Lotus 7 S4 1974: light restoration and modification

[Kghaas]

EDIT: This is the car as of 1 Nov 2012:




I was a dark and lonely night, when I stubled upon this car on the internet. I already have a couple of toy cars; An MG midget historic racer which I used competitively for a couple of years. And A Porsche 944 Turbo with a lot of modifications. Powerer corrupts...

The Midget:


The Porsche:


Both Cars are driven hard on trackdays and regularely brakes down or are otherwise taken apart by my to do some sort of modifications. So, Why would I want another car? I dont know. And the miss dont wont to know! But I bought it anyway

It was just too good a deal to turn away. So I gave him an offer which he could not refuse and sudenly I owned my first lotus. I will ower the winter lightly restore and modify the car. I will update this thread now and then. Please feel free to add comments, critique and other Lotus 7 S4 related stuff.

Plans for the car:
Cycle wings
LHD conversion
New interior
General maintenance

Pickup:


The car is one of the 37 cars which was built at Lotus but assembled at Caterham. I don't know what is the correct term: Lotus or Caterham, but chasis plate stats both names.

Anyway, Took the car back home and started to do som disassebling. No rust what so ever! It look realy good so far.

Som pics:

Edited by Kghaas on Wednesday 31st October 08:49

Edited by Kghaas on Wednesday 31st October 08:51

Edited by Kghaas on Saturday 19th January 13:27

[Kghaas]

Started to take the car apart. Realy nice to be working on something which is so easy and basic. The Porsche is a PITA in comparison!

Before:


After


Clamshell



For those of you with cycle wings: What do you recommend to "hide" this edge?


Some home repair?


Steering rack. Can someone please tell me what steering rack I should use. I need to get a LHD one.

[Kghaas]

I will update on a semi regular basis

Spent some time on the web today to source parts, but need help:
Can someone tell me what the steering rack is? I thought it was a Triumph piece but I found a danish website that said it was a "Burman rack from the Ford capri/Escort Sport MK1 models."

Can someone tell me what to get please.

nothing happend in the garage today.

[Kghaas]

Thanks for feedback.
Why I want to change the clamshell wings? Well, I just like the cycle style better... Here are a couple of examples from another thread courtesy of mr. Hajo:


Today I fixed the engine. It was running very rough when I picked up the car. So I just did some general tune up. I wanted to assess the engine before I take it out. So far I see no need to overhaule it.

Start up from cold:



I also took out the steering rack. As I found out it is a Ford Escort MK1 rack whith quick ratio. But: When I look around for a new one I only find racks which has a short axel going to the steering rack, but mine has a long one. Can i just swap the one I have? Feedback please.

My steering rack:


Ford Escort Steering rack:

[Kghaas]

Hmmm, Not much feebaack here.
Anyone reading?

If someone has some pics of S4's or caterhams with Either red/black color combination or Gulf livery Please post some samples here. I planned on sticking to Red/Black, but It appears that the car has been blue originaly. If I deside to paint I might go the Gulf way.

Anyway; has taken out everything from the right side and have prepared the left side.

Some pics:
Empty dash.



New holes on the right side. Which of course is the left...


Steering and pedal assembly:


The S4 is bits form a lot of car brands. Maserati two tone horn. Wicked....

Edited by Kghaas on Saturday 19th January 13:30

[Kghaas]

Nice to see that there is at least some who find this interesting

Started to make the dashboard today. I had some alu sheet laying arround so hopefully it it works out.






As for the pedal assembly, here are some pics. Hopefully they help you. If you open the link you can get high res pics.


http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t134/kghaas/041...


http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t134/kghaas/041...

[Kghaas]

Test fitting of dashboard.
Worked out ok.

Edited by Kghaas on Saturday 19th January 13:28

[Kghaas]

[Kghaas]

Some detail shots

[Kghaas]

Both mine are 0.625

[Kghaas]

Thanks guys for confirming the steering rack.
I have ordered the Escort MK1 2.4 quick ratio. Haven received it yet but i think it will work out. I will confirm when I receive it.

[Kghaas]

I have now fited the Escort 2.4 Rack. It is a direct replacement apart from the fact that the rods from the steering rack is 14mm instead of the original 12mm.
Since the long shaft was not available, i just cut the one I had and attched with a multi angle joint.

The car has also got some new wings.
I actually sorced a set of new Caterham wings and stays here in Norway. With some small modification they fit, but I am not sure if they look right. i might fabricate som stays at a later stage.

Some pics:

New and old rack


Original caterham stays fitted.


Caterham wings. Looks a bit high?


As it is today. Will try to start it in a few days

[Kghaas]

Car is now back on its wheels and a working LHD Lotus
Steering is a bit stiff due to the new rack.



No more work will be done in a week or two,since I have to overhaul the brakes on the Porsche 944 turbo. At the last trackday I lost my brakes at 186Kph(according to my driftbox) so I will do a through job...
Car in action..


In the mean time why don't YOU post some pics here with some nice Lotus Seven S4. I am particular interested in cars with modifications or nice paint schemes.

I have found these two which I also would like to have some more info/pics if you have

[Kghaas]

I too realy like the CRS wings. They fit perfectly with the square forms of the S4. unfortunately I already sourced the regular round ones. I guess I have to stick to them for now.

[Kghaas]

I like cycle wings, so thats why I put them on. My car, my rules

No more info on the black racer? It is not the Black Brick...

[Kghaas]

Did an MOT on the car to get a list of all the areas I have to deal with this winter. It last had an valid MOT in 2003 so I expected there to be some faults but it wasen too bad:

-Steering wheel loose (someone had forgotten to put on the steernig wheel nut....I wonder who that could be...)
- No lights working (A short the day before which I didnt have time to fix)
-Rear brakes uneaven.

Thats it.
I guess i should be able to handle that.

Also played arround to see how the car would look like in differnet colours. Here is an sample.

This one killed the lights:


7" and 5" lamps


Mabye something like this? Anyone spot the difference...

[Kghaas]

Just need some new brakes on the rear to pass the MOT now.

Can someone please tell me exactly what brakes I should order. My local supplier need to know what Ford it is....
I need both the drums and the shoes

[Kghaas]

Thanks guys,

Currently leaning towards changing to disk. Main reason is that I dont like drums. Easier to adjust etc. i will make an descision before xmas.

[Kghaas]

Its going to be disk
The cost of replacing the drums will be 50% of a full disk kit.

While I am in there I want to replace all the bushings.
Anyone know where to source a full set? Any list of article numbers? I also need for the front...

[Kghaas]

Thanks Mal,
I didnt know of Redline, but they confirmed that all bushings are in stock and that the can be shipped right away. I will post reaction time here