View source for Lotus Seven

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox automobile
| image = Lotus7Series1.jpg
| name = Lotus Seven
| aka = Lotus 7<br />Lotus Super Seven<ref>{{citation | first = L.A. | last = Manwaring | title = The Observer's Book of Automobiles | publisher = Frederick Warne & Co. LTD | edition = Tenth | date = 1964 | page = 152 | asin = B000K6GM1A }}</ref>
| manufacturer = [[Lotus Cars]]
| production = 1957–1973
| predecessor = [[Lotus Mark VI]]
| successor = [[Caterham 7]]
| class = [[Sports car]]
| layout = [[FMR layout]]
| related = [[Caterham 7]] <br> [[Donkervoort|Donkervoort S7/S8]]
| body_style = [[Roadster (automobile)|roadster]]
| transmission = [[Manual transmission|manual]]
| wheelbase = 
| length = 
| width = 
| height = 
| weight = 
| assembly = United Kingdom: [[Hornsey]], [[London]]<br/>United Kingdom: [[Cheshunt]], [[Hertfordshire]]<br/>United Kingdom: [[Hethel]], [[Norfolk]] (from 1966)<br />Argentina: [[Martínez, Buenos Aires|Martínez]]
| designer = [[Colin Chapman]]
| caption = Lotus 7 Series 1
}}

The '''Lotus Seven''' is a [[sports car]] produced by the British manufacturer [[Lotus Cars]] (initially called Lotus Engineering)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grouplotus.com/generic/generic.php?section=1&page=2&page_id=2 |title=Group Lotus History |access-date=17 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829003821/http://www.grouplotus.com/generic/generic.php?section=1&page=2&page_id=2 |archive-date=29 August 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> between 1957 and 1973. The Seven is an [[open-wheel car]] with two seats and an open top. It was designed by Lotus founder [[Colin Chapman]] and has been considered the embodiment of the Lotus philosophy of performance through low weight and simplicity. The original model was highly successful with more than 2,500 cars sold,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lotus7register.co.uk/|title=Lotus 7 Register|access-date=19 October 2006}}</ref> due to its attraction as a road legal car that could be used for [[clubmans|clubman racing]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.classic-clubmans.co.uk/History/index.html |title=Classic Clubmans History |access-date=19 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928031111/http://www.classic-clubmans.co.uk/History/index.html |archive-date=28 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After Lotus ended production of the Seven in 1973, [[Caterham Cars|Caterham]] bought the rights and today Caterham makes both kits and fully assembled cars based on the original design known as the [[Caterham 7]].

The Lotus Seven design has spawned a host of imitations on the [[kit car]] market, generally called ''Sevens'' or ''Sevenesque'' roadsters. 
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==History==
==={{anchor|S1|Series I|Series 1}}Series 1===
{{Infobox automobile
| name = First generation
| production = 1957–1960
| engine = {{convert|1172|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
| image = 1959 Lotus Super Seven Series 1 (15623495517).jpg
| related = [[Lotus Eleven]]
| caption = 1959 Lotus Seven
}}

The Lotus Seven was launched in 1957 to replace the Mark VI as the entry-level Lotus model. The Seven name was left over from a model that Lotus abandoned, which would have been a [[Riley Motor|Riley-engine]] single-seater that Lotus intended to enter into the [[Formula Two]] in 1952 or 1953. However, the car was completed on Chapman's chassis as a sports car by its backers and christened the Clairmonte Special.

Externally similar to Chapman's earlier [[Lotus Mark VI]], but with a different tubular frame similar to the [[Lotus Eleven]], the Seven was powered by a {{convert|36|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} [[Ford Sidevalve engine|Ford Sidevalve]] 1,172 cc [[straight-four engine]]. In addition to the Ford unit, both [[BMC A-Series engine|BMC series A]] and [[Coventry Climax]] FWA engines were available for fitment. Under the [[Purchase Tax]] system of the time cars supplied as a kit did not attract the tax surcharge that would apply if sold in assembled form. Tax rules specified assembly instructions could not be included. This situation remained until 1973 and a large proportion of Sevens sold in the United Kingdom were delivered in kit form as a result.

