RE: Spotted: 1965 Lotus Seven
Discussion
people seem concerned by how far forward the engine is. It's my understanding that the early nose cones are longer than the current caterham ones. The early bonnets being therefore shorter and sloping downward toward the front. I don't recall there being any spare room under the bonnet of an early crossflow to adjust the fore/aft position.
perhaps the O/P was just trying to rile the rivet counter within us.
perhaps the O/P was just trying to rile the rivet counter within us.
johnnymaestro said:
Sam_68 said:
Defconluke said:
Tongue in cheek post?
Looking at the open bonnet picture, the centre of the engine is well behind the lights which is rougly where the centreline of the front axle is.
No, that looks far forward for a 'Seven'.Looking at the open bonnet picture, the centre of the engine is well behind the lights which is rougly where the centreline of the front axle is.
If you have a look at some of the engine bay pics in the 'Caterham' classifieds, you'll see that the engine is usually a little further back (with just the cam chains/belts/front pulley, depending on engine type, hidden under the trailing edge of the nosecone), and even modern Caterhams have their engines mounted far forward compared to some 'Seven' type roadsters like Sylvas (and even Westfields).
Despite being very well developed, the design of the 'traditional' Caterham is starting to show it's age in some respects - engine position is one of them and the cobbled-on suspension modifications from the original design are another.
Price does sound alot for that little car, but then I think this car is worth a look as a project, might have to negotiate a price though, as it sounds alot for the condition it is/isn't in. But I think it could be built up for maybe less than the one shown.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C284619
Edited by johnnymaestro on Friday 9th March 13:09
The running gear is basically 60's Ford, a lot of the modern equivalents use shortened prop shafts, so as the unit was off the shelf, so they moved the engine + box forward to save cost?
FlossyThePig said:
Gorbyrev said:
Oh nuts - off to the Se7en classifieds again and out with the loan calculator. Nearly bought an 02 plate 1.6K series Roadsport a few years ago. Given current prices it would actually have appreciated! Given that, it is not hard to justify £35K for an immaculate classic.
Why are you looking at Minis? The Austin Mini was the original Se7en.
Here's a photo of my old 1977 Caterham Seven, complete with Lotus twin cam.
They look a long way forward, but the driver's pedal box makes it pretty much impossible to move the lump any further backwards.
Given the rarity of the S2, I don't think that it is absurdly expensive. If you just want the thrills, then a Crossflow engined Caterham can be had for seven or eight grand.
They look a long way forward, but the driver's pedal box makes it pretty much impossible to move the lump any further backwards.
Given the rarity of the S2, I don't think that it is absurdly expensive. If you just want the thrills, then a Crossflow engined Caterham can be had for seven or eight grand.
Pat H said:
Here's a photo of my old 1977 Caterham Seven, complete with Lotus twin cam.
They look a long way forward, but the driver's pedal box makes it pretty much impossible to move the lump any further backwards.
Given the rarity of the S2, I don't think that it is absurdly expensive. If you just want the thrills, then a Crossflow engined Caterham can be had for seven or eight grand.
Question: Those carb flutes must sit REALLY close to the hood shroud, does it not restrict air flow especially in the front most ones?They look a long way forward, but the driver's pedal box makes it pretty much impossible to move the lump any further backwards.
Given the rarity of the S2, I don't think that it is absurdly expensive. If you just want the thrills, then a Crossflow engined Caterham can be had for seven or eight grand.
MiseryStreak said:
Johnboy Mac said:
Yes, I reckoned that too.
It's worth what someone pays for it, and £35K looks about right to me. It's a proper Seven after all. I'm going to get one as a track car one day, with a Twincam please, keep the Elan for Grand Touring duties!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff