This Lotus Super Seven Adds Lightness

“There’s a certain demand for a driver’s car that optimizes handling weight, exposure to the elements, and that very visceral experience that sort of makes you have to take a shower after driving it-for all the right reasons-you’ve got rocks in your hair and everything else.”
Geoff Wise’s Lotus Super 7 is not only an elemental sports car, but an opportunity for curious onlookers to wonder, “What the-?”
“People will just come up and talk to you,” he says.
In a first for Petrolicious, you’re looking at a ‘kit’ car. In order to get around a hefty import tax on British vehicles imported into the U.S., the car was supplied in part form, along with ‘disassembly’ instructions from Lotus that were intended to be followed in reverse… As a result, many 7s have been developed, customized, and lovingly altered over the years to suit its owner’s wishes.
Wise loves driving, so this 7 has been built for that-can you get a more pure driving experience than this ex-race car for the street? Probably not; the Lotus 7 is a legend for a reason, after all.
Drive Tastefully®
Petrolicious.com
/ petrolicious

[@MrSapper21]

disassembly instructions. so clever.

[@IvanQuaglia]

hey! many thanks! i'm curious about those valve rocker arms. are roller rocker type?. where did you get that rockers? i have a 1500cc hillman (avenger/plymouth cricket) ohv engine but i didn't know if i can find roller rockers for my engine. many thanks for your kind response

[@theding08mybaby]

+Ivan Quaglia I think your comment was aimed at me... they're roller rockers made by titan motorsport in the UK.

[@TheMarcball]

"dissassembly instructions" ! I did not know that, very cool ! Keep on trucking ! (from France)

[@pulp1405]

Petrolicious deserves milions of subs. The quality of these videos and the story telling aspect is insane! Keep up the awesome work!

[@C42ST3N]

I have got a Caterham and it´s so true that the car is a communication starter ... i have nearly never stoped at the fuel station without some chatting. Everybody love those little cars.

[@kennethj1956]

Sigh; I still wish I lived in California...... Cool cars, Twisty roads, Chill People and Scenic Beauty. You Californians are so Lucky!

[@CommodoreFan64]

+Mr. Johnson No water, constant earthquakes, mud slides, forest fires, floods when it rains, high crime rates, over population, high taxes, high cost of living, stupid laws no other places in the country have, tons of illegals pouring across the border. Na I would not want to live there now.

[@MindBlowerWTF]

+Mr. Johnson Yeah, the smog, EPA and all that great stuff :P

[@CommodoreFan64]

+MindBlowerWTF Yep just go listen to Jay Leno sometime, he complains about the prices of the gas they have in California, and the piss poor quality of it, because of the dumbass state laws to be more eco friendly.

[@khawajadotd]

+Mr. Johnson we are lucky, but like everyone else is saying... it ain't perfect. however, I love it. You should come see it yourself. whats stopping you from moving out here? No one is stuck in the place where they were born.

[@สุราณีพยุงเกษม]

It sucks too much smug people

[@SailBeforeSunset]

Wow, another home run! Whenever I watch these videos, I think of how the editors are the people that make or break a great video. On my channel, the more I learn about editing, the more I respect that the editors are the real heros. Great video!

[@3ducs]

I just bought a '16 Miata but the 7s have always lured me, other that a three wheeled Morgan the purest of cars.

[@WelshRabbit]

Same with me. I have a Miata '97 STO which I drive on special days just for fun -- which is exactly what it is, but from the first moment I saw the opening of the old TV series, "The Prisoner," I've been smitten with the Lotus 7, or it current incarnation, the Caterham 7. When I lived in the SF Bay Area, I'd love to drive in the East Bay hills, or take the 92 to Half Moon Bay, or go anywhere on the PCH.

[@rjs15570]

essence of makes those who wake up early enjoy driving. all that is missing from episode is smell-a-vision. great work.

[@93455Driver]

Just awesome, thumbs up. Wish I could own a Caterham.

[@Vonstroke]

The want is strong with this one. Great video!

[@theding08mybaby]

Thanks to Petrolicious/Valkyr (Aaron Mckenzie, Jeremy Heslup and Sean Fannin) for a once again excellent Petrolicoius video. I couldn't be more elated.

[@Microtimer1000th]

Hello Geoff! Is the Brooklands bolted directly to the scuttle?

