Re: Road Tripping in a Lotus Seven:

Virginia and I took our Seven (1966 S2 Ford 105 998 cc) on a 1000 mile tour around Lake Michigan in 1996 as part of Automobile Magazine Perfect Ten Celebration tour with 40 other pre-federal regulation (1968) cars.

We did about 300 miles a day over four days with track day at Grattan Raceway and ferry ride across the lake at Ludington. Each night the cars were put on formal display for the "local" folks to see while we were feted in a nice restaurant and nice accommodations. For some reason the Seven was always placed between a 1930 Blower Bentley and a 1937 V-12 Packard!

The first day was warm and dry, but the last three days were raining and cold. Can you see two 60+ year olds getting into and out of a Seven with the top (hood) up? We wore heavy winter jackets and one had to mop up water coming under the edge of top at the windscreen where the longitudinal straps pass through. Poor ventilation with everything fogging up until the interior got so hot from engine heat!

We were told a 1957 MGA was entered so we had someone to pass. The Mercedes Benz 300 SL's would swoosh past us, often missing the next turn. Chrysler and Michelin were sponsors, and Chrysler had their show-off cars on the tour as company. The Viper would move the road back three feet when passing us. He got a ticket for going 100 mph over the posted speed of 50!

We never had a breakdown except I ran out of gas racing an Alfa and Ferrari on winding roads near Charlevoix. Virginia repaired the ignition points on the 1954 Chrysler New Yorker at Whitefish Point.

What a wonderful time, however, as soon as a drive around Lake Huron was announced for the next year, I bought a 1966 Lotus Elan for windows, doors and defroster! Two weeks before the Huron trip, the water pump went out, so a quick engine/head/pan/water pump R&R, we were ready and the trip was cancelled.

David Caley