In August of 2006 my sons and I bought SB 2071 from our next door neighbor who had owned it since 1973. According to John Watson it is "... a very original Lotus Seven, correct in every detail for a US spec car... Lotus Sevens like this don't turn up these days." (additional registrar details below).

When we began the restoration, it had not been started for over ten years, we found that the engine was frozen due to antifreeze in cylinder 1 and that there was a small crack in the head between cylinders 2 and 3. We decided the engine was more than we wanted to take on ourselves so we had Hans Westberg at Advanced Engine Rebuilding (Wareham, MA.) do the engine.

The cracked head was repaired, block bored .040 over, and we replaced the pistons, cam (Kent as close to the Cosworth A-II as we could find), bearings, valves and springs with hardened seats on the exhausts, timing chain and sprocket, clutch, engine mounts and also had the engine balanced.

Current engine photos below:

That first winter we rehabbed the Webers, generator, distributor, fuel pump and starter. We also overhauled the rear axle, replacing all the seals; the suspension system, replacing all the rubber bushings; shocks and tires; and finally we went through the brake system completely. Photos below are current.

The previous owner, at some point, had acquired and secreted away a new nose, clamshells and rear fenders that we will included with the car.

From the Lotus Seven Register in England:

"What you sent me are pictures of a very original Lotus Seven, correct in every detail for a US spec car. Original nose badge (wonderful), correct stop/tail lights (don't let anyone tell you otherwise), correct instruments and switches (every one) and steering wheel including centre (rare and valuable). Clean, refurbish, restore and tidy BUT please don't change anything. Lotus Sevens like this don't turn up these days."

CHASSIS #: LSB2071
FRAME #: BL1764
ENGINE TYPE: Cosworth 1500
ENGINE #: S457253E
GEARBOX: Standard (Stock not C/R)
AXLE: 4.1:1
CARBS: Weber 40DCOE2 / 21501 & 21456
COLOUR: BRG (British Racing Green
PURCHASER: V. Schmeltz, (U.S. Forces) W.I.
EXTRAS: Tonneau, Heater, Oil Cooler.
EX WORKS DATE: 2nd. September 1965

"I see that there is an irregularity with the engine number, but feel that this may have been a mistake."

Extent of Partial Restoration of SB 2071

A. Engine: Rebuilt at 46,650, current milage 49,646.
    1. Rebuilt by Advanced Engine rebuilding, Inc., parts by JAE, details on request.
    2. Generator and starter reconditioned
    3. Webers rebuilt by me
    4. Fuel pump rebuilt
    5. Exhaust manifold and muffler coated (High Performance Coatings, Inc)

B. Suspension:
    1. Most parts sand blasted and powder coated black
    2. All rubber bushings pressed out and replaced
    3. New shock absorbers

C. Wheels and Tires:
    1. Wheels sand blasted and powder coated black
    2. New tires (Kumho, Power Star 758)

D. Brakes:
    1. Pads replaced
    2. Rear break tubing on axle replaced

E. Gas Tank: Reconditioned and inside coated

F. Windshield: Reconditioned with new gaskets

G. Seats: New bottom cushions made

H. Tachometer: rebuilt

Additional Parts Included but not installed:
    New fiberglass nose cone, front and rear fenders (purchased by previous owner in 1980s)
    New tonneau cover (Redline)
    Original Owners Manual