Lotus Seven: 60 years of lightness and precision

The video, "Lotus Seven: 60 years of lightness and precision," provides a detailed history of the legendary Lotus Seven, highlighting its evolution and impact on automotive history.

 

Here's a summary of the video's key points:

 

Early Racing Success: Chapman initially competed in sporting trials and quickly gained a reputation as a talented designer. His trials car even won his first circuit race at Silverstone in 1950, beating a Bugatti.

Introduction of Production Cars and Kit Car Concept: In 1952, Chapman introduced his first production car, the Lotus Mark VI. This car featured a space-frame chassis and was uniquely available as a kit, allowing customers to install their preferred engine and gearbox.

The Birth of the Seven: The idea for a simpler, more accessible car like the original Mark VI came about during a casual Sunday evening meal. The prototype was built within a week, heavily based on the Lotus 11, and was initially not even named the "Seven." The Lotus 7 was officially launched in 1957.

Challenges and Persistence: Despite its initial success, sales of the Seven dwindled, and Chapman considered discontinuing it as it wasn't profitable and didn't align with the company's evolving image. However, enthusiasts within Lotus worked to keep the car in production.

Series Development and Design Changes: The Lotus Seven saw several iterations, including the S2 (1960), Super 7 S2 (1961), and S3 (1968). In 1970, the Series 4 brought a radical change with a fiberglass shell replacing most of the aluminum work and offering some luxuries as standard.

Tax Advantages and Kit Car Popularity: The British tax system of the time (Purchase Tax) allowed the car to be supplied as a "completely knocked down" (CKD) kit without attracting the surcharge applied to assembled vehicles. Cleverly, Lotus included disassembly instructions for enthusiasts to follow in reverse.

End of Lotus Production and Legacy: With the UK joining the EC in 1973, Purchase Tax was abolished, ending the tax advantage of the kit-built Lotus 7. Lotus decided to shed its kit car image and in 1973, sold the rights to the Seven to Caterham Cars in England and Steel Brothers Limited in New Zealand. Caterham continues to manufacture and refine the car as the Caterham 7.

International Production and Imitations: The Lotus 7 was also manufactured under license in Argentina by Lotus Argentina S.A. The design has inspired numerous imitations in the kit car market, generally referred to as "Sevens" or "7s roadsters," with many still being produced today, including entirely self-built cars.

Driving Experience: The video emphasizes the unique and thrilling driving experience of the Lotus 7, comparing it to the pure joy of a home-built cart and describing the sensation of raw, unadulterated driving pleasure.

Source:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDs9lFzcb-s