I'm very grateful to Graham Nearn for the fact that he kept the car alive and that, as a consequence, I was able to fulfil a childhood dream and, 40 years later buy a Caterham kit and bolt together a Seven myself.
At 1 minute in it is a Lotus 7 meeting at Oulton Park in 1986 and I could not believe it when I saw my yellow Birkin 7 that I took through to the UK in 1985 for an 18 month stay before returning back to South Africa.
😺 Wonderful. Back in the early 2000s I had the idea of chucking in my day job and picking up South African (and other places) cars to transport back to the UK..I had seen some beautiful cars for silly money...Alfas, Minis (Not loony cars, regular classics) and so on. Wish I had done it. Do you still have your Seven?
Corvette clubs in America had the 7s banned from racing because they were spposedly unsafe. Actually, it was because they were beating the 'Vettes in SCCA road racing, and Chevrolet was butt-hurt.
That's true. Believe it or not, VW Bugs in speedy trim are banned from "drag races" in many places in the US, because of their incredible torque, which always manages to beat hell out of the drag racing hot rods. There are a few videos of these races and you can see the Bugs, going hell for leather !!!
An excellent documentary. Many thanks for posting. There's the Lotus/Caterham 7 and there's everything else. Nothing invigorates like these road racers...
I loved the dispute over rights to the Lotus name in F1 10 years ago....2 teams were using the name, the matter was settled when one of the teams changed its name to Caterham, so perfect.
I once passed up the chance of a lifetime......a Lotus 7 for £2000! OK it was a few years ago now, in the late 80's and there was no engine BUT it was a genuine 7.
I had a concept of a Corvair (140hp) engine mounted into a Lotus 7 (in front) with its transaxle mounted in back (with torque tube). It's easy to see why it's only a concept. ;-)
At 18 mins he claims it was impossible for a small company to pass the MIRA barrier test at the time. TVR's Mseries was launched in 1971 and passed the test in May that year. The car used was still able to steer afterwards. The Mseries was head and shoulders above everything at the time, and was the reason the company survived the 70s, while most small manufacturers had to beg for an exemption.
As secretary of the Lotus 7 Northern Owners Club at the time I was asked to provide the 6 cars for the start and end of the video. If there are any of the old club members watching I can be contacted at ron.wood7 @ btinternet.com (No spaces)
Too many mistakes in that film. You also keep mixing up the models. At one point, you claim a Seven S1 kit is that of a 6 and the 'first' S2 picture is of Graham's own NRN7.... which may even have been his extremely rare Lotus 7 SS (Twin Cam) (broadly, an S3) ! ..... Errr.... no! I also think we owe more to Graham Nearn than you mention. Chapman wanted to stop producing the 7. Graham knew this and also knew of Colin's constant need for 'cash flow'. Each time Chapman thought he'd stop building the Seven (because it didn't suit the direction that Colin wanted to move the company) Graham would order a couple more. Colin would NEVER turn down money and so... extended the life of the Seven for a couple more weeks..... until Graham, ordered some more. Thanks Graham, may you rest in peace! We owe you a massive debt!
I'm very grateful to Graham Nearn for the fact that he kept the car alive and that, as a consequence, I was able to fulfil a childhood dream and, 40 years later buy a Caterham kit and bolt together a Seven myself.
At 1 minute in it is a Lotus 7 meeting at Oulton Park in 1986 and I could not believe it when I saw my yellow Birkin 7 that I took through to the UK in 1985 for an 18 month stay before returning back to South Africa.
😺 Wonderful. Back in the early 2000s I had the idea of chucking in my day job and picking up South African (and other places) cars to transport back to the UK..I had seen some beautiful cars for silly money...Alfas, Minis (Not loony cars, regular classics) and so on. Wish I had done it.
Do you still have your Seven?
Corvette clubs in America had the 7s banned from racing because they were spposedly unsafe. Actually, it was because they were beating the 'Vettes in SCCA road racing, and Chevrolet was butt-hurt.
