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Update: September 2005
 I purchased SB1786 in Dec 2002 sight
unseen from a gentleman in Louisville, KY. The car had
some terrific features, and it had some needs which were reflected
in the fair price. It was equipped with a dry sump TwinCam,
Weber 45DCOEs, semi-close ratio gearbox, and a Ford rear
axle. It also had rear suspension modifications and was
set up with both the standard A-bracket system and a 5 link which
had it bound up solid. I believe there is race history
for the car in the Northeastern US, but I don't have any further
information. Telltale signs in the car include the dry
sump system, full race cams, vintage fuel cell, and SCCA
spec roll bar.
I wrote to John Watson and learned that the car was originally
delivered to Northern Ireland going ex-works in August 1964.
It was ordered in American spec and perhaps was always destined
for the States. The color was described as "red panels"
- I'm interpreting this to mean the alloy as well as the
GRP was red(?). The powertrain was a Cosworth 1500 with
twin 40DCOEs through a close ratio gearbox to a 4.11 rear end.
All of those parts became separated from the car long ago.
Back to what I did have, the engine was tired and somewhat flat
so I had Dan Marvin rework the T/C head with big
valves and pocket port the intake runners. They had
been matched to the 45's, but only out at the flanges, so
I was committed to the big carbs and needed to open the breathing.
While the engine was apart, we fitted a steel long stroke
crank with compatible pistons. The engine already
was fitted with a set of huge steel main caps from a London company
called CS Engineering (also the source of the cams), so the bottom
end should be pretty strong. Displacement is now 1720cc
with 10.2:1 compression. I also found a CR gearbox for
the car (thanks Tom) and we had the rear end fitted with a much
needed LSD.
The car sees occasional autocross action. It's great
fun and you can light up the sticky compound 225 rears anytime
the motor is on or near the cams. However, someday
I will likely restore the car to original spec and am in
the process of rounding up the necessary bits to build a 1500 Super
Seven motor.
Original Report:
After watching the market on-and-off
for years, I came across a Super Seven that captured my interest
and, against the advice and experience of some, bought it sight
unseen - yikes! It arrived in the SF Bay Area by truck last week
and I'm thrilled. I drove the car around the block a few times
to figure out what I had and what it needs, and it is now in
a few pieces in my garage.
Key specs for SB1786 are:
Left hand drive,
Lotus Twin Cam with dry sump and 45DCOEs,
Three rail transmission with semi-close ratios,
Ford rear axle with 3.90:1 ratio and no LSD.
The car was raced at some point
in its past (I believe in the Northeast?), but not by the former
owner of 12 years. However it is equipped with a fuel cell, substantial
roll bar, and modified rear suspension. In fact, when I received
the car, it was sporting dual heim-jointed trailing arms per
side, a panhard rod, and the A-bracket. It was bound up solid.
Now I have to decide which configuration to use, but certainly
it won't be both.
All of this is going to sort
out into a wonderful and potent package. I had never even ridden
in a Seven much less driven one, so I wasn't entirely sure what
I was getting into. But having raced Formula Fords long ago and
more recently, a sub-2000 lb Porsche 911RS, I figured this car
would resemble a happy mix of the two. My reconnaissance drives
were very promising. Frame, skins, and wings, while not concourse,
appear to be solid and very presentable so, with mechanical issues
addressed, the car will be a "driver" for awhile.
I bought the car from George
Davidson in Louisville, KY. He had owned it since 1990. I'm going
to try to track down the previous owner who, I believe, acquired
the car in the early 70's. From there, I don't know where I'll
go, but I'd like to assemble a lineage on the car. Do you know
if there is a source of original configuration and shipment destination
info for Lotuses (Loti?) by S/N? I'd like to know
when the Twin Cam went in and what the original motor was.
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