Lotus Components

This month, our in-depth account nears the end of the Series 1 phase, so here we take stock of the that started it all... As ever, John Watson brings us the details: THE STORY OF THE SEVEN

Chapter 10: Looking back at the first Sevens

Lotus Seven, Series 1 America' model where GRP clamshell front were used. Column with universal joints summary wings and tubular mild steel bumpers were alongside engine has two-spoke grey plastic used from January 1960. Nearly all left the steering wheel by Wilmot Breedon, from the factory in an unpainted state for polishing or Standard 10. The Super Seven/Seven 'C had Production details: painting as required by purchaser. adjustable column and 3-spoke aluminium, red leather covered wheel. Dates produced: Fuel tank:

September 1957 to June 1960 Aluminium by Williams and Pritchard held Brakes: (approximately 33 months) in place using two aircraft specification bungy Hydraulic operated twin leading shoes cords. drum brakes by Girling. (8" diameter x 1V2" Chassis number sequence: cast iron to front and rear) 400 to 499 at Hornsey Front suspension: Front: pre-July 1959 used 8" diameter Triumph and 750 to 892 at Cheshunt. Independent by twin transverse wishbones Mayflower cast iron front drums welded to All cars were right hand drive. utilising Standard 10 vertical links and trun• suit BMC PCD. Later models used complete 8" nions. The top wishbone incorporating the Total production: drum brakes from and TR3 anti-rollbar and Lotus designed cruciform- 243 cars. wheels. section top arms by Quinton Hazell. Rear: All cars used 8" diameter x 1V2" cast iron Springing by coilspring damper units drums as standard equipment on Nash Chassis specifications: (Armstrong dampers and 110lbs springs.) Metropolitan axles.

Chassis: Rear suspension: Handbrake: Mechanical handbrake via hori• Multi-tubular space-frame by Progress Proprietary rigid 'live' axle located by twin zontal lever. Chassis Company of Edmonton made up of 1" parallel trailing arms and a diagonal member Wheels and tyres: and V2" square and round tubing of 18-gauge providing lateral location. Springing by coil- 15" diameter x 4" lightweight bolt-on steel mild steel. Continuous back to front floor of spring damper units. (Armstrong dampers 75 rims with 520 x 15 (crossply) tyres. Early cars L72 aluminium and transmission tunnel of lbs springs.) used wheels manufactured by Rubery Owen NS4 aluminium act as stressed members help• Steering: (from Turner Sports cars) with BMC PCD. ing to stiffen the chassis. Rubber mountings Triumph TR3 steering arms towards rear of Later, circa 1960, TR3 wheels were used with used to engine and gearbox. Transmission brake drums (Ackerman effect). Very early special adaptors at rear to allow BMC to tunnel sides support gearbox mounting. cars (first 25 of tooe production) used Burman Triumph PCD. Super Seven/Seven 'C were Body: type 'worm & nut' steering box. Later cars specified with 15" x 4" x 48 spoke knock-on All aluminium body by Williams and (March 1958 onwards) used left hand drive Dunlop wire wheels. Provision for mounting Pritchard of Edmonton. NS3 grade aluminium Morris Minor steering rack reduced in width spare wheel on rear panel. fixed with 'Monel' steel rivets. Static type cycle and fitted upsidedown. From circa October Spare wheel was an option on the home wings to front corners except for the US 1959 onwards, early Triumph Herald racks market cars.

18 Lowflying January 2005 HD78 horn/dip switch. 31126 (turn-pull-turn) Drivetrain specifications: For home market, with one su H2 light switch. Key ignition/start. carburettor developing 37bhp at 4,8oorpm. From January 1960 windscreen wiper motor Standard engine and gearboxes: Compression ratio 8.9:1. from Lotus Elite, thermostatically controlled Available late 1957 to June 1960, first as For US market, (America' model), Austin electric cooling fan and winking indicators LOTUS SEVEN model then from October as Healey Sprite (Mk. 1 Frog-eye) with twin su were available on 'America' model.

