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Lotus Seven : The Plan

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  TL;DR : moderate and reasonable with no stone left unturned Soooo, after that nice Saturday drive in a Lotus Seven to get a soup at the Signal de Botrange restaurant, I was hooked and couldn't wait for the carburetors to be tuned and all the fluids to be replaced before confirming the purchase. While there is little concern about modifications on the Caterham 170, which are intended to look stock and take care that any change has to be stealthy and fully reversible, that's a whole other game with a 1966 Lotus Super Seven. That fine piece of motoring history is actually already listed in a registry where only 60 cars or so are identified and tracked. Only must-have upgrades should be on the menu, and those are the ones for this week already : For new tyres, I've chosen a set of Uniroyal Rainexpert 3 in 155/80-13 (currently 185/60-13) Rock-solid, dependable ignition will be managed by a 123ignition distributor (digital, programmable) New Bosch "blue" ignition co...
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Caterham 170 vs Lotus Seven

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  TL;DR : yes (but what's even the question?) I've always heard and read that the Kei Caterham (Suzuki-based 160/165 and 170) are in fact a back to the roots iteration of the Seven. That's actually very accurate. As I'm seriously considering getting the real thing for myself, I had to do my due diligence and learn all that's to know about the O.G. Lotus Seven, especially the S2. Compared to the Caterham 170, the similarities are plenty : same weight (~460kg) same track width same narrow rear wheel arches similar tyre dimensions (equiv. width of 155 for the S1, 145 for the S2, in both instances with an overall diameter within 2% of the 160-170) similar live axle same "A" frame to locate the rear axle same brake configuration with front discs and rear drums similar engine power (1500 Cosworth ~90-95bhp) equivalent engine displacement (1498cc vs 658cc @2.3 bar = 1513cc) hydraulic clutch with the S2 came the first side screens and full hood with rear windows...
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Hello World

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Hi, I'm Nicolas. Welcome to my second blog. This one will be dedicated to our adventures with a '1966 Lotus Super Seven, 1500 Cosworth. My other blog is about my experience with the Caterham 170 S . There will be direct links between the two blogs, and you will be able to jump from one to the other using the menu on the left. As usual, I am my first reader, this is first and foremost my own documentation where I'll make sure everything is logged for further reference. You can read my original introduction here . The story actually begins at the same moment in February 2024 : 🦄 this unicorn of a Lotus Seven was actually the first one you crossed when entering the House of Speed show room; between the front door and the office. It took quite a turn on the day I brought the Caterham with a missing wheel arch and jokingly said I'd better leave before leaving with the Lotus S2. Here we are... Enjoy !
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