Rob Thornton's 1965 Lotus Seven
SB2016
England

1500 Ford Cosworth Engine
Twin Weber 40 DCOE Carbs
Ford 116E Gearbox
Standard Triumph Axle

John Watson, Lotus Seven Register, confirms that the factory records indicate it still has its original chassis frame, engine and carbs.

I think the car was registered and used in the UK for a short period but have not yet been able to confirm this. It was registered in Singapore on 2nd September 1966 and I am told a guy serving in the Royal Air Force took it out there - again I am working to confirm this.

It passed through various owners hands in Singapore and was, I am told, raced out there and during this time various minor parts were replaced with non-original items (lights, seats, dash, instruments and so on). The guy I bought it off acquired it in 1990 and had it rebuilt with new aluminium. He came back to the UK in 1997, bought the car with him and had it UK registered. He ran it for a few years in the UK and then took it off the road in 2000 though he has started the engine regularly since then.

BODYWORK
Virtually perfect. There is barely a mark or imperfection on it anywhere and no evidence of the corrosion problems that can occur with these cars such as where the aluminium panels meet the steel framework. The space frame itself looks to be in very good order throughout. There is the odd small dent in the aluminium in one or two places. The main issue with bodywork is that when the car was re-skinned in Singapore, a slightly thicker gauge of aluminium was used than that originally used by Lotus. This is only noticeable under close scrutiny and while it no doubt makes the body/chassis unit stronger, it does add to the weight of the car. Rating 8/10 for condition but the aluminium is not of the correct gauge.

PAINTWORK
The bright yellow exterior paintwork is to a good standard and it has been professionally applied to BOTH sides of the aluminium panelling and fibreglass components. I could find only one small chip on the nose cone and one to a rear wing. Smooth, 'deep' and with a very good shine, it does have a few imperfections and the odd barely noticeable run. Ancillary components such as light brackets, wing stays and suspension wishbones and arms have been painted black and the paint is in good order.. Rating 7/10 Body.

INTERIOR AND WEATHER GEAR
What there is of it is in very good order though obviously not original. The black carpets are virtually new and the seats have been trimmed in black leather. The 3 point Britax seat belts look to be in perfect condition. The leather rimmed, aluminium spoke steering wheel is perfect while the hood has barely been used. Rating 7/10 for condition but NOT original.

ENGINE
Original but un-run, it is a Cosworth unit. While it looks to be in good order it can not be properly evaluated until it has been serviced and run. Rating TBC.

GEARBOX
As above. It looks to be the original Ford 116E unit with Ford GT remote gearchange. While it looks to be in good order it can not be properly evaluated until it has been serviced and run though it has a very 'sweet' change -- positive and direct with a very well defined gate. Rating TBC.

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES
As above; it all looks good with no sign of leaking dampers or caliper seals, perished bushes etc but until a road test can be carried out it will not be possible to fully evaluate it. Rating TBC.

WHEELS
Triumph Herald type on the front and Triumph Spitfire type on the rear. While nicely painted in silver, one or two do show signs of use with the odd dink to the rims. There is no spare. Rating 6/10.

TYRES
While the Yokahama tyres fitted all round have plenty of tread left, the side walls are starting to show evidence of cracking in a couple of places so I will be replacing these before the car is MOT tested. Rating 0/10

DOCUMENTATION
Current UK V5C Registration document
Singapore Registration Document
Previous UK Registration Document
3 Previous MOT certificates covering the period June 1997 to July 2000
Previous Singapore MOT type certificate from 1990
3 UK Tax Discs covering the period June 1997 to July 2000
3 Singapore Tax Discs covering the period 1990 to 1991
2 Photographs taken of the car in Singapore
Original front and rear Singapore number plates (SV 5081S)

Please note, this is my personal view of the car and in no way should be taken as definitive, complete or guaranteed. I have tried to be as objective as possible and would not want to intentionally misrepresent the car to anyone. If you have any doubts or specific questions, please ask. The car is available for your inspection at any time (by arrangement). Thank you for your interest in this Historic Lotus Seven.

I went through the engine, checked points, plugs, tappets etc and found all good. Plugs out, I got 30 psi oil pressure up with just the starter motor. Drained the old fuel and put a gallon of fresh in and gave it a go. Fired up real easy though the starter was very noisy. I've replaced the starter motor and all is fine. The engine runs very sweetly at 45 psi oil pressure with no nasty noises.

So far, so good. I am now just going to rebuild the clutch and brake master cylinder and we will be ready for the road!

Have spent a little more time on SB 2016, just working my way thru things you would expect to have to look at after a few years unused. Cooling system flushed out which revealed a small hole in the swirl pot which leaks when the system is under pressure. The brake system had been drained but I put a new master cylinder rebuild kit in and the system bled down fine. The calipers stick a bit so I'll be doing some more work on them today. A brief test drive showed the car drives very nicely - good taught suspension with no nasty knocks or clunks, sharp brakes and a good change on the gearbox which like the diff is nice and quiet.

With the swirl pot repaired I guess we will be ready for an "MOT" test.