azfast1 Posted July 2, 2022 Share Posted July 2, 2022 (edited) Looking for 5 original steel 13 inch by 3.5 wheels, seem to be from a Triumph Herald from what Im told. Any leads would be appreciated! Edited July 4, 2022 by azfast1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted July 2, 2022 Share Posted July 2, 2022 Lovely. Has the car been in the family since new? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted July 2, 2022 Share Posted July 2, 2022 I'd search triumph forums, posting WTB early triumph wheels to maximize responses then filter. Don't be too specific. Easier to find across the pond. These look like a good restorable set, even if shipping is high. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255469261321?hash=item3b7b279209%3Ag%3A4-4AAOSwBP1iSYnn&LH_ItemCondition=4 I think the wide slot version is correct for the S2. Not sure where you can find the lotus specific hub caps. The 5.5 is much more common and could be narrowed. There are specialty shops that do wheel modifications but they usually are cutting the welds that hold the center and fitting new hoops/rims. New hoops without centers can be bought for mini stock racing but not that narrow. http://www.diamondracingwheels.com/index.php/racing-wheels/mini-stock-series Very time consuming to narrow without putting the hoop/wheel in a lathe or using a rough cut then milling as needed. Make sure you can find tires to fit the 3.5" rims before swearing off the wider S3 sized rims as unacceptable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anduril3019 Posted July 2, 2022 Share Posted July 2, 2022 Try searching Craigslist nationwide via Search Tempest or something similar https://www.searchtempest.com/ Like MV8 said, make your search general, like "Triumph wheels" or even just "Triumph" in auto parts. I came up with things like this: https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/pts/d/warren-triumph-spitfire-parts/7499586817.html https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/pts/d/warren-triumph-parts-tr3-tr4-tr6/7499586423.html https://baltimore.craigslist.org/pts/d/decades-of-mg-triumph-jag-xke-parts/7485340249.html These all look like they're worth contacting at least. And here are a couple of ebay sellers I've had luck with contacting directly and asking if they have something not advetised: https://www.ebay.com/str/katzklassicinc https://www.ebay.com/str/britishautoworks https://www.ebay.com/usr/rw_auto_classics 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azfast1 Posted July 2, 2022 Author Share Posted July 2, 2022 14 hours ago, IamScotticus said: Lovely. Has the car been in the family since new? No, that was the original owner, she bought it new at 19 years of age! She is happy I am restoring it back to original black from the yellow it is now. Its #1167 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azfast1 Posted July 2, 2022 Author Share Posted July 2, 2022 8 hours ago, MV8 said: I'd search triumph forums, posting WTB early triumph wheels to maximize responses then filter. Don't be too specific. Easier to find across the pond. These look like a good restorable set, even if shipping is high. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255469261321?hash=item3b7b279209%3Ag%3A4-4AAOSwBP1iSYnn&LH_ItemCondition=4 I think the wide slot version is correct for the S2. Not sure where you can find the lotus specific hub caps. The 5.5 is much more common and could be narrowed. There are specialty shops that do wheel modifications but they usually are cutting the welds that hold the center and fitting new hoops/rims. New hoops without centers can be bought for mini stock racing but not that narrow. http://www.diamondracingwheels.com/index.php/racing-wheels/mini-stock-series Very time consuming to narrow without putting the hoop/wheel in a lathe or using a rough cut then milling as needed. Make sure you can find tires to fit the 3.5" rims before swearing off the wider S3 sized rims as unacceptable. I think you are correct, it currently has mini lite style 5.5x13 rims and that width looks good on it. I already have some one selling me the correct hub caps. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted July 2, 2022 Share Posted July 2, 2022 (edited) Could I get a bonnet length measurement? Top center from scuttle to nose. Apparently there is variation from what Arch manufacturers for the Caterham. This may be useful to anyone wanting to buy new panels for a Lotus. I would really like to see the "before" pictures. don't worry, nobody will criticize the condition. Many cars start as rescues. Mine for example. Its not a rescue yet, but I'm working on it, lol. Edited July 2, 2022 by IamScotticus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azfast1 Posted July 2, 2022 Author Share Posted July 2, 2022 17 minutes ago, IamScotticus said: Could I get a bonnet length measurement? Top center from scuttle to nose. Apparently there is variation from what Arch manufacturers for the Caterham. This may be useful to anyone wanting to buy new panels for a Lotus. I would really like to see the "before" pictures. don't worry, nobody will criticize the condition. Many cars start as rescues. Mine for example. Its not a rescue yet, but I'm working on it, lol. I'll have to measure it tomorrow when I go back to my shop. Here is the cars history, and photos of it at the bottom as I bought it,,,,,https://www.simplesevens.org/1167/1167.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted July 2, 2022 Share Posted July 2, 2022 Love the old pictures of your car, great history! Will look forward to more as you restore it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straightcut Posted July 2, 2022 Share Posted July 2, 2022 (edited) azfast1, are you located in Arizona? The Standard 10 hub caps can be sourced from Standard 8 & 10 Spares in stainless steel: https://standard8n10spares.co.uk/standard-8-10-pennant-stainless-steel-hubcaps-387-p.asp Note, originally, these hub caps were chromed steel. Mark Edited July 3, 2022 by straightcut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azfast1 Posted July 3, 2022 Author Share Posted July 3, 2022 13 minutes ago, straightcut said: azfast1, are you located in Arizona? The Standard 10 hub caps can be sourced from Standard 8 & 10 Spares in stainless steel: https://standard8n10spares.co.uk/standard-8-10-pennant-stainless-steel-hubcaps-387-p.asp Note, originally, these hub caps were chromed steel. Mark Yes, the car is now in Sedona, had it shipped last week from Atlanta. I have an