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Lotus Seven Series 1C Replicas, Replacements and Real?


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For me in older age there is an appreciation of elemental harmony in the doodling design that was a schoolboys dream-Design # 7, His first pure front suspension, His first use of Rack and pinion steering! Sub 1000 pounds. Of the 243 S1 Sevens released through Lotus perhaps 300 are about today?

 

The challenges of finding a real Seven-just on the age of mild steel tubing rusting from the inside and out, some steel repair, some panel corrosion -normal Seven stuff, that and whole frame building, or Pre-Lit Westfield S1 7s, Many Others-Mike Brotherwood will send you a frame.

 

I enlist the help of John Watson, Historic Lotus Register-on previous searches--You need to match the frame makers number, stamped into the tube in front of the left seat. That and the Lotus Data plate with Numbers from the 400-800 ish. That these 2 sets of numbers match records.

 

Years ago I subcontracted from a shop near Middleberg to put together a S1/7, for an owner in Fairfax, I got the car back to the shop as a roller in Miata British Racing Green-If folks know of where this car is today-it might have been used as Garage Art?

 

An long time Lotusman Larry Scauff-moved away with a Seven S1 in his life-I sold him a 1275A and Westfield S!/7 fenders. Anyone know about this car?

 

If you can refer me to a known S1 seven , My best choice would be 1.5 Climax Dedion, Disc's, and dare I like wobbly wheels, Compromising all the way to side valve ford with 3 speed. For this I would be most grateful, to the tune of 5% for a  done sale-

 

Like I said-I view these cars as Mobile Art,  and as history, so striving for reality.

 

Kevin Kearney

lotusman1951@gmail.com

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I share your passion for the older S1s and their histories. (my 69th birthday is in two days). I found mine in 2018 but have not stopped reading everything John Watson and others have written on the HLR website and in the archives of Lowflying. I also corresponded with John but only sparingly as most information is available on line. I have to admit I almost have as much fun  connecting dots on my car that I did not know existed as I do driving it. I still search anything "7"  and just stumbled on a S1 for sale in France, MK7  422. 

https://www.francolembo.com/en/car/very-original-early-lotus-mark-vii-1958/     

 

It comes with the original 100E but fitted with a FWB. I did inquire and the price is 75K Euros, so $100K or so once in the US. I'm sure some things are original, some period and others recreations. The small chassis plate was in fact used until they were replaced with the larger ones. The real question is what original parts (aside from the chassis plate) are important to you. For me, even if I was interested (I'm not) I would want to know a documented list of all previous owners from day one  with pictures. Even then, certain original parts are more emotional to me, like the frame, the nose, steering wheel, running lights, and other parts that have an interesting history. 

Good luck with your search. 

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It Seems that the 7 that I am interested in has the right numbers. Climax in race trim where are values for such toys? Now to haggle, sold 18 months earlier for 33k on BAT, seller wants more. How much more is where I am at, Advice? Alternatives?

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4 hours ago, lotusman1951 said:

It Seems that the 7 that I am interested in has the right numbers. Climax in race trim where are values for such toys? Now to haggle, sold 18 months earlier for 33k on BAT, seller wants more. How much more is where I am at, Advice? Alternatives?

I remember thinking that was a pretty good price last year, and certainly the entire market has been moving up the last 6-9 months.  Worth checking on it with John Watson at the lotus 7 registry to see if he knows any history or has any advice.

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