[@jeffrackley7774]

Cool Car! Great video! I like they way the old CVAR stickers were kept. It shows the car has been used properly and continues to be enjoyed.

[@T0BBi94]

As a guy who have customised my own bike, I can really relate to this man. Being exposed to the elements and just having a great time talking to people about my bike and hearing their stories and memories of bikes in the past

[@piersgormly]

Great short video, I also have a series 2 1962 Seven, set up for the street but can be tracked and it has also raced with CVAR... just the once. Seven's are the perfect automobile embodiment that you can have so much fun at relatively sane speeds.

[@pro4art]

Had the pleasure of saving a Lotus Super Seven race car drivers WE, after his oil pan plug fell out, at the then Indy Race Way Park. He was smart and shut it down before it locked up. The guy I was there with, he and his Bugeye Sprite got job transfered to another state. I figured the driver I saved would like my help. He did, as he was buying another 7, a well sorted race car. We had great times racing in SCCA, in the "D" Production class, were we always were in the top 3. The driver turned out to be one of the best I ever worked with, I was able to do a good job with the 7 mechanicals to keep us competitive. It had the dual Weber carb Cortina GT engine. We were based in Central Ohio, so if you ever saw a fast 7 in the midwest SCCA races, 1972-74, with a long exhaust going up over the rear fender, and a chin spoiler wider and bigger than any you've ever seen, that was us. Miss the car, stayed with the driver as his wrench for 13 years, we finished up in IMSA with a Mazda GTU RX7 owned by Red Roof Inns that we built, and RR Inns full sponsorship.

[@SGB9]

I owned a true Lotus Super 7 (with a twin cam engine, weber carbs etc) for over 30 years. The most fun you can have on the street plus a winner on the track, lots of trophies won. I also drove it from N. California to the Long Beach Grand Prix for many years, great to drive down HWY 1. My buddy who bought it from me now has it for sale, but I've moved on to more comfortable sports cars....getting older will do that. :-)

[@theding08mybaby]

+SGB9 Great story. Any details on the seven for sale? I do love twin cams.

[@bremms1]

Nice Seven. I have a homebuilt Volvo based Locost, which is somewhere between a series two and a Caterham. Sure are fun to drive eh? I'm a Lotus and Alfa guy.

[@Kennyforever100]

Wonderful and I should know, I had a Caterham Seven with 155 BHP at the rear wheels more fun than a Box of Frogs.

[@humbertoamorim8130]

This must be so much fun to drive during a sunny afternoon

[@Bobzen89]

Great car! Great Engine Sound, so pure

[@byronspencer8101]

I love this video. Best one yet. When I drive my little elan replica/ miata I get this guy. Building a some sort of 7 kit is my ultimate bucket list project.

[@Carl15O3]

This channel is fantastic. Very high quality. Great job

[@orangelion03]

Closest I ever came to owning one of these was building several of the magnificent 1/12 scale Tamiya kits for customers =) First time I saw one in the metal was around 1972-73, a guy was racing a Mazda rotary powered one in SoCal autocross events. FTOD every time he ran.

[@tmh44]

well-loved and well-used...just the way it should be.

[@ypcgnx7766]

Another amazing video from Petrolicious... with a special thumb up for this Super Super Seven !

[@elektro3000]

And thus the running gearhead joke, "Assembly is the reverse of disassembly" was born!

[@rblbatb]

disassembly instructions! love it.

[@KnightDriveTV]

Great vid...love the hood shot

[@lanlandezhu]

the disassemble instruction reminds me of my modern toyota factory manual where every installation instruction says "refer to removal guide"

[@douglasladowski6342]

Thank you for showing the beauty of car a not costing a million+

[@chriswouse7713]

bucket list car build!

[@SirPhillyLeong]

You will be eating bugs and rocks all day with that tiny wind screen.

[@RollYourRock]

Great to view on a 5k iMac... Thanks!

[@markitoxi]

+RollYourRock we don't give a shit

[@sthr2110]

+RollYourRock Just another comment by a miserable, rude KZbinr...don't let it get to you.

[@RollYourRock]

+ste har - You're absolutely right... just having a bad day.

