Jump to content

1962 Lotus Super Seven Windscreen dimensions


Gearbox

Recommended Posts

I think I put this original thread in the wrong section, so here we go. Any help would be appreciated.

 

 

I've been searching for a windscreen for my 1962 Lotus Super Seven with no luck, and now thinking of making one. Surprisingly I have yet to find any specs or dimensions. So I was wondering if anyone could help me out. I drew up a simple diagram and if you can give me the dimenisons for A to G that would be great. Also thickness of the aluminum extrusion and glass if possible. Thanks Allan

WINDSCREEN.pdf

Edited by Gearbox
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You know, I have been attracted to those Brooklands screens for some time and I liked them, even before I got the Sevens, but not quite sure if I could pull off that wind in the hair and goggle look driving around the neighborhood lol. And driving around on the street in a race helmet is just a bit too odd ball for me. Not that the stock windscreen gives you that much more protection. I did see someone who had these mounted on an aluminum plate that went from side to side secured by cut down versions of the side brackets that looked pretty good and saved the polished scuttle from getting extra holes drilled into it. I guess if I could find a set cheap enough, I could use it until a full windscreen surfaces, or even make a modular unit that I can interchange from time to time. Thanks for the suggestion, you have me thinking (and searching for parts lol), Allan

Brooklands.bmp

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As to the use of goggles, I don't leave home without them. Even with a standard windscreen stuff flies all around. For the hair issue, I do the backwards ball cap or the leather aviator's helmet. One guy commented that it fit the character of the car.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here are additional dimensions from my windscreen:

 

A....taken at the center of the windscreen...is 11 1/4". The top frame rail does NOT have a flat surface...it is in an arc so the "A" measurement will change at various point along the arc.

 

D...32 1/4" taken at the first top attachment pin on front of frame.

 

G....1 3/4", again at the first top attachment pin.

 

E... 15 1/2"

 

F... 3/4"... typical on all frame pieces.

 

RB...2 1/2" INSIDE radius

 

Both "C" and "RH" should be from a template taken from your scuttle. This will also provide you with the arc profile up and over the scuttle from one side of the car to the other.

 

Hope this helps...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks to all for the dimensions and great ideas. I found the Brooklands on the Moss site and even with the full windscreen dimensions I am thinking seriously about having both. Seems that Caterham had a system with one aluminum band that mounts the same way as the standard windscreen so it could be interchanged. I agree that the bottom rail has to be custom made to fit the scuttle and rake, but wasn't so much concerned with that than the overall look of the frame. Based on the dimensions I came up with the following which compared to period pictures, looks right for an orginal Lotus Seven S2, not that any two were made exactly alike. The dimensions I got from another forum was for a early Caterham so the overall hieght of 11.375" should be 12" according to old factory drawings (only dimesnion shown for the windscreen), but I could tweak that as I build the frame and see how high I want it, but the overall look is what I am going for. But thanks again and here is a drawing for any future owners who wants to build thier own. Thanks again Allan

L7 S2 WINDSCREEN.jpg

Lotus7_002.jpg

Edited by Gearbox
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here are two low down, head on views of my windscreen. There is no provision for "rake" on the bottom frame member. It sits proud of the scuttle and the space is filled with the rubber trim gasket.

Lotus 7 front and rear 002.jpg

Lotus with bonnet 5-23-2010 002.jpg

Edited by HankMauel
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Now, if you want to get REAL picky, the original glass was from Royal Doulton and had a small, acid etched name at the bottom center of the glass. I had a rubber stamp made of it and my glass man did the etch using that stamp. I still have it, someplace in the shop. If you want to use it, I'll search it out. Here is what it looked like:

 

Royal Doulton

Vinylex 1080/1

Safety Glass

BS857:1967LFWHP

Edited by HankMauel
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Hank;

 

That is a gorgious car, and I love that "Prisoner" paint scheme. I think like many others, that was my first sight of a Seven. I bought all new polished aluminum for my S2 from Caterham ( NOS from a PO bought years ago) and it still has the blue protective film, so I am tossed in keeping it all polished aluminum with BRG fenders and perhaps a Yellow nose, but still on the fence about that, need to see a few first. The Seven I have was in boxes and incomplete, so I am still searching for those hard to find bits like the Wing Guard tail lights, Smith's Crono's, and AC gauges. So not yet sure how original I can get the car, but nice to see that you went the extra mile on the glass stencil. BTW, do you know how the bottom frame rail ties into the top frame once the glass is installed? Is it just a friction fit being trapped by the side sanctions and scuttle, or is there a mechnical fastener of sorts. Thanks again Allan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Hank;

 

