Lotus Seven

Series 2, year 1965

The Lotus Seven is a two-seater, open sports car model of Lotus Cars. The spartan, lightweight, relatively small sports car was produced 1957-1972.

History

The Lotus Seven in 1957 was put on the market after the Lotus Eleven was produced in limited numbers already. Based on Chapman's first series-produced sports car, the Lotus 6, the Seven was powered by a 40 bhp strong Ford side valve engine with 1172 cc capacity. The car was so designed primarily for convenient club racing on short routes.

In 1960, the Series 2 (S2) and 1968, the Series 3 (S3). 1970 Lotus changed the design of the car clearly; it was the more conventionally proportioned Series 4 (S4 ) with a more angular GRP body, which replaced the previous aluminum construction for the most part. With Series 4 of Seven also offered for the first time as standard comfort features such as a fan heater. The S4 model was not well received, and Lotus sold few copies.

By that time control system (Purchase Tax, excise ) the car could be sold cheaper by offering it as a kit car, there has accounted for the additional tax that would have been paid if fully assembled vehicles. The tax laws, however, said that the kits were no assembly instructions are included. However, Lotus took advantage of a loophole in the legal text and provides customers with disassembly instructions, which had to be followed for installation of the vehicle, only in reverse order. With the accession of the United Kingdom to the EEC on 1 January 1973 the British government had to replace the excise tax by the tax. Thus accounted for the tax benefits and the Lotus Seven - kit vehicles found their end.

1973 Lotus decided to completely drop the " kit-car " image and instead to focus on a limited racing and sports cars. Lotus therefore sold the production rights of the Seven on their last remaining dealers Caterham Cars. After the company Caterham further produced for a short time, Series 4 ( the term covered the remaining Lotus mounting kits ), they introduced their version of the Series 3 model. This has since continued to be produced as a Caterham Seven and constantly revised. In addition, many other companies have found that follow the idea of ​​small, lightweight sports car and offer very similar vehicles, including Irmscher (D), Westfield ( GB), Dax ( GB), Sylva ( GB), Locust ( GB), Donkervoort ( NL), HKT (D), VM (D), Rush ( D) and RCB (D).

The Lotus 7 shows in the history of Lotus models a special feature dar. Up to the present time all the street models received an "E" starting model name (a tribute to the wife Chapmans ), all racing cars, however, were provided with a serial number. Only the Lotus Seven was a number, even though he was a street car if constructed as a race car.

His most famous media appearance was the Super 7 in 1967 in the British cult TV series The Prisoner / Number 6 (1969 ZDF ). In the introduction by the protagonist " Number Six ", played by Patrick McGoohan, it. By the City of London on his way to his superiors to give him his letter of resignation In one episode ( Congratulations / Many Happy Returns ) reported " number 6" of how he built the car and therefore knows perfectly. McGoohan had the model itself chosen to emphasize their individuality in the figure. Graham Nearn, the then owner of the company is to see in the last episode of " unmasking " himself briefly as a mechanic, the Number Six ' lotus turns off before the house.

Versions

Aluminum body. Produced quantity: 242

  • 7F ( Ford engine, 1,172 cc, 28-40 hp, three-speed gearbox), 1957-1960
  • 7C (Coventry - Climax engine, 1098 cc, 75 hp, four-speed transmission ) 1958-1960
  • 7A ( BMC engine, 948 cc, 37 hp, four-speed transmission ), 1958-1960
  • 7 America (Austin- Healey engine, 43 hp, four-speed transmission ), 1958-1960

Plastic fenders and snout, aluminum body and four-speed transmission. Produced quantity: about 1,310

  • 7F ( Ford engine, 1,172 cc, 40 hp ), 1960-1961
  • 7A ( BMC engine, 948 cc, 37 hp), 1960-1961
  • 7 America (Austin- Healey engine, 1098 cc, 55 hp), 1960-1961
  • 7 105E ( Ford engine, 997 cc, 39 hp), 1961-1968
  • Super 7 Cosworth 1340 (Ford Cosworth engine, 1340 cc, 85 hp ), 1961-1962
  • Super 7 1500 ( Ford Cosworth engine, 1,498 cc, 66-100 hp), 1962-1968
  • 7 Series 2 1/2 ( Ford engine, 1,598 cc, 84 hp ), 1968

Produced quantity: 340

  • 7 1300/1600 ( Ford engines, 1.297/1.598 cm ³, 72/84 PS), 1968-1969
  • 7 S (Ford Holbay engine, 1,598 cc, 120 hp), single piece, 1969
  • 7 SS ( Lotus engine, 1,558 cc, 115-125 hp), 13 pieces, 1969

Heavily modified, larger body. Produced quantity: about 664

  • 7 1300/1600GT ( Ford engines, 1.297/1.598 cm ³, 72/84 PS), 1970-1972
  • 7 Twin Cam ( Lotus engine, 1,558 cc, 115-125 hp), 1970-1972
Car classification Roadster (automobile) Curb weight Westfield Sportscars Lotus Evora Lotus 2-Eleven Lotus Elite Lotus Esprit Lotus Europa Lotus Europa S
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