1963 Lotus Super Seven (series 2) Authentic Vintage Racer And Tilt-bed Trailer on 2040-cars
Topanga, California, United States
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My father vintage raced the first Lotus 26R S2 to compete at west coast vintage race events in the 1980s. When he deemed his 26R too valuable for him to race, he sold it to a collector in Japan and began restoring this Super Seven. He purchased the car from Jim Profit, of Racing Restorations in Long Beach, CA. First he stripped it down to a bare metal tube chassis. When the chassis met with his approval, it was powder painted black and re-skinned in fresh aluminum. Fenders were restored to more proper proportions. The car was built as a "street legal" (and road registered) racer in accordance with the rule set embraced by HMSA and General Racing. Original correct engine with period correct updates, original suspension configuration. A lot of thought and development went into this car. There are many subtle details which all serve a purpose. No expense was spared. Dave Vegher of Veloce Motors West engineered and built the motor (as well as a fresh spare full-steel motor which can be purchased separately). There are many ways to set up a race car ... choices in chassis set-up, spring rates, dampening, gear ratios, and differential set-up. Without giving away any competitive secrets, let me just say that this car is a well developed tool, it is fast, yet forgiving to drive. The car is so neutral handling and forgiving that it's eminent "drivability" makes even the occasional racer like me look like a "hero."
The Super Seven weighs 1052 pounds with half a tank of fuel ... Power is in the neighborhood of 140bhp ... weight distribution is 48% front to 52% rear, and 49% to 51% measured diagonally. The limited slip differential is a very special piece. It is a Hewland design that runs a 4.4 ratio and benefits from the most slick fully synthetic lubricant. Both my father and I have run different differentials ... the Hewland is magical. Since 1990 the Super Seven has always been clad in "Allegheny Maroon" ... my father raced it with a French Blue nose band. When I bought it and refreshed the entire car in 1997, I opted for a nose band of sea foam green. I am 6'1" and 200 pounds with a 34" inseam ... the Seven fits me like a glove ... it is a very comfortable work space. I am including a nifty light weight aluminum box tilt-bed enclosed trailer (single axle). It was reported built by Webb Webster for an Indy Car he had built. I bought the trailer from Don Ferguson of Paramount Forge and Ardun. The story was that he bought four or five 4 cam Ford race motors from somewhere in the Pacific Northwest, and they gave him the trailer to get them home. Weighs about 1000 pounds and the tilt-bed engineering is incredible! If you want to run at premier vintage race events in the same class with Lotus 26Rs, Ginetta G4Rs, Shelby GT350s, and 289 Cobras, then this Lotus Super Seven is both rare fun and reliably competitive ... AND a bargain price of admission. |
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Lotus and Aston Martin to hook up?
Tue, 30 Oct 2012This has been a tumultuous year for Lotus - to say the least - from the company being sold off back in January to its CEO Dany Bahar being fired in June to its questionable financial status and rumors of the British automaker being sold off to another automaker. First, we heard that Volkswagen was interested in acquiring Lotus and parent company Proton, a rumor that was later dismissed. Now Automobile is reporting that fellow Brit Aston Martin could be in the market to work with or possibly even merge with Lotus.
While this is pure speculation at this point, such a venture could prove to be beneficial for both independent companies. That's because with Lotus focused on lightweight, relatively affordable sports cars and Aston Martin producing high-end performance cars, there is virtually no product overlap between the companies. The article suggests that a person or company wanting to merge these two automakers would have to raise between $1.1 billion and $1.6 billion in order to make a go of it, however.
We're not sure what to think of this latest rumor, but anything that can help get the struggling brand back to health at least has our interest.
Lotus honors F1 efforts with limited-edition Exige LF1
Tue, 10 Jun 2014Lotus has announced a new, special edition of its hardcore Exige for customers in the UK and Europe. Limited to just 81 units (for the Lotus Formula One team's 81 victories), the new Exige LF1 is the ultimate accessory for fans of the British manufacturer's Formula One efforts.
Befitting of a car inspired by the Lotus E22, this particular Exige is finished in the team's traditional black and gold colors, complete with red accents inspired by the F1 racer. The exterior is further enhanced with unique badges that proclaim the LF1's limited-edition status. Matte gold wheels have also been fitted, just like this Lotus' big brother.
This isn't purely a paint-and-stickers job, though. Lotus has also touched up the cabin, offering up black leather and "technical fabric," complete with gold contrast stitching and piping. The seat backs and floor mats feature embroidered logos, while an individually numbered, carbon-fiber plaque sits on the LF1's dash.
Lotus bows out of Paris Motor Show
Mon, 16 Jul 2012The plan put forth by former Lotus CEO Dany Bahar was to explode the British brand into the high-dollar sports car segment and directly challenge its marquee names. The first explosion came with the surprise introduction of five concepts at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. What has continued to surprise, though, is that the explosions haven't stopped: parent company Proton has had troubles leading to a reworking of its Formula One involvement, its IndyCar effort has had a rough ride, Proton's sale to Malaysian conglomerate DRB Hicom led to a production stoppage, and while the company was reassured that it wouldn't be sold, Bahar was shown the door - along with four of those Paris concepts, as far as we can tell. Yet the company is still making highly regarded cars and going racing.
So it shouldn't be all that surprising that, according to a report in Car and Driver, Lotus won't be attending this year's Paris Motor Show at all. Lotus didn't have much to show off at the Geneva Motor Show or the New York Show as all development was halted for two months, and the new corporate owner and new CEO installed by that owner are still working through the details of its niche English property. We will hope this is nothing more than a step in the reorganization, and look forward to seeing the Hethel firm again in Los Angeles or Detroit.