Series One Seven #851, is a factory-built, BMC engined Series One car completed late 1959 and sold early 1960. It's had a very chequered life, at one stage having Series 4 style guards on and a tow-bar and being used as daily transport and to tow a sailing dinghy. It came to New Zealand in the early 70's and in 1981 was purchased by someone who removed the tow-bar and clam-shells and put it back on 15" wires with cycle front guards. He also painted it green, far preferable to the two-tone metallic blue that it was sporting.

A little on the history of the car - it was delivered with a full-house Formula Junior engine and has lots of other little differences that point toward it being something unsual. The British owner who imported it to NZ, Barry Joyce, owned it from late 60's until 1981. I spoke to him when I bought the car (in 1999) and he explained that the Lotus works assembled 12 cars like this, destined for Formula Junior racing, late in 1959. Then the 18 was completed and made much more sense as a Junior (funny that) and so the Sevens were sold to customers. When Barry bought the car he believed there were only four of those left running. I have as yet been unable to find any other references to these cars! A couple of people who knew the car in the early 80's when it was racing here believe that it was originally destined for Formula Junior, but I'd like to see a little more tangible evidence before I pass that around. You haven't heard of any along those lines, have you?