[@FolsomDann]

Loved the video and the car, Geoff. I think I recognized part of Highway 92. I have a right-hand drive, BMC powered S2 7 and used to have a Ford powered S2. Who cares about practicality! Two lane hilly roads are the BEST! If you're in the greater Bay Area you should come to the Morgan Hill British Car show. Last year I was the only Lotus there. Hope you continue to have fun with it.

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

As one of life's committed pedants I'm obliged to point out that one cannot add lightness, one can only reduce weight. My God, writing that felt so good !!!!!

[@MartinWillett]

+MrKeyboardCommando "Simplify, then and add lightness." This was the mantra of Colin Chapman who created Lotus, it is still their company slogan to this day. Lotus invented the monocoque construction, it took out the chassis and replaced it with a an external shell, like a crab's shell, with the suspension, engine and gearbox bolted onto it. It was very radical in its day, now it is nearly universal for all cars not just Grand Prix cars. It simplified and added lightness, and it helped them wipe the floor with all the opposition. www.lotuscars.com/about-us/lotus-philosophy

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

Martin Willett It didn't add lightness, it reduced weight.

[@MartinWillett]

+MrKeyboardCommando It added lightness by replacing a heavier than necessary item with a lighter one. An item was added and the effect was an overall lightening. Yes weight was reduced but it is the logical jarring which makes the phrase memorable and iconic.

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

Martin Willett Lightness is a reduction in weight. You can't add a reduction.

[@MrELIAN602]

petrolicious is very delicious

[@Fuelfoxx]

Great Car. I always wanted one

[@davidingham3409]

Makes me proud and sad to be selling mine, that I have owned since 1973.

[@pmugarte]

como siempre un gran video, una gran historia y el amor por los autos! gracias!

[@MichaelJShaffer]

Adding lightness.

[@SootySweep22]

No need to explain, dude. Nice.

[@HangerRaccoon]

killer shots what drone do you guys use?

[@1silvervespa]

Aim yer headlights .....dang .

[@paullubliner6221]

I am curious: What do CHP and Ca. DMV say about that Brooklands Aeroscreen when on the road? ----Also, besides the added cockpit side diagonals, are there any added tubes in the lower engine bay?

[@AW-xv7dq]

love the channel keep up the great work

[@TheLaXandro]

Look at the bonnet! The engine reaaly *is* trying to escape!

[@greglaroche1753]

Please tell us more about the new motor you installed. Thanks

[@Slickpete83]

looks like the main Character from that "two and a half men show" Walden hahahaa.....

[@Dethmeister]

+Slickpete83 , What? I don't get it.

[@Slickpete83]

+Dethmeister this guy looks like

[@Slickpete83]

+Slickpete83 famous actor Ashton Kutcher just Google it

[@Dethmeister]

Oh, well he looks nothing like Ashton Kutcher so I didn't understand. I thought maybe his character drove a Lotus or something.

[@craigpennington1251]

Another fallout from stupid government greed.Love the car, it's a beauty. Take good care of it. Thanks a bunch for sharing it .

[@link13210]

who know who is the cameraman ? please

[@craigpennington1251]

Does any one make these anymore? Would really like information. Must be new. Don't have the time or the space to rebuild, they have to be turn key ready. I especially like the Indy type customs. They're the ones I'm really interested in. Any info would be appreciated.

[@sparkister2]

In the UK they call it a what ? Never had them called that. Maybe its an old phrase. All kit cars now.

[@altern8ive]

his says "completeley knocked-down" and i'd never heard that term either despite having a share in building a couple of Westies but it's there. CKD - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knock-down_kit

[@FrankCaffeine]

10k Smiths, nice!

[@misterperfect6438]

Nice Video!

[@shauntvr]

I had one great fun

[@christianelnegaard5871]

Whats up with the white circle on the door? there was also a white cirle on the Datsun 240z they have shown

[@ne2i]

+Christian Elnegaard Its where the numbers go for vintage racing

[@christianelnegaard5871]

okay. I always thought it looked cool and I want it on my dream car (once I can afford it). Thanks mate.

[@pinsinus]

It's a long shot but does anyone in the comments have any information about the Lotus 7 Fejer bros cars built in the mid 80s?

[@Tj930]

Thinking of Helmut Marko's eye as a case in point, isn't the driver concerned about getting hit by stones? Pair of sunglasses enough protection?

[@theding08mybaby]

+Tj930 They are Peltor goggles, rated to MIL-PRF-31013.

