My Original super 7. (Lotus TwinCam)
Discussion
Hello all!
Im new to this forum, My 1st post
My name is Piers, im from cumbria (carlisle) and i am 22.
Basically this is going to be my project thread / diary of ownership for my new run around for this year and future years to come!
Its a 1979 Caterham Super 7 S3, its based on the original Lotus S3. so it uses the same engine which was tuned/built by vagentune, a Lotus TwinCam running Webber carbs and other Cosworth parts.
It was my dads and he has owned it since new, he and his friend built it from new. he has owned it for the last 31 years and done 53k in it traveling all over! alot of europe, alot of miles done from the Lotus 7 meets back in the day, off to switzerland (1989) etc. for the past 8-12 years it hasnt moved much at all, probably not even more than 20miles. it was rarely started up or even looked at since his friend who used to maintaine it for him sadly past away.
But now, i have been given it to cherish and get back on the road to follow suit and to basically just injoy it! it means alot to me to have been given this as it has ALOT of sentimental value to me, and like my dad i love driving!
so here she is!
Now obv being over 30years old its abit worn and needs some porper TLC. so 1st things 1st ..a good old clean, polish and wax! the paint although there are some marks etc it really does clean up well!
next was to get it started up! now its battary wasnt very lively, so was needed to be jump started and ran for a while to try and charge it up, so had it running on idle a couple times for a while through the day to get it back into life. also plugs were changed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWBPJ1G5Fng
So the next day it was clean stage 2, polish all the metal up as over the years its become tarnished and rusty! i was very suprised to how well the metal polished up!
a load of before and afters.
and a few afters
Then after that i took it down the lane for its first drive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbBzTN1v8Nk&fea...
then today, the current stage in progress. since starting the 7 up the past 2 days its water temp was quite high and struggled to cool down (even with the fan on) to the needed temp so the water was changed and now its runs perfect (no fan needed)! starts 1st time and never went anywere near the high temp it was running the last 2 days so was all good news. while the nose cone was off for the change in fluid i thought id take some more snaps! to get some snaps of the hidden lotus badge on the engine.
after since it was running perfect we took it down the road
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU_kRAZjPoE
we also checked all the electricals were working ok so it could pass its MOT the upcoming sat. all is working brilliant so thats good! just hope the brakes and suspension is ok on the day. new window wipers are on order as the current ones are shredded and obv no good. its also due tax as soon as the MOT is complete so fingers crossed! then once this is done i can take it out for a proper drive.
Future plans are basicaly just to make sure its running nice and healthy, try and get it back to its original 126bhp (could do with getting the webbers cleaned, needs an oil change etc etc) and interior carpet needs re-trimed aswell as the weather kit etc etc. so there is quite abit to do over my time of ownership but its all good fun!
Thanks for reading so far hope you keep an eye out for future updates!
Piers.
P.S if any admin could embed my youtube vids direct to my thread that would be great as i cant seem do it.
Im new to this forum, My 1st post
My name is Piers, im from cumbria (carlisle) and i am 22.Basically this is going to be my project thread / diary of ownership for my new run around for this year and future years to come!
Its a 1979 Caterham Super 7 S3, its based on the original Lotus S3. so it uses the same engine which was tuned/built by vagentune, a Lotus TwinCam running Webber carbs and other Cosworth parts.
It was my dads and he has owned it since new, he and his friend built it from new. he has owned it for the last 31 years and done 53k in it traveling all over! alot of europe, alot of miles done from the Lotus 7 meets back in the day, off to switzerland (1989) etc. for the past 8-12 years it hasnt moved much at all, probably not even more than 20miles. it was rarely started up or even looked at since his friend who used to maintaine it for him sadly past away.
But now, i have been given it to cherish and get back on the road to follow suit and to basically just injoy it! it means alot to me to have been given this as it has ALOT of sentimental value to me, and like my dad i love driving!
so here she is!
Now obv being over 30years old its abit worn and needs some porper TLC. so 1st things 1st ..a good old clean, polish and wax! the paint although there are some marks etc it really does clean up well!
next was to get it started up! now its battary wasnt very lively, so was needed to be jump started and ran for a while to try and charge it up, so had it running on idle a couple times for a while through the day to get it back into life. also plugs were changed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWBPJ1G5Fng
So the next day it was clean stage 2, polish all the metal up as over the years its become tarnished and rusty! i was very suprised to how well the metal polished up!
a load of before and afters.
and a few afters
Then after that i took it down the lane for its first drive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbBzTN1v8Nk&fea...
then today, the current stage in progress. since starting the 7 up the past 2 days its water temp was quite high and struggled to cool down (even with the fan on) to the needed temp so the water was changed and now its runs perfect (no fan needed)! starts 1st time and never went anywere near the high temp it was running the last 2 days so was all good news. while the nose cone was off for the change in fluid i thought id take some more snaps! to get some snaps of the hidden lotus badge on the engine.
after since it was running perfect we took it down the road
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU_kRAZjPoE
we also checked all the electricals were working ok so it could pass its MOT the upcoming sat. all is working brilliant so thats good! just hope the brakes and suspension is ok on the day. new window wipers are on order as the current ones are shredded and obv no good. its also due tax as soon as the MOT is complete so fingers crossed! then once this is done i can take it out for a proper drive.