Correct. They were also labelled in the UK, as 'Too fast to race', during their heyday. I have owned two, A S2 and a S4.
That's true. Believe it or not, VW Bugs in speedy trim are banned from "drag races" in many places in the US, because of their incredible torque, which always manages to beat hell out of the drag racing hot rods. There are a few videos of these races and you can see the Bugs, going hell for leather !!!
C4s got kicked out of Scca anyway after a couple years of being basically unbeatable
No matter how long these videos are, they always seem to fly by !
Thanks for uploading this excellent documentary. Took me back to my youth, when I owned two Lotus Sevens.
:-)
An excellent documentary. Many thanks for posting.
There's the Lotus/Caterham 7 and there's everything else.
Nothing invigorates like these road racers...
One of the great joys of my life
I loved the dispute over rights to the Lotus name in F1 10 years ago....2 teams were using the name, the matter was settled when one of the teams changed its name to Caterham, so perfect.
i am so proud that i bought a 1995 caterham super 7 last year. and that I didn't do it 20 years earlier what a super fantastic car. Marc from Belgium
I once passed up the chance of a lifetime......a Lotus 7 for £2000! OK it was a few years ago now, in the late 80's and there was no engine BUT it was a genuine 7.
The battery in a a Tesla is about 550kg - the same weight as the whole of a Caterham/Lotus 7, including the engine and fuel.
Excellent... I loved my Caterham
I had a concept of a Corvair (140hp) engine mounted into a Lotus 7 (in front) with its transaxle mounted in back (with torque tube).
It's easy to see why it's only a concept. ;-)
Like a Motorcycle ... You Don't have to lean !!
I do recall my mentor rebuilt an early series 2 "boat tail " l think l have a photo somewhere . I believe it was powered by an "A" series . 1975/6
At 18 mins he claims it was impossible for a small company to pass the MIRA barrier test at the time.
TVR's Mseries was launched in 1971 and passed the test in May that year.
The car used was still able to steer afterwards.
The Mseries was head and shoulders above everything at the time, and was the reason the company survived the 70s, while most small manufacturers had to beg for an exemption.
Never forget the time Ron Wood took me for a spin in his beloved Lotus 7 in the late 70’s!
20 hrs on the 6 ... Darn give me that kit .
8:54 😍
I know where there is a 'Lost 7' chassis and lots of drawings. Could be for sale
There'll be people out there crying out 'Where!' :-) Anything would be too rich for my pockets but try the Lotus 7 club to advertise it.
Is it in your mind? 😅
As secretary of the Lotus 7 Northern Owners Club at the time I was asked to provide the 6 cars for the start and end of the video. If there are any of the old club members watching I can be contacted at ron.wood7 @ btinternet.com (No spaces)
LBJ 274 - is it still out there?
Doesn't exist on the UK registrations.
Thanks - my car Lotus 7 s2. 1962 BMC 998 engine ( America version) loved that car sold it to get married. Never mind. appreciated.@@rd-ve8db
Why do people call grp cars plastic .It's a totally different material . Comparing it with plastic is like Comparing metal to rock
Too many mistakes in that film. You also keep mixing up the models. At one point, you claim a Seven S1 kit is that of a 6 and the 'first' S2 picture is of Graham's own NRN7.... which may even have been his extremely rare Lotus 7 SS (Twin Cam) (broadly, an S3) ! ..... Errr.... no!
I also think we owe more to Graham Nearn than you mention. Chapman wanted to stop producing the 7. Graham knew this and also knew of Colin's constant need for 'cash flow'. Each time Chapman thought he'd stop building the Seven (because it didn't suit the direction that Colin wanted to move the company) Graham would order a couple more. Colin would NEVER turn down money and so... extended the life of the Seven for a couple more weeks..... until Graham, ordered some more. Thanks Graham, may you rest in peace! We owe you a massive debt!
I want one with a Tesla motor. 😊⚡