Lotus Seven America
SB1153
SOLD September, 2017

This may not qualify as a barn find as its been in my barn (several garages to be precise) since August 23rd 1973. Despite best intentions, the car has been substantially neglected since then. Several previous owners raced the car in the North East and in the process, it may have gotten less than generous care. The buyer will need a trailer and room for the fenders, windshield and other bits. The car is in Milwaukee Wisconsin. 

I have a letter from John Watson that validates the chassis and frame numbers. I was concerned about the number plate as the numbers are scratched on with an awl. An email exchange with John Donohoe assured me that scratched numbers are authentic.

I'm told that the radiator was a donation from an Alfa. No brackets. It just sort of rests in the general vicinity of where it should be. The cable clamps on the sway bar are a complete mystery. The five holes in the top cross member are also of undefined origin or purpose. The five holes in the top cross member may be for a factory electric cooling fan.

The car has an incomplete title. It was purchased in Connecticut. I have the Connecticut title but never transferred it as I had no intention of staying in Connecticut. I have the Bill of Sale from the seller. Once the car is complete, those two documents and a Bill of Sale from me should facilitate the title process in the buyer's state.

My rebuild intention was to restore the car for street service. That included the fantasy that I would do the majority of the work myself. That would include the requirement for substantial time as well as capital. They didn't arrive on a coincidental schedule. This provides an opportunity for the buyer to do an aggressive cleanup of a neglected and un-modified / somewhat original car.

The MiniLites are un-scratched and appear to be straight. There are no Wingards. The plumbing and wiring were an awful mess, all removed to trash. The hood has a rather large patch where a previous owner perhaps provided clearance for some unique carburetion. The Lotus badge, headlight brackets, headlight shells, side markers and other bits are in boxes. The front brakes may be Spitfire disc and Standard at the rear. Hand brake parts have disappeared.

A rather ugly roll bar has been crudely removed by me to facilitate storage. Some previous owner removed the spare tire hoop. The instruments were a podge of race stuff, quickly discarded as well as the broken hood latches. The paint is Ford F150 something and applied in a less than rigorous manner. 

Every street car needs a horn. A friend offered a Clear Hooter from his Berkely parts bin. Original steel cockpit sides with vynide covering were removed to check the frame.

This may be the original BMC 948. The top of the block was milled by some previous racer. As a result, the engine tag is long gone. My intention was a 1275 and therefore made no attempt to preserve an engine of indeterminate origin. And no synchros in the transmission.

Here's a project. This is the badge on what has to be the original gas tank. How it survived years of race inspections without replacement is incredible. At the very least, some cleaning would produce an extraordinary office show piece. But then again, why not clean it and return it to original service. There was some leftover race gas in the tank. It doesn't leak. A wonder. 

This is certainly dirty enough to be the original seat back covering. The seat cushions had become a home for some small creatures, all gone. 

The fenders seem to be in good condition. The original top has a tear that seems to be quite repairable. Original crossbows and side curtains. The wind shield glass needs replacement.