Verifying heritage Lotus Seven/Caterham/Westfield

[np1]

Hi
I'm looking at a car in Denmark that's listed as a Lotus S2 1965 - I read a comment from a Lotus guy in Denmark that suggested it's either a Caterham or Westfield that's had the papers doctored. It's previously been UK registered - NNO 413C - just wondered if anyone could shed any light on its history?

Thanks

Nick

http://www.cc-cars.dk/UK/car.aspx?number=846301407

(Also stuck this in the Lotus section to cover all the bases)

[forest07]

Not an expert on older models but the centre tunnel isn't right for a Lotus or Caterham. I'm sure they had a rounded top on the tunnel.

[Doug Phillips]

That tunnel cover is not right for a old Lotus, and the hand brake is in the wrong place. Also when checking the number plate, it belongs to a 1965 Ford Cortina which is not registered on the road.

[Doug Phillips]

That tunnel cover is not right for a old Lotus, and the hand brake is in the wrong place. Also when checking the number plate, it belongs to a 1965 Ford Cortina which is not registered on the road.

[Skyedriver]

I had an S2 7, 1961, rebuilt it in 1984-7
Tunnel is wrong it should be rounded
Screen side supports look too heavy
Rear wings are S3 Caterham or pre lit Westfield
Scuttle looks sort of but modded as the pedal area should be open to the footwell
Front clams maybe Lotus but no mid side supports
Nose cone side flares too pronounced
Hood Lotus/Caterham as are side screens
Pre crossflow engine is about right period
Front suspension looks about right for Lotus or pre lit.

My guess is pre lit Westfield with a few Lotus bits hiding under a Lotus Cortina registration but now on a foreign plate where no one knows. Bring it back into the UK could become "interesting"

[Megaflow]

At first I didn't think it was a Westfield because of the Caterham style pedal box, pre-list had a modified mk1 escort pedal box, but then I saw the diagonal chassis brace in the engine bay, the fact it is registered as a Cortine, and the tunnel top is almost certainly hiding a remote linkage for a four speed gearbox, means this is almost certainly a Westfield pre-lit.

Edited by Megaflow on Wednesday 11th February 20:51

Edited by Megaflow on Wednesday 11th February 20:53

[np1]

Thanks for the speedy replies guys. Looks like it's one to avoid - probably explains what would be a relatively low asking price for a genuine S2.

Cheers
Nick

[kenny.R400]

Here's some good shots of a pre lit

http://classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php...

[Toaster]

Lotus built the 7 from 1957-1972 Caterham started building the 7 from 1972 (series 4 then reverted to the series 3) Happy to be corrected but the point is it can't be a 1965 Caterham

[Skyedriver]

kenny.R400 said:

Here's some good shots of a pre lit

http://classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php...

Interesting that the "chassis plate" calls it a Westfield Lotus 7

[Skyedriver]

The more I look at it, I can see Lotus in it and see bits that aren't pre lit.
Could it be a total home built "replica".
I do know a couple of people who did build total replicas based upon Westfield type frames or on the Haynes Book principle. They were actually very good copies of the earlier Lotus Seven S2

[np1]

Thanks to those who have posted

Found a photo of the only ID I could find on the car - attached in engine bay - don't know if that sheds any light on the case?

Nick

[Megaflow]

np1 said:

Thanks to those who have posted

Found a photo of the only ID I could find on the car - attached in engine bay - don't know if that sheds any light on the case?

Nick

That confirms it. It is an home brewed special, using a Cortina donor.

If you look above the 09 of the B409, you can make out TRIM and the outline of a box around the B409. That chassis plate is off the Cortina that has had the screen printing cleaned off to just leave the stamped numbers.

ETA: Yep, see here for reproduction Cortina chassis plates:

http://www.retro-uk.com/page033.htm

And this link decodes it:

http://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/70206105.png

Edited by Megaflow on Friday 13th February 12:22

[onemorelap]

Looks like a Westfield Pre-Lit with bits of other seven type cars thrown in to me.

I had one years back and replaced the standard unbraced hoop to an fia approved bar the same as this one.

The fia approved bar was taller so the standard roof no longer fitted.

If you look at the rear three quarter photo (with the soft top fitted) you can see the soft top has been extended at the bottom to clip on the rear. There is also a "step up" in the roof at the junction with the rollbar due to the increased height of the non standard rollbar.

I think the doors are caterham but it looks like the roof has also been amended to suit these style of doors as the standard westfield doors were squarer in profile.