Lotus 7 - S4

[S47]

Great period wheels revolutions and suit the S4
I have a set - OOI lightest of the 13" period alloys and 1970's originals are lighter than the current re-manufactured wheels

[mickrick]

As I alredy posted above, one of my favorites too.
I always had Revolutions on my cars. Of course I am bias, as the company is in my home town

[Binzy1]

Rudy 111 said:

Steel Bros!!! very nice, am I right that those cars were slightly bigger and have a different rear end. The rear is a bit more rounded in its design, I like it better than the original.
I know that my old man tried to fit the twincam (canted lotus one, 907...?) is his 7 but it wouldn't fit, can you post pictures of the engine? + more pictures in general (rear end).

Hi there Rudy - while Google'ing info on S4 rear suspension I stumbled on this thread which has been interesting reading as I have an oddity of car that is a half brother to the Steele Bros S4's. It came about after an ill-fated sale by Steele's of the chassis, jigs, engines & moulds to a company called Bainbridges, also in New Zealand. Looooong story short - one car was finished by them before Lawyers involved over the sale & rights associated with the sale.
Key difference is indeed on Steeles / Lotus S4 chassis & running gear with the Lotus 907 twin cam (mated to Elan+2 5spd gearbox) BUT they opted to do it with a S3 body design.
Picture of car & engine bay attached....hope may find interesting.

Edited by Binzy1 on Tuesday 14th May 10:27

[RodThonger]

Hi there to all. First visit to PH, and this seems to be the best place for chat about s4s. Good to find some people who love them!

I've got a s3 from '68 and an Elan +2 from '69, both rebuilt recently. But I'm really looking for a s4 now. There seems to be a serious lack of visible ones. Maybe someone will find 10 in a barn somewhere. Anyway, if anybody is interested in parting with one, I'd like to hear. cheers/Rod

[downsman]

Binzy1 said:

Hi there Rudy - while Google'ing info on S4 rear suspension I stumbled on this thread which has been interesting reading as I have an oddity of car that is a half brother to the Steele Bros S4's. It came about after an ill-fated sale by Steele's of the chassis, jigs, engines & moulds to a company called Bainbridges, also in New Zealand. Looooong story short - one car was finished by them before Lawyers involved over the sale & rights associated with the sale.
Key difference is indeed on Steeles / Lotus S4 chassis & running gear with the Lotus 907 twin cam (mated to Elan+2 5spd gearbox) BUT they opted to do it with a S3 body design.
Picture of car & engine bay attached....hope may find interesting.

Edited by Binzy1 on Tuesday 14th May 10:27

What a fascinating car

Have you got any pictures with your car parked next to a standard S3, it would be interesting to see the differences.
Also, have they made any changes to the S4 chassis, as I understand the body moulding contributes quite a lot to the strength of S4 Sevens.

[Binzy1]

downsman said:

What a fascinating car

Have you got any pictures with your car parked next to a standard S3, it would be interesting to see the differences.
Also, have they made any changes to the S4 chassis, as I understand the body moulding contributes quite a lot to the strength of S4 Sevens.

Howdy - thanks for thoughts on my car. I'm unsure if chassis has any additional work as haven't done a back to back comparison....certainly framing seems no more or less than an S3 so not sure how much additional support a fibreglass body of S4 offered. Nothing like a Europa where the 'spine' needed a body!
This is only real pic I have of mine versus a 'traditional' S3 comparable car. Is at a Fraser Cars (New Zealands version of Caterham 7's) track day and they are more representative of S3 dimensions.
Lindsay

Lindsay

[7s4whatelse]

Hi Lindsay,

- you once mentioned other possible photos of your very special Seven - did you dig them out and if "yes" could you please post them? I am sure that there are several people interested...

Best wishes from your german antpodian,

Hajo

Edited by 7s4whatelse on Sunday 30th June 09:08

[Kghaas]

While we are on the subject of special S4s, could someone (Hajo?) confirme that the S4 Clubman was planned to be a cycle wing car? I have only seen one pic and to me it looks like it has a cycle wing placed together with all the other bits.
Any other pics of this car?

Pic from Simplesevens.org

[7s4whatelse]

Hi Knut, - it´s a pity that this project was presented at the show where this photo was taken, but was axed right after - no further shots known so far. Yes, cycles were planned.
Hajo

[Buckssa]

I'm new to this forum and was hoping someone could assist me in the restoration of my S4, in particular the removal of the body work. I've managed to get the hood and wings off but not sure where to start with the cockpit tub and rear section. It seems they are joined together and I have to cut in the boot area to remove off the chassis, is this correct?

[Batwing 7]

No cutting involved... Pick up Tony Weale's excellent book, there is one on Ebay at the moment.

[Buckssa]

Perfect, i will let you know how this goes. Here are some pictures of the restoration process.

[mark387mw]

Binzy1 said:

Would I have spotted you zooming around Havelock North recently?

[Binzy1]

Howdy - I do indeed live in Hawkes Bay so am out & about.....although not for last couple months as been off road for some winter repairs.
Do you have a 7??
Lindsay

[mark387mw]

Binzy1 said:

Howdy - I do indeed live in Hawkes Bay so am out & about.....although not for last couple months as been off road for some winter repairs.
Do you have a 7??
Lindsay

I used to have a Westfield

[downsman]

mark387mw said:

I used to have a Westfield

So did I

[Buckssa]

Finally got down to the bare chassis, worse than i expected. Going to attempt to repair it. Holding thumbs. Does anyone have any information on how to stiffen up the chassis and modify the roll cage with diagonals. Photos please.

[Buckssa]

[Kghaas]

Ouch, that doesn't look good.
Is the bottom parts as bad as the one most visible?
Is it viable to repair or are you thinking about a new chassis?

[Buckssa]

Im approaching the chassis with optimism. The bottom members are in pretty good condition. Im going to try and repair this chassis, if i cant get it right i will start looking for a new one. Im strongly considering removing the entire front upright, box and engine mount panels and replacing with a new fabricated one. Still looking for ideas on how to strenghten the chassis and roll bar. If you have successfully completed this type of modification please post some photos.

Thanks