jbcollier Posted October 16, 2022 Share Posted October 16, 2022 First post! I've just bought a Lotus Seven S3. Serial number is LSB2383 but there is no body number that I can find. To me, the CBU looks like it has been changed but I would appreciate other more expert opinions. I'm not worried either way as both original and properly triangulated later production have their pluses. Here's a link to my photo album on the car. All the car shots are from the seller. Mine are the last three with the VIN plate, the place where the chassis number is supposed to be (by the master cylinder), and a photo of reinforcing by the lower a-arm mount which I have also posted below. Does the VIN plate look original? Couldn't call it legible that's for sure. Any idea if the CBU is a replacement and, if so, by whom? Other places I should be checking? https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Seven-S3/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 Great looking Seven! If you haven't already, be sure to reach out to John Watson, the historic Seven registrar - he will be able to help you more than anyone. But the number plate and LSB2xxx certainly fit the sequence properly for an LHD Lotus S3. I'm sure you're aware, but John maintains the historic lotus 7 registry site - http://www.lotus7register.co.uk/ser3page.htm - a tremendous resource for history and with some pictures that might help you. Also check out simplesevens.com, a site with pictures and histories of many Sevens. Are you the same jbcollier from the europa forum? Good luck with the car and your information search, and keep us posted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbcollier Posted October 17, 2022 Author Share Posted October 17, 2022 Guilty as charged. I also have a Europa S1. Thought I would like a roadster again so bought this Seven when it came up a month ago. I've explored both sites but they looked fairly dated and thought they might be no longer maintained. I'll ping Mr Watson. Thanks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 The registry site doesn't change, but John is still quite active. He has records on many cars as well as access to the Lotus logbook (to the extent it still exists) - as I recall to get started he will ask you to complete a form (that is probably available on the register site) and provide some evidence of ownership. The simplesevens site is maintained by John Donohoe, a stateside expert on these cars. John is also a participant here and great resource - @SevenAmerica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbcollier Posted October 17, 2022 Author Share Posted October 17, 2022 (edited) Things are getting curiouser and curiouser. There is no stamping where in the usual S3 location beside the brake master. I figured, in for a penny, in for a pound, so I cleaned off the top of the upper rear shock mounts, cleaned off the top of the cross tubes in front of the seat bases, and cleaned off a one or two joints in the front compartment. First there are no numbers at either of those locations. Second, the chassis is welded, not brazed (!!). So it is not an Arch Motors chassis. Any thoughts? Edited October 17, 2022 by jbcollier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 Mine is RHD and the frame number is just to the side of the master cylinder mount. I've not looked closely at any LHD versions to see if the stamping was done on the left side on them, but it may be that the stamping stayed in the same location (right side) regardless of driving side. Perhaps John D or one of the others with older cars will be along and know for sure. @eatonhong, @Christopher smith - do you know? Of course, it is certainly a possibility that the frame was replaced at some point. Our Sevens were much more highly and frequently modified either proactively or after an incident than the Europas and Elans. This makes them much harder to establish as original Lotus unless you're lucky enough to be able to track ownership and get good information from prior owners - on the other hand, they were generally modified to improve them, so as "provenance" erodes sometimes fun/reliability improve. Other than the registrars and protectors of the marque who rightfully focus on provenance, my experience is that most owners have these cars simply because they are exhilarating and raw and don't much care weather a frame is origin or not. Additional info... From simple sevens: http://www.simplesevens.org/anglocanadian/angloParts.htm There were two factory approved constructors of the mild steel Series 2 and 3 chassis, Arch Motors, and Universal Radiator. Arch Motors preceded their chassis number with the letters A/M. Universal Radiator used the letter 'B' (possibly followed by an 'L' if the chassis was left hand drive) with four numerals for the chassis number. This letter/number combination was normally stamped on the angular steel bracket that held the front mounting of the master cylinder bracket. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbcollier Posted October 17, 2022 Author Share Posted October 17, 2022 All settled. It's a Universal Radiator made chassis and they used fusion welding, not brazing. John had it already in his system and is moderately confident it is the real deal. I think moderately is about as confident as you can get with any Seven, so I'm happy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 (edited) https://usa7s.net/ips/topic/13390-early-lotus-seven-identification-plates-chassis-numbers-frame-numbers-and-engine-numbers/?do=findComment&comment=122817 Edited October 17, 2022 by SENC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbcollier Posted October 17, 2022 Author Share Posted October 17, 2022 PS: thanks for your assistance! Now to cut it up so I can fit a small-block Chev in there... :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenAmerica Posted October 19, 2022 Share Posted October 19, 2022 Ha ha - I was going to mention that I do not have any details on SB2383 but would also point you to JWW but it seems you've gotten in touch with him already. Good for you. As mentioned above, this is where the provenance comes into play... who did you get the car from, how long did they own it, and from whom did they secure it? I like the 'engraved' chassis number on your chassis plate... mine it literally 'scratched' in with a sharp scribe of some sort. The S1 Sevens had even cooler script scribing. Somehow I thought when I retired Id have more time to keep SimpleSevens up to date, but strangely, now that Im not working, I seem to be very much more busy! Looks like a very nice Lotus Seven to me. Cheers, and enjoy it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbcollier Posted October 19, 2022 Author Share Posted October 19, 2022 I am, unfortunately, also retired. Had I known how busy it would get, I would have stayed working! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted October 19, 2022 Share Posted October 19, 2022 Plus Two on being busier retired! I wonder how I got everything done back when I worked 8 to 12 hours a day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbcollier Posted August 9, 2023 Author Share Posted August 9, 2023 (edited) I removed the pedals as I'm fabricating a cover for the pedal box to help stem the flow of hot air into the passenger area. And, underneath, I found the missing chassis number: Edited August 9, 2023 by jbcollier 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 Excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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