I’m not sure if this tarp and tubing structure qualifies as a barn, but I think this genuine 1967 Lotus 7 for sale here on Facebook Marketplace and located in East Haven, Connecticut is a terrific find! Thanks to reader Bill C. for calling it to our attention! The seller is asking $28,000, but how often do you come across a real Lotus 7? Especially one that appears to have been used on the street (note the side curtains)!
I wish a little more effort had been taken to get some good pictures of the car, but as best as I can tell it’s pretty solid. The seller tells us it needs a front wheel bearing and caliper, which is presumably why the car was laid up after 66,000 miles.
I think the Mountney-type steering wheel wasn’t around in 1966 but it does look the part. It also looks like the tachometer may have been replaced. I love that the car looks to have been used on the road!
Presumably this is the other wheel shown here. It actually seems pretty wide to me for a 7 this old — any other opinions, readers?
Twin DCOE Webers and K&N filters are always good to see under the hood of anything. The front-mid engine layout that helps to lend the 7 design its great balance and handling is very evident from this picture. I wish I were the person putting this “overpowered go-kart” back on the road — don’t you?
Jamie, I wish I FIT in a Lotus Seven! Tried once and found it rather tight. A Caterham was less so; I’ve been lucky enough to drive a couple of those and really enjoyed them, though driving in traffic can be a bit nerve-wracking.
If memory serves, Westfield also made a Seven replica. I had a drive in one fitted with a Rover V8…it was a car that tended to show there really is such a thing as “too much power.”
For a real Seven, $28K doesn’t seem unrealistic to me. For that kind of money, I’d expect the seller to roll the thing out in the sunshine and take some decent photos, though. Moreover, I’d want to consult an expert to make sure this is the real deal and not one of the knockoffs. Being a Caterham or Westfield is no bad thing — maybe a bonus if you want to use the car regularly, in fact — but there’s dollar value in authenticity.
I think it may be tough to prove this is a real Lotus. The rocker switches make me think this is a Caterham. I’ve owned two, and they are great cars with reasonable parts back up. I once tried to buy another that was in this condition, but that’s another story. One more thing-Caterhams are a continuation car more than a knock off.
Also note the Caterham grille.
Not much airflow with that license plate blocking 75% of the grill.
Turn signals look right for a lotus, seats, muffler, and wheels look like a Caterham. Then again so many of the parts are swapped out it is difficult to tell. Need to look at the plate to be sure and even then they can be added later.
If you want to be original get a lotus. Caterhams and Birkins have made a number of improvements over the years so they handle better, are more comfortable, and safer. The lotus frame was not the best.
Been in all three, never a Westfield, owned a Birkin. Man are these fun. Will never forget the look on the fellow’s face as he slid off the corner in his 400HP Porsche. He tried to pass me in the corner by using the same brake point. He figured out that having twice the power doesn’t make up for twice the weight when braking and turning in.
A kent motor is fine in a lotus. If going to something newer and with more power the newer Se7ens are a better choice.
I have been the Lotus 7 Caterham business since 76 and I would say without hesitation this is a Caterham.
The lotus chassis was grey, S3 Lotus 7 were never fitted with twin webers, the dash is Caterham so are the rear wings
Not convinced. Also the asking price is outrageous, but good find nevertheless
Terry
This car is sold…To know if it is a real seven,it needs frame Nr and chassis Nr …
And ask to John Watson…
Hagerty value is 23,000 good, what am I missing?
This car is very clearly a Caterham, probably mid to late ’90s.
Love the horn button!! A lot of these are registered as ’67s. Pretty sure it’s a later Caterham. Someone with more knowledge than me should be able to pin it down. $26,000 sounds a little stiff considering the condition.
This guy is clearly a perfectionist. I’m sure the car is as “ship shape” as the rest of his garage. Really, for 28K you can’t even push it out of that fabric tomb?
I decided these were on my bucket list, when the first episode of “The Prisoner” aired. The years have not diminished my interest, but heightened it, with all of the wonderful (some, insane) variants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygLg-7G0Xp0
Be seeing you.
Tamiya makes a great 1/24 kit of the Series II with the swept fenders. Mine’s done up as KAR120C. Very surreal show, even today.
@Rabbit – Nice to know. Thanks for the info. One of my favorite shows of all time. Big thumbs up.
Yes these handle very nicely. But would rethink the “balance” comment if you ever drove one of these in an autocross. Terminal under steer is the correct term when pushed really hard on street tires at slower speeds.
It is still a very cool car and I want one!
I have a seven to sell ,an authentic one,certified by John Watson (England),and in nice condition at € 24000.
Memories of the Prisoner !
I am Number 6
I am a free man !
I have no connection to this. But it could be a good deal for someone: https://www.ebay.com/itm/223271043680?ul_noapp=true
I grew up around a shop that built Super Sevens. For the most part, these where kit cars that you could put various engine options in. I’ve seen a few with twin Webers added. Twin cams from Elan’s and other Lotus/Ford variants. It all depended on how much money you had to add in.
Oh what a sight. Elans and Europa’s by the dozens scattered here and there in various states. Made good pickings for a kid who was into British cars.
It looks more like a Caterham with a Lotus badge. The dash layout and steering wheel: Caterham. Not Seven S3. Still a fun car to drive. What is the engine in there?
The engine is wrong, Lotus used a variety of engines but NO cross flows in Lotus trim, usually on older S1 and S2 models, a BMC 948 and S2 – S3 models a Ford 997 to 1558 pushrods or a very few Elan type DOHC 1558 conversions.
Former ’67 S2 owner, had several engines, 997, 1172, 1558 as amendments, all still in the Seven family of engines.
Warren,
Each and every Lotus Sevens Series 3’s (’68-’70) had a Ford Cortina crossflow engine (with a displacement of 1600cc not 1558cc –those were the Lotus twin cams) and that includes the 13 Lotus Twin Cam SS models. That’s what defined the Seven Series 3 along with the wider Ford Escort rear axle.
Without question, this absolutely is a mid-’90’s Caterham. BUT that HEAVILY oxidized engine bay alloy sheet and cast indicates this one is to be avoided at any price!