Hi Jacques,
Just got back from a fruitful little trip, got a Datsun A12 shortblock all
race prepped and ready to install, where a friend had just picked up his
winter project. It's a Sabre 7 kit version of the Lotus 7. Has a 2L Ford
pinto engine which will be exchanged for a 215CI Aluminum Rover V-8 this
winter.
Car is very nice looking and allegedly has some race history. Clamshell
fenders, square tubing frame with a Mustang 2 type front suspension.
Is this a common kit car, something that is only a "Few off" type car or
sort of an unknown ticket? Car runs very well, handles nicely, and clearly
has had a lot of wonderful care.
His last winter project was my 5 speed in his immaculate 1275 Bugeye and the
Moss bolt on Supercvharger kit. He now is having more fun with it than
might be legal! Loves the supercharger. He says it's a simple bolt on,
start it up and drive it! All it takes is money!
Later, Paul A
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jacques Le Clainche" <hobbycars@cox.net>
To: <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 8:43 PM
Subject: RE: Spridget powered super 7 project
> Caterhams 7s often go for more money than original Lotuses... really!
> Exception would be a Lotus 7 with some "history", and obviously if one of
> the original 13 Lotus Seven S3 Twin Cam came up for sale, I guarantee it
> will be expensive! Apart from Caterham, Lotus clones seem to have little
> value on the used car market, and are very difficult to sell. I have seen
> good ones though, especially the cars from South Africa (Birkin). If you
> are not worried about resale value, you could have great fun with a clone.
> Last year I had a very long drive in a Birkin (live axle) and a Caterham
(De
> Dion axle), both powered by a stock Zetec. I actually prefered the Birkin,
> but its owner and builder was a German engineer, who really knows how to
> build a car!
>
> Cheapest of the original Lotus 7 are the Lotus Seven S4, then the A series
> engined cars. The S4 has a better drive train and more cockpit space than
> the S1/ll/lll, but the earlier cars look better.
>
> If you want a Lotus Seven, I recommend you go for a Series ll A series
> engined Lotus Seven. Fun to drive, and fast enough considering the car
> weighs a tad over 1200 pounds. If you want to go faster and the "squarish"
> rear end does not scare you off, go for a S4. The S4 Twin Cam is faster
than
> the 1600 crossflow car, but the S4 with the Ford "Kent" crossflow engine
can
> easily get the same amount of power for less money - parts for the Twin
cam
> are expensive and can be difficult to obtain.
>
> You could pick up a Lotus Seven S4 for as little as $8,000 (one sold for
> that price in Arizona not that long ago), and a series ll, A series
engined
> car, for about twice as much.
>
> JLC
> 1970 Lotus Seven S4 Twin Cam, 115 hp at the rear wheels (6400 rpm) and
1310
> lbs laden.
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