History - Legend - Stories - For Sale
MKVI - MK7 S1 |
SB1000 - 1499 |
SB1500 - 1999 |
SB2000 - 2499 |
SB2500 - 2999 |
SB3000 +
important: chassis numbers
are as reported by owners -- their appearance here does not guarantee
authenticity.
New Owner's 1965 Lotus Seven
|
Description and photos by previous owner, Richard Spencer
I re-built her in early 1990, having purchased a "complete" car in parts and only two pieces of aluminium; the scuttle and bonnet. The wheels and rear wings were from Caterham as well as the seats. My first decision was to made in a heartbeat to re-build her as original and so Arch Motors were commissioned to check the chassis and generate new aluminium and internal red lamiplate. With the assistance of Vincent Haydon, I was able to get the parts required to bring her back to 1965....
The colour was chosen because orange was first colour I came across on the slightly damaged nosecone above the glass fibre, this is two part epoxy and very hard wearing. The engine, gearbox, axle and running gear were all the original items, all I have done is check they are OK mechanically, clean and re-paint to them. The electrical components were in a bit of a poor state, so I had to re-furbish the loom and ancillaries. The whole re-built only took 5 months, but I was single and my brother in law a welcome helper and owner of a well lit garage....
In the 20 odd years (and only 23K miles) I have owned FLP, the only failures have been the exhaust flexitube, radiator leakage, dynamo, clutch slave cylinder, axle half shaft, master cylinder kits & trunnions, wheel cylinders and tyres. I have managed to replace the faulty parts with original replacements or very good re-building locally to Cambridge, UK. I have had a few carburettor tune-ups and a rolling road check many years ago, so she has been a worthy example of simple and beautiful design.
I have not raced her competitively as this would have meant non-original fitments and alterations that I was not prepared to undertake, however I have been on autotests and fast driving days on many of the UK's best known race circuits, including Brands Hatch and the new Silverstone circuit, a truly mind blowing experience...
FLP999C is very original, one of the best examples in the UK, and was sold to a new owner in March of 2012. SimpleSevens would be happy to hear from the new owner. |
MKVI - MK7 S1 |
SB1000 - 1499 |
SB1500 - 1999 |
SB2000 - 2499 |
SB2500 - 2999 |
SB3000 +
important: chassis numbers
are as reported by owners -- their appearance here does not guarantee
authenticity.