Lotus 7 - S4

[lotusv]

Batwing, thank you for the pictures of the seat. What material are the seat sides made of? Aluminum, steel? The metal sides are riveted or attached how to the middle sections,(bottoms)? The bottoms are some type of press wood? Appears it can be stapled. Seat foam, did you use a special foam for the bottoms, sides and back? For example the so-called "flow foam" or Temper foam? Any information on the windscreen surround, as I do not have one. The heater, don't have one of those either. Is the heater a Triumph Spitfire? If not what is it? Instrument panel switches (center switches), are they from a particular vehicle? They are not Elan/Europa. Looking forward to this project. Once again thanks. lotusv.

[7s4whatelse]

Hi Steve, -I send you some informations with a PM

Cheers, Hajo

[Mick O'Malley]

lotusv said:

Instrument panel switches (centre switches), are they from a particular vehicle?

Hi Lotusy

The switches are MkI Ford Escort/ MkI Ford Capri/MkI Ford Transit. The Historic Lotus Register is a great resource for info. and contacts

Regards, Mick

[7s4whatelse]

Hi Mick,

no theese switches are not Ford, but the closest switches that you will find. I have some as well as original S4, so I can compare.
But knowing that Ford are very close in appearance doesn´t make it easier - go to a recent Ebay auction 221627857212 and you will see what I mean. Better buy a complete Escort 1.....

[lotusv]

If the switches are not Ford what are they? Heater is from a Land Rover MK 1 or 2? The Lotus Elan and Europa Smiths heater looks similar, can they be modified to work? Is it possible to fit two side draft Webers on the Crossflow head and have the hood/nose close? Would the Lotus Twin Cam airbox fit? Sorry for all the questions, but this car is all new to me. Thanks, Mr.vman in Arizona, USA

[7s4whatelse]

Take what ever similar design you might find. The electric circuit are so basic, that you will get every sound switch to operate each function (mind Light and wiper / 2steps)

As the chance is small that your seven has the early GT bonnet - fitting twin Webers are a normal task. And yes, the TwinCam airbox will definitely fit in every case.

Please post some photos of your project.

[7s4whatelse]

http://static.wixstatic.com/media/6bc0d6_33600f5f4...

http://static.wixstatic.com/media/6bc0d6_2a5b3b8aa...

Another nice restauration project, only last miles missing

http://static.wixstatic.com/media/6bc0d6_ef95f2ee0...

Edited by 7s4whatelse on Tuesday 17th February 08:02

[lotusv]

I now have the 1971 Seven S4 my in possession as of this afternoon. Car is a project, that was started but not finished. I will post pictures as it moves along. Quick questions; The head lamps mount under the front bonnet (hood)? If so, what do the brackets look like? Fuel filler, looks like a typical Elan or Europa cap, is there a 90 degree elbow under the fender that goes into the fuel tank? I am missing this also. Do the front fenders (wings) mount flush with the side of the chassis, or is there a gap between the fender/wing and chassis? There will be more questions as this moves forward, thanks in advance. I have never seen an S4 Seven in person so, I need help. I don't think there are any in the state, as far as I know. Mr.vman in Arizona USA

[crafty]

Guys,I just checked back in here and saw a couple of requests for the manual and sent them by email.

I dont always check this thread, best if you send me a PM, that way I will get an email notification.

[lotusv]

I have bought the unfinished build of, LBS/2894/GT. Have been gaining much needed information thanks to Hajo. More questions. The car is missing the windscreen wiper assembly, everything, what to use? Is there a car that comes close to what is needed? Parking brake, where on the firewall does the cable come through? The pulley is what size or off what vehicle? Bonnet prop, where does it mount on the chassis and bonnet? The car has new body, not sure about any of the firewall penetrations. Side screens, is there a latch to keep the screens/doors closed? If there is a latch, what does it look like or what is it from? For what ever reason the site will not load my pictures, working on it. Does anyone have engine compartment pictures they can please post of the firewall, and detailed engine compartment pictures so I can see what I need to do? Thanks for the time and information. Steve V, S4 in Arizona

[7s4whatelse]

Steve, I send you a P.M. with all the answers, hints and details

[uglyduck]

My winter project was making molds and spare parts for my S4 race car. They turned out well, and nice and light. 12 pounds for the hood and 7 pounds per clam shell wing. A weight savings of over 40 pounds over the old ones due to the lack of bondo and such. Here are photos of the parts our of the molds and scuff sanded prior to painting. Also a shot of the nose prior to clear coat.

[uglyduck]

Colour coat prior to clear coating. No filler was used on the part prior to paint......got to keep the weight to a minimum. We did the layup in woven mat and vinyl-ester resin to max durability

[mickrick]

Nice work!

[uglyduck]

The car was converted to a race car in 2000 and I do have most if not all parts that are not used. Wind shield and frame doors complete with plexi, wiper motor assembly, headlight brackets and pods, wing mount turn signals as well as complete rear suspension links.

[Batwing 7]

An interesting article from New Zealand on the 'last seven'....

http://www.clublotus.org.nz/Edition%2057.pdf

[Kghaas]

uglyduck said:

The car was converted to a race car in 2000 and I do have most if not all parts that are not used. Wind shield and frame doors complete with plexi, wiper motor assembly, headlight brackets and pods, wing mount turn signals as well as complete rear suspension links.

Nice car!
What engine is it, and what kind of class are you in?

The fiberglass bonnet must have been some job! Are there several molds which are put together or a "one go process"? Any construction pics?

[uglyduck]

Kghaas said:

uglyduck said:

The car was converted to a race car in 2000 and I do have most if not all parts that are not used. Wind shield and frame doors complete with plexi, wiper motor assembly, headlight brackets and pods, wing mount turn signals as well as complete rear suspension links.

Nice car!
What engine is it, and what kind of class are you in?

The fiberglass bonnet must have been some job! Are there several molds which are put together or a "one go process"? Any construction pics?

Our mold bonnet mold is a 5 piece mold, much like the factory one. Our part lines are a bit different to allow us to easily lay up woven cloth instead of choped mat.The sections are all sprayed in gel coat and layed up separately and then assembles while the resin is green. The mold is in storage and i forgot to take photos of it. Here is a photo of the unpainted bonnet being fitted and the painted wings.
In the Vintage Racing class I run the motor must be the same as type as the one used at date of manufacture. In this case a Xflow 1600 with 2000e 4 speed transmission. Any engine modifications must be period.

[swompy62]

Hello People, I have recently bought a 1971 Lotus seven S4 1600GT.
I have been digging around as to what shockers to use, The only information I can find is a guy who used Spax G866 on the front and G655/G876 on the back.
unfortunately he never suggested what springs to use, can anybody Please help point me in the right direction.
Many Thanks.

[wile7]

This is a fantastic thread....I really like the S4. I think its a design that grows on you.

There is one for sale in Switzerland currently, a low miles RHD genuine 1970 Twin Cam with heritage certificate...look at that price though (approx. £21,000)





A link to the Autoscout ad below:

http://www.autoscout24.ch/de/d/lotus-super-seven-c...

Edited by wile7 on Wednesday 5th August 10:46