[ricko32]

Wanted to buy Lotus Seven.
I have been looking for a Lotus Seven for the last eight months. It needs to be a series one or two. I have seen a few for sale but they just weren’t the ones for me. It’s hard to describe the one that will do it, but I will know it when I see it.
The series two should be LHD.
I prefer a car that has been correctly restored to original period condition, but a car in any condition will be considered.

Thanks
Rick

 

[mopho]

If you haven't already, check SimpleSevens: Authentic Lotus Sevens and related Information

 

[lotus69f2]

Simple Sevens has not had any Lotus Sevens listed for sale in some time, but it is an excellent resource for those who prefer their Sevens to be of the Lotus variety.

 

[ricko32]

Guy’s thanks for the suggestions here are the place’s I have been looking.

Auto Europe, Birkin USA, Bring A Trailer, Caterham USA, Garden State Sevens, Hemmings, James Whiting, Lee Chapman, LEO, Locust Enthusiasts Club, Mid Atlantic Caterham, Mike Brothewood, SASCO, Sevens and Elans, Simple Sevens, Tony Tompson, USA-7s, Wire Wheel and of course EBAY.

Rick

 

[lotus69f2]

I was recently on a search to buy another Lotus, and while I ended up getting a Europa, I included a Lotus Seven in my list of desirable cars. I am always looking at ads for cars to keep track of pricing and availability. Original specification Lotus Sevens are very rare, as from the time they were acquired they are more often than not modified. Some Lotus Sevens have been transformed into Caterhams by retorations that used Caterham chassis and parts by people who either didn't care that they were taking away from the Lotusness, or don't see or care about the distinction between Lotus Sevens and others. Waiting for a truly original car will be rewarding but likely to be long as very original cars are held by their owners to be very precious. I would advise perhaps buying one that is in good condition, with some modifications but still reasonably original and then embarking on a process of undoing modifications to get the car back to original. That way you can get the fun of having a Lotus Seven right away and still accomplish the goal of getting it to original specification,

 

[ricko32]

If I could only find that car in good condition that I can take back to stock.

Rick

 

[DeanG]

Also keep track of all things Sevenish via the mailing lists

USA Info Page <all Se7ens
Lotus Info Page < pretty much Lotus only

and the site

USA7s

which covers all Se7ens

 

[SPORTS&SPECIALIST]

We have a RHD Series 2 (1963) and a LHD Caterham 40th Anniversary Edition. Please give me a shout if either fits your needs.

Ed Sanson
Sports and Specialist Cars
609-466-5305

 

[ricko32]

Ed,
After seeing the problem Kyle had with his Birkin.
Is it possible to register and inspect the Caterham in NJ?

Rick

 

[RoadDad]

Wanted to buy Lotus Seven.
I have been looking for a Lotus Seven for the last eight months. It needs to be a series one or two. The series two should be LHD.
I prefer a car that has been correctly restored to original period condition, but a car in any condition will be considered.

Ed,
After seeing the problem Kyle had with his Birkin.
Is it possible to register and inspect the Caterham in NJ?

Rick

Rick,

Are you aware that a Caterham does not fit any of the criteria that you originally listed? Even if you were to obtain one of the first Caterhams made after they stopped producing the 34 or so S4 cars that they made and reverted back to the S3 style, you would still not have an S1 or S2 car.

Caterhams are based off the Series 3 Lotus Seven (except the ~34 S4 type cars they produced after Lotus passed production to them), not an S1 or S2 and they aren't really "original period condition" meaning that mostly the Caterham is more modern technology in the shape of something older. I'm not saying that the Caterham is bad in any way at all. I'm just saying that it doesn't seem to fit with what you have been looking for. If you were to find Caterham #40 or so then you would have an "original period car" but otherwise you are looking at continued changes made (most of them for the better as far as reliability, ease to find parts, etc).

If you are looking for something "Lotus authentic", you need to keep looking. You will find it.

If you are looking for something "authentic to Lotus" with easier to find replacement parts and don't mind it not being Lotus, a Caterham may be just what you are looking for.

