The first time I remember seeing a Lotus 7 was while watching the UK Television series "The Prisoner" in England.  I still remember the opening shots with Patrick Mc Goohan driving the 7 briskly though London. 

Then came a memorable ride in a  Lotus S3 Twin Cam on some twisty country road in Staffordshire (England), back in the very late 70s - and I knew that one day, I would  have to buy some kind of  Lotus 7!

Some twenty odd years or so later, on 23 November, 2002, I fulfilled this dream-  I bought a 1970 Lotus 7 S4  Twin Cam. The car would be all original if not for the after market (Grant?)  steering wheel and the "side pipe" exhaust system. Even though most Seven enthusiasts (myself included) prefer the styling of the earlier cars,  I bought the S4 with the intention of driving it regularly on the street, and I was advised that the S4 is a slightly  better street car than a S1, S2, or S3.  

My car (Chassis number S4/2771/TC) was one the early S4 made by Lotus (in June 1970), is right hand drive... and I know nothing of its history beyond the last five years.  I contacted the Lotus Club Registrar in England, but I have been unable to obtain more details from the club or anybody else.  I hope some day, someone will read this page and be able to shed some light about S4/2771/TC's past!

In January 2003, I sent the engine to a race specialist (Jay Ivey)  for complete check up and rebuild.  The engine was returned with increased power (152 hp) in "rally" trim, and was fitted back into the Lotus 7 in May 2003.  The headers were ceramic coated at the same time.  Following an electrical fire while motoring in heavy traffic on a California freeway (yes, that was... exciting!), a new wiring loom was purchased from Redline in England, and is now fitted to the car. Instruments were checked and rebuilt as necessary in May and June 2003.  The chassis was checked by a specialist (Roland Johnson Engineering in San Diego) and a minor repair done (previous faulty welding on the chassis member below the steering rack). The fuel tank was cleaned and a new fuel gauge sender installed, water radiator was also cleaned. The drive train was thoroughly checked. On June 26,  I also paid for a new coil, and  new clutch master/slave cylinders - which are now on the car.

While this does not amount to a full restoration, I hope it will assure trouble free running for a while, especially as I now spent as much again as the original purchase price - I trust not an unusual event in such endeavors!

Bob Wuchter's Lotus 7 model (please click on thumbnail for full picture):