1965 Seven S2

[h20hamelan]

Someone in the east might care

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1958- ... ax-engine/

[SENC]

Confirmed 1965 - UK registration was mid-65, within days of ex-works date.

Making good headway on the steering rack cleanup and rebuild, hope to finish this weekend. Thought the attached pdf on rebuilding one might be useful to others here.

steering rack rebuild.pdf

steering rack rebuild pdf

(464.08 KiB) Downloaded 245 times

[Donels]

I was a part owner and sympathetic restorer of a 1962 Lotus Super 7 which we sold a couple of years ago, pictures attached below. This was also very original and had never been restored. It was great fun to drive and must have been incredible in its day. Apparently they were banned from racing in the UK as all other makes would have been uncompetitive.
I have lots of photo's if you need information to get it period correct.

Dave

[SENC]

I was a part owner and sympathetic restorer of a 1962 Lotus Super 7 which we sold a couple of years ago, pictures attached below. This was also very original and had never been restored. It was great fun to drive and must have been incredible in its day. Apparently they were banned from racing in the UK as all other makes would have been uncompetitive.
I have lots of photo's if you need information to get it period correct.

Dave

Great looking example, Dave!

I have no schemes on returning it to concourse, but will lean towards period on bits I restore or replace so definitely covet pictures. In fact, the photo you pasted helps me with battery placement. I have a period style/size mount but was looking for pictures to confirm orientation for when I replace the more recent battery and mount that were on the car.

Was fortunate to pick up this fan and blades from forum friend Mike Ostrov after another advised that early Sevens and early Elites shared the parts.

Seven/Elite cooling fan motor and blades

[Donels]

Here’s a few more pics. Paul Shipley of PJS Sportscars is always a good source of parts as he restores them.

[SENC]

Thanks, great pictures of a great looking Seven!

I see the exhaust was extended to the rear and fuel filler as well. Did you do these mods? I'm particularly interested in the exhaust extension and what impact it had on noise for passenger and driver.

[Donels]

It came with the extended exhaust and we decided to keep it. It gave a lovely noise without being uncomfortable for driver or passenger and did not suck back exhaust fumes. Having had a similar car with a side exhaust the rear exhaust is more comfortable.

It also came with the rear filler which was a simple rubber bend to a rubber grommit mounted period filler cap. From a practical point it’s much better than having to remove the wooden boot floor, its contents and possibly the hood to fill with fuel. They also have a small fuel tank, 5 or 6 gallons I recall, and fuel consumption around 25 mpg, so refills are frequent. So not original but very useful.

Dave

[SENC]

Pulled the radiator this weekend to get behind it, and found the rubber/nylon top hat or flange bushings rotted. Haven't found them yet online - hoping someone here might have a suggestion or lead.

[Donels]

In the UK try Robush they supply many types of vibration mount. They have a good web site.

[casalunge]

Henry

Re the Top Hat Bushes

Redline Components in the UK stock them

[SENC]

Henry

Re the Top Hat Bushes

Redline Components in the UK stock them

Thanks Colin! Really enjoying it!

[SENC]

Progressing piece by piece, today the motor mounts. Glad I did, they were completely delaminating.

Oddly, on one side the bolts appeared tack welded to the mount base - so the failing centers actually played to my benefit in getting them out.

[Mike Ostrov]

Hi,, Henry. The motor mounts are the same as on our Climax Elites. Glad the fan motor and blade have a new home. I do miss all my RHD Sevens. Cheers. Mike.

[Mike Ostrov]

Hit the send button too quickly. Forgot to mention the motor mounts are also fitted to the XKE early series. These were usually fitted with Imperial threads and later mounts were fitted with metric threads. Cheers. Mike.

[SENC]

Thanks Mike, I already had some on standby (from Chris Mintoft at Redline - a very helpful chap!) so was able to replace them without fully removing the engine once I figured out how to get them out.

I will say that though this car is smaller yet than the Elan, it doesn't require quite as much contortionist expertise given its more basic and open design.