Lotus 7 - S4

[S47]

EFA
I didn't know they owned the rights to the S4 - Many thanks for that snippet of Info'
They've had most S4's parts 'ex stock [including some I never expected to be able to obtain] & I know they can get most parts for an S4 made, [sidescreens & windscreen surround being the exceptions] though sometimes you may have to wait a while
Mal

[EFA]

Eric Mc said:

I don't see Mick or John re-starting production anytime soon though.

or ever

[S47]

EFA
I agree - todays owners want something simple to work on and cheap - that'll be the S3.
>
Here's a rare phot of an S4 with a hardtop, I only know one person who owns an S4 hardtop and he lives in Germany - Hi HS

Interstingly the photo was uploaded by another PH member on another thread - many thanks to the PH member HorneyTrider for the image

[Alan7]

Mal, apparently a "Hardtop" was a £65 option

[Mistron]

ignoring my own rule that you should avoid ebay for at least a week or two following the sale of a car, I seem to have filled the garage with the sorry remains of a Lotus 7 S4.......

What I have actually bought is the basic frame which no doubt needs a bit of work, but hey-ho, it was cheap and it'll form the basis of a nice special for trackdays some time in the future.

does anyone know where i can get a bit more info on the S4s? 1-3 are easy, and well covered, but the 4's are not really. photos of the chassis, stripped and built up would be handy!

Once I pick it up it'll probably go for a light blasting to see what shape it's in and then I'll start gathering bits.

it'll end up as a bit of a modified bitza,as I don't think it'll be cost effective to restore it to original, given what little I've got to start with!

I really should know better!

[S47]

Most books on the Lotus 7 have a section on S4's.
Probably the best book to buy is the hard to find 'Lotus7 - Restoration/Prep/Maintenance' by Tony Weale.
hope this helps
Mal

[Mistron]

I think that's the only 7 book I don't have!

[S47]

There's normally a couple of originals for sale on ebay, and an enterprising German guy 'Richard ?' has had the book reprinted/copied - I think he goes under the name ' Lotus books Germany', a reprint cost me £23 about 5 years ago.
Hope this helps
Mal

[Mistron]

does anyone have photos and details of the master cylinders fitted to the S4? do they have the integral resevoir, or remote mounted ones? What bore are they? Looking at the bulkhead I take it the brakes are dual circuit off one cylinder rather than twin cylinders?

Am on the lookout for one of the ring bound manuals

ta.
here is a photo of the 'car' as it arrived:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44645707@N00/47286278...

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44645707@N00/4728627886/" title="IMG_5467 - Copy by alastairbrownuk, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1004/4728627886_aa706d9c04_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_5467 - Copy" /></a>

[Dieter7S4]

Mistron

Hope you got a few more bits than that

I'll be interested to follow the reconstruction, it'll be good to see another S4 back - there aren't to many around these days.

I will try and get the camera out this weekend and take some piccies of mine for you.

cheers

Mike

Edited by Dieter7S4 on Saturday 26th June 01:12

[Mistron]

well it was a complete car when I strapped it on!

Seriously though, nope, that's it!

would welcome any photos of other cars to help / motivate / inspire me.

Al

[S47]

Mistron
Wow - I've had my car to almost that stripped condition, Before you do anything check the chassis at the front Box section [any rust around here buy a new chassis] the other usual area of rust the lower rear chassis rails looks reasonable.
Don't know what parts you need to source, but Redline can supply almost all parts for S4, including the body mouldings and F/G panels, though you may have to wait whilst they get them made.
Cost though will be Very high, If I'd bought that chassis I'd had costed out the parts needed to complete the rebuild beforehand.
If you have the chassis number then John Watson L7cluub Historian can fill you in with the relevant car details including it's original reg number [though he'll want proof you actually own the car before he divulges any details]
Hope this helps
Mal
ps
let us all know how you get on

[Mistron]

The front box section looks OK, and the panel work on the sides is a bit rough at the bottom on one side, but the tubes look OK.

I bought it unseen with the view that at the very least I could build a jig to build a decent spaceframe with tested geometry, but it's good enough to use as the basis of a car in its own right.

but yes, I know the harsh reality is that it's probably not economically viable to build it back up to original spec, so I am considering using it as the basis of a Clubmans style special. I have a background in design engineering and GRP paternmaking, so I have the basic skills to complete such a project.

I know that is hearsy to some, but at least the original chassis will carry on in one form rather than being scrapped.

I'll not make my decision until the side panels are off though.

Edited by Mistron on Saturday 26th June 21:08

[Mistron]

pleasantly surprised by what I found under the panels - 2 wee holes, but generaly pretty solid.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44645707@N00/sets/721...

[S47]

Mistron
From the photo's, I'd say you have a fair bit of work on your hands.
Good Luck
Keep us updated with photo's as the work progresses
Mal

[Mistron]

I'm looking for a drawing (or sketch or description) of the Brake and Clutch pedals so I can make a start on making some - can anyone tell me: the master cylinder bore, the length from pivot point to pedal 'pad' centre and to the point where the master cylinder attaches to the pedal.

Many thanks

[S47]

There's a picture/sketch of the pedal assy, in the Lotus 7 S4 parts Manual [Plate X2]. the original Lotus printing has a green cover. the Redline reprint is often refered to as the 'Pink' book for obvious reasons.
When I rebuilt my car I made new bushes for my pedals, and converted the box to cable operation for the clutch. Either way it's a bh to access the pedals with the body work and steering wheel attached [not a problem for you at the mo though]
Hope this helps
Mal

[Mistron]

ha ha, I once had to be pulled out of a Lotus eleven by my ankles when I got stuck with my head in the footwell when I was adjusting something. I stll have the shirt somewhere with the stains on the back from oil in the footwell!

I shall be incorpotating an access panel into the footwell for exactly this reason.

[7s4whatelse]

Hi to all S4 owners / enthusiasts. It took me long to find this forum.... I am a little bit biased towards this 7 type since over 15 years now. Mal, I don´t have a blue model for you, but a rare other than Matchbox. BTW - did you finish the bonnet catch from my scetches I sent 2 years ago or so? The yellow is my 1:1....
Hajo

[7s4whatelse]

Hello Mistron, - thanks for "flickring" the photos of your chassis - it was alot of fun to study them. Did you know that you have one of the early chassis which were not made by Arch Motors - instead yours was made by Griston Engeneering (GE-prefix). I also started a (new) 7S4 project right from the chassis upwards. Maybe I can share some informations with you. Near future I have to fabricate my "pedal-box".... Not really a big task when there is a complete car nearby. If interested, please contact.
Cheers, Hajo