Vince Auletta
<yobsutol@yahoo.com>
1966 Lotus 7 S2 Cosworth
SB2174
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Origins- Lotus Super
7 SB2174 cleared accounts at Lotus Cars' Cheshunt factory July
21, 1966 for Lotus Southwest in Dallas, Texas. SB2174 was originally
yellow. |
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| Early Years- The
original owner purchased SB2174 December 10, 1966 from the Pit
Stop Inc. in Austin, Texas. Though no longer in business, the
Pit Stop was a dealer for a variety of imports for 17 years according
to its owner David Dunlap. Joe, the original owner, was a research
assistant and graduate student at the University of Texas, Marine
Science Institute, Port Aransas, Texas when he purchased the
car. As told to me, Joe decided on a Lotus 7 having seen them
racing. He had also become interested in Lotus when he met an
enthusiast with an Elan and Type 23 Sports Racer in Australia.
He was working there following a year aboard the Research Vessel
"Dante Deo" in the South Pacific. |
| Though Joe just
wanted a Seven, it would have been a several month wait. However,
the Pit Stop had the Super 7 available. The price in 1966 was
$3,986 including magnesium wheels $250, heater $60, Brooklands
screens $39, seatbelts $25, and a Lucas driving light $16. As
Joe tells it, his father helped him with the purchase. Also,
his folks couldn't see him driving around in a yellow car with
red interior. Prior to delivery the car was repainted British
Racing Green and re-upholstered black; accessories, horn, and
fire extinguisher mounted; and pre-delivery inspection completed
all for $55. |
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In 1973 Joe and his wife moved
to Portland, Maine. Everything went by rented truck- the household
goods and a Datsun 510 went in the truck and the Seven with rear
wings removed- tagged along inside a small trailer. In 1975,
they relocated to Davis, California where the car was until April
2004 when I purchased it.
Originality- Under Joe's care
for nearly 38 years, SB2174 remains very original and unrestored.
Over the years, the gearbox was replaced, rear axle strengthened,
Cosworth 1500 rebuilt replacing the canister filter with spin-on
filter and adding a Tilton Super Starter, front brakes upgraded
with Triumph GT-6, tachometer replaced, swirlpot removed, and
original nose badge replaced. These original parts well as the
weather gear, owner's manual, and bill-of-sale remain with the
car.
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