Purchased my first 7!

[Minnis]

Hi, a few weeks ago I purchased my first 7. It’s an early BDR car that was featured on Kim Baker’s site and noted on here. I haven’t seen the car yet in person as I had my father collect it and store it- it was also his dream car to have a BDA powered 7 since the 70’s (my mom said no). The car is mechanically great however very crusty overall I’ve found out, having most likely been kept outside in California for years. I am moving to the greater Tokyo area soon for 2 yrs and may take it with. The only way I won’t bring it back is if I can track down the ‘63 Elan I was practically born in that my father used to own. Otherwise I’m pretty excited to put some elbow grease into refreshing the aesthetics.

It’s my 50th vehicle purchase and I’ve had 4 Lotus’s that I have daily driven through the years. In my heart I knew that I needed a 7 all along. Cheers! Steve M

[Kitcat]

Congratulations! Hard to top a BDR for classic power, sound, mystique. And your car looks great, I dont see the crustiness.

[Croc]

Well done on your first purchase - I think you will like the car once you have finished fettling it into shape.

 

Also well done on moving to Tokyo. Its daunting but really quite rewarding if you are adventurous. I lived there for 5 years and loved it. Not sure about taking a Caterham there though as I doubt you will be able to get it registered before it is time to move home!

[Minnis]

Thanks guys. Kitcat, the pictures look fine but my dad says the paint is all cracked and the nosecone looks rattle-canned. The seat needs to be re-dyed, the tires are bald, the windshield base gasket is shot, and the aluminum needs an immediate polish- missing seat belts, a badge, and the grille. Again, all things I don’t mind doing.

Croc, it’s an early to mid 80’s car (he hasn’t found the chassis tag yet- any red flags yet?), and it’s titled as a 69, so I’m hoping to expedite the Japanese registration. I have a newer Ducati Scrambler that I’m sure I ought to leave behind but I’m tempted to bring that too.

[Croc]

...he hasn’t found the chassis tag yet- any red flags yet?), and it’s titled as a 69...

 

Not a red flag since you bought it as an early to mid-80s and it looks just like that. However, importing to Japan and reimporting back to US you will want a chassis tag to avoid potential hassles. When you bring it back they will likely compare chassis tag to title to verify car is one and the same - so don't surrender the title when getting Japanese registration. Did they use the Arch chassis stamp number usually found at the bolt hole at the base of the roll bar passenger side (on a LHD car)? (or sometimes under the roll bar). A way to tell this is if the chassis number on the title is AMXXJ2XXX being:

 

AM = Arch Motors

XX = year of chassis so 80 to 85 area I guess

J2 = Jig 2 or possibly Jig 1

XXXX = Arch chassis number

 

Caterham had a separate chassis VIN number that they used but some people did not find it so used the Arch Motors chassis ID when titling.

[xcarguy]

Steve,

 

Congrats on the purchase. Let's see some more photos when you have the car in hand. :cheers:

[locost7018]

At that price it would be worth a try

[Minnis]

Croc, it has a Cali vin tag that matches the title as a ‘69 Lotus Super 7 S3. It was advertised to have an Arch motors tag as well as being a genuine HPC but my dad hasn’t located it yet (I think it will be a pre-HPC code myself, but genuine BDR). I’ll get to check it out by the end of Aug.