Discussion
L7S4,
Hajo's correct Its impossible to value a car without seeing it 'in the flesh',if you post some photo's on here then we can tell you whether all the Important cosmetic S4 parts are present on the car, however - At over 40 years old you really need to check the chassis/suspension, and all the difficult to see bits on any S4, and for certain DO NOT believe anything the seller tells you. You need to verify the cars condition yourself.
Forget the shiny paint job, and the new tyres. they mean nothing in relation to the cars condition.
Best thhing I can suggest is to take soemone who knows S4's with you to view the car, although this maybe difficult since the car is in Portugal.
Hope this helps
Good luck
Mal
Hajo's correct Its impossible to value a car without seeing it 'in the flesh',if you post some photo's on here then we can tell you whether all the Important cosmetic S4 parts are present on the car, however - At over 40 years old you really need to check the chassis/suspension, and all the difficult to see bits on any S4, and for certain DO NOT believe anything the seller tells you. You need to verify the cars condition yourself.
Forget the shiny paint job, and the new tyres. they mean nothing in relation to the cars condition.
Best thhing I can suggest is to take soemone who knows S4's with you to view the car, although this maybe difficult since the car is in Portugal.
Hope this helps
Good luck
Mal
Crafty - Wow nice one;)
2 steel bros - that's a first on this thread great pics keep up the good work and let us know how the racing goes.
I rarely see 2 loti S4 in UK and I've never seen a Steel bros but now 2 steel bros. !!
I guess as the UK/British saying goes 'you wait forever for a bus then 2 turn up at the same time' -
you figure it out
Whilst on the subject of photo's My favourite shot of my car was taken the day after I bought it - despite visiting umpteen locations since I've yet to take as good a picture.
Yesterday however I took another shot in the same place as my favourite shot - 9 years to the day after the first picture.
Here they are:-
This is the shot taken in 2003 on a 2mb digicam.
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Here's yeaterdays taken on 18mp:-
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And finally another scenic shot including the great Welsh countryside:-
Come on guys why not post your favourite shots of your S4 on this thread for us all to admire.
Mal
2 steel bros - that's a first on this thread great pics keep up the good work and let us know how the racing goes.
I rarely see 2 loti S4 in UK and I've never seen a Steel bros but now 2 steel bros. !!
I guess as the UK/British saying goes 'you wait forever for a bus then 2 turn up at the same time' -
you figure it outWhilst on the subject of photo's My favourite shot of my car was taken the day after I bought it - despite visiting umpteen locations since I've yet to take as good a picture.
Yesterday however I took another shot in the same place as my favourite shot - 9 years to the day after the first picture.
Here they are:-
This is the shot taken in 2003 on a 2mb digicam.
>
>
Here's yeaterdays taken on 18mp:-
>
>
And finally another scenic shot including the great Welsh countryside:-
Come on guys why not post your favourite shots of your S4 on this thread for us all to admire.
Mal
Edited by S47 on Sunday 7th October 13:28
Hajo
Sorry for delay in reply:-
Heres a link to a UK supplier:-
http://www.midlandwheels.com/Shop/P-1404-DUNLOP-D1...
Their uk phone number is 01926 81744.
the caps they sell are repro but indistinguishable from originals.
The pic in the advert has the Dunlop logo, but you can easily buy Lotus stick on's to replace the 'Dunlop'logo.
Hope this helps
Mal
ps
Regarding the rear axle - I don't use spacers.
Sorry for delay in reply:-
Heres a link to a UK supplier:-
http://www.midlandwheels.com/Shop/P-1404-DUNLOP-D1...
Their uk phone number is 01926 81744.
the caps they sell are repro but indistinguishable from originals.
The pic in the advert has the Dunlop logo, but you can easily buy Lotus stick on's to replace the 'Dunlop'logo.
Hope this helps
Mal
ps
Regarding the rear axle - I don't use spacers.
