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1963 Lotus Super Seven (series 2) Authentic Vintage Racer And Tilt-bed Trailer on 2040-cars

Year:1963 Mileage:12038
Location:

Topanga, California, United States

Topanga, California, United States
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 My father vintage raced the first Lotus 26R S2 to compete at west coast vintage race events in the 1980s.  When he deemed his 26R too valuable for him to race, he sold it to a collector in Japan and began restoring this Super Seven.  He purchased the car from Jim Profit, of Racing Restorations in Long Beach, CA.  First he stripped it down to a bare metal tube chassis.  When the chassis met with his approval, it was powder painted black and re-skinned in fresh aluminum.  Fenders were restored to more proper proportions.  The car was built as a "street legal" (and road registered) racer in accordance with the rule set embraced by HMSA and General Racing.  Original correct engine with period correct updates, original suspension configuration.  A lot of thought and development went into this car.  There are many subtle details which all serve a purpose.  No expense was spared.  Dave Vegher of Veloce Motors West engineered and built the motor (as well as a fresh spare full-steel motor which can be purchased separately).  There are many ways to set up a race car ... choices in chassis set-up, spring rates, dampening, gear ratios, and differential set-up.  Without giving away any competitive secrets, let me just say that this car is a well developed tool, it is fast, yet forgiving to drive.  The car is so neutral handling and forgiving that it's eminent "drivability" makes even the occasional racer like me look like a "hero." 

The Super Seven weighs 1052 pounds with half a tank of fuel ... Power is in the neighborhood of 140bhp ... weight distribution is 48% front to 52% rear, and 49% to 51% measured diagonally.  The limited slip differential is a very special piece.  It is a Hewland design that runs a 4.4 ratio and benefits from the most slick fully synthetic lubricant.  Both my father and I have run different differentials ... the Hewland is magical.  Since 1990 the Super Seven has always been clad in "Allegheny Maroon" ... my father raced it with a French Blue nose band.  When I bought it and refreshed the entire car in 1997, I opted for a nose band of sea foam green.

I am 6'1" and 200 pounds with a 34" inseam ... the Seven fits me like a glove ... it is a very comfortable work space.  I am including a nifty light weight aluminum box tilt-bed enclosed trailer (single axle).  It was reported built by Webb Webster for an Indy Car he had built.  I bought the trailer from Don Ferguson of Paramount Forge and Ardun.  The story was that he bought four or five 4 cam Ford race motors from somewhere in the Pacific Northwest, and they gave him the trailer to get them home.  Weighs about 1000 pounds and the tilt-bed engineering is incredible!

If you want to run at premier vintage race events in the same class with Lotus 26Rs, Ginetta G4Rs, Shelby GT350s, and 289 Cobras, then this Lotus Super Seven is both rare fun and reliably competitive ... AND a bargain price of admission.


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Tue, Dec 29 2015

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The British automotive industry has produced everything from high-production econo-commuters to staggeringly luxurious oligarch-wagons, along the way winning plenty of races and building plenty of beautiful machines. The original Mini led directly to the past half-century of transverse-engine, front-wheel-drive cars built everywhere, the MGB put the sporty little convertible into everyone's reach, and the Morris Oxford became the most beloved motor vehicle in India. So many to choose from, but we want you to pick one. What will it be? Related Video:

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