1961 Lotus Super Seven Series II                 Registrat...

Estimate

£18,000 - £22,000

1961 Lotus Super Seven Series II                

Registration Number: LBF 600 
Chassis Number: 1191
Recorded Mileage: 2,454 miles

- Restored and uprated in the 1990s, with c.2,500 miles since completion

The Lotus Seven is a small, simple, lightweight two-seater open-top sports car produced by Lotus Cars (initially called Lotus Engineering) between 1957 and 1972. It was designed by Lotus founder Colin Chapman and has been considered the embodiment of the Lotus philosophy of performance through low weight and simplicity. The original Seven was designed in 1952 as a potential Riley engined Formula Two car for the 52/53 season but the project was later abandoned. However, after the Lotus Eleven entered limited production in 1957, the Seven was resurrected in the form that we all came to know and love. The Lotus Seven S2 followed in 1960 and was supplemented by the Lotus Super Seven S2 from 1961. The Super Seven initially used the larger Cosworth modified 1340cc Ford Classic engine and later examples were fitted with 1498cc or 1599cc engines.

This early Series II Super Seven left the Lotus factory at Delamare Road, Cheshunt in May 1961, registered to enthusiast Mr. Michael Walsh, who incidentally owned two Sevens in period. The Seven was fitted with cycle-type wheel arches, a fibreglass nose cone (as opposed to the Series 1’s aluminium item) and originally powered by a Ford Anglia 105E 997cc engine with twin SU carburettors. 

We understand at some point the Lotus acquired Series III specification wider wings, and was finished in a somewhat psychedelic colour scheme of dark green ‘Grass-Effect’ paintwork with a pink chassis! The car later passed to Mr. Paul Bamford of Cheedle, largely being garage-stored for almost 20 years until in the late 1990s sold to, restored and uprated by specialist Arch Motors of Huntingdon. The Seven is now fitted with a rebuilt punchy Cosworth 1650cc engine running on twin 40 Weber carburettors. A receipt in the history file documents this engine rebuild, including forged pistons, new bearings and gaskets. The engine bay is now braced as per the Series III models, strengthened with side impact bars and fitted with an FIA specification harness and roll-cage. Power is transmitted via a Ford/Lotus four-speed semi-close ratio gearbox with a twin-cam bell housing and AP racing clutch, and TR7 rear differential with 3.63:1 axle ratio. The suspension features Spax adjustable shock absorbers and negative camber wishbones. The car was treated to period Cosmic alloy wheels, and sensibly comes with all weather equipment.

The large history file accompanying the car includes various technical drawings, photographs of the restoration, magazines and correspondence relating to its previous owners and history. There are also more recent invoices including a repair to the boot cover and a full service, including brake fluid change (both in 2012), all work being carried out by Caterham in Leicester.

Clearly restored at the time to a good standard, the Lotus is attractively finished in light blue with smart red trim and a Moto-Lita steering wheel. This plucky flyweight, in current ownership now for around 10 years, is offered complete with older green continuation log book, current V5C, also a number of older MoT certificates, tax discs and receipts.