The Seven Series 1 was used both on the road and for club racing (750 motor club in the UK).

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==={{anchor|S2|Series II|Series 2}}Series 2===
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Second generation
| production = 1960–1968
| engine = {{convert|1340|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
| image = 1965 Lotus Seven S2.jpg
| caption = 1965 Lotus Seven
}}
The Lotus Seven S2 followed in June 1960 and was supplemented by the Lotus Super Seven S2 from 1961.<ref name=Sedgwick>Michael Sedgwick & Mark Gillies, A-Z of Cars 1945–1970, page 117</ref> These were slightly more road-oriented than the Series 1, and received a somewhat simpler chassis. The Series 1's aluminium nosecone was changed to a fibreglass unit. Cycle fenders were originally standard, with clamshell units standard fitment on the 1500, Super Seven, and America or available as an option.<ref name=7regS2>{{cite web | url = http://www.lotus7register.co.uk/ser2page.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191219121338/http://www.lotus7register.co.uk/ser2page.htm | archive-date = 2019-12-19 | title = Series Two Page: Original Specifications | work = Lotus Seven Register }}</ref>

While the 1172&nbsp;cc Sidevalve unit remained available until 1962, the series 2 typically used [[Ford Kent engine]]s of 1,340 or 1,499&nbsp;cc from the [[Ford Consul Classic]]. These were also available with [[Cosworth]] modifications; the Cosworth 1,340 cc "Super Seven" delivered {{convert|85|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} and the later "Super Seven 1500" {{convert|105|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Sedgwick /> Some Series 2 Sevens built during 1968 (oftentimes referred to as "Series {{fraction|2|1|2}}") were fitted with the later [[Ford Kent engine|crossflow Kent engine]] of 1,599 cc.<ref name=7regS2/>

The series II had problems with its [[Standard Motor Company|Standard]] Companion [[station wagon|estate car]] rear axle and differential, unable to cope with the high power and cornering forces of the Seven. This was later solved on the Series III by installing a [[Ford Cortina]] rear end. Production of the Series 2 ended in August 1968, after 1310 examples had been built.<ref name=7regS2/>

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==={{anchor|S3|Series III|Series 3}}Series 3===
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Third generation
| production = 1968–1970
| image = 1969 Lotus Seven S3 1.6 Front.jpg
| engine = {{convert|1600|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
| caption = 1969 Lotus Super Seven Twin Cam SS
}}
The Seven S3 was released in 1968.<ref name=Sedgwick /> As for late Series 2s, the S3 typically received the 1,599&nbsp;cc [[Ford Kent engine|crossflow Kent engine]]. First shown at Earl's Court in 1969, the Super Seven Twin Cam SS used the [[Lotus-Ford Twin Cam|Lotus Twin Cam engine]]. Only 13 examples were built. While only manufactured by Lotus for around two years, the Series 3 was the model later revived by Caterham after they ran out of Series 4 kits some time in the first half of the 1970s. In modified form, the design continues to be produced until today (2023).

[[File:Lotus Super Seven 1970 A2.jpg|thumb|left|1970 Lotus Super 7]]
Between 1970 and 1975, following a representation agreement, Lotus Argentina SA obtained the licence to manufacture the Lotus Seven in Argentina. This production reached approximately 51 units. These vehicles were not replicas but built under licence and branded as Lotuses.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lotus7register.co.uk/salot7.htm | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20200625025506/http://www.lotus7register.co.uk/index.htm | archivedate = 2020-06-25 | title = The South American Lotus Seven | work = Lotus Seven Register | date = 2000-06-18 | first = John W. | last = Watson }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.automovilsport.com/historia/LotusArgentino/nota.html | work = Automovil Sport | title = Seven | trans-title = The story of the Lotus Sevens manufactured in Argentina | first = Richard | last = Vignoles | language = es }}</ref>