 

[tvacc]

I have a very nice RHD series 2 on the LOONY site.

Person is only selling it because they had a very large misfortune happan in their life. Their house fell into the creek behind their house and has been condemned. No insurance coverage.

LotusOwners Lotus Owners of New York

If you want a Caterham...we also have one of those for sale on the site.

 

[tvacc]

Ed,
After seeing the problem Kyle had with his Birkin.
Is it possible to register and inspect the Caterham in NJ?

Rick

The Caterham on our site is correctly resgistered in NY as a "Custom".
That is how they are registered here in NY. I would suspect that NJ would accept a NY reg and title. I am not positive on that but I suspect that they would.

 

[ricko32]

RoadDad
I agree my Caterham comment was off topic. At one point in my search I considered a post 1986 car. But they are almost impossible to registered and inspected in NJ since the classic laws have changed.
I am familiar with the different versions of the original lotus seven and most of the continuations.
Yes, I need to stay on track and just keep searching.


Tony,
I saw the car on USA7’s, RHD won’t do.
The Caterham at SSC. Talk to Kyle Stier about his experience with NJDMV and the Birkin he bought from Dick Brink. That car had a Texas Registration.
A bad situation.

Thanks
Rick

 

[lotus69f2]

RHD won’t do.

I have an Elan Plus 2 that is RHD. Since the car is fairly large (by Lotus standards) it takes some getting used to.


My Mark VI, however, is also RHD and since it is so small it makes no difference at all with driving on LHD roads. THe only thing that is really different is shifting with the left hand, which should be easy if you are left handed.

My point is that in a car so small RHD vs LHD is less of an issue. Consider driving one before completely ruling RHD out.

 

[RoadDad]

I have an Elan Plus 2 that is RHD. Since the car is fairly large (by Lotus standards) it takes some getting used to.


My Mark VI, however, is also RHD and since it is so small it makes no difference at all with driving on LHD roads. THe only thing that is really different is shifting with the left hand, which should be easy if you are left handed.

My point is that in a car so small RHD vs LHD is less of an issue. Consider driving one before completely ruling RHD out.

My Seven is RHD and I love it. It took about 1/2 a block to get used to the left hand shifting and I'm not left handed . I have never had any difficulty with driving the RHD except if I need to put books into the library drop off slot, or if I go to a drive through fast food joint, etc. Honestly though the Seven sits so low, I'd still have problems if it was LHD in those same situations.

I don't know your reasons why RHD is out, but I do love mine.

 

[ricko32]

Guy’s
I think it’s great that you are enjoying you rhd cars.
I have driven both and it’s not a problem.
For me---------- a rhd series one would work just fine, but in a series two I prefer a lhd car.
Rick

 

[SPORTS&SPECIALIST]

Rick,

We can set-up an appointment for you to see the Caterham. Please give me a call to talk about a time that works for you.

Thanks,
Ed
609-466-5305

 

[rnr]

The GGLC Newsletter had the following ad - PM me if you'd like the contact info

For Sale: 1963 Lotus Seven, SB1503 frame # 1818 completely restored with only a few modifications, in beautiful condition. Contact: Tom at XXXXX for pictures and information. I am asking $18,000.

 

[TorsinADoc]

I have an Elan Plus 2 that is RHD. Since the car is fairly large (by Lotus standards) it takes some getting used to.


My Mark VI, however, is also RHD and since it is so small it makes no difference at all with driving on LHD roads. THe only thing that is really different is shifting with the left hand, which should be easy if you are left handed.

My point is that in a car so small RHD vs LHD is less of an issue. Consider driving one before completely ruling RHD out.

'56 Mark VI '71 Type61mX '71 Type69 '72 Europa TC '74 Elan Plus2S 130/5 '91 M100 Elan '91 Type 106 Esprit X180R LotusSport 110

Are you trying to start a lotus museum?

 

[ricko32]

Rahul,

Again thanks for the info on sb1503.
I have called and left a message on the machine on the 8th.
I sent a e-mail.
I have called a couple of times, just a machine.

Still waiting for a reply.

Rick