1959 Lotus 7 Series 1 Immaculate Vintage Race Car

[bear01011]

1959 Lotus 7 Series 1 Immaculate Vintage Race Car

Vehicle is located in Pennsylvania

Offered at $47,500

Lotus chassis number: 796

Progress frame number: L559 759

Verified as an authentic Lotus 7 Series 1


Chassis:

• Completely-new paneled chassis fabricated by Pat Prince, Prince Race Car Engineering in 1990.
• Upgraded steel transmission/tunnel support correcting original Lotus design weakness.
• SCCA spec bolt-in roll bar by Prince Race Car Engineering.
• All new front and rear aluminum wings (fenders) by The Panel Shop.
• Stainless steel real wing guards by The Panel Shop.
• Custom Fuel Safe fuel cell.
• Originally registered in 1959 in Warwickshire, England

Motor:

• BMC serial number: 9M-U-H 148239
• All steel 948 by Leydon Restorations – Moldex crank, Carrillo rods, Elgin cam.
• Steel center main bearing cap.
• 12G295 head with oversize valves. Ported by Leydon Restorations.
• Duplex timing chain with adjustable cam gear.
• Twin 1 ¼” SU Carbs – modified for better air flow by BHP Developments. Custom air horns. K&N Filters.
• Custom 3 into 1 header and exhaust by BHP Developments. Ceramic coated. Includes provision to add SuperTrapp diffuser discs (included) for noise reduction, if needed.
• Mocal oil thermostat, Mocal oil cooler, braided stainless steel oil hoses.
• Canton billet remote oil filter.
• Oversized, baffled oil pan.
• Accusump oil accumulator with electric valve kit.
• Aldon distributor.
• Oversized radiator.

Drive Train:

• Straight-cut, close ratio, synchro rib-case transmission. Rebuilt by Leydon Restorations.
• Tilton aluminum flywheel with replaceable steel friction surface.
• 5.375:1 differential. 4.875:1 spare differential included.
• Double bearing rear hubs.
• Original Metropolitan rear axle housing with custom fabricated coil-over mounts, putting mounting bolts in double shear.

Suspension/Brakes/Wheels:

• Spax adjustable coil-over shocks. Adjustable spring perches.
• AN hardware utilized at all suspension attachment locations.
• Rebuilt rack and pinon assembly – zero play.
• Borgeson steering shaft u-joints.
• Removeable steering wheel.
• Dual-circuit brake master cylinder.
• Stainless steel braided brake and clutch hoses.
• Tilton brake proportioning valve.
• 15” x 4 ½” x 60 spoke spline-drive painted wire wheels with Dunlop Racing 5.00 L-15 tires (204 compound.)

Electrics:

• All new chassis wiring.
• Upgraded circuit from 2 to 4 fuses.
• Lucas head lamps.
• Wingard tail lamps

History:

• Imported into the USA in the early 1980s from the Isle of Man.
• Participated in VSCCA events.
• Current owner (mechanical engineer) purchased the car in November 1987.
• Complete 9 year nut and bolt restoration with documentation.
• VSCCA participant from April, 1997 through April, 2005.
• In storage since April, 2005.
• Titled/registered in PA as antique vehicle.

Additional Notes:

• Production number 147 of approximately 243 Series 1 cars.
• Included in the sale are all of the original (well worn) parts removed from the car prior to the restoration, including the original chassis (to prove this car isn’t a clone.) Other original parts include:
  
  • VIN plate
  • Stock windscreen
  • Hood (convertible top) and hood support sticks
  • Tonneau cover
  • Wiring harness
  • Gauges
  • Windscreen wiper motor mechanism
  • Horn
  • Emergency brake mechanism
  • Radiator
  • Fuel tank
  • Muffler
  • Rear wings
  • Front and rear suspension components (coil overs, control arms, uprights, brake items, etc.)
  
  
• When the new chassis was constructed, Pat Prince fabricated an additional bonnet (hood), and scuttle panel. These spare items are included and could be used to convert the car to full road trim, if so desired.
• Curb weight 1035 pounds w/o fuel.
• No off-track excursions. Never spun.
• Car has always been kept in dry environment under cover. Never seen rain
• Photos are current

Please CALL Kim Baker at 413-329-0214 for additional details

More photos can be seen on our website: Vintageracecarsales.com

[Lotus7]

This is truly a beautiful automobile. Kudos to the person who built it. (purposely didnt say restored)

Authentic? the few remaining Lotus bits, including the VIN plate, come in a box marked 'spares'.

All new chassis, new wings, new electrics, upgrades on many components, an engine never spec-ed in a Lotus Seven ....

Again, beautiful and desirable for what it is, but when does a VIN plate stop representing an "authentic" car?

YMMV.

[GreginCanada]

Early 7's like this are the grayest of gray area cars.You are buying the I.D. plate, remaining original frame and parts, provenance , first and foremost. The "car" is simply a nice accessory.
It all needs to stay together or the "car" just becomes yet another nicely done early 7 clone.
I think 948's are a legit option in S1's

Greg

[Lotus7]

I think 948's are a legit option in S1's

Greg

So I've been told offline, but all I've ever encountered are small Ford's and Cclimax's. Learn something new every apex visit.

[sevenselans]

Climax engined S1 sevens are rare. Mainly bmc powered.

Chris

[DanW]

Almost all Sevens were sold as knock down kits to escape VAT purchase tax. They were sold with "Disassembly Instructions" which the buyer/builder would start at the end and work back. Many were sold to buyers without an engine or gearbox, who would furnish their own.

[Bernard Bradpiece]

Climax engined S1 sevens are rare. Mainly bmc powered.

Chris

When I was a lad - so many years ago an the far and distant past, I worked in the school holidays at Sports Motors in Manchester (UK) for Rodney Bloor as a grease monkey doing the servicing (would be about 1962, Frank Ifield was topping the charts with "I remember you"). One of the cars I serviced was a Lotus 7 with a 947 BMC Junior engine for Alistair Welch - went on to become a prominent lawyer. The car was always bested by the Climax and Ford Junior engined 7's. Most of the 7's were initially BMC, quickly overtaken by the Ford 105E for the under 1000cc class. The Climax was 1100cc and then 1220cc so fewer were built.

You want minutia, I have minutia.

BB