Discussion
Hi All
18 months ago I posted that my project was for sale, but life overtook this and I didn't go ahead - sincere apologies to MARKS6900 for not replying to his communication.
Anyway, I've now bought a complete up-and-running S4 so I'm offering my project here first. My original post:
Hi All
After some soul searching, I've decided to sell my S4 Seven project as I've simply got too many on the go.
It's completely dismantled (since 1981, apparently) and the only work I've performed in the 5½ years I've owned it is to buy a windscreen and frame and new wings; have the chassis frame blasted to bare metal; paint it with red oxide and put it back in the shed. I took the head off the seized 1600 x-flow engine in 2011 and poured some aggressive penetrating fluid in the bores. I haven't checked it since. The spare wheel bracket/number plate holder is missing.
It's correctly registered in my name with DVLA - ***7J and I have its ownership history. I collected it in a long wheelbase van.
If anyone's interested please e-mail me.
Regards, Mick
18 months ago I posted that my project was for sale, but life overtook this and I didn't go ahead - sincere apologies to MARKS6900 for not replying to his communication.
Anyway, I've now bought a complete up-and-running S4 so I'm offering my project here first. My original post:
Hi All
After some soul searching, I've decided to sell my S4 Seven project as I've simply got too many on the go.
It's completely dismantled (since 1981, apparently) and the only work I've performed in the 5½ years I've owned it is to buy a windscreen and frame and new wings; have the chassis frame blasted to bare metal; paint it with red oxide and put it back in the shed. I took the head off the seized 1600 x-flow engine in 2011 and poured some aggressive penetrating fluid in the bores. I haven't checked it since. The spare wheel bracket/number plate holder is missing.
It's correctly registered in my name with DVLA - ***7J and I have its ownership history. I collected it in a long wheelbase van.
If anyone's interested please e-mail me.
Regards, Mick
Hi Swompy
I recently sold my S4 with the manuals, but I'm sure the lower piece is a side support for the radiator. Have you got the exploded view of the chassis etc to check?
Left over from my car is the boot cover to fit around the standard roll-over bar (mine had FIA type). Good condition with some of the Tenax fittings, £20 + postage (it weighs 1.2 kg with the steel insert so would be easier to post without it). Photo attached.
Richard
I recently sold my S4 with the manuals, but I'm sure the lower piece is a side support for the radiator. Have you got the exploded view of the chassis etc to check?
Left over from my car is the boot cover to fit around the standard roll-over bar (mine had FIA type). Good condition with some of the Tenax fittings, £20 + postage (it weighs 1.2 kg with the steel insert so would be easier to post without it). Photo attached.
Richard
Still looking for windscreen surround for S4 Seven or if there is a source for the windscreen surround. I commissioned a windscreen surround from Hajo in Germany (seat frames also), he has disappeared, no longer answers e-mails or posts on this site. Contact with Hajo lately? He was a major source of parts and information. Any information on making a reproduction screen surround? Thank you for the help and information. mrvman USA
A lot of [EXPENSIVE] bits appear to be missing, OR IN THE CASE OF dash Switches these are unobtanium.
Loads of rusty bits to replace which wil cost time & Money - Just check all the Unique S4 Parts are there - don't Take the sellers word for it
Many unique parts are unobtanium - I'd suggest that's why the seller Bought a Finished car rather than attempt this resto'
I wouldn't be paying more than a few K £'s for it - the work to rebuild it will be several Hundred hours labour - IMO only an S4 enthusiast would attempt it. the fininshed car would only be worth £10-15K max,
If you do buy it - you'll need a lot of patience and knowledge to finish it to a reasonable standard, keep us updated
Loads of rusty bits to replace which wil cost time & Money - Just check all the Unique S4 Parts are there - don't Take the sellers word for it
Many unique parts are unobtanium - I'd suggest that's why the seller Bought a Finished car rather than attempt this resto'
I wouldn't be paying more than a few K £'s for it - the work to rebuild it will be several Hundred hours labour - IMO only an S4 enthusiast would attempt it. the fininshed car would only be worth £10-15K max,
If you do buy it - you'll need a lot of patience and knowledge to finish it to a reasonable standard, keep us updated
Edited by rene7 on Monday 11th February 18:30
Interesting thread resurection as I was looking at the ebay ad yesterday.
Was never that keen on the S4. I have a Caterham and used to have a much modded and restored (by me) S2.
Thinking it might be a better option for a roadgoing hillclimb car than the Caterham. Due to its condition a few mods wouldn't cause upset, I could maybe recreate the Black Brick in S4 guise.......
Was never that keen on the S4. I have a Caterham and used to have a much modded and restored (by me) S2.
Thinking it might be a better option for a roadgoing hillclimb car than the Caterham. Due to its condition a few mods wouldn't cause upset, I could maybe recreate the Black Brick in S4 guise.......
Skyediver
Would be a good project for a comp car where Minor details are less important - being a 1970 car it would also qualify for the Historic classes - Don't mention Lotus7 S4's on Blatchat though you'll get castrated by the forum bullyboys - Caterham don't own the rights to the S4 anymore so all/most Caterham owners will also hate you with an S4, Just like they hate the mention of any other kitcar - Even though they do like to use the Lotus7 name for their club or whenever it suits them - duh??
>
It is strange that Mick's link was removed makes following this part of the thread difficult,
these pics may help
>
>
>
>
>
Would be a good project for a comp car where Minor details are less important - being a 1970 car it would also qualify for the Historic classes - Don't mention Lotus7 S4's on Blatchat though you'll get castrated by the forum bullyboys - Caterham don't own the rights to the S4 anymore so all/most Caterham owners will also hate you with an S4, Just like they hate the mention of any other kitcar - Even though they do like to use the Lotus7 name for their club or whenever it suits them - duh??
>
It is strange that Mick's link was removed makes following this part of the thread difficult,
these pics may help
>
>
>
>
>
Hi Rene
Yes, my main concern is that I'd be in Roadgoing in Hillclimbs and I'd have to retain the original suspension and engine.
Crossflows not necessarily the best in class now, people using fast K series and Duratec/Zetec etc in Caterhams.
Also if the suspension parts are "Lotus" and unobtainable then I'm in stuck. Apparently the "radius arms" are showing signs of deterioration.
Still thinking about it, I have a 1991 Caterham Crossflow and don't want to mod that.
As you said above a few K but no more and it's currently at £3500
Yes, my main concern is that I'd be in Roadgoing in Hillclimbs and I'd have to retain the original suspension and engine.
Crossflows not necessarily the best in class now, people using fast K series and Duratec/Zetec etc in Caterhams.
Also if the suspension parts are "Lotus" and unobtainable then I'm in stuck. Apparently the "radius arms" are showing signs of deterioration.
Still thinking about it, I have a 1991 Caterham Crossflow and don't want to mod that.
As you said above a few K but no more and it's currently at £3500
Skyediver
Suspension link/wishbones etc are easy - Redline who own the rights to the S4 still make them- Most are on the shelf for immediate delivery - but be sure to confirm this when ordering or you may have a long wait like I did [Before I learn't to ask about the delivery time] - cost won't be cheap though, exhaust & manifold also Pricy. Shocks are same as Europa and available from AVO,Spax etc etc though Not Nitron [ they offered to make some if I left my car with them for awhile!
