1957-68 Lotus Seven S1 and S2

by Michael Duffey

Lotus 7 with most parts still attached.

The dual-purpose road/race car that could be built from a kit of parts pretty much characterizes the early efforts by Colin Chapman and Lotus. The concept came more clearly into focus with the Six, but after more than 100 cars, the swing-axle front suspension became antiquated and the bodywork expensive to fabricate. Compared to the Lotus Six, the Seven was a simplified, modernized and productionized club racer that set new standards in appearance and performance. Still roadable and sold in kit form to the enthusiast on a budget, the Seven introduced a generation of young enthusiasts to their first serious sports car that was also able to win races on the weekends. The S1s were normally available with either the side-valve Ford 100E (1172 cc) or the BMC A Series (948 cc), though a few were fitted with Climax 1100s and called “Super” or “7C.” With the Series 2, Chapman wanted to simplify the car, making it cheaper to build and even more affordable. The S1’s...