The Lotus 7 that had its beginnings in
1957 was viewed
as the car responsible for putting the fledgling Lotus
company on the map. It was skimpy and basic but smart
in its design with multi tubular frame chassis on an
aluminum body.
It had no doors, just cutaway sides and with its hood
raised it was nearly impossible to get into this car.
Its front wheels had small mudguards whilst its headlights
stood on their own.
It did offer coil-sprung independent front suspension
and a rear axle that resulted in fabulous handling.
Its engine varied from a Ford 100E unit to a Coventry
Climax FWA or a BMC A Series unit.
More powerful motors became used in the Super 7 which
started production in 1961 and for the first time disc
brakes were used in the front.
A 1600 Cortina engine
was used in the S3 series whilst in the S4 of 1970 the
body was chunkier glassfibre with Europa Type front
suspension.
This car was seen as more civilised and it sold fairly
well with more than 900 in three years. In
1973 Lotus
ceased with the kit car market and sold the designs
to Catherham Cars who are still building the S3 to this
day.