Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Lotus Super-Seven - the dinosaur (historical test)

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on February 1, 1964

Reading time 11min

Written by:

John Aley

Photos:

Archiv

14

Archiv

14

Lotus Seven (1962) - Freude am Fahren

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Seven (1958) - diesen Bausatz erhielt der begabte Handwerker

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Seven (1958) - auf schmalen Rädern

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Seven (1958) - fast freistehende Räder wie bei einem Formelauto

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Seven (1960) - gerne im Clubsport eingesetzt

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Seven (1960) - minimalistischer Sportwagen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Seven (1961) - noch mit Stahlrädern

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Super Seven (1963) - Blick in den Motorraum

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Super Seven (1963) - ein Scheinwerfer musste reichen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Pontiac Grand Prix (1962) - Werbung, die einen Lotus Super Seven neben dem grossen Pontiac zeigt - aus den USA im Jahr 1962 (engl.)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Europa (1970) - auf dem Lotus-Stand an der London Motor Show - Elan als Vorserien-Sprint, Europa und Super Seven zusammen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Super Seven (1969) - Vorderansicht eines späten Sevens am Genfer Automobilsalon

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Super Seven (1971) - Durchsichtszeichnung des S4

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Super Seven (1971) - Interieur des S4-Sevens

You have only

1 out of 14

images seen in high resolution

Summary

The Lotus Super Seven was a car that probably only the English could invent. In principle, the design was based on a formula car, except that two seats and some weather protection were provided. Lightweight and equipped with the handling characteristics of a racing car, the small sports car was particularly suitable "for racing in club races and ruffling his girlfriend's hair". John Aley tested the lightweight British car with a Ford engine and 85 hp in 1985. This report reproduces the original text including the development history and supplements it with archive photos and four (!) original brochures.

This article contains the following chapters

From history - Seven is preceded by Six
From prototype to series production
The technical details
With a lightweight tubular frame
With many Ford parts
Spartan with an eye for the essentials
Soft top and windshield
On the circuit
Driving characteristics like a sports or racing car
Summary

Estimated reading time: 11min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In the second half of the twentieth century, the idea of a high-performance car for sale was something specific and clearly defined. First of all, of course, it had to have performance, but then a lot of comfort, complete equipment and - for snobs and / or aesthetes - an immaculately attractive exterior. If you put the Lotus Seven up against these expectations, it does no more justice to them than a dinosaur mingling with a herd of cows does to the farmer's wishes. This dinosaur among cars is a two-seater weighing barely 480 kilograms with a narrow cockpit and a windshield that actually works as a vortex machine and protects the wind rather than the passengers. However, "passengers" is hardly the right word for the Lotus Seven; anyone who considers themselves a "passenger" definitely does not belong in the cramped cockpit, which is similar to that of the M.G. TC that well-behaved citizens moaned about almost 20 years ago! However, the Lotus Seven - we will omit the "Super" used in the title, which does not define much because the Seven is delivered in different versions from case to case anyway - gained a legendary reputation among crazy people, fans and like-minded people, despite or precisely because of its dinosaur-like appearance.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Photos of this article

Source: