Description
LOTUS SEVEN S4 TWIN CAM 1970.
The Lotus 7 S4 , unvieled in Geneva in 1970, marked the final evolution of Colin Chapman’s iconic sports car. Unlike its predecessors, the S4 featured a more angular and modernised design, moving away from the previous curvaceous lines.
It incorporated fibreglass panels and increased interior space, with the aim of improving comfort without compromising the central spirit of minimalism and performance. The S4 retained the distinctive open wheel configuration and lightweight tubular steel chassis, ensuring exceptional agility.
The S4 was also the last version produced by Lotus before Caterham took over the manufacturing rights for the Seven in 1973.
This Lotus Seven S4 was sold new in November 1970 and is one of only 66 produced by Lotus, ensuring its status as a rare and collectible classic. The V5 shows only 6 previous owners, the former owner having been a garage proprietor who bought the car in 1986 and then transferred the ownership into his own private name in 1990. He owned the car for 37 years and is understood to have used it for a series of competition and club events etc. before putting it into dry storage. It is equipped with the top-of-the-range engine, the famous 1. 6 Lotus twin cam, which thanks to the twin Webber 40 DCOE carburettors delivers around 127BHP which guarantees an essential power-to-weight ratio for taking corners at impressive speed. It has a ‘Fiddle Handbrake’ enabling the driver to slide the back end in tight corners such as the zig zag up to the Cathedral Grandstand at Angouleme or for a fast turn around when negotiating bollards in speed trail events and a competition clutch which ensures a fast get away.
The car came to me from the last owners deceased estate and having been in dry storage for a number of years as you can imagine it was in need of a good going through.
The engine now starts ‘on the button’ and idles sweetly with good oil pressure and pulls really well. The competition clutch is heavy if you are not familiar with such things but fine once you are used to it. The gearchange is tight and precise. The Twin 40s have been ultrasonic cleaned, a choke cable fitted for easy starting, new fuel lines fitted, the brakes have fresh fluid, the coolant has been changed and fresh antifreeze added etc etc. It now runs and sounds how a Lotus should.
It has had a complete interior retrim to standard Lotus spec with the addition of four point TRS harnesses. A rear tonneau covers the battery box and there is a rain cover for the cockpit in case the car is left out in a shower.
The bodywork is very sharp and straight as is the chassis but it is not a ‘Show Car’. It has what the experts call ‘Patina’. You would not buy a Monet if it was ‘like new’! I was looking at Nick Mason’s D Type recently, currently valued at around £10, 000, 000. The seats are worn, the paintwork is chipped, there is the odd blister or scuff. Its what makes it what it is.
The documentation with the Lotus includes; The current V5 showing it as an Historic Vehicle so it is tax and MOT exempt, lots of old MOTs, old V5s, Old tax discs and SORN declarations, a specification sheet from The Lotus Seven register and other bits and bobs, promotional photos and the like.
There are a few minor jobs that need doing before the car can be fully returned to the road; namely some of the electrics, indicators etc.( I will check all the bulbs when I get time) and the tyres, although all good, I would change before driving it ‘In Anger’ just because of their age.
Prices of S4s are all over the place. The cheapest are around £15000, the more expensive double that and the most expensive POA. Few have the Lotus Twin Cam engine. ( A Lotus twin cam engine was advertised on ebay at 9K recently )
I have put a very sensible price on this car because I have already spent too much time and money on it and it is time to let a new owner take it to the next level, or just use it !
If you buy it you will need to collect it on a trailer.
There are no additional hidden fees. The Price we agree is what you pay. No more/ no less.