Future plans are basicaly just to make sure its running nice and healthy, try and get it back to its original 126bhp (could do with getting the webbers cleaned, needs an oil change etc etc) and interior carpet needs re-trimed aswell as the weather kit etc etc. so there is quite abit to do over my time of ownership but its all good fun!
Thanks for reading so far
hope you keep an eye out for future updates!Piers.
P.S if any admin could embed my youtube vids direct to my thread that would be great
as i cant seem do it.Edited by PSJ on Monday 11th April 21:40
thanks for all the positive coments so far
2slo - do you mean past pictures form when my dad owned it and used to go to all the meets?
groomi - yea i cant wait to drive it to hartside via alston! maby this sunday depending how MOT goes!
clarkmagpie - ooo interesting. yea you will have to wave if you see me. do you go to many PH meets near by?
chris_speed - yea i am wanting to get some semi slicks for it if poss. either R888's or yokas but unsure as yet. btw this will be the only mod to the car, rest i want to keep as original as poss.
downsman - no not as yet. this is also a next must to do. want to do this the same time when i get the oil changed.
2slo - do you mean past pictures form when my dad owned it and used to go to all the meets?
groomi - yea i cant wait to drive it to hartside via alston! maby this sunday depending how MOT goes!
clarkmagpie - ooo interesting. yea you will have to wave if you see me. do you go to many PH meets near by?
chris_speed - yea i am wanting to get some semi slicks for it if poss. either R888's or yokas but unsure as yet. btw this will be the only mod to the car, rest i want to keep as original as poss.
downsman - no not as yet. this is also a next must to do. want to do this the same time when i get the oil changed.
OP,
Nice car, especially for a 22 year old!
Personally, I'd go with CR500's for road work - get some 2nd hand if need be to keep costs down. The more aggressive tyres are great on a track, but less great in rain / cold etc. Unless you live in a diffeerent part of the NW than I've ever been to, rain will be quite frequent!
I'd also change the following before your first serious blat - be a shame to break / bend it it:
Oil (engine and box)
Brake fluid (yours will be full of water, and therefore have great fade properties)
Coolant (you've done that though)
I've never had a live axle 7, but imagining they're pretty similar to the later cars, a quick flash round all the bendy / oily bits wouldn't go amiss. There is an interesting article in this months Low Flying that covers e.g the trunnions if your car has em. It also covers balancing carbs, and a few other bits and bobs.
You've picked a splendid road for the first jaunt too - I went over that way twice last weekend, it was far too busy of course, but still great. If you see a blue and yellow Roadsport, give me a flash =)
Nice car, especially for a 22 year old!
Personally, I'd go with CR500's for road work - get some 2nd hand if need be to keep costs down. The more aggressive tyres are great on a track, but less great in rain / cold etc. Unless you live in a diffeerent part of the NW than I've ever been to, rain will be quite frequent!
I'd also change the following before your first serious blat - be a shame to break / bend it it:
Oil (engine and box)
Brake fluid (yours will be full of water, and therefore have great fade properties)
Coolant (you've done that though)
I've never had a live axle 7, but imagining they're pretty similar to the later cars, a quick flash round all the bendy / oily bits wouldn't go amiss. There is an interesting article in this months Low Flying that covers e.g the trunnions if your car has em. It also covers balancing carbs, and a few other bits and bobs.
You've picked a splendid road for the first jaunt too - I went over that way twice last weekend, it was far too busy of course, but still great. If you see a blue and yellow Roadsport, give me a flash =)
Dry sump - check My dad must of been ahead of the game back in the day lol.
Well cars In for MOT this sat morning so was going to ring them up again Tommorrow and see if they will change to improtant fluid as you have mentioned, also grease up any needed parts. As when Sat afternoon/Sunday comes (fingers crossed for the weather) I would like to take it for a good drive!
Tyre wise.. I'm just not sure what profile/size to go for. Keep original or change.. Current size is 205/60/R13
Thankyou all for the helpfull advice. keep it coming as this is all a learning curve for me
oh n yess if I spot you il give u a wave!
Piers.
My dad must of been ahead of the game back in the day lol.Well cars In for MOT this sat morning so was going to ring them up again Tommorrow and see if they will change to improtant fluid as you have mentioned, also grease up any needed parts. As when Sat afternoon/Sunday comes (fingers crossed for the weather) I would like to take it for a good drive!
