S7 Neophyte Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Hi guys, after speaking with Brian (WCM) he recommended I post some info. here on what we have and what we're going to do. As my screen name indicates, I'm no guru of 7's so if I offend, please accept my apology. My family and I have a 1961 super 7 which is in a bare frame condition. It has been so for quite some time since my father blew the original engine picking on some poor corvette some time ago. Since that incident, he decided to restore the car with Cosworth power and took the car down to its frame and had it fabricated to accept the Cosworth. The frame was strengthened at this time to handle the new hp as well. Since that time, life has happened and the 7 took a back seat to "other priorities." Well as time has passed, so has the physical ability of some of the family members to reopen the restoration of the car. The car and all/most of its components is currently in Oceanside, Ca. As for the particulars, my father has all of it in his head and I'm slowly but surely pulling all the information out, so I'll post the detailed info. as I get it. He and Brian had a conversation a few weeks ago where he ran down all the particulars and I couldn't keep up with 'em and should have recorded the conversation. What we're looking to do is sell what we have and possibly look towards a S2K, as a complete rebuild at this point is not physically possible. That being said, we have most, if not all the parts needed to put her back together. I'll provide answers to questions as they they are asked and I'll attempt to provide as much info. on the car as I get it. If this post is in the wrong section I apologize, please move it if necessary. Thanks, Kelly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Welcome Kelly, Could you post some pictures of the car & parts as it is and as it was before disassembly? Is there a Cosworth engine included with the deal? What transmission does it have? What price are you looking for? Thanks, Skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S7 Neophyte Posted November 21, 2008 Author Share Posted November 21, 2008 Hi Skip, I don't have any pic's prior to disassembly or any of the car currently. I'll do my best to get some pic's of its current condition hopefully by early next week. The 1700cc BDA Cosworth engine with rally cams and 45 DCOE Weber Carbs and transmission would be included. The pistons were shaved to decrease the compression so that it could run on premium pump gas. The engine was dyno'd at 195bhd with torque dropping off at 9800rpm. The engine has dyno time only on it. The transmission is a new Leason 3 rail with straight cut cog synchros and has a 2 disc dry plate clutch. As for a price, we're really not sure what the value is ... We had initially looked at trading it for a roller but that didn't work out. Any suggestions? We'll do our part in trying to determine a fair price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitmfgr Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Kelly, I really enjoyed the conversation with you and your dad the other day about your Seven. I sounds like a lot of thought, time and money went into it. It is in a great stage for someone to take on as a winter project, be sure to post some photos. Good Luck, Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian7 Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 ...The 1700cc BDA Cosworth engine with rally cams and 45 DCOE Weber Carbs and transmission would be included... Hmmm, a Formula Atlantic engine, even detuned to 190hp, sounds like an awful lot to put in a series 2 chassis. Wasn't the series 3 frame a reinforced version of the '2' because the '2' was having trouble with half that power level? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S7 Neophyte Posted November 23, 2008 Author Share Posted November 23, 2008 Ian, I'll take your word for that 'cause honestly that type of knowledge is way above my pay grade. I can tell you the chassis reinforcement/ fabrication was all done by a gentleman here in Southern California by the name of Don Oldenberg. From the stories I've been told, he's one of the old guys that wrote the book on fabrication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Hi Kelly, You wouldn't have the chassis number would you? Something along the lines of SB1234 or similar. Thanks, Bruce :7drive: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S7 Neophyte Posted November 23, 2008 Author Share Posted November 23, 2008 Bruce, I'll find out and post later today. Probably won't be till later tonight, but we'll get a digital picture of the original plate on the chassis for ya. Here ya go Bruce, looks like SB 1096 or SB 1096X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Hi Kelly, Why not have someone complete the restoration of the car for you? If you are considering buying another 7 you might be better to have the car finished so that you can have it your way. PM me if you might be interested in doing that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 Thanks Kelly, If I'm remembering my BMC engine info correctly, the original engine in your Lotus was a 948cc A-series high compression "screamer" of maybe 43-48hp. Quite a difference from the BDA! Bruce :7drive: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S7 Neophyte Posted November 25, 2008 Author Share Posted November 25, 2008 I received a few pictures of the engine and chassis but I don't want to post them in a forum and take up the site bandwidth. Can anyone suggest a free site that I can post a link to the pic's so everyone can have a look? *****OK I think I figured it out... sorry for some blurry pic's but it's the best I can do for now. I'll update when better pic's are taken. http://www.photodump.com/kellypalmer/a154234/DisplaySimple Thanks, Kelly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 Kelly- IMHO, the best source for info on these cars, at least stateside, is John Donohoe. His site is simplesevens.org. I'm sending you a PM now. -Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian7 Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 Nice photos... not that I had ANY reason to doubt it, but yeah, honest-to-god BDA and honest-to-god series 2 flexi-flyer chassis. At risk of being self-serving, you might want to split them up into two separate sales. (Guess which one I want ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S7 Neophyte Posted November 26, 2008 Author Share Posted November 26, 2008 Ian / Al, Thanks for the interest and info. and again, sorry about the blurry pics. Ian, who knows which one you're interested in but either way, you obviously have good taste! Al, I'll contact John and ask him what he thinks and get some more opinions regarding the value. You have a PM as well. Thanks! Kelly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian7 Posted November 27, 2008 Share Posted November 27, 2008 B... D... A... !! B... D... A... !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S7 Neophyte Posted December 1, 2008 Author Share Posted December 1, 2008 We got around to sanding the paint off the chassis # over the holiday and found the number to be #1013. And the number on the plate pictured above is SB 1096. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian7 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 We got around to sanding the paint off the chassis # over the holiday and found the number to be #1013. And the number on the plate pictured above is SB 1096. Not sure if that's info for us, or concern by you, but IIRC, that's not unusual, a frame number stamped right on the tube by third-party company (Arch likely) per their mfg system, then the SB number plate from Lotus upon completion of the car or kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S7 Neophyte Posted December 1, 2008 Author Share Posted December 1, 2008 Ian, I just wanted to provide as much information about what we have and be as open as possible. There may be some people out there that have an interest in matching the numbers to ensure the car is the real thing, not an impostor that's all. Thanks, Kelly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanG Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 It is typical, actually expected, that the chassis number and the ID plate don't match. A secret of the Lotus Seven community is that you keep your chassis number secret! Sevens are easily forged. Forgeries are made in order to get around vintage racing rules. Please contact John D at simple sevens www.simplesevens.org and John W the Lotus Seven registrar at www.lotus7register.co.uk Preserve history, register your 7! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 I think the #1013 number is the Arch chassis Jig number. My Caterham had a similar number stamped on the chassis at mounting point for the roll bar. A call to Arch would probably confirm that. Also the historian for the lotus 7 club UK has quite a lot of the factory data. And a quick look at their web site should track down that person. I am not sure that John Watson does that any more as they were looking for a new person to take on the role when i lived in the UK about 2 years ago. Nice project to have in the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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