Tom Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 I recently purchased a rolling chassis of a Series 4 in desperate need of restoration. I am looking for any information that would assist with the job of putting it back on the street. Pictures, drawings etc that will help me put this back together. Thank you, Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 Nice score Tom! We've been talking about that one on Locostusa. Did the seller have any other parts for sale off this car like the hard top and doors? Buy back whatever you can. I see you bought the trailer too. I'll see what I can find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 Check the downloads section, there are some useful resources there. I have the Series 4 section out of the old shop manual published by Caterham for the Lotus S2,S3, and S4 after buying the licensing from Lotus. The S2 and S3 sections are in the download sections, but I didn't have reason to scan the S4 section. Happy to send that section to you if you need it, just PM me your address. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted January 23, 2023 Author Share Posted January 23, 2023 This was all he had. He did have some Series 2 parts, engines etc I didn't see any bodywork. He was selling the car for the family of the previous owner. There were some pieces of doors in the car one that looked fairly whole the other had been broken and someone tried to "repair" it with some odd pieces. We haven't pulled them out yet to see if we can reconstruct them. The "top" was just a pieced that went from the top of the windshield to the back as a wide strip. The remains are still attached to the windshield. Again a full inventory isn't complete yet we are waiting for the car to dry out after the drive home in pouring rain and snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 I understand some tubes were cut. Here are some chassis pics in this link: https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/blogs/lotus-7-s4-rebuild-blog Here are some good pics (left-right scroll) of one for sale that might help assemble the puzzle: http://findclassicars.com/lotus/127680-1972-lotus-super-seven-7-s4-classic-british-roadster-track-car-not-a-replica.html Post if you are looking for anything specific. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 If you haven't already find a used copy of Tony Weale's book on the Seven - lots of great information and details including the S4. Ortenburger's Legend of the Lotus Seven is also useful. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 Also, check out the Lotus 7 registry site, some good information and pictures there - as well as information on contacting the registrar who may have access to information on yours. http://www.lotus7register.co.uk/ser4page.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straightcut Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 Welcome to the forum, Tom, I'm glad to see you post here with this Series 4! Your car was tempting me in part because I have a 1600 Kent (currently stuck) in my garage, but couldn't justify it due to the distance to retrieve it. Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 will want to separate the shell from the frame to inspect for rust. ground up rustoration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 Those wheels are awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 Hey, why is the air scoop on the left? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 Looks like it was cut out and moved. Some interesting S4 styles. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 My first experience in a 7 was in Peter Fawcett's orange S4 in Dallas. I was working at an inspection & oil change garage when Peter's son Andrew pulled in for a sticker. I got to take it for the required brake test drive. I had to fail it on a faulty turn signal, so he had to come back. On the return, Peter brought the car and he graciously invited me to come by the house to see the Loti collection. The S4 is now in the hands of Andrew's wife, a regular at Texas Motorsport Ranch, I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted January 28, 2023 Author Share Posted January 28, 2023 The hood scoop is on the "wrong" side because someone was going to put in a different motor where the carbs were opposite of the Ford motors. Since there are missing tubes we are going to have to do some repair but at the moment we aren't planning on installing a Ford. We considering installing a Honda K series motor and a Miata trans. Lots of work yet to be done before that happens. Step 1 is taking inventory of what is there and what is missing, taking the body off (carefully) and beginning clean up. As I said this will take a while so we have our entertainment lined up for the next couple years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 Opposite side intake is a given. I think Scott was thinking there may have been more than one design hood/bonnet offered but I don't believe so. I'd enjoy seeing the carnage repaired/altered step by step if you'd like to have a build topic. Whatever you do with, thanks for keeping it out of the crusher. Anything you do to it is better than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 (edited) I was going to speculate that since the PO had S2 bits laying around perhaps he was going to put a pre-crossflow engine in this - other than the scoop, would be a fairly simple swap. I wouldn't discount the Ford/Lotus engine out of hand. Parts new and old aren't hard to find, nor are good blocks and heads (even new ones). Elan owners who wanted an updated motor have generally gone the Zetec/Duratec route, so those may work in the S4 Seven, too. Edited January 29, 2023 by SENC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straightcut Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 When I was pondering this car from afar, I too was thinking Zetec, but coupled with a Mercur XR4TI T-9 5 speed. Granted, the transmission isn’t easy to find in the states anymore, but it would keep the car in the Lotus/Ford lineage - also folllows the Caterham path. Then again, Tom”s plan would be fun and drive well, too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papak Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 T-9s are usually available from John Esposito, Quantum Mechanics in Oxford,CT (john@quantummechanics.com, 203-463-88299). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 (edited) Its hard to argue with a Mazda transmission, the availability and adaptability... After reading up on the Honda K, it too appears to be a very adaptable and sporting engine. It comes down to how much support there is for the components. The K is very popular now, not lacking anything. Edited January 30, 2023 by IamScotticus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted January 30, 2023 Author Share Posted January 30, 2023 For information on Honda K to Miata parts look at https://kpower.industries/ . While their focus is into a Miata the parts are there to adapt it to my purpose without having to reinvent the wheel. All you need is money and time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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