S4 is V competitive with all other 7's when prepped correctly that'S why Caterham got it banned In 1980's When a privateer in an S4 was beating the then current Works Caterham racer - Hence the Famous Yellow & Green T shirts printed with- 'LOTUS 7 TOO FAST TO RACE' - :Thumbup::
Suspension link/wishbones etc are easy - Redline who own the rights to the S4 still make them- Most are on the shelf for immediate delivery - but be sure to confirm this when ordering or you may have a long wait like I did [Before I learn't to ask about the delivery time]
- cost won't be cheap though, exhaust & manifold also Pricy. Shocks are same as Europa and available from AVO,Spax etc etc though Not Nitron [ they offered to make some if I left my car with them for awhile!S4 is V competitive with all other 7's when prepped correctly that'S why Caterham got it banned In 1980's When a privateer in an S4 was beating the then current Works Caterham racer
- Hence the Famous Yellow & Green T shirts printed with- 'LOTUS 7 TOO FAST TO RACE' - :Thumbup::SkyeDriver -
Distance is the killer if you live on Skye Though I once travelled to Benbecula to buy a big White lens,comes down to price IMO the S4 is too much £'s already - OOI Been to Skye many times photographing wildlife though never in the 7, I'd kill myself on your single track roads - prefer my local 7 friendly roads in Mid Wales
Keep us updated if you do buy it. Plenty of knowledgable S4 owners on this thread to help you
Distance is the killer if you live on Skye
Though I once travelled to Benbecula to buy a big White lens,comes down to price IMO the S4 is too much £'s already - OOI Been to Skye many times photographing wildlife though never in the 7, I'd kill myself on your single track roads - prefer my local 7 friendly roads in Mid Wales Keep us updated if you do buy it. Plenty of knowledgable S4 owners on this thread to help you
Hi rene7, not on Skye anymore but Oban so not quite so far north but still west coast Scotland.
As much as I think I can do it, it's the fact that everything is in boxes so you can't work out exactly what you have and what's missing from the photos alone.
Also which way around do specific items go, wiring arrangements etc. So much easier if you dismantle it yourself. At least with the Caterham, I had a build manual and everything in labelled packets and boxes (even if some of them were incorrect).
As much as I think I can do it, it's the fact that everything is in boxes so you can't work out exactly what you have and what's missing from the photos alone.
Also which way around do specific items go, wiring arrangements etc. So much easier if you dismantle it yourself. At least with the Caterham, I had a build manual and everything in labelled packets and boxes (even if some of them were incorrect).
Skyedriver
I agree regarding what is or isn't in the boxes - the fact The seller specifically mentions the missing 'Unobtainable' Dash Switches sounds V omininous, especially since he owns another S4, [nothing like having a few hard to find spares - wink wink
>
S4 Build manual OTOH is no problem, if you check back through this thread there's a link to a PDF S4 manual posted herein
>
So, nearer Mull huh - Oban - I've spent 4 weeks on Mull over the last 2 years, Oban harbour is my favourite spot for Black Guillimots and the last 20miles or so of tarmac into Oban is some of the best 7's road I've driven in Scotland
>
So, If you really want an S4, IMO it's better to buy a complete assembled car, even if it is a basket case, you can see exactly whats missing - or another way of looking at it, at least this ones stripped down, some seized Bolts on S4's can be Impossible to remove without specialist 'homemade' tools - Try to read 'S47's' - 'Return of the Tank' article - it's awesome, it was on the 'Simple Sevens' website for years but I just had a quick look, [so I could post a link] and couldn't find it, It made rebuilding my S4 oh so MUCH easier
Good luck
I agree regarding what is or isn't in the boxes - the fact The seller specifically mentions the missing 'Unobtainable' Dash Switches sounds V omininous, especially since he owns another S4, [nothing like having a few hard to find spares - wink wink
>
S4 Build manual OTOH is no problem, if you check back through this thread there's a link to a PDF S4 manual posted herein
>
So, nearer Mull huh
- Oban - I've spent 4 weeks on Mull over the last 2 years, Oban harbour is my favourite spot for Black Guillimots and the last 20miles or so of tarmac into Oban is some of the best 7's road I've driven in Scotland >
So, If you really want an S4, IMO it's better to buy a complete assembled car, even if it is a basket case, you can see exactly whats missing - or another way of looking at it, at least this ones stripped down, some seized Bolts on S4's can be Impossible to remove without specialist 'homemade' tools - Try to read 'S47's' - 'Return of the Tank' article - it's awesome, it was on the 'Simple Sevens' website for years but I just had a quick look, [so I could post a link] and couldn't find it, It made rebuilding my S4 oh so MUCH easier
Good luck
Hi All
I wasn't aware of the interest in my project until this morning. Reading some of the quite snide comments make me sound like a con-man or a crook! Everything that came with the project when I bought it is still included in the sale, plus the windscreen which I later purchased, extra rear light clusters, headlamp pods, new front wings, its history from DVLA (something unavailable now due to the Data Protection Act) and some other minor bits and pieces. The replacement S4 I bought last year has hideous internally illuminated green dash switches, rather than any scavenged from the project. Five minutes on Ebay will show that original Mk1 Escort/Transit switches (correct for the S4) are available, albeit at a price, if total authenticity is your bag. The Moss Monaco I'm finishing off at the moment is my 16th kit car (I was 'only' on my 13th when I bought the project) and I had no doubt whatsoever that it was well within my capabilities to resurrect. If you bid at an auction, on line or otherwise, it's your responsibility alone to decide on the worth to you of the item. Caveat Emptor!