Crafty
Many thanks for posting the steel bros pictures, the red car looks very original and tidy, only diff I can see from a standard UK S4 TC is the longer gearlever, looks like the car originally had a heater fitted which has been removed and the electric fan motor hole filled in, on a second look I notice a water pipe entering through the bulkhead, so I guess it does have a heater, just not a Normal S4 heater
Looks like youre missing the bonnet stay, easy enough to make one and fit it, worth fitting one coz it saves the bonnet blowing shut and damaging itself.
S42652GT
If you have to buy a new one, Why not fit a larger radiator? In UK it's easy to get a 3 or 4 core rad made up using the existing top & bottom from your old rad, I had one done for £80 a few years ago, My car runs a 2 litre engine and I've had no cooling issues whatsoever.
Standard Rad is marginal when you're giving the car some welly so IMO this mod is a 'No Brainer'
Hope this helps
Mal
Many thanks for posting the steel bros pictures, the red car looks very original and tidy, only diff I can see from a standard UK S4 TC is the longer gearlever, looks like the car originally had a heater fitted which has been removed and the electric fan motor hole filled in, on a second look I notice a water pipe entering through the bulkhead, so I guess it does have a heater, just not a Normal S4 heater
Looks like youre missing the bonnet stay, easy enough to make one and fit it, worth fitting one coz it saves the bonnet blowing shut and damaging itself.
S42652GT
If you have to buy a new one, Why not fit a larger radiator? In UK it's easy to get a 3 or 4 core rad made up using the existing top & bottom from your old rad, I had one done for £80 a few years ago, My car runs a 2 litre engine and I've had no cooling issues whatsoever.
Standard Rad is marginal when you're giving the car some welly so IMO this mod is a 'No Brainer'
Hope this helps
Mal
Edited by S47 on Tuesday 23 October 12:42
Edited by S47 on Tuesday 23 October 12:44
S42652GT
If you don't have a rad then have a local Radiator Supplier get one made to your sizes & spec. [Much cheaper than you might expect] Just tell them the External Dimensions and the mount points and which side you want the water in & out, a 3 core will cost a small amount ~£5 perhaps more than a 2 core, the Supplier will use a standard size core whichever you specify. Hence the comparitively low cost, and it will definitely be cheaper than sourcing a standard S4 Rad from Redline or similar lotus dealer, who price the part high because of their overheads and cost of keeping stock on the shelves.
Hope this helps
Mal
If you don't have a rad then have a local Radiator Supplier get one made to your sizes & spec. [Much cheaper than you might expect] Just tell them the External Dimensions and the mount points and which side you want the water in & out, a 3 core will cost a small amount ~£5 perhaps more than a 2 core, the Supplier will use a standard size core whichever you specify. Hence the comparitively low cost, and it will definitely be cheaper than sourcing a standard S4 Rad from Redline or similar lotus dealer, who price the part high because of their overheads and cost of keeping stock on the shelves.
Hope this helps
Mal
ncrosty
Good to have you on this thread, whereabouts do you live?
How long have you owned your S4?
It was good to see the Cover of the mag you posted.
I have copies of most published S4 tests & reviews, but I've never read the car & Driver test, any chance you can scan the test and post it up on this thread?
Once again welcome to the Pistonheads Lotus7 - S4 thread
Mal
Good to have you on this thread, whereabouts do you live?
How long have you owned your S4?
It was good to see the Cover of the mag you posted.
I have copies of most published S4 tests & reviews, but I've never read the car & Driver test, any chance you can scan the test and post it up on this thread?
Once again welcome to the Pistonheads Lotus7 - S4 thread
Mal
ncrosty
I posted on the official lotus forum for awhile, eventually got fed up of the rubbish & abuse they wrote about S4's.
Michigan huh! I drove through Michigan in 1982 remeber it vividly, seems like only yesterday though!
Do you know John Donohoe of simplesevens fame?
I met John at the 50th lotus7 anniversary bash in 2007, I believe he lives in Michigan.
Plenty of TC engines for sale in UK checkout ebay uk if you want to buy one.
Once again keep in touch I look forward to reading the 1971 Car & Driver S4 article
Mal
I posted on the official lotus forum for awhile, eventually got fed up of the rubbish & abuse they wrote about S4's.
Michigan huh! I drove through Michigan in 1982 remeber it vividly, seems like only yesterday though!
Do you know John Donohoe of simplesevens fame?
I met John at the 50th lotus7 anniversary bash in 2007, I believe he lives in Michigan.
Plenty of TC engines for sale in UK checkout ebay uk if you want to buy one.
Once again keep in touch I look forward to reading the 1971 Car & Driver S4 article
Mal
ncrosty
Many thanks for the PDF Scans of the car & driver test
I live in S Wales, UK
Yep the pistonheads S4 threads been going 2 years or so, plenty of info for the S4 owners within it, and most of the avid S4 owners post within the thread.
Ironically I tried to start a similar S4 thread on the Official Lotus7 club site 'Blatchat'before the Pistonheads thread.
That thread recieved a similar amount of abuse to the Lotus forum that you mentioned.
Many thanks for the PDF Scans of the car & driver test
I live in S Wales, UK
Yep the pistonheads S4 threads been going 2 years or so, plenty of info for the S4 owners within it, and most of the avid S4 owners post within the thread.
Ironically I tried to start a similar S4 thread on the Official Lotus7 club site 'Blatchat'before the Pistonheads thread.
That thread recieved a similar amount of abuse to the Lotus forum that you mentioned.
ncrosty
1. Ignition switch - The Outer chrome ring is threaded to the switch body [which goes through the Dash fibreglass moulding], so try tightening it up!!
2. The Rubber engine mounts are Jaguar 'E' type. The current caterhams still use them so they are easy to source on ebay, or from caterham or 'Redline'
3. S4 Suspension rubber bushes are all available from 'Redline' components in UK.
4. Master Cyl ought to be a simple swop [it is on RH drive cars].
5. Sump gasket - make sure the engine and sump pan are oil free before using a new gasket, You can use a modern 'Black' silicon sealer to guarantee oil don't leak, apply sparingly to the cork gasket. Try Ford part number 1-217-470 available fronm any Ford main dealer, Loctite also make a similar Black Silicon product.
6. Redline in UK sell new S4 Wiring looms, not sure of the cost.
7. Side mirrors, I've bought a pair that Caterham use on current cars, not fitted them yet though. I beleive these were original UK Mini Metro mirrors, not 100% certain on this point.
Hope this helps
Mal
1. Ignition switch - The Outer chrome ring is threaded to the switch body [which goes through the Dash fibreglass moulding], so try tightening it up!!
2. The Rubber engine mounts are Jaguar 'E' type. The current caterhams still use them so they are easy to source on ebay, or from caterham or 'Redline'
3. S4 Suspension rubber bushes are all available from 'Redline' components in UK.
4. Master Cyl ought to be a simple swop [it is on RH drive cars].
5. Sump gasket - make sure the engine and sump pan are oil free before using a new gasket, You can use a modern 'Black' silicon sealer to guarantee oil don't leak, apply sparingly to the cork gasket. Try Ford part number 1-217-470 available fronm any Ford main dealer, Loctite also make a similar Black Silicon product.
6. Redline in UK sell new S4 Wiring looms, not sure of the cost.
7. Side mirrors, I've bought a pair that Caterham use on current cars, not fitted them yet though. I beleive these were original UK Mini Metro mirrors, not 100% certain on this point.
Hope this helps
Mal
Batwing7
Many thanks for posting the S4 tests ftom the NZ mags, Anyone into S4's will realy enjoy reading them.
Here's the photo's of S4 Battery clamp, Its basically a clamp that goes over the battery, the original ain't very good at securing the battery, especially if you have poor road surfaces. My mod to the clamp ensures the battery stays in place.
Hope this helps
Mal
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Many thanks for posting the S4 tests ftom the NZ mags, Anyone into S4's will realy enjoy reading them.
Here's the photo's of S4 Battery clamp, Its basically a clamp that goes over the battery, the original ain't very good at securing the battery, especially if you have poor road surfaces. My mod to the clamp ensures the battery stays in place.
Hope this helps
Mal
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