LOTUS SEVEN 'F' - 1172 cc Ford IOOE side-valve HI carburettors on special manifold develop• engine developing variously between 28 and ing 43bhp at 5,200 rpm. Matching (smooth- Instruments (mainly AC): 4obhp at 4,50orpm depending on state of case) 4-speed gearbox and gearknob. Standard 80mm, loomph speedometer (IOOE cars tune. Single downdraught Solex or twin SU ratios 4.08:1, 2.58:1, 1.16:1,1:1. Reverse 5.17:1. have coloured segments for revolution/gear H2 carburettors, sometimes with 4-branch Close ratios available at extra cost. readings). exhaust manifold. Compression ratio 7.0:1 to 2" mechanical full face oil pressure gauge. 2" 8.5:1. Matching 3-speed gearbox with Lotus Propshaft: capillary type full face water temperature remote gear change and Ford IOOE gearknob. by Hardy Spicer. gauge with centigrade graduations. Standard ratios 3.664:1, 2007:1, 1:1, Reverse 2" 30-0-30 amp full face ammeter. 4.79:1 Close Ratio (Buckler 'C' Type gears) Rear axle: Seven 'F' and Seven 'A have 80 mm Smiths 2.34:1,1.33:1, 1:1. from Nash Metropolitan. Standard ratios - chronometric tachometer at extra cost. 4.875:1 to most IOOE cars and variously 4.55:1 Seven 'C has tacho in lieu of speedo with Available December 1958 to June 1960: and 4.22:1 to BMC and Climax cars. speedo at extra cost. the model first as LOTUS SUPER SEVEN and Other ratios available - 5.75:1, 5.125:1, 3.89:1 then from October 1959 as LOTUS SEVEN 'C - and 3.73:1. Trim:

1098CC FWA single overhead Early cars used red 'Vyanide', later ones, red camshaft engine in Stage-1 tune developing pvc covered trim areas to dashboard, side 75bhp at 6,25orpm. 4-branch exhaust mani• Equipment: panels, tunnel top, seat back and seat squabs. fold, twin SU carburettors and competition electrics. Lightweight 4-speed BMC A30 and Electrics (mainly Lucas): Extras: A35 gearbox and gearknob. Standard ratios 12-volt x 31-amp-hour battery situated Hood & sticks; windscreen wiper kit 4.08:1, 2.58:1,1.66:1,1:1. adjacent to fuel tank. spare wheel c/w tyre; tube & hub cap Close ratios also available at extra cost. Coil, distributor, dynamo, starter and regu• wire wheel conversion; spare wire wheel lator to suit particular engine installed. Fuse tyre & tube; Dunlop Racing tyres (4) Available October 1959 to June 1960: box to front of dashboard or to rear. L516 side SU electric fuel pump; adjustable steering model known as LOTUS SEVEN 'A' (home mar• lights. SLR576 fog lamp and SFT576 driving column & leather covered steering wheel; ket) and from January 1960 LOTUS SEVEN lamp as headlamps. close ratio gears (fitted or unfitted). 'AMERICA1 (US market) - 948cc BMC A' Series L534 rear number plate light. Wingard 1055 Ford cars only: twin su carburettors and overhead-valve engine in two forms: stop/tail lights. HF1849 high frequency horn. 4-branch Manifold. >

Lowflying January 2005 19 Above: The Lotus factory at Delamere Road, Cheshunt. Opened by Alderman Godfey Langden MP on Ocotber 14th, 1959.

This was Lotus's home until the move to Hethel in 1966.

Right:

What you got for your money (see price details below)

Below right: A typical Series 1 cockpit... and a gleaming BMC A-Series installed in a Seven

Measurements, prices:

Dimensions: Wheelbase 7' 4"; front and rear track 3' 11"; overall length 10' 3"; (with spare wheel 11' 0"); overall width 4' 5"; height to scuttle top 27V2"; ground clearance 5".

Weights: Pre-October 1959: Seven 'F' (no spare wheel) - 725lbs (Export with spare wheel) - 822lbs Post-October 1959: Seven 'F' - 9i8lbs; Seven 'A'- 896 lbs

Ex-works prices: 10th October 1957: Seven (Ford IOOE) -£526.00 ist October 1958: Seven (Ford IOOE) -£551.00 ist October 1958: Super Seven (Climax) - £892.00 9th December 1959: Seven 'F' - £587.00 9th December 1959: Seven 'A' - £611.00 9th December 1959: Seven 'C - £843.00

Coming next:

Series 1 restoration

Photographs by courtesy of: Ferret Fotographics, tel. 01453 543243 and Tony Bates (factory aerial shot)

Sources and further reading:

Lotus Seven by JEREMY COULTER (19861995)

Lotus - All the Cars by ANTHONY PRITCHARD (1990)

The Lotus Book by WILLIAM TAYLOR (1998)

Lowflying January 2005