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==={{anchor|S4|Series IV|Series 4}}Series 4===
{{Infobox automobile
| name           = Fourth generation
| production     = 1970–August 1973
| image          = Lotus7-S4.jpg
| engine         = {{ubl
  | 1298&nbsp;cc ''[[Ford Kent engine|Ford Kent]]'' [[Overhead valve engine|OHV]] [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
  | 1558&nbsp;cc ''[[Lotus-Ford Twin Cam|Lotus Twin Cam]]'' [[DOHC]] I4
  | 1599&nbsp;cc ''[[Ford Kent engine|Ford Kent]]'' OHV I4
  }}
}}
In 1970, Lotus radically changed the shape of the car to create the slightly more conventional sized Series 4 (S4), with a squarer fibreglass shell replacing most of the aluminium bodywork. It also offered some luxuries as standard, such as an internal heater matrix. The S4 Seven could be supplied with 1298 or 1599 cc [[Ford Kent engine|Kent engines]] or the [[Lotus-Ford Twin Cam|twin cam]].

Until now, most Sevens in the UK had been sold in kit form in order to avoid paying [[purchase tax]]. However, once the UK joined the [[EEC]] on 1 January 1973, the [[VAT]] system was adopted instead so the tax advantage of the kit-built Lotus Seven came to an end. Accordingly, in 1973, Lotus decided to shed fully its "British tax system"-inspired [[kit car]] image. As part of this plan, it sold the rights to the Seven to its only remaining agents [[Caterham Cars]] in England and [[Steelbro|Steel Brothers Limited]] in New Zealand.

Caterham ran out of the Lotus Series 4 kits in the early 1970s. When this occurred and in accordance with their agreement with Lotus, Caterham introduced its own brand version of the Series 3. They have been manufacturing the car ever since as the [[Caterham Seven]]. Steel Brothers Limited in [[Christchurch]], New Zealand, assembled Lotus Seven Series 4s until March 1979 when the last of the 95 kits provided by Lotus was used up.<ref>Steelbro innovations keep it in front of the competition, The Press, Christchurch, 14 September 2007, Fairfax Media</ref><ref>New Zealand Classic Car magazine, Volume 22 Issue 2, page 67, ISSN 1170-9332</ref> Steel Brothers had a much wider range of factory options than the UK models with carpet, centre console glove-box, radio, window-washer and hardtop. Sold largely to competition enthusiasts, the NZ cars also had engine modifications, close-ratio gears, and adjustable suspension as factory options. As such, they were very successful in local racing. With officially licensed production stopping in 1979, the last Lotus badged Seven, a Series 4, was therefore produced in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.clublotus.org.nz/Edition%2057.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181221214740/http://www.clublotus.org.nz/Edition%2057.pdf | archive-date = 2018-12-21 | title = The last Lotus 7 | page = 12 | publisher = Club Lotus NZ Inc. | first = Rex | last = Oddy | number = 57 | magazine = Edition }}</ref>

Steel Brothers Limited attempted to make a wider, modernised version of the Series 4, the Lotus Super 907, using the twin cam [[Lotus 907]] engine. In the spring of 1978 it was announced that this was to be sold in the United States<ref name=NZA>{{citation | ref = NZa | title = Assembly: New Zealand Car Production 1921–98 | last = Webster | first = Mark | publisher = Reed | year = 2002 | page = 146 | location = Birkenhead, Auckland, New Zealand | isbn = 0-7900-0846-7 }}</ref> - but the American importer had no funds and the project came to naught.<ref name=GGL>{{cite web | title = Super 907 | publisher = Golden Gate Lotus Club | work = Chapman Report Online | last = Rosner | first = Jon |date=June–July 2003 | url = http://gglotus.org/blog/2010/09/super-907/ | access-date = 2013-04-15 }}</ref> The single finished Super 907 was moved from New Zealand to the United States in 2010 to undergo a full restoration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gglotus.org/blog/?p=1570|title = Super 907|date = 20 September 2010}}</ref>