Finally, I think my circa 1,500 100% positive Ebay record speaks for itself.
Regards, Mick
I wasn't aware of the interest in my project until this morning. Reading some of the quite snide comments make me sound like a con-man or a crook! Everything that came with the project when I bought it is still included in the sale, plus the windscreen which I later purchased, extra rear light clusters, headlamp pods, new front wings, its history from DVLA (something unavailable now due to the Data Protection Act) and some other minor bits and pieces. The replacement S4 I bought last year has hideous internally illuminated green dash switches, rather than any scavenged from the project. Five minutes on Ebay will show that original Mk1 Escort/Transit switches (correct for the S4) are available, albeit at a price, if total authenticity is your bag. The Moss Monaco I'm finishing off at the moment is my 16th kit car (I was 'only' on my 13th when I bought the project) and I had no doubt whatsoever that it was well within my capabilities to resurrect. If you bid at an auction, on line or otherwise, it's your responsibility alone to decide on the worth to you of the item. Caveat Emptor!
Finally, I think my circa 1,500 100% positive Ebay record speaks for itself.
Regards, Mick
Edited by Mick O'Malley on Friday 15th February 08:02
Edited by Mick O'Malley on Friday 15th February 08:04
Edited by Mick O'Malley on Friday 15th February 08:04
Hello Mick, in no way trying to criticise you or your car. More trying to get my thoughts together with the help of others.If it were local to me (not that much local to me, living up here) I'd have been around to look at it and assess what was there and made up my own mind whether I could reconstruct it. As it is I've decided there are too many unknowns (to me, without an extremely long journey) and I should let the car go to someone more readily able to view and rebuild what is I'm sure a worthwhile project. I'm not an S4 expert, having owned a S2 back in the 1980's which I totally rebuilt including making new aluminium panels (interestingly that had some ridiculous switchgear on the dash too when I bought it but did have a twin cam fitted) and a Caterham which I built in 1991.
Apologies if you think I'm out of order.
Tony H
Apologies if you think I'm out of order.
Tony H
Hi again,
Seems my Ebay description was faulty after all.
I wandered down the shed, pulled out the bin into which I'd segregated the loom, fuse box, flasher unit etc. and discovered three switches of the correct style, one of which is of the two position variety suitable for either the lights or the wipers. The others, being only on/off, are suitable for the heater fan and, pro tem, the screen washer. A lick of paint and application of the stickers available on Ebay would see you home until you'd decided on which of the many options, again on Ebay (where Chinese fakes are apparently available), you were going to go for.
Please excuse hurried rubbish photo'!
Regards, Mick
Seems my Ebay description was faulty after all.
I wandered down the shed, pulled out the bin into which I'd segregated the loom, fuse box, flasher unit etc. and discovered three switches of the correct style, one of which is of the two position variety suitable for either the lights or the wipers. The others, being only on/off, are suitable for the heater fan and, pro tem, the screen washer. A lick of paint and application of the stickers available on Ebay would see you home until you'd decided on which of the many options, again on Ebay (where Chinese fakes are apparently available), you were going to go for.
Please excuse hurried rubbish photo'!
Regards, Mick
Edited by Mick O'Malley on Friday 15th February 11:43
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff