's valving which I have adjusted to the minimum settings. You can compress the dampers (sans the springs) with your hands. With the springs installed and the spring perch at it's longest adjustment, the rear end of the car is up in the air.

I'm suspecting I have the wrong length rear coils. While building my own car very close to original 1960 specs and have been unable to get an acceptable answer on rear damper dimensions. I have received all four "series II" dampers and springs from Caterham USA but something isn't adding up with the rear springs. With mere 75lb spring weights, the rear dampers will only compress 1/4" from full extension with the combined driver/passenger/full tank/spare tire load. This can't be right. Caterham lists series II and III dampers separately from I's which concurs with most photos and drawings that show I's required longer springs for a damper mounted forward/below center or the rear axle. Series II and III's appear to have the damper mounted centered above the rear axle which should require a shorter spring. Even if the same damper could be used for both positions (below and above axle center) I do not understand how the same length and strength spring could possibly work. Caterham lists the same spring for all three series. What am I missing here, my mind? If anyone has real information or at least an accurate guess that points me in the right direction It would be most appreciated!

"not that there's anything wrong with that"

Thank you for sharing this. I thought I had seen every piece of footage from this most tragic moment in racing history.

I thought that passing mirror was a belated April fools joke or something created by Monty Python! I think it's easier just to gauge your passenger's responce while driving RHD; if they're rapidly inhaling and stomping on an imaginary brake pedal, it probably safe to assume there is an oncoming car that you can't see.

For the same reasons I'm not comfortable on early British motorcycles (the shift lever is on the right and the brake pedal is on the left) I've decided to build my 7 to be LHD. I thought my buddy's '67 RHD Mini was fun until it came time to start passing cars. As narrow as the Mini is, its still unnerving to place the passenger into oncoming traffic while trying to see around the car ahead of me. As with any seven based car, EVERY car ahead of you impedes your vision.

This is so funny! I'm trying to build something very close to your '58 and have been anticipating all the little quirks the simple seven had. Its actually encouraging to read first hand comments (or complaints) about what my 7 will be like. I'm sure at one point I'll learn how to swear at the car in queen's English! Thanks for sharing!

"ungodly amount of twists and turns" is an oxymoron!

What?!? Do you mean to tell me I could have just bought a car rather than build one from scratch? Dang it!

That's just a little bigger than mine! One nice thing about the original width Lotus 7 is you don't have to buy expensive seats with bolsters because the transmission tunnel and "door panel" ARE your bolsters. With less than 16" between said cockpit you're not moving side-by-side at all!

I'm guessing it was a pre-lit Westfield which is still a Westfield and it was only registered in 1981 in order to become street legal. Just a guess.

No advise here, jut an observation; Have you ever noticed asking ten DMV employees the same question yields ten completely different answers?!?

OMg, whats next? Wood dashboards on sevens?!?

You're right Mondo. I'm wise enough to know my personality when it comes to anything with wheels. A really good friend I grew up with said it best "you still have a competitive hatred towards anyone in front of you." This started with road racing bicycles in the early 80's and continued through several sportbikes. The superbike era ended in the late 90's then I returned to bicycles. I raced single speed mountain bikes in Oregon 2002 before learning how to ski and play rugby. Several broken bones wiser, I've decide to take it easy with a humble Lotus 7. How much trouble can I get in with such a little car? (I'm thinking about potential mounting locations for a roll bar.)