7 Cockpit Heaters, Why?

[IamScotticus]

Why?

I understand there may be some safety regulations requiring them if someone is stranded in freezing conditions, but a 7?  The engine is usually warm enough to keep you toasty.

Once the 7 is tagged and on the road, who needs it?

Does anyone actually use the heater?

Edited Wednesday at 07:36 PM by IamScotticus

[11Budlite]

I've removed the heaters in my old Birkin and my Caterham. I've always felt that a heated motorcycle jacket did a much better job at keeping me warm. Did many miles in sub-freezing temps. My old Birkin was Zetec powered so had the exhaust next to the driver. With gloves the muffler turned out to be a convenient hand-warmer. 

[7Westfield]

Just think of it as extra radiator capacity   LOL

that said, I took mine out years ago

[wdb]

What is this "cockpit heater" you speak of...

[EdWills]

Hey Scott.  I think it just harks back to the Seven being driven in the U.K. where it seems to rain all the time, and the dampness just soaks into your bones!  The old Smiths' heater probably just warmed the feet and knees of the driver and passenger.  Lotus included a template in the Series 2 manual to show where the necessary holes needed to be cut to fit the heater, possibly indicating that it was not always included in a kit or factory assembled car?  Many of the Series 3 Lotus Sevens imported into Canada (that I have viewed), didn't come with a heater, as driving a Seven in the middle of winter here wasn't the brightest of ideas.  We don't get a lot (or any?) sports car owners driving their cars in winter here because of:  a) bad road conditions (ice, pot holes), plus other drivers new to our province not bothering to fit snow tires and not used to snowy conditions. b) rock chips from passing cars, as our city loves to dump as much gravel on the roads as possible (thankfully spring clean-up starting now).  

 

The worst heater I had was fitted in my 1963 VW Beetle.  The glow plug would forever foul up, and the only heat for the windshield was from the engine heat being vented through the car.  A scraper was a necessity to scrape the ice from the inside of the windshield.  I agree with 11Budlite that a motorcycle jacket is a good idea.  In the U.K. the Belstaff m/c jackets and pants were oiled cotton, and pretty much waterproof.  I used my set year round as they also kept the cold wind out. Cheers.  W.

[CBuff]

I will probably be in the minority here. But I am pro heater. In the chilly north east I have used it more than I thought I would.  But then again I have strayed from Collin’s vision a bit with the sv, leather seats etc etc. it’s almost a Cadillac of caterhams.  But I have put almost 6k miles on in 10 months since I got it.  

[IamScotticus]

3 hours ago, wdb said:

What is this "cockpit heater" you speak of...

His Yellowness does not have a heater on his car.  Can someone put up a pic?

[theDreamer]

Heater in a Seven? In Ontario I find it is a "Must Have!" as it was for all sports cars.

As to driving in bad weather well, my father rode motorcycles (with a side car and chains) through winters when he didn’t have a car. I have too but without the side car in the snow and it was only for fun. I did have to ride my little dual sport Kawi to and from work in the cold, damp and some flurries. It was the very late fall early winter the first time. Then again in the very late winter early spring when we had rear stub axles break on our Europa. You see I drove my Europa year round for a several years. Both my older brothers drove their Sprites and Midgets year round as they and my father did with their Corvairs. Which like my VW bug all are heated via ducts around the cylinders.

I used the heater in my Seven on the drive home from picking it up. I couldn’t use the hood because the car came with no hood sticks. It was a bright and sunny 6c. My vintage Caterham jacket worked great. I did keep my left hand in my pocket only grabbing the wheel with it when needed like reaching down to put my right hand in front of heater vents. I’m bound and determined to put double the miles on our seven this year so I expect the heater will get more use again this year.

With the roof up and doors on it actually does not a bad job of keeping the cockpit cozy and dry. I’m sooo glad we had a heater when driving in the pouring rain because it does take the edge off the dampness.

[Jbrueckh]

Here you go. I included a couple to show that the system on a seven is simple, with just holes in the sheet metal . 

Edited Wednesday at 09:44 PM by Jbrueckh

[wdb]

4 hours ago, EdWills said:

The worst heater I had was fitted in my 1963 VW Beetle.  The glow plug would forever foul up, and the only heat for the windshield was from the engine heat being vented through the car.  A scraper was a necessity to scrape the ice from the inside of the windshield.  

 

Ooooh, you had the optional gas heater. Deluxe! We had a '66 Beetle and a '66 Westfalia. The van was the worst. The nearly nonexistent heat had further to travel, and there was nothing in front of the driver/passenger but a sliver of steel. We bundled up like snowmobilers in that rig. 

[Joe Petty]

I believe the heater was required for defrosting the windscreen, long before heated screens were available.

Any heat that made its way to the occupants was unintended!

I don't see any evidence that my S2 ever had a heater or the slots cutout for the defroster.

 

Lotus Eye:  Inflammation caused by wind/cold due to looking around a fogged up windshield.

Lotus Elbow:  Soreness due to driving with elbow hanging over the siderail.

 

Joe

[7Westfield]

Those old gas fired heaters were fabulous. First year Corvairs had them. I put one in my bugeye sprite

The chevy ones (by Southwind I think) actually had a spark plug, with a set of points on the fan motor shaft

[mrmustang]

For those of us who drive our cars year round, a heater is a must for defrosting/demisting the windshield. Heat to the footboxes are like any other British designed convertible, 7, MG, Triumph, Alpine, Jag, etc.....Either you have heat from the engine, and a little circulation from the heater box fan, or you don't.

 

 

Bill

[Kitcat]

After suffering through excess cabin heat during my first summer with my ‘97 X-Flow Caterham I consoled myself with the thought of how the heat would extend the driving season deep into the Fall. But when Fall arrived the excess heat was replaced by excess cold.
 

So I turned on my trusty heater and was eventually rewarded with a small warmish spot on my right leg. After that I dressed as if I was going skiing and it worked great!

[EdWills]

3 hours ago, Jbrueckh said:

Here you go. I included a couple to show that the system on a seven is simple, with just holes in the sheet metal . 

A beautiful rebuild of your Seven.  Genuine Unirad chassis with correct graphite paint colour (or powder coat?).  It looks fantastic.  W

[Jbrueckh]

Sorry to disappoint but those pictures are not of my car. Those are just reference photos and directional for my restoration.

[Rodnok]

An inspiration regardless...

 

[jbcollier]

I use my heater all the time.  Drove to Jasper when it was 8C/46F.  3.5 hours at 120kph/75mph with the top down.  I was nice and toasty, thank you very much.  I have power sockets added for heated motorcycle gear but it would have to be fair bit colder before I hooked them up.

[jbcollier]

No S1/2/3 Lotus had screen demister vents.

[IamScotticus]

On 4/16/2025 at 8:55 PM, Jbrueckh said:

Sorry to disappoint but those pictures are not of my car. Those are just reference photos and directional for my restoration.

You tease!