My car after a 2 year complete rebuild, which as well as the engine transplant, included fitting a Ford type '9' - 5 Speed gearbox in place of the 2000E, and full re-spray. I also sourced some original Lotus 5.5J steel wheels and chrome hubcap's [very 70's!!] which are distinctive, setting the car up un-mistakenly as a child of the 70's!!. These were original fitment when my car was supplied by Lotus, and of all the items which I replaced during the rebuild, these were the most difficult to acquire, most 1970's steel wheels having been consigned to the scrap bin long ago in favour of various tacky alloys ­ very sad. Should you want some for your car be prepared for a big shock, new steel wheels are NOT available ­ finding decent used, un-dented & rust free wheels will involve a long search & cost you an arm and a leg, [the Mk1&2 Ford Escort/Cortina rally brigade also covet these 'Lotus wheels, be prepared to get low-down & dirty to source some!]

New hubcaps are available at around £14 each, which isn't too bad!! Allow a budget of £4-500, and 2 years to search for a set unless you get very lucky! Of course the nice brand Lotus alloys were an expensive option on the car when new, but having owned a S4 in the early 70's I can say that they were rarely fitted, only Lotus press test cars seeming to have them. In this day and age the original fitment 'steels' are as rare, more distinctive & Chic!! What do you think??

Looking at the car and thinking about it, it looks too new & polished, I never saw any 7's like this in the 70's, they were all thrashed mercilessly, scruffy & very tatty, rarely washed or polished at all. Can't wait until next summer to give mine some 70's style 'patina' shall we say! Mal Hill Dec '05