[@gerardosalas9477]

The caterham looks a lot like this one

[@straycatkid]

Same car. Caterham licensed the design from Lotus.

[@1183newman]

+Gerardo Salas caterham was a lotus car dealer in the early days who seen the potential in the lotus 7 design and bought it from lotus, the founder of lotus was always looking towards the future of the industry and was happy to let such an old design go for money. The lotus 7 derives from the earlier car the lotus 6, both are similar in appearance.

[@gerardosalas9477]

+sam newman oh I didn't know that! Now I want one even more! Thx

[@geonerd]

Or you could just buy a motorcycle. :) Not that I'd reject that fine automobile. It sounds and looks awesome!

[@AngryVikingwGuitar]

Ok real talk here, I'm in the West coast, USA. How the hell can I get a lotus/caterham? I've wanted one for years, i'd sell my E30 BMW, Fox Mustang, and my suzuki motorcycle to get one!

[@theding08mybaby]

+AngryVikingwGuitar Depends on the state you live in. In California, you can register a new Caterham under SB100. For an early Caterham (mid 70's) or real Lotus 7, you should be able to register it as you would any old car.

[@shanehnorman]

Did Lotus ever make an ugly car? What a little gem; I've always wanted one.

[@christianacuna766]

hello. I would like to know the name of the song playing at the begining of this fantastic video. If anyone recognizes the song please contact me. Thank you, and thanks for yet another excellent video, Petrolicious.

[@colinjohnston8519]

Christian Acuna why do idiots ask about the music on every video? Fuck up.

[@stavrosTX]

Not likely a car to take on a date, well unless you find just the right significant other!

[@dhineshdevanvadivello3708]

can i get the colour code of this paint.??

[@frmadeira]

+Dhinesh Devan Vadivello Seems a candy apple red, a search on that will give you what you look for

[@dhineshdevanvadivello3708]

Thanks dude

[@Aladdin5cave]

Go kart for the road

[@SonomaCountyLiving]

Filmed in Carmel? Or Marin?

[@MrDanty64]

+ermooree5 Some of its in Marin; Shoreline Highway heading out to Stinson Beach.

[@SonomaCountyLiving]

Beautiful

[@theding08mybaby]

+ermooree5 Almaden, Los Gatos and Pescadero.

[@MrDanty64]

+ermooree5 Geoff W is probably right but you could easily think its Marin as well

[@JohnnySnappleseed]

+Geoff W Pescadero is easily one of my favorite places on earth, along with Half Moon Bay. Awesome car on some great roads!

[@benhur_9377]

❤

[@iplayoldschoolrunescape]

Wait did they change their name back from carfection 0.0 lol am i the only one who noticed

[@maoristereo]

+VideosAreDrugs Carfection was XCAR before

[@NicoAssaf]

+VideosAreDrugs I think you have the channels mixed up.

[@iplayoldschoolrunescape]

ya i know i failed x D

[@xarnoldx10]

I would much rather have a bike lol

[@MrDanty64]

+xarnoldx10 Go ride Shoreline Highway out to Stinson you bum and then let's talk

[@finnblu3002]

. . Is California the equivalent of "auto oz" ? . . .

[@Wagon_Attack]

Wear a helmet

[@Grenyas]

A great way to start off the day.

[@kclark0395]

Probably the car I lust after most, the Lotus 7, and this one looks superb; just they way I'd like it!

[@gmain1977]

Lotus cool cars, lightweight cars do not need hundreds of horse power

[@superjervis]

I am simple man,i see Lotus,i press like.

[@TheNewfyman]

I still find myself watching this video all the time. My stepfather had an S2 Super Seven in the 80’s. Every day I try and look for it online. One day I’ll find it.

[@4lperen_]

He looks like Henri TOİVONEN

[@klasseact6663]

Saw a JIMI poster at 5:52, so he's got great taste in music as well! Another great owner who's a great guy a true car guy, thanks again Petrolicious!

[@MrDanty64]

+Klasse Act Good eye! I spotted that one too! Funny thing is that I've spotted that one in the background of something else before. You know what that car is?

[@theding08mybaby]

+Dan Brenner It's a lotus elan coupe

[@klasseact6663]

+Dan Brenner Ahhh, he beat me to it, Lotus Elan, the car Mazda used to design the Miata. I remember working at a Lotus dealership in Michigan and we sold used classic Euro cars as well and when a 67' Elan came in I said "the father of the Miata!".

