1960 LOTUS 7 early Series 1 SEVEN ( built 1960 )

Description

This is NOT a "Super" ... eBay inserts that as their only category . This is a 1960Series OneSeven with the RARE aluminum slant nose.
Now at age 77, after many years of restoring and driving old race cars,I am retiring from the restoration business, and being encouraged by my family to sell most of my cars, and huge stock of Vintage parts.
Re-listed here on ebay without reserve,after successful bidder did not follow through with purchase.Please do not bid if you expect to get a Documented Series One that is on the Registry, for this low price.please note that this car does not have a Lotus cowl tag attached.It DOES have the correct Lotus Series 1 frame & tag, manufactured in Jan-Mar 1960Includes appropriate communications with the UK Registry... IF it had complete documentation for the UK Lotus Register, it would NOT be sold for this LOW PRICE
It has a Lotus 26 Independant Rear Differential and although it appears to have been originally built that way,at this time it is uncertain whether it may have been converted to an IRS car in the mid 60's


this Lotus is also for sale at our shop, and this listing may be ended at any time
ALL REASONABLE OFFERS to add a " Buy it Now " will be considered.
Please note, as seen in the pictures, this Lotus has a current Vintage Tag and is registered and insured by Haggerty for road use,and I do occasionally drive it with appropriate wheels/tires.
Although it will make a transfer easy, the car may not be fully highway legalin your areaas it presently is.
Export is easy to most any destination, as the Documentation includes both SCCA Logbook # 28-01, and current Alabama Certificate of Registration as a Vintage Vehicle.
VIN isL563/763which is the Lotus Frame Number
SCCA Logbook # 28-016
We located this Vintage Lotus in Phoenix Arizona a few years ago. It was brought to Arizona many years ago by the now deceased owner who retired there, moving from Ohio, where he had raced it as Formula C and Canada Class.
Originally powered by a Ford 100E for Club racing in the UK, it was converted to a BMC "A" when it was brought to Canada and raced in the Detroit areaeventually coming to Ohio in the US.
Many have looked it over carefully, and to all, it appears it is likely one of several non-homologated cars built by Lotus with IRS, as there is no evidence that the frame was modified after the frame had been built by Progress for Lotus, and there is nothing indicating it ever had fenders.It is well known that a half dozen or so non-homologated 7 type IRS cars were built at Lotus.
According to reliable UK sources, the frame is a Progress chassis built in Jan-March 1960, and has the correct Progress Lotus # plate L563/763( Progress was the first builder of the Seven Series 1 frames for Lotus at that time,beforeArch Mfg, who built the later frames..)
It has the Williams & Pritchard Series One Alloyveryrarealuminum slant nose built for Lotus, not one of the later fiberglass noses.
As to the differential, it is the IRS model developed for the Elan.Design and development of the Elan began in 1958 with Ron Hickman at Lotus. Lotus records for Series one cars are sparse, but we continue to research as to whether this frame may have been built in 1960 as a mule for the new IRS differential, prior to the later completion of the Elan, or whether it was converted to IRS in the mid 60's.

As to it's current 'restored' condition, the car is pictured in the 1970's in Dennis' book " Legend of the Seven " and today still presents itself very much as pictured in the 1970's. Numerous pictures of the car "when found, and during 'restoration' come with the car.
Unlike may of the old Sevens, this car has NO frame rust problems or rust repair, as it likely has been indoors it's entire life
Many years ago, the original hood (bonnet) was professionally replaced to accommodate the carbs on the BMC engine. In 2017 we replaced the dash to accomodate newer instruments, rather than modifying the original dash, and BOTH the original hood and original dash are included.
A custom FT3 fuel cell by Eagle was installed in 2018 and was designed to "appear original" to maintain the period look. The original alloy fuel tank by Williams and Pritchard was in 'like new' condition, but not allowed by some race groups.
It has the very rare Lotus Series One alloy slant nos, the workmanship of it is a piece of art in itself.
The blue wire wheels are the original 15" rear and 13" front, now have Dunlop and Hoosier Vintage race tires, and included in this sale.

Other wheels and tires appear in some pictures.
The 13" Silver wire wheels with new Achilles tires are NOT included, but are available for $600, and are appropriate for some preservation events and for street use.That includes a new pair of matching Achilles tires in 15" diameter for the rear, but we have not acquired 15" wire wheels for them yet.
The Panasport wheels/Toyo Proxes tires with adapters, shown at Halle, are from my other race cars, are NOT included, but may be purchased if needed.

If you like small bore racing, this car at only 880 pounds, is exciting to drive, balances well, corners very well, brakes well, and has enough power for wheelspin exiting.
Last year we split the brake system for safety, and added a residual valve. The braking is reliable, and very good.After a 3 day CVAR event at Hallet, Oklahoma, the engine has just been freshened, and roller rockers have been added. The engine is from the ex Karl Flessa Bugeye Sprite which was a winner in the 70's, and stored for 30 years or so before we found it.The 'original' 948 race engine (block,crank,rods andpistons) comes with the car also.It has no significant value.
Other pictures and engine details available on request.
This will be make a great entry for the up-comingPut in Bay Vintage Event in September

Installed is a very strong, fresh, BMC "A" .040over high compression race engine, a rib-case transmission, front disc bakes, and the car was converted to a split brake system before the Hallet Event.
The Rear Axle assembly is Factory Lotus26 Diff with cast alloy uprights and drum brakes, with recent drive joints from Dave Bean Lotus.
Universals joints in the steering are all new, and the steering is positive.
Sold as "track ready"the car has been thoroughly gone through at the shop for my personal use on track with no expense spared,but as with any race car, a complete pre-race check should always be done before EVERY track use
The wheels/tires may be different in some pictures, see the description above.
Also, the transponder and camera if shown, are my personal units and do not come with the car
The Car has current Logbooks,andthe car has current Vintage Registration and is Insured by Haggert, and is occasionally driven on the highway,
The Registration makes it easy to export or register in other States, but the car may not be road-legal in your area as it is.
Although it appears no fenders were ever installed, we do have a set of front S1 alloy fenders.

If racing is not your plan, we can re-install the freshly rebuilt "warm-street" 1098cc engine, the original rare alloy fuel tank (condition is like new, and the restored 13" silver wire wheels with new tires as shown,and credit $2000 to the bid, after the sale.
Available at my shop in North Alabama, we have exported many cars to the UK, Europe, Asia, and Down Under,
and can assist with arrangements.
Google ... OldSchool Restorations of North Alabama
see............... http://www.forgottenfiberglass.com/about-us/dave-perry-school-restorations/


and .......... www.race-cardrivers.com/shop.htm
TERMS...
$500. non-refundable deposit by PayPal at time of bid, and the balance by wire transfer within 5 Days.
Stored inside FREE for up to 60 days if needed ………. after 60 days the cost is $60.00 per month
It may say 'pick up only' but we can arrange shipping almost anywhere.
Available at my shop in North Alabama, we have exported many cars and parts to the UK, Europe, Asia, and Australia/New Zealand,and can assist you with arrangementsper month
. It may say 'pick up only' but we can arrange shipping almost anywhere.
. Available at my shop in North Alabama, we have exported many cars and parts to Europe, Asia, and Down Under,and can assist you with arrangements.
Dave Perry
Google ..................OldSchool Restorations of North Alabama
. SEE... www.race-cardrivers.com/shop.htm