Lotus Seven 1969 Original Classic

Lotus 7 now rebuilt / restored with mostly refurbished original parts after being dry stored dismantled for most of it's life, now fully re-assembled.  The chassis frame has been refurbished (no replacement tubes required) and reskinned by Arch Motors.  The correct instruments, wiring loom and dated Lucas components all came with the car. Standard Triumph axle & Ford gearbox and all braking components also came with the car and have been rebuilt or renewed if required.

Original Serck fuel tank and Serck radiator now with uprated 3 row core on original tanks. Photos available.

I have the original green log book showing the 4 previous owners and certified conformation from Worcestershire County Council records office showing the date of  registration as 19/08/69  in their ledger. The last MOT and tax disc ran out in January and March 1974 respectively (also included) there is no reason to doubt the 34,358 miles showing is not genuine.

I have managed to contact all previous owners except one and all fondly remember the car.

The first owner, now deceased, acquired the car direct from Lotus components as verified by his wife, Jacqi, who also confirmed he did the final assembly of the car, as was the norm at the time, supplied for 'home assembly'

The second owner, Brian Henton, F2 champion and former F1 Lotus, March, Toleman, Arrows & Tyrrell driver bought the car from the first owner less engine and fitted a Ford Kent X/F (a correct unit for the year) supplied direct from Ford Halewood plant, both Brian and his wife remember collecting the engine and fitting it to the car. This particular engine has vanished over the years while the car has been apart. (there is a period '69-'70 block with the car which may be the remnants of the engine Brian fitted) The car has now acquired the same type of Ford Kent engine but lightly tuned fitted with an HP285 cam, duplex timing chain, lightened flywheel,  82.95 bore, 41mm inlet, 35mm exhaust with  polished ports in a stronger 711 type block.

 Third owner a proprietor of an Aston Martin garage, now retired, I have been unable to contact.

 The fourth owner sold the car still partly disassembled to ex Lotus Seven Club chairman in 2000 (dated photo of the collection) and transported to James Whiting Sevens for completion.  

The ex Seven club chairman sold the Campagnolo wheels seen in the 'collection' photos believing them not to be original to the car but subsequent investigation revealed them to have been fitted by the second owner. The car now has 6" Minilite copies fitted with new Toyo 155x80/13 tyres. This owner didn't register as being the keeper with the DVLA.

A change in this owners lifestyle and direction caused the project to stall in approximately 2010 when I purchased the vehicle which remained a 'back burner' spare time project  until 2020 when Covid lockdown afforded me the time and the car was finally reassembled after around 45 of its 52 years apart. 

Now registered in my name, James Whiting, on a current V5C with the original registration number

A rare car indeed.

 A new hood is included (with the original )

The original positive earth Lucas rev counter is not working (nothing unusual there) but there are companies that can refurbish them. also the capillary water temperature gauge is reading 20 degrees to low, again these gauges are now available 'off the shelf' new or the original can be easily refurbished and the original Smiths speedo is working but sticky after all the years so I would recommend a refurbishment before connecting as a broken cable requires an engine and gearbox removal to replace !

Retirement is now calling so is now for sale. Final 'fettling' and shakedown is recommended before serious use.

There are few 50 year old cars still running without having had major rebuilds in their life but I would say that 90% of the parts on this car are original as supplied at the time. The rest are correct for the model and or period.

 Any questions please ask me – James Whiting

A Covid safe inspection can be arranged.

Serious inquiries and realistic offers are invited.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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