==Performance==

===Road test===
A car with a tuned Ford 1172 cc engine and close-ratio gearbox was tested by the British magazine ''[[The Motor]]'' in 1958. It was found to have a top speed of {{convert|80.4|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, could accelerate from 0-{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 6.2 seconds and had a fuel consumption of {{convert|31.0|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus}}. The test car cost £1,157 including taxes of £386. They commented that car could be bought in component form and then it would have cost £399 for the parts from Lotus, £100 for the Ford engine and gearbox and £27 for the BMC rear axle.<ref name=Motor1958>{{Cite journal|title = The Lotus Seven| journal =[[The Motor]]| date = 12 February 1958}}</ref>

===Top speed===
A Seven's top speed greatly depends upon the body configuration, engine power and gearing. Early models with low-powered engines had difficulty exceeding {{convert|90|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, although a race-prepared Seven was clocked at {{convert|127|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} whilst driven by [[Brausch Niemann]] through a speed-trap at the [[1962 Natal Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lotus7register.co.uk/springbk.htm|title=Natal Grand Prix|access-date=21 October 2006}}</ref> In addition, [[Flip (form)|clamshell]] style wings tend to create [[Drag coefficient|drag]] and generate lift at higher speeds. Cycle wings help alleviate this tendency, and low height [[windshield#Terminology|Brookland aeroscreens]] or the lighter Perspex variants that can replace the windscreen help improve top end speed. Sevens do suffer from front end lift at high speed – the nose creates more lift than downforce at speeds over around {{convert|70|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, although retro fitted "winglets" may counter this.

===Low speed acceleration===
Nearly all Sevens, due to their extremely light weight (around 10cwt / 500&nbsp;kg) have excellent acceleration, especially up to {{convert|70|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, depending on power. The original late 1950s Sevens could beat most contemporary saloon cars—and by the early 1960s, with improved Ford-Cosworth engines could take on most high-performance sports cars with 0–60&nbsp;mph time in the low 7 seconds.

===Braking===
The less powerful early models had drum brakes all around, in common with most road cars of the time. Later models had front disc brakes.  Physics favours small cars in braking and Sevens have excellent stopping distances.

===Handling===
The highest part of the car is about three feet (900&nbsp;mm) from the road and it has a cloth top and side curtains with plastic back and side windows. The supports for the top and the windshield frame are aluminium. The lower chassis tubes are five inches (127&nbsp;mm) from the road, while the wet-sump, bell housing, and one chassis tube are lower, meaning the centre of gravity is very low.

The front/rear weight distribution is nearly equal and the lack of a boot and small petrol tank assure that it remains fairly constant. It is, however, more front-heavy than more modern high-performance cars.

====Suspension====
In the original Seven, the front lower [[A-arm]] (or "wishbone") of the [[double wishbone]] [[Suspension (vehicle)|suspension]] is traditional, but for the purpose of reducing weight, the upper suspension integrated an anti-roll (anti-sway) bar into a horizontal suspension arm. This approach formed a pseudo-wishbone which was semi-independent in nature. This approach worked well with early cross-ply tyres, but with later radials, the configuration seriously affected its adjustability.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}}

For the rear suspension, Lotus originally used a [[live axle]] (or [[solid axle]]). This approach was very cost-effective since most production saloon cars up to the 1980s used these components. A mixture of Ford, [[Standard-Triumph|Standard Motor Company]]<ref> Lotus Seven Owner's manual</ref> and Austin components was used. One disadvantage of live axles is higher [[unsprung weight]], affecting handling and ride on rough surfaces.

====Aerodynamics====
In general, cars with non-optimised [[aerodynamic]]s tend to be free of adverse aerodynamic effects on handling, but the front wheel arches, of all but the Series I, cause lift at high speeds. Like the good straight-line performance, the car's nimble handling is limited in the speed range, and this is not usually important in a car intended for public roads.

