19th Jun, 2024 13:00

Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

 
Lot 69
 

1960 Lotus 7 Series 1
Entered from the collection of the late Graham Nearn, founder of Caterham Cars

Sold for £32,625

(including buyers premium)


Lot details

Registration No: HSK 227
Chassis No: MK7 856
MOT: Exempt

  • Very early example of the famous Lotus 7
  • One of the most photographed examples in existence that features in a number of books about the marque
  • Entered from the collection of the late Graham Nearn
  • Fitted with a BMC 948cc 'A-Series' engine

A motoring icon, the Lotus Seven was introduced at the 1957 Earl’s Court Motor Show. Stylistically indebted to its MkVI predecessor, the newcomer featured a spaceframe chassis and aluminium bodywork fabricated by the Progress Chassis Company and Williams & Pritchard respectively (both companies being near neighbours of Lotus). A multi-tubular affair, the Seven’s structure was, in many ways, a simplified version of that which underpinned the marque’s highly successful Eleven sports racer. Designed for fast road and / or competition usage, the newcomer could be had with a choice of Ford ‘sidevalve’, BMC A-Series OHV or Coventry-Climax OHC engines. Available in factory finished or self-build guises, the Seven was expensive compared to the plethora of specials on the market at the time but altogether more accomplished. Only in production from September 1957 to June 1960, the impact of the Lotus Seven S1 was wholly disproportionate to the approximately 243 examples made.

Acquired by the founder of Caterham Cars, the late Graham Nearn, decades ago, ‘HSK 227’ was given pride of place in the company’s principal showroom. The subject of an older restoration and fitted with a "hot" 948cc BMC A-Series engine with Twin SU Carburettors mated to a 'rib-case' gearbox, it is a very well known car having graced the front cover of ‘Colin Chapman: Lotus Engineering’ by Hugh Haskell and been featured in Autocar and EVO magazines not to mention appearing on the Petrolicious and BBC News websites etc. Riding on correct, silver-painted wire wheels which complement its bare aluminium bodywork, this famous S1 would surely grace any Lotus collection? Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document and sundry paperwork.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430

 

Auction: Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire, 19th Jun, 2024

An auction of classic, collector and performance motorcars held at the iconic and visually stunning Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Venue Details 

Browse the Catalogue 

View all lots in this sale

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


H&H Classics finishes 2025 in style with final auction of the year
Homegrown entries set high benchmark at upcoming Millbrook auction
Historic motorsport entries make tracks to Millbrook auction
H&H continues 2025’s impressively high sales rate at its final motorcycle auction of the year
Barry Sheene’s race bike among amazing entries for H&H’s motorbike and scooter auction
Fantastic results and strong performance for H&H’s largest ever Buxton auction
Trio of Harley-Davidsons and iconic ‘Captain America’ chopper to star at H&H Classics auction
‘Reassuringly desirable’ scooters going under the hammer with H&H Classics
H&H reveals full lot list for its largest ever Buxton auction
First entries for H&H’s October motorcycle auction highlight impressive standard
British, German and American classics from one collection heading to auction
One-owner icons and low mileage survivors among early entries for H&H’s Buxton auction
Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster achieves over £750k
Exquisite line up for H&H’s first ever Kelham Hall auction
Low-mileage Jaguar with royal connection heads to auction
Hammer time for iconic piece of 1960s movie history
Motor City icons bring American thunder to Kelham Hall auction
Competition eligible 1937 Aston Martin ‘Team Car’ Evocation takes to auction’s starting grid
Special opportunity to own highly desirable late-production 300SL Roadster
Continental classics shine at H&H’s Buxton auction
Motoring milestones set for H&H’s July Buxton auction
Charity auction for century-old pioneering hybrid car
Immaculate concours Jaguars among prized lots at H&H Classics’ Buxton auction
High demand from classic motorcycle and vintage scooter enthusiasts at H&H auction •	More than 210 l
Historic, rare and celebrity motorbikes line up for H&H auction
British icons lead the way at H&H’s first ever Millbrook
Early entries set high bar for The Classic Motorcycle Auction
High society… rare, low mileage 1960 Mercedes-Benz with aristocratic pedigree up for auction
H&H’s inaugural Classics & Coffee is one to savour
Best of British classics from significant collection being auctioned at Millbrook
Jaguar MkII leads stand out results at Buxton auction
Historic motoring venue to host established classic car auction house
H&H’s Buxton auction boasts coveted classics to ‘peak’ the interest
Ten standout classics from one collection to be auctioned
Sir Elton John’s former Aston Martin among notable lots hammered away at Duxford auction
H&H’s first motorcycle auction of 2025 achieves impressive sales rate
Brough Superior’s among star lots heading to H&H Classics motorcycle and scooter auction
‘Unique’ Ferrari ‘Wide Body’ prances to Cambridgeshire auction
Rocket Man’s ride rocks up for auction
Rare opportunity to own popular TV presenter’s scooter
H&H Classics ‘Season Opener’ enjoys noteworthy results
Last bike ridden by Hairy Biker Dave Myers to be auctioned
Over 90 eye-catching lots head to auction in H&H’s ‘Season Opener’
New venue among H&H Classics’ 2025 auction dates
Over 1,100 classics worth more than £14 million sold by H&H Classics in 2024
H&H Classics rounds off 2024 with strong performance
Relive blockbuster TV show Rivals by owning a ‘racy’ classic
Buxton auction has single ownership, rare and desirable classics going under the hammer