Description
This car is Lot 418 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at The Beaulieu Sale on 6 September, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Friday 5 September from 10:00 until 17:00 and Saturday 6 September from 08:30 until 17:00 at The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.
Lot 418
1962 Lotus Seven Series 2
Registration no. to be advised
Chassis no. SB1345
Long-term resident of Pennsylvania
Fitted with a 1600cc Crossflow engine
Recorded on Mike Ostrov's Lotus Seven Register
A great deal of development work was applied to the 7 during the years it was produced by Lotus Cars, along four distinct series. The original S1 established the basics, including the tubular spaceframe chassis, simple open bodywork, wishbone-and-coil-spring independent front suspension and live rear axle all of which continued through all four iterations of the car. The 7 was designed from the outset to accommodate a variety of engines, with the basic unit being Ford's 1, 172cc sidevalve 'four', with BMC A-Series and Ford 105E OHV units available later. When equipped with the 1, 098cc Coventry Climax engine, the cars were known as the "Super 7." The S2, introduced in 1960, featured a revised and simplified spaceframe and the Super Seven was now available with a Cosworth-tuned Ford 1, 340cc engine intended for SCCA racing in the United States, later in 1. 5- or 1. 6-liter displacements. The main S3 update was a strengthened chassis with stressed front bulkhead; Caterham production would take over during the S3 run. The 7 was an unqualified commercial success for Lotus, one which continues to exemplify company founder Colin Chapman's "added lightness" performance maxim.
Records indicate that SB 1345 was sold on 18th December, 1961 with frame #B1274 to a Mr. Frank Guckey. Little is known of the intervening years until it was acquired by the former keeper's husband in the mid-1990s, and was then placed into storage in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The car is believed to be powered by a 1600cc crossflow engine, fitted with dual Weber carburetors with Ramflo-style air cleaners. The current owner acquired the car from auction in the USA and repatriated it to the UK, where it has since undergone further mechanical recommissioning. Lightweight and with punchy Ford power, this marvellous little Seven is about as close as you can get to a go kart for two.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
