1969 LOTUS SEVEN S3 “TWIN CAM” SS

The most desirable and rarest of the Lotus Seven range is the Series 3 Twin-cam SS, introduced in 1968 ending 1969.
Only 13 were built by the Lotus factory, but they were traditionally also available in component form - allowing the keen enthusiast  to avoid Purchase Tax.
According to the original owner, the assembly was started in 1969 but was not completed until 1978, when the car was registered as new by the DVLA in Penzance!
By this time, Lotus had long ceased production (having sold the rights to Caterham Cars in 1973) and It was then used sparingly before being laid up in 1988 after only 3,600 miles (photos and mots in the file).
The last owner purchased the car in a poor state in 2013 and embarked on a total rebuild. A new spaceframe/body assembly was commissioned from Arch Manufacturing (the original suppliers to Lotus) to the correct S3 drawings, and the car was totally rebuilt to ‘as new’ condition. New components included wiring harness, brake discs, callipers, master cylinder and plumbing, fuel tank, wishbones, radius arms, antiroll bar and all suspension bushes and dampers. Minor instruments were renewed and the speedo & rev counter rebuilt by Caerbont/Smiths.
The engine is the legendary Lotus ‘Big Valve’ Twin-cam, rebuilt by Exon Racing Engines and fully balanced with its new clutch assembly, and is lead-free compatible. The gearbox is the correct close-ratio Ford Corsair 4-speed, rebuilt by John Young (of ‘Superspeed' Anglia fame) and the rear axle is the correct reinforced Ford Escort item, with new bearings, seals and brake components. Engine, gearbox and rear axle are believed to be the car’s originals.
The car is finished in period Lotus BRG and has covered shakedown mileage only after completion of the rebuild so we are enjoying putting some mikes on her and will carry out a thorough running in service in a few hundred miles
On the road, there is nothing to compare with this 500kg road rocket with its superb tuned twin-cam, slick gearbox and an exhaust in your left ear crackling and popping on each downshift such fun for a 1960s design.

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