While the car's frontal area is small, the Lotus Seven has a [[drag coefficient]] (<math>\scriptstyle C_\mathrm d\,</math>) among the highest of any known production car - ranging from 0.65 to 0.75, depending on the bodywork.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

Additionally, the clamshell front [[Fender (vehicle)|wings]] develop lift.  This is accentuated by the slight natural lift caused by rotating wheels. Consequently, Sevens have exhibited understeer at high speeds.

====Steering====
The rack and pinion steering provide a minimum of play and friction.

===Frame rigidity===

It is a [[stressed skin]] construction,{{cn|date=January 2021}} in which the flat aluminium body panels, and especially the floor, stiffen and effectively triangulate the largely rectangular steel tubular frame structure. This gives a rigid frame with few tubes and very little bodyweight that does not contribute to the frame stiffness. The flat panels avoid difficulties in shaping aluminum sheet into smooth compound curves. On the downside, it does not allow attractive curves or streamlining.

==Mechanical details==

===Engines===
Originally equipped with the [[Ford Sidevalve engine]], the Series 2 received the new [[Ford Kent engine]]. The original "Super Seven" received versions of the Kent unit with [[Cosworth]] modifications. Later, the Kent engine was updated to the [[Ford Kent engine|crossflow design]]; this 1.6-litre engine was the most commonly installed one in the Series 3 as well as Series 4. A limited number of earlier cars received [[Coventry Climax]] FWA engines, while the later cars were offered with the [[Lotus-Ford Twin Cam]] engine.

===Frame and body===
The Lotus Seven was designed with racing in mind, and lightness was of primary concern to Chapman. Like racing cars of the time, it was therefore built around a multi-tube space frame with high sides to allow a stiffer frame (longer lever arm). The Series II and later road versions had simpler frames than the more race-oriented Series I.

A front-mounted engine driving the rear wheels (a similar layout to most cars of the day) and a very lightweight steel spaceframe was covered with stressed aluminium panel bodywork.<ref>Owner's manual</ref> The body panels were mainly flat to avoid the expense of more elaborate curved bodywork, and the simple cloth lined plastic doors were hinged from the windscreen. The nose-cone and wheel arches were originally aluminium parts, but these were replaced in the later S2 and S3 models with painted or self-coloured fibreglass.

===Weight===
Early Lotus Sevens weighed around 1,100&nbsp;lb (10cwt/500&nbsp;kg). Although the weight crept upward as production progressed, it remained remarkably low for a production car of over a litre displacement.

===Suspension===
The front was by "A" arms and coil springs with an anti-roll bar serving as the front half of the top A-arm. The rear had trailing arms, a triangular centre locating member, and a solid rear axle.

==In the media==
[[File:First car.jpg|thumb|Lotus Seven S2 used in ''[[The Prisoner]]'']]

*  An S2 Lotus Seven (registration plate "KAR 120C"), driven by creator/director and actor [[Patrick McGoohan]], was featured in the opening titles of the 1967–1968 television series ''[[The Prisoner]]'' - although the car in the final episode, [[Fall Out (The Prisoner)|"Fall Out"]], was another; driven by Caterham Car's MD Graham Nearn.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Henry |first1=Alan |title=Graham Nearn obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/nov/10/graham-nearn-obituary |access-date=21 February 2019 |date=10 November 2009}}</ref>
* [[Marvel Comics]] superhero [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] drives a Lotus Seven.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}
* A Lotus Seven appears as one of the steal-able cars in Grand Theft Auto: London 1969, under the name "[[Locust (car)|Locust]]". There is a replica of the Lotus Seven made under the same name and another version made under the trade name of the [[Locost]].
* In the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series of video games, the Lotus Seven is said to be the favorite car of [[Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Tails]].  In the second ''[[Sonic Drift]]'' game, he uses a car called the "Whirlwind S7", which is a reference to the Lotus S7.  Tails' vehicles in ''[[Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed]]'' and ''[[Team Sonic Racing]]'' are also based on the Lotus Seven. An actual Lotus Seven appears in a hidden screen accessed using the sound test in ''[[Sonic CD]]''.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}
* In the game [[Rage Racer]] the Age Pegase (top-notch handling) is a reference to the Lotus S7.
* A Super Seven is driven by the character Sena Wakabayashi in the anime series [[You're Under Arrest! (manga)|You're Under Arrest]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imcdb.org/v576583.html|title=Caterham Super Seven in "Taiho Shichauzo"|website=IMCDb.org}}</ref>
* Sōichi Sugano from the anime [[éX-Driver]] drives a Super Seven. This series contains several Lotus models, but the Seven is most prominent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imcdb.org/v108298.html|title=Caterham Super Seven in "Ekusu doraibaa"|website=IMCDb.org}}</ref>
* Jim Skylark from the anime [[Gate Keepers]] drives a Super Seven with license plate AEGIS 02.  In the series he debuted in the car, outrunning Shun Ukiya's [[Toyota Sports 800]] (license plate: AEGIS 01) on the freeway.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gatekeeperhq.iwarp.com/hangar/nongate.html|title=GateKeepers HQ &#124; Non-Gate Super Weapons|website=gatekeeperhq.iwarp.com}}</ref>
* One is featured on the cover of [[Chris Rea]]'s 1991 album, ''[[Auberge (album)|Auberge]]''. It also appears in the video for the song, "[[Auberge (song)|Auberge]]". The car was owned by the guitarist at the time.

