lotsats Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 I am 76 years old and after finishing this recent restoration, and it’s the last one I’ll ever do, I had surgery on both hands due to arthritis that was probably aggraved by all the work done. The restoration used over 700 pop rivets. I did have a pneumatic rivet gun, and now have a large supply of clecos. Lots of modifications. I didn’t go for an original restoration because the engine, and rear axle were not the original type. It had not been driven since 1988 and was partially disassembled. It is a very thorough restoration. I did everything, but the paint myself including sewing a new half hood and full hood (I have the rough originals top and side curtains), boot cover with tonneau that attaches to it’s forward edge, storage roll that will carry the top and half hood together,storage bags for the side curtains.New side curtains are frameless Lexan polycarbonate with hinged black plastic lower panels. I used the incorrectly upholstered bench seats that came with the car. The half hood is fitted to the side curtains as the one on my Caterham is not. Other work and modifications: Replaced the missing non-Crossflow motor with a Lotus Twincam in fast road configuration. The new exhaust headers were made for me by Craig Chima who did a really fine job on them. If you need some work on your Seven, give him a call. He’s a really nice guy and thoroughly knowledgeable about Lotus 7’s having won an SCCA national championship with one he built that is a real work of art. Added fluid catch tanks. Cleaned and painted the frame. Reinforced frame at front and triangulated the tube where the rear trailing arms attach. Put plates for strong outboard seatbelt mounts in this triangle, added strong inboard seatbelt mounts. Currently have Schroth 6 point harnesses instead of the counterfeit Sabelt harnesses you may see in a picture or two. New suspension bushings and grade 8 bolts. Used the original cowl top, rear shock covers in the boot, and a louvered bonnet from a Caterham. New side and rear panels, floor pan, front of cowl, all engine compartment panels including driver’s side footbox, transmission tunnel with insulation and carpet to control interior heat somewhat. New steel interior side panels with thin black plastic covering, put the same covering on the dash. New grill. New switches and instruments. Will probably replace the steering wheel sometime. New wiring harness with correct colored wires, made from a pile of old MGB harnesses, wrapped with non-adhesive black harness tape. Fuse panel has circuit breaker, 9 fuses and 4 relays for horn, high and low beams, and wipers New mechanical fuel pump, but put a wire for an electric pump in the harness just in case it is needed later. Added an alternator. New aluminum fuel tank and added fuel gauge to the dashboard. Added a new dual brake master cylinder from a Triumph Spitfire. Also a brake balance valve. New steel/copper brake pipes, hoses, etc. Polished the windshield frame. Panasport alloy wheels came with the car. New tires. and ————- other things I can’t think of at the moment The last two photos are of my 1984 Caterham, and 1960 Lotus 7 Series 1 (Yes, it is indeed a Series 1 with S2 fenders and nose) vintage race car. I have 13 cars right now and will put one, or both of these up for sale in a few months. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 What a great post! 42 minutes ago, lotsats said: I have 13 cars right now .... And I thought I was bad having too many cars! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panamericano Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 Impressive work. Fabulous weather equipment. Thanks for showing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 The hands... Im not far behind ya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotsats Posted December 16, 2023 Author Share Posted December 16, 2023 Just remember “he who dies with the most toys wins”. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anaximander Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 lotsats, I hate to disagree with your remembrance but it should read "He/she who LIVES with the most toys wins!" Anaximander Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 Baah, you guys are waaay off. It's the fella with the most unfinished projects......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 Its, the guy who's wife lets him keep one single toy wins! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 @lotsatsOn 5244-SJ, what is the source for the small front wing markers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotsats Posted December 17, 2023 Author Share Posted December 17, 2023 I bought them at ————- Walmart. Giggle. LED’s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoBoost Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 Nice work! Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher smith Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 Great work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S1Steve Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 Awesome job at bringing it back to life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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