1961 Lotus Super Seven Series 2 Roadster

The Lotus Seven was the original track day special, a pure sports car that was sold in kit form and completed to the builders' own specifications - early cars usually had side-valve Ford or BMC A-Series power. The exceptionally well thought out multi-tubular space-frame chassis endowed the Seven with superlative handling while the minimalist approach to bodywork and ultra light weight ensured exceptional performance regardless of which engine the customer installed. In June 1960, the Seven evolved into the Series 2 with a revised chassis and new bodywork with numerous improvements, including more effective windscreen wipers, the availability of side curtains, a hood as standard equipment while new 'clamshell' type front wings were offered alongside the traditional cycle-guards. In 1961 the Ford Anglia 105E engine and four-speed gearbox were made available, as was the larger 109E motor from the Consul Classic in the form of the new Super Seven. In 1962 the quest for still more power saw the introduction of the Super Seven 1500 with the new five-bearing 116E Cortina motor fitted with a single sidedraught twin choke Weber 40DCOE2 carburettor and - for the first time - Girling disc brakes up front. Most agree the Series 2 was an even more effective track day weapon with several contemporary reports commenting on the sharper handling. With production thought to be in the region of 1,310 units between 1960 and 1968,surviving examples are comparatively rare and are coveted by Lotus collectors around the world.