==Literature==
The Lotus Seven has spawned many books, test reports, and articles, many of which are still in print.

* ''Lotus Seven 1957-1980''. Edited by R.M. Clarke, Brooklands Books, 1980, {{ISBN|0-907073-13-1}}. (Test reports and articles from magazines around the world.)
* ''Lotus Seven Collection No. 1, 1957-1982''. Edited by R.M. Clarke, Brooklands Books, 1982, {{ISBN|0-907073-50-6}}. (Test reports and articles from magazines around the world.)
* ''Lotus & Caterham Sevens Gold Portfolio, 1957-1989'' Edited by R.M. Clarke, Brooklands Books, 1989, {{ISBN|1-85520-000-7}}. (Test reports and articles from magazines around the world.)
* ''Lotus Seven Gold Portfolio 1957-1973''. R.M. Clarke, Brooklands Books, 1996 {{ISBN|978-1-85520-329-7}}. (Test reports and articles from magazines around the world.)
* ''Lotus Caterham Seven Gold Portfolio, 1974-95''. Edited by R.M. Clarke, Brooklands Books, 1996, {{ISBN|978-1-85520-330-3}}. (Test reports and articles from magazines around the world.)
* ''The Legend of the Lotus Seven''. Dennis Ortenberger, Osprey, 1981, {{ISBN|0-85045-411-5}} (Reissued in 1999 by Mercian manuals.)
* ''Lotus Seven Super Profile''. Graham Arnold, Foulis Motoring Book, Haynes Publishing Group, 1984, {{ISBN|0-85429-385-X}}
* ''The Lotus and Caterham Sevens, A Collector's Guide''. Jeremy Coulter, Motor Racing Publications Ltd., 1986, {{ISBN|0-947981-06-3}}
* ''Lotus Seven: Collector's Guide''. Jeremy Coulter, Motorbooks International, 1994, {{ISBN|978-0-947981-71-6}}
* ''Lotus Seven: Restoration, Preparation, Maintenance''. Tony Weale, Osprey Automotive, 1991, {{ISBN|1-85532-153-X}}
* ''Side Glances, Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4''. Peter Egan, Brooklands Books and Road & Track, {{ISBN|1-85520-567-X}}. (Peter Egan's books are collections of his Road & Track column Side Glances many of which feature his Lotus Sevens.)
* ''Lotus and Caterham Seven: Racers for the Road''. John Tipler, Crowood Press, 2005, {{ISBN|978-1-86126-754-2}}
* ''The Magnificent 7: The enthusiasts' guide to all models of Lotus and Caterham Seven''. Chris Rees, Haynes Publishing, Second edition 2007, {{ISBN|978-1844254101}}
* ''Why build a Seven? Putting a Sportscar on the Road, a personal record.'' Michael Eddenden, 2010, Published by lulu.com, {{ISBN|978-0-557-54398-4}} (The building of a Caterham Seven from a Club perspective, it includes much on the owners of Lotus Sevens.)
* ''Your Kit Car Assembly Manual''. Gary Brizendine, 2004, published by GNB Motorsports LLC, {{ISBN|0-9760560-0-3}} (How to assemble and improve any Lotus Seven or Locost sports car kit.)

==Replicas==
Because of the Seven's relatively simple design, over 160 companies have offered replicas or Seven-type cars over the years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seven Models |url=http://www.7rcb.be/SevenModels.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428212426/http://www.7rcb.be/SevenModels.htm |archive-date=28 April 2008 |website=7rcb.be}}</ref> Many have been challenged over the years by the UK rights-holder, [[Caterham Cars|Caterham]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lotusltd.com/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/august1986volume14no6.pdf|title="ReMarque" August 1986, page 1 - Lawsuits Fly as "Sevens" Proliferate}}</ref> Such cars are often referred to as "sevenesque"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=15 |title=Sevenesque builds |publisher=Madabout Kitcars |access-date=2011-12-18}}</ref> or simply a "seven" or "se7en". Sometimes they are also called [[clubmans]] or "locost".  Some examples are:

[[File:Birkin Lotus 7 (Centropolis Laval '10).jpg|thumb|Birkin (North America)]]
[[File:TSV sports car seven.jpg|thumb|TSV sports car seven]]

* [http://527.ru 527 ShortCut] from [[Russian Federation|Russia]] with [[Lada]] engine & parts.
* [[Almac (automobile)#Almac Clubsprint and Clubsprint XL|Almac Clubsprint]], by [[Almac (automobile)|Almac]], a kit car manufacturer in New Zealand
* [[Aries Motorsport]] Locoblade and Locost in the UK
* [[Birkin Cars]] S3, Lotus Seven replica<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birkindirect.com |title=Home |publisher=Birkindirect.com |access-date=2011-12-18}}</ref>
* BWE [[Locust (car)|Locust]], Hornet, [[Grasshopper (car)|Grasshopper]]
* [[Caterham Cars|Caterham]] owns the rights to reproduce the Lotus Super Seven
* [[Chinkara Motors#Chinkara Roadster 1.8S|Chinkara Roadster 1.8S]]
* Cobra Cars produces the Garbí in Spain with the Yamaha R-1 180&nbsp;hp engine.
* [[DAX Rush]] by [[Dax Cars]]
* Deman Motorsport
* [[Donkervoort]], a Dutch manufacturer that started with Super Seven kits.  Originally derived from the S3, the S7 and [[Donkervoort S8|S8]] were Ford powered.  Donkervoort now builds the [[Donkervoort D8|D8]] using Audi powertrains.
* [[Elfin Sports Cars]], Australian manufacturer of the [[Elfin Type 3 Clubman]] and [[Elfin T5 Clubman]].
* [[ESTfield]] from [[RaceTech]] (using [[Lada]] parts)
* [[Esther (car)|Esther]]
* [[Fraser Clubman]] from Fraser Cars Ltd [[New Zealand]]
* [[Great British Sports Cars]] from [[UK]]
* Hauser from [[Switzerland]] with [[BMW]] engines
* [[Hispano Aleman]] from [[Madrid]] [[Spain]] made the Hispano Alemán Mallorca inspired in the Seven with [[SEAT]] engine and parts
* [[Höckmayr KFZ-Technik]] (HKT) from Germany also with Audi-Turbo-Engines
* [[Irmscher#Irmscher Roadster .281993-2012.29|Irmscher 7]] from Germany with [[Opel]] engines
* Kaipan type 47 and 57. Replica from Czech Republic
* [[Leitch Super Sprint]], Leitch Industries, Invercargill, New Zealand
* Lucalia Clubman, Lucalia Partnerships, [[Tasmania]], [[Australia]]; mostly Japanese mechanicals (inline 4)
* [[Luego Sports Cars]] Velocity and [[V8 engine|V8]] Viento in UK
* [[Kit and replica cars of New Zealand#Lynx|Lynx]] made in New Zealand between 1985 and 1988
* MAC #1
* [[Marc Nordon Racing]] Vortx RT, RT+ and RT Super
* [[Kit and replica cars of New Zealand#McGregor|McGregor Motorsport Limited]] [[New Zealand]] Lotus Seven replica kits and manufacturers
* [[Mitsuoka]] Zero 1 from [[Toyama Prefecture|Toyama]], [[Japan]]
* [[MK Indy]] from MK Engineering (using [[Ford Sierra]] parts)
* Pegasus Automobile from Germany.
* [[PRB (company)|PRB Clubman]] - manufactured Peter R Bladewell in Strathfield, Sydney Australia.
* Raptor by [[Tornado Sports Cars]]
* Several models from [[Robin Hood Engineering Ltd]]
* [[Rotus Seven|Rotus]], originally built with components from Japan in Hagerstown, Maryland from the early 1980s to mid-1990s. As founder Chris Custer owned a Toyota dealership, the first cars used Japanese spec 2litre twin cam Toyota engines and five-speed gearbox. Other engines were used over the years; including Ford turbo 4s, [[Mazda Wankel engine|Mazda NA and turbo rotaries]], and Rover/Buick [[V8 engine|V8]]s.  The Rotus notably features a slightly larger cockpit, stiffer chassis, and inboard front suspension.
* [[Southways Sports Cars SuperCat]] from [http://www.southwaysautomotive.co.uk/ Southways Automotive]
* [[Stalker V6 Clubman]] by [http://www.bruntonauto.com/ Brunton Automotive USA] Bradenton, Florida the USA
* [[Superformance|Superformance S1 Roadster]]
* [[Super Martin]] from France
* [[Tiger Z100]], [[Tiger R6]], [[Tiger B6]], [[Tiger Avon (like Mel & Jons)]] & [[Tiger Cat E1]] from [[Tiger Racing Ltd]]
* The [[TSV (automobile)|TSV]], a Lotus 7 replica from Greece<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tsv.gr |title=Lotus Seven From Greece |publisher=Tsv.gr |access-date=2011-12-18}}</ref>
* Vindicator Sprint and the four-seat Vindicator Family by [[Vindicator Cars]]
* [[Westfield Sportscars]] produces several models
* [[Kit and replica cars of New Zealand#Wilco|Wilco]] produced in New Zealand between 1992 and 1996.