Tyre wise.. I'm just not sure what profile/size to go for. Keep original or change.. Current size is 205/60/R13
Thankyou all for the helpfull advice. keep it coming as this is all a learning curve for me
oh n yess if I spot you il give u a wave!Piers.
Edited by PSJ on Tuesday 12th April 17:29
Ino and I am very greatful to be able to have it. just itchin to be able to drive it.
yess Putting a link up on blatchat is totally fine with me. I got in contact with Barry about getting a letter to be able to join the proper club. Was ment to ring up today to sort it out but been really busy
Will be on the case tommorrow mind.
Was just speaking with my dad about changing the oil. Since being dry sump he says it needs a special certain filter so hopefully the classic garage doing to MOT will have it. If not I will have to order one asap!
Piers.
just itchin to be able to drive it.yess Putting a link up on blatchat is totally fine with me. I got in contact with Barry about getting a letter to be able to join the proper club. Was ment to ring up today to sort it out but been really busy
Will be on the case tommorrow mind.Was just speaking with my dad about changing the oil. Since being dry sump he says it needs a special certain filter so hopefully the classic garage doing to MOT will have it. If not I will have to order one asap!
Piers.
Other things you really need to check, some for the MOT, the others are nice to do when you get time.
'A' frame bushes at the rear. They don't last long at the best of times so they may be iffy after all these years.
Rubber flexible brake pipes. MOT testers always look at these carefully as they are quite exposed on a seven. Look for perishing /cracks/ weeps.
Lock the steering round in each direction and check the rack Gaiters. They don't last so may well be past it for the MOT. My last pair lasted about 6 years and under 10k miles.
Engine mounting bushes from that era were not captive, so if they failed the engine would move and dent the body skin. Look to see if they are cracked as they failed regularly back then. Caterham now sell improved ones that remain captive if they fail, so the engine doesn't move and damage your pride and joy.
The trunnions will need some oil. Brass bit at the bottom of the front upright, look for a grease nipple. Advice is to use oil and not grease.
Grease the propshaft Universal joint.
Check hoses for cracks, particulalrly the hidden flexible fuel pipes in the wheel arch. Am assuming it has an electric pump behind the driver.
Lower front wishbones. Inspect carefully the metal lug where the bottom of the spring damper bolts to on the lower wishbone. These can crack and fail with age. The later design is different and removed this problem.
Don't rely on the MOT as a complete safety check. Truth is most garages don't really know what to look for with a seven. You will usually get more reliable advice from here or Blatchat.
Be careful changing the oil with a dry sump as you can get an airlock and run the bearings. Lots of advice on the Blatchat archive about this.
Thats all I can think of for now.
Enjoy the car, it looks super. Shop round for insurance, although generally sevens are good value to Insure.
'A' frame bushes at the rear. They don't last long at the best of times so they may be iffy after all these years.
Rubber flexible brake pipes. MOT testers always look at these carefully as they are quite exposed on a seven. Look for perishing /cracks/ weeps.
Lock the steering round in each direction and check the rack Gaiters. They don't last so may well be past it for the MOT. My last pair lasted about 6 years and under 10k miles.
Engine mounting bushes from that era were not captive, so if they failed the engine would move and dent the body skin. Look to see if they are cracked as they failed regularly back then. Caterham now sell improved ones that remain captive if they fail, so the engine doesn't move and damage your pride and joy.
The trunnions will need some oil. Brass bit at the bottom of the front upright, look for a grease nipple. Advice is to use oil and not grease.
Grease the propshaft Universal joint.
Check hoses for cracks, particulalrly the hidden flexible fuel pipes in the wheel arch. Am assuming it has an electric pump behind the driver.
Lower front wishbones. Inspect carefully the metal lug where the bottom of the spring damper bolts to on the lower wishbone. These can crack and fail with age. The later design is different and removed this problem.
Don't rely on the MOT as a complete safety check. Truth is most garages don't really know what to look for with a seven. You will usually get more reliable advice from here or Blatchat.
Be careful changing the oil with a dry sump as you can get an airlock and run the bearings. Lots of advice on the Blatchat archive about this.
Thats all I can think of for now.
Enjoy the car, it looks super. Shop round for insurance, although generally sevens are good value to Insure.
Edited by Pesmo on Tuesday 12th April 21:42
Re the tyres as mentioned above. They are Yoko 509's on the back aren't they ? They were a good bit harder rubber compound when new than the 008's that you have on the front, so it may be a bit tail happy until you get some fresh rubber all round on the car and restore the balance. Being new to a seven, I thought it best to mention that the handling might be a bit strange until you fit new tyres, but you probably knew that anyway.
Edited by Pesmo on Tuesday 12th April 21:54
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