OF LOTUSES AND FERRARIS

Ihave just finished reading the October issue of New Zealand Classic Car [Issue No. 346]. As always, an interesting read with a pleasing variety of subject matter. I was very pleased to see articles about one of the lesserknown Ferraris, the 308GT4, and also the Lotus Seven, one of my favourite sports cars. I have driven a number of 308GT4S, and agree with Donn’s comments about the driving position and the gear change — and also the excellent visibility. I have owned a Series 3 Lotus Seven and two Caterham Sevens, so the two articles brought back many memories, in particular of trips to Portmeirion in North Wales, where The Prisoner television series was filmed.

I noticed that in Terry Cobham’s article about the Series 1 Seven, he referred to Colin Chapman’s resourcefulness and went on to say, “So he must have had his reasons when he changed the rack-andpinion steering box …”.

Terry started the previous paragraph by saying that, although Colin was a designer par excellence, he was also a businessman. Colin’s design mantra is often quoted as “First simplify and then add lightness”, and this was certainly the hallmark of the Seven. However, cost was also a major factor, particularly for a cheap car like the Seven. Colin Chapman even went to the extent of omitting a number of chassis rails in the Series 2 to save cost. Some of the standard marque histories say that the Triumph Herald rack gave better steering geometry and also allowed more room in the footwell but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if at least part of the reason was that it was cheaper! David North

Riverton

Good extra information, David, thanks — Ed.