Also, see [[:Category:Lotus Seven replicas]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* Jeremy Coulter. ''The Lotus and Caterham Sevens''. Croydon: Motor Racing Publications Ltd., 1986. {{ISBN|0-947981-06-3}}
* ''Lotus Super Seven Series II owner's manual'', Lotus Components.
* Lotus Seven Register [http://www.lotus7register.co.uk Lotus Seven Register - Home Page]
* Peter Ross "Lotus - The Early Years 1951–54". Coterie Press, 2004. {{ISBN|1-902351-12-6}} describes the original Lotus Mark VII single-seater.

==External links==
* [https://caterhamcars.com/en Caterham official website (UK)]
{{Commons category|Lotus Seven}}
* [http://www.lotus7register.co.uk Lotus Seven Register]
* [http://www.7-dna.com/ Forums] Forum for all 7 type vehicles that have some aspect of Lotus 7 DNA running through them.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130616081519/http://sevener.fr/ Sevener, Lotus Seven, Caterham & Co • News] 
* [http://www.birkindirect-usa.com/ Birkin Direct USA | Birkin Products in Canada | Lotus 7 Sports Car] Birkin Official USA Website
* [https://www.tsv.gr/ TSV lotus seven from Greece]

{{Lotus}}
{{Lotus Seven}}

[[Category:Lotus vehicles|Seven]]
[[Category:Roadsters]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1957]]
[[Category:1960s cars]]
[[Category:1970s cars]]
[[Category:Open wheel cars]]