Charlie Foss
defoss@roadrunner.com
1964 S2 Cosworth 1500
SB1765
Michigan, USA

March 2007:

I have been working on Sharkey Mengela's old car. I sent along a couple photos. I was able to drive the car quite a bit last summer and fall to check for any obvious items that needed attention. Everything discussed on your web site was very accurate. The factory records say the car was originally blue, but I couldn't find any evidence of that. The base color on the fiberglass is green. The factory records have been known to be inaccurate at times.

The car cleaned up real well. There were no serious problems. Really just a good cleaning and repair of the fiberglass. The ring gear on the flywheel was chewed up, the headers needed welding, and the final drive needed some work to quiet it down. It howled badly. The original lamiplate panels were still there under the blue vinyl and cleaned up real well. That is tough stuff. I was able to use laquer thinner to remove the glue and it didn't affect the material at all. Another good thing was that they didn't drill any extra holes to put the blue vinyl on. It looks good. I made new seat covers and back squab.

I left the 1500 (116E) in the car, but I have a good, proper 1340(109E) to put in somewhere down the road. Everything works, and it drives great. I can't wait for spring.

This car still has the original board in the boot with the serial number written on it it crayon!

As purchased 2006:

Following are details of the ad as listed for sale in 2006:

1964 S-2 Lotus Super Seven SCCA model. Frame number checks out with Lotus records. This is an unmolested, unmodified, un-race prepared and very original S2 Super Seven.

1498 cc (116) Ford Cortina GT engine with Cosworth head; however, originally fitted to the car in 1964 was a 1340 cc (109) Cosworth. The 1340 Cosworth cylinder head and the Webers are original. Left hand drive as all SCCA Seven were LHD. Original front drum brakes with racing linings. Original SCCA extra large oil sump. Large capacity, 10 gallon fuel tank. Original close ratio Ford Classic transmission. Original unmodified Triumph Standard rear axle and 4:11 differential. Full and original AC instrumentation with original tach and speedo (tach and speedo do not work at the moment). Springall wood rimmed Lotus steering wheel. The car was delivered with 5 Dunlop racing tires of which I have one remaining and after 40 years it is like new. Original thin fiberglass (SCCA) front wings. The right wing has a longitudinal crack and the left has some cracks around the attachment points. The rear wings have been replaced and are of S3 type.  The car is natural aluminum with the fiberglass parts painted a Mercedes royal blue. Originally in 1964 the car came painted in what Lotus called "French Blue" aka powder blue in the US. Original Lotus "Competition" roll bar.  This bar will never pass inspection today, but in 1964 it probably was state of the art. Today it is decorative only. Wingard tail lamps and Lucas turn indicators. The interior and tonneau cover are in blue naugahyde with red piping. Black top and side curtains with aluminum roof bows on the vehicle. There is no evidence of any crash damage.

Basically the car is as original as possible except for parts that deteriorate with time, such as the battery or the "A" frame bushing, or are consumed through use like oil and filters.  I guess it is easier to list what is on the car that is not original.

Not original are: The rear wings and blue paint and interior upholstery. Electric radiator fan. Lotus Elan wheels, hub caps and trim rings, but I have the original Triumph wheels originally fitted and one of the original hub caps, interior vinyl trim, 3 inch competition lap belt  (This may have been originally fitted by the dealer as it is certainly a vintage belt, but I can't be sure). Generally, I believe the car was originally purchased with the intention using it for SCCA racing but for some reason it was never campaigned.

Overall condition is well maintained and excellent for a 40 year old car. It is not restored or over restored.  My emphasis for the 15 years that I have owned the car was to maintain its originality as much as possible.  At one time I had intentions of returning the car to its original specs regarding color and interior, but never did.  If you are looking for a pristine, better than new Lotus that I often see, this is not the car.  However, if you value originality in the true British sense, and want a Lotus that is original in most respects and can live with a blemish here and there, this may the one.  I've been told this is one of the most original Lotus Sevens extant in the US.