One small downside of the stunning 4K quality is that you can actually see the camera bumping slightly on the motion control rig around 2:00. In 1080p mode it's much less obvious. Beautiful footage as always! Keep up the good work!

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Like many people, I've heard of the Lotus Seven, but I've never seen one. I may have seen a Caterham Seven. Sweet looking car.

[@SteveAnarchistMountainBC]

Once again, Petrolicious offers a marvellous report on a marvellous little car, dear to the heart of driving enthusiasts. Thank you.

[@76ajc]

Anyone else notice the picture of Hendrix and the Experience in the background?

[@andrewdimartino]

I want one.

[@navdrum001]

Steering wheel boss seems super sketchy :/ Nice car though :)

[@MarMar-tm7uw]

looking great on 4k port via chrome cast .viewer for at least a year now

[@TKruijt]

What is the name of the song used around 2:12?

[@simon-xi3cv]

The nicest 7 that I've seen. Awesome!

[@Easytiger007]

Cool!

[@dennyvandermeulen]

it's a pretty cool car.....but i'd rather have a westfield megabusa (lotus 7 kitcar with hayabusa engine)

[@comethiburs2326]

+Denny van der Meulen you take away the joy and replace it with fear. a 7 over 130hp outdrives semi-pro race drivers, so you also end up with something you cant exactly drive either.

[@dennyvandermeulen]

dude a hayabusa engine produces around 180hp (dependant on the year of prod.), it's definitly driveable. 6speed sequential makes it even easier. where you see fear, i see exhilaration (maybe cause you're french...lol)

[@comethiburs2326]

I drove a turbo 2,1 pinto seven. it had mild lag, made about 180hp and a buttload of torque at 20lbs, but quite high in the range. The whole car was about 610/650-ish kg ready to roll. a car that hits 100kph below 6 seconds is scary. A car that hits it's top speed in 10 seconds (170 kph) is in supercar territory. i ran that thing on semi-slicks and with weights, it still spun the three first gears. So yeah, if i ever get one i'll take one with 80-130hp so i can run it 100% without blowing something or killing myself. like the one seen up there. it's perfect.

[@dennyvandermeulen]

i agree that a megabusa is a bit sketchy at times, but with the low torque and long first gear i think it could be manageable. i think it would be most scary when going over a crest and the steering goes weightless.... it's the compromise for having a low budget race-car. (2nd car)

[@comethiburs2326]

taking off is easy. staying straight after your typical bottomed out landing in a seven is another story. :) Also, for the "coward" french part, pikes peak "unlimited class" best time, hillclimb pilots and rally racers beg to differ.

[@ianbarber311]

Hendrix...

[@IvanQuaglia]

THAT OHV engine. i like the rockers. i want to get those for my hillman engine. :P some contact with that guy?

[@theding08mybaby]

+Ivan Quaglia Hello - what can I do for you?

[@IvanQuaglia]

+Geoff W many thanks for your response.ill loock out for i messed up with the response sorry. and many thanks for sharing information. congratulations for you car. is really a nice looking car :D

[@iamscotticus8081]

@@theding08mybaby Hello Geoff. Have a Caterham Xflow 1600. what is that on your bell housing, a sump? Is it still available? Thanks.

[@gw4144]

@@iamscotticus8081 the dry sump tank is to the right of the bell housing. That is an oberg oil filter

[@oprikawize]

that last shot, highway 1 between half moon bay and Santa Cruz! I drive there 4 times a week. beautiful car, I would love to drive it one day!

[@MrDanty64]

+sergio sukhanov You ever drive the Shoreline out to Stinson? Every ride it on a bike?

[@oprikawize]

I have a 99 m3, and couple of times a year I'll go up highway 9, right on skyline (35) to highway 92, down to highway 1 , skyline, great highway, golden gate bridge and up to stinson. Has to be done early morning, otherwise too much traffic to enjoy three road!

[@MrDanty64]

+sergio sukhanov I was just thinking Marin City up to Stinson or back; but that's pretty intense there!

[@oprikawize]

+Dan Brenner that's when I fall back in love with my m3 and forgive it for all the time I've spent under it....

[@theding08mybaby]

+sergio sukhanov yup - just north of pescadero