I am a keen golfer ! don’t say it I like walking !! the story about this lovely little rare Lotus goes like this, I am having a round of golf with a friend, we have got to the 10th (about half way for people that do not play) and we got on the subject of fast sports cars and eventually Tiger and out of the blue he informs me he has a Lotus seven at home now this was a surprise as we have played together before a few times and its never been mentioned.
Anyway he tells me that he purchased it in 71 drove the car until 79 and parked it !! I just had to look at this car as I have had many sevens and restored loads over the years, the first seven I had flew around Brands in 1971 the second I sold to a guy from Japan later in the seventies.
Looking around the car which was in a very sad state 79 tax disc still on screen – chassis needed repairs – bodywork very badly cracked, engine seized, trim horrible, screen wheels everything !! anyway it was purchased giving my friend a very good price for the car.
Back at the workshop and the full strip was underway, engine box out, axle out, suspension out, trim out, the alloy body removed a new main body will be fitted later..
Looking at the chassis it was in pretty good condition apart from a little damage to a front chassis member, and both bushes in the chassis that locate the track control arm being worn.
The chassis was now sand blasted and repairs to the chassis carried out with a couple of new tubes welded into place, the chassis was then painted with an early grey colour.
The alloy sides and rear section were although pretty straight in shape were corroded in places, new sections were made and riveted into place, through the life of this little Lotus it had gone through three colours yellow (original) black and lastly Red. the car will now be a stunning Lotus Blue.
The dashboard apart from the RPM gauge was so original having all the 1961 gauges the RPM gauge actually was a 60’s dial so looked perfectly in place, we only cleaned the material finish Lotus black dash.
The steering rack was fine as was the column, these were lightly blasted and painted, at the back of the car the fuel tank was found to be to rusty inside so a new alloy replacement was made, staying on the rear, the axle was inspected (metropolitan) painted and new seals fitted.
While the engine (original 997cc Ford) which is found to be seized is stripped and gearbox is checked over the chassis/body is now taken to paint shop to be etched and painted, then back to workshop in colour, the front suspension (new shocks all round) can now be fitted with steering, and rear axle.
On stripping the Engine it is found that the bores were to badly corroded so a replacement is found an upgrade to1200cc !! in turn the engine is completely stripped and reconditioned the bores found to be excellent so a hone and new pistons – valves re ground – bearings – rockers new high pressure oil pump water pump timing chain seals and other keeping the exact pre- cross flow as it should be, the gearbox fitted with a new rear tail seal is found to be excellent and also has a nice coat of paint.
Inside the tunnel the wiring was positioned as was the new brake pipes and fuel line, handbrake lever cleaned painted and cable fitted.
Rear Wings and clam front wings are now having prep and paint in workshop by Paul in the stunning Lotus Blue to match the body, Paul also spraying the sand blasted steel road wheels, meanwhile Laura is making the lovely new seat pads (slightly less height – better for tall drivers) and a great looking new carpet set. The little Lotus can now be reassembled with its 1200cc pre crossflow -gearbox – axle, the steel wheels now fitted with new tyre’s, new seats carpets wings and lights now fitted the original weather equipment is not touched – the Lotus was taken by Lotus Mag and was featured (5 pages) and on cover.
