Help me identify a 7 replica

[Kawasicki]

Hello all.

I'm a big 7 fan, but don't want to spend much cash, though I'd still like good value for money.

Here is a car I just spotted that is local to me...the Ad mentions

Built 1990
Model Springfield Supreme 8
Engine is a 1.6 Kent with Webers.

Anyone know anything about these?

Thanks!

[anonymous-user]

Might it be a German seven of some kind judging by the plates?

Another thought, is that it was not unknown for builders of Locosts (Ron Champion or Haynes Roadster etc) to give their cars make and model names of their own, given that they were the builders from scratch if they even welded the chassis. For example, Springfield could be a surname, a road name, house name etc, and the number 8 could've been chosen as the number 7 would entail legal issues. And maybe his favourite band growing up was the supremes!

[anonymous-user]

1990 could be the build date, in which case it won't be a Locost, or it could be the registration date of a Ford Sierra, and the owner changed the vehicle make and model on the V5 during the SVA amnesty.

It's also possible that it was a 'special' built by one of the handful of people talented enough to have done so on their own before Ron Champion wrote his book.

I've got a book called, "Lotus Seven & The Independents", printed in 2004. It contains a pretty exhaustive list of all seven type roadsters made up to that date, including a chapter on Germany, and no mention of a Springfield Supreme 8. So, probably a one off special or a Locost based on a 1990 Sierra. However, I could be wrong. It could just be a very rare British kit car that isn't well known. There were a few of those. SVA thinned out the pack somewhat.

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 1st September 23:46

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 1st September 23:48

[anonymous-user]

Notice the rear-exiting exhaust and the generally very good attention to detail. Whoever built this certainly knew what they were doing.

[S47]

I'd agree that looks a good home build - be careful there's plenty of very naff ones about, Including most locost and robin hood.

[Kawasicki]

Cheers for the great feedback all, I never heard of the name either, and it was the apparent tidiness of the build that caught my attention too.

I might have a look, I'll take a few photos too.

[ugg10]

It could be that this is a one off locost style car built a while ago and registered with a made up name of the builders choice. This was not uncommon for one offs/home built in the 70's/80's/90's pre SVA/IVA.

Springfield - builders name/where they lived/house name etc.
Supreme - because they are proud of what they have built
8 - one better than 7, or the 8th one they have tried to build. ?

Usual things to help identify is what the running gear is - Sierra (probably not), Escort Mk1/2, Cortina etc. front uprights and width of rear axle will tell you this. Rear axle location system (de Deon, pannard rod, trailing/leading arms etc.) assuming live axle, also triangulation around the front axle area and bulkhead is also a give away.

Hope this helps.

Edited by ugg10 on Monday 4th September 12:24

[PaulKemp]

Check it is not one of the wooden tub 7's that were about
I can't see any evidence of chassis triangulation in the side panels but they may be covered

[GinG15]

the seller of this car wrote in the advert that is was built in UK under the brand name springfield

it has a spaceframe chassis. other pics of the car show it better.

the front wishbone design, also the wide alloy louvred bonnet looks like its totoally different form the usual locost-ish dimensions.