David Howe
<dhowe@twmi.rr.com>

1962 S2, SB1585
USA

Completely restored 1962 Lotus Seven, as it appeared on ebay...

The car was completely disassembled and reskinned. It is in excellent condition. 1600cc Ford crossflow with double Webers. New interior, tires and wheels are new as well.

Paint is fabulous, with a little road rash on the fenders. Frame and engine compartment are excellent. Spax all around and new suspension bushings.

Brand new tonneau, the rest of the weather equipment is original with white piping and serviceable, but not perfect. Clear wind wings. Gearbox is fine and shifts great. Restoration and reskinning are photo documented.

Email from David Howe to SimpleSevens at ebay auction end, with photos by SimpleSevens upon my visiting him soon:

I just bought a 1962 Lotus 7, SB1585. Strange place to buy a car, ebay. I picked it up from Maryland on Friday and drove it back sat on the floor because I'm 6'2" and need to sit lower. Gearbox has a real problem with second so I've already started stripping the car down to take the engine out and (see photo for what was in teh gearbox drain plug). I have a new gearbox on the way from Dave Bean, plus the brakes are squealing badly too. But, all old cars have a few problems and I thought it was well worth it.

I drove there with my brother who was visiting me from the UK, and we went past Pittsburgh through the mountains. Really nice drive and the weather was great all the way back. I had a ski jacket and pants on to keep me warm and was fine. My brother followed me back and protected my rear on the freeways, the 7 is a very small car. The car generated huge interest every time we stopped, never had a car that has done that.

The restoration was done by Brian Brady in Rochester MI. Chap I bought the car from said he bought it from him. Brain Brady apparently bought it from Hayes Harris (www.wirewheel.com) in Florida. The vehicle was a basket case at that point. I have pics of the rebuild which show the bare frame. Comparing the car to the pics, it's the same frame other than the 4 point roll bar which was on the frame initially.

When Brian Brady got the frame it had been stripped and sat outside so the first thing he did was to have it sand blasted. I asked him about the frame number and he doesn't recall seeing one but had no idea where it would have been. He did say that most bits where there including the chassis plate but obviously a lot of the parts were scrap. He traded a 71 TVR for it in 98 and that deal included the front disk brakes and the crossflow engine. As he remembers it, the title for the vehicle was to someone in New York State. He believes the car had been raced prior to Hayes Harris acquiring it. I've sent another email to Hayes to see that triggers any other memories. Brian Brady seems a very nice chap, very helpful and knowledgeable.

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