original set of hubcaps coming that have been stored since new in 1963. Thanks for the information though. Maybe they will have a rear axle seal which is also leaking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted July 3, 2022 Share Posted July 3, 2022 1 hour ago, azfast1 said: Yes, the car is now in Sedona, had it shipped last week from Atlanta. I have an original set of hubcaps coming that have been stored since new in 1963. Thanks for the information though. Maybe they will have a rear axle seal which is also leaking! They do, or did when I ordered a set a few months ago. I also found the Standard Motor Club forum helpful, and have a Standard 10 owner's manual if you want any schematics or service notes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted July 3, 2022 Share Posted July 3, 2022 (edited) I don't agree with a few details on the last build, painting the scuttle bulkhead and the Dzuz on the top bonnet. Otherwise, I can't find any fault in the color. The paint is good and to recover the car for no other reason than authenticity is just more money and trouble to fix a non-problem. The original paint is gone so nothing is being restored. The only good reason to change the colors would be to suit the new owner, not the previous owner. These cars have a curse that follow them and it is very present with this car. As it is well stated in the Simple Sevens history page, a previous owner, Brian Herrman, started an extensive restoration and "ran out of steam". Then the project languishes for years, about 23 years, until the owner realizes he is no longer capable of finishing the project and sells it off. Don't let this happen again. I would recommend improving on the small things that need done, but keep the car a driver and appreciate the investment the previous owner made (Jim Downing?). What is his story? Edited July 3, 2022 by IamScotticus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azfast1 Posted July 3, 2022 Author Share Posted July 3, 2022 My curse is the pursuit of perfection and originality! I’ve had the honor of restoring some of the best cars in the world, mostly vintage race cars and Pebble Beach concours cars and would like to see it black again. I realize this is a very old car and has been raced and changed through out the years. It’s not a very high priced car and hope it will be a fun car to play with. Where else can you have that much fun for the price of a Toyota! Jim Downing is a very successful race car driver and owner if you google him, on top of being a very nice guy! Thanks for your input! PS, here is a current photo! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted July 3, 2022 Share Posted July 3, 2022 Looks like a fun project that will yield a hugely fun car! Gauges, I think, may be the hardest to source, but they do pop up from time to time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted July 3, 2022 Share Posted July 3, 2022 (edited) I understand the sentiment and for some cars, an original resto makes sense. But not a 7! I believe Judy would say the car is better prepped now than it ever was when she had it. This car is beautiful in yellow! It absolutely shines. It suits the car. The smiles, cell phone pics and admiration are all there in abundance waiting for you out there. I see no economy or improvement in repainting it! A red engine would be nice. Edited July 3, 2022 by IamScotticus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straightcut Posted July 3, 2022 Share Posted July 3, 2022 AZFast1, I don’t know the extent to which you want to go for originality or what you have for seats. Tony Ingram has the original style seat cover (correct red w/cream piping & grain pattern) http://www.lotus7.com/Home.html. He also has the correct cream piping for use at the body/fender seams. He’s a good guy! Redline in the UK has in the past made a run of repro AC temperature gauges (now out of stock). I’ve messaged him to see if they’ll do another run. I’m not sure how motivated he is, but he said he would look into it. Also, he carries the correct plastic repro Lotus badge for the steering wheel center. Congratulations on your Seven! It’s pretty cool that you got it from Jim Downing!😁 Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toldfield Posted July 3, 2022 Share Posted July 3, 2022 I have had good luck with Nisonger Instruments. You may want to check with them. http://www.nisonger.com/index.htm tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azfast1 Posted July 3, 2022 Author Share Posted July 3, 2022 4 hours ago, straightcut said: AZFast1, I don’t know the extent to which you want to go for originality or what you have for seats. Tony Ingram has the original style seat cover (correct red w/cream piping & grain pattern) http://www.lotus7.com/Home.html. He also has the correct cream piping for use at the body/fender seams. He’s a good guy! Redline in the UK has in the past made a run of repro AC temperature gauges (now out of stock). I’ve messaged him to see if they’ll do another run. I’m not sure how motivated he is, but he said he would look into it. Also, he carries the correct plastic repro Lotus badge for the steering wheel center. Congratulations on your Seven! It’s pretty cool that you got it from Jim Downing!😁 Mark Thanks for the heads up! Not sure if I want the correct cream piping or the invisible black as it will be painted black. It has all new VDO nos gauges which I will leave alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azfast1 Posted July 3, 2022 Author Share Posted July 3, 2022 6 hours ago, IamScotticus said: I understand the sentiment and for some cars, an original resto makes sense. But not a 7! I believe Judy would say the car is better prepped now than it ever was when she had it. This car is beautiful in yellow! It absolutely shines. It suits the car. The smiles, cell phone pics and admiration are all there in abundance waiting for you out there. I see no economy or improvement in repainting it! A red engine would be nice. I talked to Judy last week, great lady! She said I made her day when I told her it was going back to black as she didnt like it in yellow, I'm with her! The final decision in repainting it was after buyuing it sight unseen, the quality was race car quality at best, looks much better in photos! Rough around the edges, but thats just me being fussy! I have an original paint 72 Pantera that looks great in yellow though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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