Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Members Cars => Topic started by: SENC on Friday,January 03, 2020, 05:51:18 PM
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I know, not a Europa, but a close family member. I've been lurking as a member for a bit as I considered for a while acquiring a TC Europa as a stablemate for my 69 Elan. Then came the opportunity to buy this Seven and I couldn't pass up on it. I know there are a number of common bits with the Europa, and suppose there are a number of Seven owners here, too, so hope you'll let this owner of Lotus siblings drop in with pictures and questions periodically.
Henry
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First, :Welcome:
Next, She's a beauty. Driving a 7 is about the most fun you can have with with your clothes on (Europas are a bit more practical though)! Congratulations on your purchase! Which engine does it have?
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Thanks! It has the original Cosworth 1500 with the same Webers it started life with, so I'm very excited. Turned over without a hitch after a long transport from the UK and seems to run quite well at idle and in first gear, so promising. At least one of the rear brakes or maybe the handbrake is stuck in slightly closed position, the car doesn't roll as easily as it should, and it hasn't been on the road anywhere in at least a few years, maybe longer so really need to refresh the brake and suspension systems at a minimum before I can safely test it on the road. I can't wait to spend some time this weekend in and under it to start investigating and building a list of todos and needs.
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I am overcome with envy. More pictures please.
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It's a rare thing to hear a vehicle described as less practical than a Europa and find myself agreeing! None the less, I am also consumed with envy. Enjoy!
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Hello Henry!
:Welcome:
what a beauty!
(the car that the Europa failed to replace!)
as with previous comments, I’m very envious!
Mark
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On the subject of practicality, I've never had the pleasure of driving a 7 but at this point in my life a car I can step into might be considered more practical than one I have to crawl into.
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I’ve always been fascinated by Seven’s and have a number of friends who own them. :Welcome:
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On the subject of practicality, I've never had the pleasure of driving a 7 but at this point in my life a car I can step into might be considered more practical than one I have to crawl into.
Good point about getting into it, but the calculation is a bit different if it's raining or you have to carry much of anything! Having driven two for a short time (way too short) it would be worth it to spend some (a lot) time trying to find someone to let you drive theirs (there's a LOG this year in Utah). Failing that, if you have to do it at gun point, it would be worth the jail time! :FUNNY:
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I am overcome with envy. More pictures please.
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more pictures
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Very nice! I know you'll have a lot of fun with her once you get things sorted out!
I should say that it shows a certain lack of decorum to dangle news of this acquisition in front of us, but on the other hand, we can live vicariously in your new automotive situation!
Good luck and don't be afraid to keep us up to date on any news about your new baby!
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Thank you and...Wow, that is nice!
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:Welcome:
That looks like a very nice clean example.
If there is anything that needs sorting out then it shouldn’t take you too long - they are so simple and easy to work on that you will be out and wearing the biggest smile possible in no time!
You will be surprised at how much you can actually pack into one with a bit of thought and you only need the roof up when you aren’t using it! - Side screens/doors fitted and forward motion = very little rain on the occupants even in fairly heavy rain (should you get caught out! - get wetter stopping and putting the roof up than if you just carry on!!)
Keep us posted, you will have a blast.
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Thanks all, and sorry for the lack of decorum BDA! ;D But no-one need resort to gunpoint just to drive one, just coming down to southeastern NC and helping out will earn a drive!
Got to spend some time in and underneath this weekend, overall looks pretty solid. Brake master cylinder and clutch master and slave cylinders will definitely need to be rebuilt, and most rubber bushes will need replacement. Pulled apart one of the rear brakes, overall looked pretty good so cleaned up and rebuilt with existing pieces - might get away with just a new rubber dust jacket for the cylinder - will see what I see with the other one when I can get into it, hopefully next weekend.
Ideally I'll get the suspension and brakes cleaned up and put back together over the winter and have a driver I can use some in the spring and summer to determine how much deeper I need to go before really using it as it was intended.
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The other side rear brake was a bit rougher, so decided it would be wise to go ahead and replace them since primary parts were readily available and not too bad. New shoes, wheel cylinders, and springs, along a new rear flex pipe. I've also replaced the rubber bushes in the rear a-arm and trailing arms.
Front suspension and brake check next.
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Beautiful example, congratulations! With all the Caterhams and Birkins an original seven with it original bits in great shape seem like a great find! Echoing jealousy and lust for more pics!
Tom
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Was over here surfing for information on something and realized I haven't updated this thread (truthfully, I forgot I started it!). The short version is I finished rebuilding the front and rear suspension (all but the shocks), the steering rack, and the entire braking system and got her road-safe. A few short test runs and knew the carburetors were next. Lots of old fuel gunk in them, surprised it ran as well as it did, so stripped them down completely and rebuilt them. Just as I was upgrading to Keith Franck's e-tubes, my starter pinion gear stripped, so out that came for a tear-down and rebuild, too. In short, I'm only just getting real road time, but as one of you said it is hard not to wear a s---eating grin the entire time behind the wheel.
This link is a (too long and unedited) video of an 8-mile stretch in the midst of an 80-mile shakedown drive a couple weeks ago, if you are really bored. https://youtu.be/VKpDeOQx0KM
Henry
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Was over here surfing for information on something and realized I haven't updated this thread (truthfully, I forgot I started it!). The short version is I finished rebuilding the front and rear suspension (all but the shocks), the steering rack, and the entire braking system and got her road-safe. A few short test runs and knew the carburetors were next. Lots of old fuel gunk in them, surprised it ran as well as it did, so stripped them down completely and rebuilt them. Just as I was upgrading to Keith Franck's e-tubes, my starter pinion gear stripped, so out that came for a tear-down and rebuild, too. In short, I'm only just getting real road time, but as one of you said it is hard not to wear a s---eating grin the entire time behind the wheel.
This link is a (too long and unedited) video of an 8-mile stretch in the midst of an 80-mile shakedown drive a couple weeks ago, if you are really bored. https://youtu.be/VKpDeOQx0KM
Henry
Hello Henry,
thanks for the 7 update (great video too!)
Mark
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Mine is not a Lotus Seven but a Locost. The Europa feels so luxurious after an hour in the Seven. The Seven is more like 4 wheeled motorcycle.
Paul
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Mine is not a Lotus Seven but a Locost. The Europa feels so luxurious after an hour in the Seven. The Seven is more like 4 wheeled motorcycle.
Paul
Funny you said that - I've been thinking how refined my Elan feels, and that is definitey not something I felt before the Seven! But that raw 7 feeling is a good one!