That is a gorgious car, and I love that "Prisoner" paint scheme. I think like many others, that was my first sight of a Seven. I bought all new polished aluminum for my S2 from Caterham ( NOS from a PO bought years ago) and it still has the blue protective film, so I am tossed in keeping it all polished aluminum with BRG fenders and perhaps a Yellow nose, but still on the fence about that, need to see a few first. The Seven I have was in boxes and incomplete, so I am still searching for those hard to find bits like the Wing Guard tail lights, Smith's Crono's, and AC gauges. So not yet sure how original I can get the car, but nice to see that you went the extra mile on the glass stencil. BTW, do you know how the bottom frame rail ties into the top frame once the glass is installed? Is it just a friction fit being trapped by the side sanctions and scuttle, or is there a mechnical fastener of sorts. Thanks again Allan

 

I too have been looking for AC gauges. I managed to pick up a few but not all. I did get the correct speedometer and a period tachometer. The windgards are not that hard to get. There are now reproductions available http://www.simplesevens.com/forsale/Painter/PainterParts.htm

 

Good luck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Hank;

 

That is a gorgious car, and I love that "Prisoner" paint scheme. I think like many others, that was my first sight of a Seven. I bought all new polished aluminum for my S2 from Caterham ( NOS from a PO bought years ago) and it still has the blue protective film, so I am tossed in keeping it all polished aluminum with BRG fenders and perhaps a Yellow nose, but still on the fence about that, need to see a few first. The Seven I have was in boxes and incomplete, so I am still searching for those hard to find bits like the Wing Guard tail lights, Smith's Crono's, and AC gauges. So not yet sure how original I can get the car, but nice to see that you went the extra mile on the glass stencil. BTW, do you know how the bottom frame rail ties into the top frame once the glass is installed? Is it just a friction fit being trapped by the side sanctions and scuttle, or is there a mechnical fastener of sorts. Thanks again Allan

 

 

Thanks, Allen.

The lower windscreen frame (over the scuttle) is attached with small, threaded machine screws (countersunk heads) down near the junction of the lower bar and the vertical upright portion of the top bar. This is down below where the "point" of the safety glass terminates and the screws are hidden by the side support/attachment mounted lower on the scuttle side. I will look in my files to see if I have any photos showing this from when I replaced the glass. Maybe another member has a windscreen apart from the side supports and can offer some photos.

Edited by HankMauel
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Hank;

 

That is a gorgious car, and I love that "Prisoner" paint scheme. I think like many others, that was my first sight of a Seven. I bought all new polished aluminum for my S2 from Caterham ( NOS from a PO bought years ago) and it still has the blue protective film, so I am tossed in keeping it all polished aluminum with BRG fenders and perhaps a Yellow nose, but still on the fence about that, need to see a few first. The Seven I have was in boxes and incomplete, so I am still searching for those hard to find bits like the Wing Guard tail lights, Smith's Crono's, and AC gauges. So not yet sure how original I can get the car, but nice to see that you went the extra mile on the glass stencil. BTW, do you know how the bottom frame rail ties into the top frame once the glass is installed? Is it just a friction fit being trapped by the side sanctions and scuttle, or is there a mechnical fastener of sorts. Thanks again Allan

 

It's not just the Prisoner paint scheme....

http://usa7s.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=4677&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1355783620

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

LOL, now we are really showing our ages. Truely a well sorted out car and something for me to strive for. And I love that you kept the skinny tires, what size/brand are they? I found these Kumos for my Elans which works well if you like sliding through fast turns :D. But I am only at the start of this build. I found a frame reconstructed by ILMOR, that Simple Sevens guy Paul, that was from a original 62 S2 but modified with double front A arms which I will remove and some other mods, and as mentioned, all new Caterham tin. Plus I am not back in the States until November, so all I can do right now is to source parts and information. But I did get a Chrono Speedometer and oil pressure AC guage with the pile and have a line on the correct AMP gauge. Even found the correct dual Weber manifold for the 1340 Cosworth, so making progress. But from what I see, the Tach is going to hurt. I think once I see the car and start getting the frame and suspension sorted out, along with the winscreen, I will bite the bullet. But as you can see, it's a pile of parts, but I have restored worse. Thanks again for the help and maybe sometime in 2016 I'll have something close, Allan

photo_1.jpg

4.jpg

Edited by Gearbox
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm using the Kumo Power Star 758 tires ...skinny and a wear index of about a "diamond" so they do slide a bit...all the more fun.

 

Keep at it...you'll be glad you took your time, sourced your needs and then started work. Keeps the work flow continuity rather than the starts and stops waiting for the next piece to arrive.

 

Yeah...I watched the Prisoner on it's original 1968 showing here in the US...and I was already married! Now I have the entire set on cd's!

Edited by HankMauel
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, the Kumos are a hoot. I find that in warm to hot weather they are sticky as any period tire, but in the cold I find myself estimating the speed and run out on each turn lol. I'm using 13 x 70-155's on my 70 Elan and went up to 14 x 6 rims with 65-175's Kumos on my 69, which I am told will fit the body, but I yet to fit the body on the finished chassis yet. I really like the skinny tire look on your Seven, I think it suits the car, what size tires are you using? Thanks Allan

IMG_0811.jpg

Edited by Gearbox
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...