1967 Lotus Super 7 Series III (SOLD)
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...well, sort of a Lotus. Although the chassis plate and title say 'Lotus 1967' this is actually, presumably, possibly, definitately, maybe, assumedly, plausibly, logically a 1984 Caterham.
Or is it.
Well, I was told it was a Caterham, it has a lot of Caterham parts but, hey, the papers tell me it is a Lotus. And who am I to arrive at the wrong conclusion.
The paradox, of course, is that every single factory built authentic Lotus Super 7 Series III has had 35 years of access to mostly Caterham parts. And the dilution that can and does occur can make the difference 'tween a real life Lotus and an early solid back axle Caterham remarkably fuzzy.
Just two years ago, we had an authentic Lotus Super 7 Series III and an early RHD solid axle Caterham in the showroom. Side by side. And the more one looked at both, the more one realized that it was hard to tell 'em apart. The real Lotus had a lot of Caterham parts...louvered bonnet, Caterham tail lights, etc. While the 'real' Caterham had a nifty Cosworth rocker cover, earlier 'vintage' gauges, etc.
So who can tell the difference? One could, theorically, have a genuine Lotus, smash it against a guard rail at Lime Rock or on the Merritt Parkway, sit down with a Caterham catalogue and when the car is pieced together, have a genuine car with genuine paperwork/identity, and 50%, 75%, 95% Caterham parts.
Okay, okay, okay. Sure, this car IS a 1984 Caterham. But legally, a 1967 Lotus. And who is to say otherwise? Often in the world of collector's cars (or antiques of any kind), there is a gray area. Or, in this car's case, BRG and polished aluminum.
And.......hmmmmmmmmm..........add a better roll bar, 5 point harnesses, a fuel cell, maybe an Accusump oiling system, battery cut off switch, fire extinguisher, a Brooklands racing screen behind the road windshield...and go historic racing?
In my 'genuine' Lotus Super 7 Series III.
Well, all of this is fun supposition. And year, make, and model conjecture. But on a more serious note.......66k miles, very strong 1600cc Ford, twin Webers, all rebuilt/rebushed suspension, side curtains, tonneau, thermostatically controlled oil cooler, alloy wheels, full road legal equipment, new paint on the wings and nose, excellent polished alloy body, and runs and drives fantastically.
Best Lotus, ahem, best CATERHAM I have ever driven.
Your choice. Call it what you want...but it IS sold as it WAS purchased by us. As a 1967 Lotus.
Either way....neat car.
