1,500cc Cosworth-Ford 109E Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
120bhp
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
Independent Front Suspension with Wishbones and Coil Springs
Live Rear Axle with Radius Arms, Panhard Rod and Coil Springs
4-Wheel Girling Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Graham Chapman's most important early Lotus model
*Completely restored and ready to enjoy
*Offered from 18 years of single-owner care
*Legendary race-derived handling and performance
*Accompanied by 1982-dated letter confirming original sale details

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

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.

Bearing Serial Number SB1401, this original right-hand drive 1962 Lotus Super 7 is one of only an approximate 1,310 S2 examples produced in all by Lotus Cars between June 1960 and August 1968. According to a January 1982-dated letter on file from Caterham Cars, SB1401 was finished in green and sold new by Lotus Cars Ltd. on March 3, 1962 with original engine number S251938E to first owner D.H. Meldrum of Middlesex, England. At a subsequent point, SB1401 was sold to the United States and at the time of the aforementioned letter, the car was owned by Alan Wertheimer, an attorney in Beverly Hills. Now offered from 18 years of single ownership and care, this 1962 Lotus Super 7 features British Racing Green and natural alloy finishes over the red-trimmed cockpit, which is complete with a set of Simpson racing harnesses. As offered, this Super Seven continues to benefit handsomely from a complete restoration and features a desirable lightweight alloy hood. Power is provided by a high-revving 1500 cc Cosworth Twin-Cam engine with twin Weber carburetors that delivers exceptional performance in concert with the lightweight chassis and body design. In contrast to many other examples, this Lotus-built Super 7 importantly retains the stamped chassis plate, the number of which matches the serial number stamped on the vehicle's ID tag. Agile, extremely responsive to driver inputs and startlingly capable of out-accelerating, out-handling and out-braking far more-powerful opposition, the Super 7 delivers a thrilling driving experience in all disciplines and remains coveted by hardcore sports-car enthusiasts today. Accordingly, this very fine example is certainly one of the best available today.