1970 Lotus Seven S3

Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire 0 - 0 Registration No: ALF 999H Chassis No: SB2596 MOT: Exempt � One of less than 350 S3 Lotus 7s built � Fitted with the rarely seen Holbay-tuned Ford engine � Only two owners from new, with the first long-term owner from new until sold by H&H to the current owner in 2016 A motoring icon, the Lotus Seven was introduced at the 1957 Earl�s Court Motor Show. Stylistically indebted to its MkVI predecessor, the newcomer featured a spaceframe chassis and aluminium bodywork fabricated by the Progress Chassis Company and Williams & Pritchard respectively (both companies being near neighbours of Lotus). A multi-tubular affair, the Seven�s structure was, in many ways, a simplified version of that which underpinned the marque�s highly successful Eleven sports racer. Designed for fast road and / or competition usage, the newcomer could be had with a choice of Ford �sidevalve�, BMC A-Series OHV or Coventry-Climax OHC engines. Available in factory finished or self-build guises, the Seven was expensive compared to the plethora of specials on the market at the time but altogether more accomplished. Only in production from 1968 to 1970, only around 340 of the Lotus 7 S3 were produced, compared to approximately 1300 Series 2's. Ordered new from Caterham Cars in Autumn 1969, chassis SB2596 was ordered with the rarely found Holbay-tuned Ford crossflow power-unit mated to the later Ford gearbox and rear axle and further specified with Lotus-Dunlop alloy wheels and seatbelts. It is said that the originally fitted fibreglass nose cone and wings were painted yellow when new. In the ownership of its purchaser-from-new until sold by H&H to the current owner in 2016, the two-seater�s engine was returned to Holbay in 1989 to be completely overhauled as a precautionary measure and during the refurbishment it was fitted with a later stronger cylinder block. Further bills on file suggest that the car was treated to a new pair of Weber DCOE 40 carburettors in 1990. Upon acquisition by the vendor in 2016, the car required mild recommissioning which was subsequently performed and through his nine-year ownership it was also treated the interior to a re-trim into the Dark Red Diamond-stitched leather guise that it retains today. The fibreglass nosecone was found to be in bad shape, so the decision was made to have an Aluminium replacement fabricated which gives the little Lotus the look of an earlier car. Having been housed in the vendor�s collection with several other historic motoring greats, �ALF 999H� has been the beneficiary of a high standard of maintenance and is said to be �very good mechanically� today. Offered with a good history file complete with bills for the aforementioned works and Lotus heritage certificate, SB2596 is now offered without reserve to find a new, loving home. If you�ve not experienced driving a Lotus Seven yet � you certainly need to!