65 Lotus Seven S2

[Stevensonjr]

About 3 years ago I acquired a derelict 1965 miles lotus super 7 race car, roll cage and all. It seems that a Woman bought and raced this car in the New Orleans Louisiana area in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Never could get a name or specific events, just the “story”. 
Every panel and wing on the car was damaged or repaired in a poor fashion so I stripped the body completely and cut the roll cage off. The engine and trans were out of the car when I bought it and I sent both for overhaul. The best I can figure is that the car sat unused for at least 20+ Years.

I replaced some of the tubing and had the frame media blasted and powder coated to match the original grey paint. I took some liberties with the engine and had it rebuilt to fast road or rally specs. Tony Ingram supplied the parts and specs and I had the work done by Dave Hayden, a local British car specialist. He changed to twin DCOE 40’s, a rally cam, new pistons, new bearings, higher compression, better rods, a total rebuild. Dave also went thru the transmission and upgraded as necessary. At this point Tony suggested that the Triumph 10 rear end wouldn’t cut it with the new engine power. I found a TR7 complete rear end and had it narrowed and Lotus 7 mounting points welded on to replace the Triumph brackets. I also installed the original 7 brake drums and hubs with new studs to match the front wheel pattern and size.

at this point I ordered new body panels from ARCH in the UK and found new wings thru Tony Ingram. It was an interesting project to fit the new panels on because all of the bends are not finished, especially the boot panel which took a lot of attention to form it around the top boot tubing. The wiring was tough for me because I’m just not good with it. I wired it using aircraft wire and one system at a time as I do with the antique aircraft I build. I only burned 4 fuses while fitting the wires. Everything finally worked, including the overhauled Smiths gauges that were in the car when I bought it. 
I bought 5 wire wheels and New tires, had the car painted, tuned it myself and now it’s on the street ready to go. It has surprising acceleration and handling. 

[SENC]

3 minutes ago, Stevensonjr said:

About 3 years ago I acquired a derelict 1965 miles lotus super 7 race car, roll cage and all. It seems that a Woman bought and raced this car in the New Orleans Louisiana area in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Never could get a name or specific events, just the “story”. 
Every panel and wing on the car was damaged or repaired in a poor fashion so I stripped the body completely and cut the roll cage off. The engine and trans were out of the car when I bought it and I sent both for overhaul. The best I can figure is that the car sat unused for at least 20+ Years.

I replaced some of the tubing and had the frame media blasted and powder coated to match the original grey paint. I took some liberties with the engine and had it rebuilt to fast road or rally specs. Tony Ingram supplied the parts and specs and I had the work done by Dave Hayden, a local British car specialist. He changed to twin DCOE 40’s, a rally cam, new pistons, new bearings, higher compression, better rods, a total rebuild. Dave also went thru the transmission and upgraded as necessary. At this point Tony suggested that the Triumph 10 rear end wouldn’t cut it with the new engine power. I found a TR7 complete rear end and had it narrowed and Lotus 7 mounting points welded on to replace the Triumph brackets. I also installed the original 7 brake drums and hubs with new studs to match the front wheel pattern and size.

at this point I ordered new body panels from ARCH in the UK and found new wings thru Tony Ingram. It was an interesting project to fit the new panels on because all of the bends are not finished, especially the boot panel which took a lot of attention to form it around the top boot tubing. The wiring was tough for me because I’m just not good with it. I wired it using aircraft wire and one system at a time as I do with the antique aircraft I build. I only burned 4 fuses while fitting the wires. Everything finally worked, including the overhauled Smiths gauges that were in the car when I bought it. 
I bought 5 wire wheels and New tires, had the car painted, tuned it myself and now it’s on the street ready to go. It has surprising acceleration and handling. 

 

Beautiful Seven!  Are you bringing it to the Lotus Owner's Group meeting in West Virginia in September?

[Stevensonjr]

I’m not familiar with plans for the owners meeting. It’s a pretty long haul from Southern Louisiana to West Virginia, so probably not.   Bill

[SENC]

40 minutes ago, Stevensonjr said:

I’m not familiar with plans for the owners meeting. It’s a pretty long haul from Southern Louisiana to West Virginia, so probably not.   Bill

Indeed it is - I wasn't sure where you are.  I understand there will be a good gathering of old Sevens, and will make sure to get and share pictures.

 

You're in one of my favorite parts of the world.  My daughter went to Tulane so we got to spend a fair amount of time in NO, and we lived in MS and have lots of friends scattered across Louisiana.  Hot place for a Seven, though!

[panamericano]

Congratulations!  You finished up with a great looking car.

[Stevensonjr]

Small world, my Daughter went to Tulane too, before she went to LSU medical school. New Orleans has changed since the storm. The people are different, attitudes have changed, and none of this is for the better. I live in Lafayette, about 2 1/2 hours across the swamp west of New Orleans on I-10.

You mentioned the heat in Louisiana, that is a major problem with the 7. I had to insulate the outside of the pedal box and the passenger footwell. I also insulated the whole tunnel then put carpet over all. I louvered the bonnet with 2 strips on the front one third. It’s ok now on a hot day, before insulating I couldn’t touch the tunnel with my leg or rest my arm on it. My feet still feel the heat but nothing like the heat before the insulation which felt like my shoes were melting. It will be nice on a cool day with no heater needed.

I would like to see photos from the West Virginia meeting. 
Cheers, Bill

[Stevensonjr]

3 hours ago, panamericano said:

Congratulations!  You finished up with a great looking car.

Thanks, I didn’t think it would take 3 years but it was so interesting I couldn’t quit. Bill

[IamScotticus]

More pics please!

engine, cockpit,  axle 

[Stevensonjr]

More pics

[NSXguy]

Thanks for sharing! Interested in the TR7 rear end and fuel cell for my cat. They are things i'm considering for the winter. 

[anduril3019]

Great looking car!

 

What's your radiator from? Is it custom or something off the shelf?

 

Thanks!

[Stevensonjr]

I ordered the radiator from Caterham, specifically for a series 2 super 7, then fabricated 4 mounts to move it as far forward as the nose cowling allowed. I had to weld a 45 degree (about) angle on the bottom water hose tube to clear the frame crosspiece. Also mounted a thin 10” electric fan with shroud to pull thru the radiator, not much room but it just fits. Don’t remember where, just an Amazon fan google.   Bill

[Stevensonjr]

I found a junk yard in Arizona with a TR7, 4 speed rear end. (Not the 5 speed rear end,) shipped it to Chris Beebe in Wisconsin. He cut the housing and axles down, cut off all the TR7 mounts and welded the Lotus 7 mounts in place. He had it gray powder coated and also changed the TR backing plates and studs to 7 parts so I could mount the original Lotus 7 front and rear brakes.  Bill

You can find Chris Beebe on the internet, I found the TR junk yard on the internet too.  Bill

[Stevensonjr]

Fuel cell is from Summet Racing, 10 gallon.   Bill

[SENC]

LOG41 was fun, albeit a little disappointing in that the weather forecast turned bad late in the week and I suspect that contributed to fewer Sevens showing up than had signed up.  It did, in fact, start raining Saturday afternoon  and through the night, with areas of rain  in the area continuing Sunday morning.  I managed to get in one good drive Saturday afternoon before it fully set in, but not nearly as many mountain miles as I'd hoped.  I did get to meet some good folks and see a lot of different Lotus, including the new Emira (a really great looking and sounding car).

 

I was also a bit disappointed at the car lineup/group photo that the Caterhams were at the back and the Lotus Sevens at the front.  I think organizers were trying to go from oldest to newest overall, but separating the Sevens made no sense to me and because I didn't realize that until later I didn't get to meet the Caterham owners.  I hope future organizers will get this righted.

 

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed going - great cars and great people.  Next year LOG is in Knoxville with easy access to Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway - so maybe a good excuse for many on this forum to join.

 

Henry

 

Edited September 12, 2022 by SENC

[TMRL7]

Henry,  Thank you for the report from the LOG.  Unfortunately the event conflicted with our annual Stowe VT British Invasion event, otherwise we would have been in attendance at the LOG.  I would have loved to see your car in person.  We were able to get in 300 miles of VT mountain driving in our Seven this weekend.  Wish you "guys" had better weather.   Thanks, Tim Russell