Description
The Lotus Super Seven S2 was the definitive high-performance version of the second-generation Seven—a car that distilled Colin Chapman’s philosophy of “simplify, then add lightness” into one of the most engaging and capable small sports cars ever built. Introduced in 1961, the Super Seven took the already brilliant S2 chassis and infused it with more power, sharper response, and a level of driver involvement that made it one of the great icons of British motoring. It was the purest form of the Lotus ethos: an affordable, lightweight, road-legal racing car that delivered extraordinary performance through engineering intelligence rather than brute force.
The Series 2 chassis provided the perfect foundation for the Super Seven. It used the same lightweight tubular steel space frame as the standard S2, clothed in aluminum body panels with fiberglass nose and tail sections to save cost and weight. The design was both elegant and functional, weighing around 500 kilograms depending on specification. Every component served a purpose, and anything unnecessary was eliminated. This approach created a car that was not only light but also incredibly responsive—one that communicated every surface change and every nuance of grip directly to the driver.
The key difference between the standard S2 and the Super Seven was under the bonnet. Lotus offered several higher-performance engines, with the most famous being the Ford 1,340 cc and 1,498 cc “pre-crossflow” inline-fours tuned to Lotus specification. These engines, fitted with twin Weber or SU carburetors, higher-compression pistons, and sport camshafts, produced between 75 and 85 horsepower—more than enough to make the Super Seven a formidable performer. The Coventry Climax FWA 1.1-litre aluminum engine was also available for the most serious drivers, delivering around 80 horsepower with remarkable smoothness and a willingness to rev beyond 6,000 rpm.
With any of these power units, the Super Seven offered astonishing acceleration. In top form, it could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under seven seconds, putting it in the same league as far more powerful and expensive cars of the early 1960s. Its top speed exceeded 100 mph, but straight-line performance was only part of the story—the real magic was in how it handled corners. The combination of a lightweight chassis, precise suspension geometry, and near-perfect weight distribution gave it agility that few road cars could match.
The suspension setup remained simple but brilliant: independent front suspension with double wishbones and coil springs, and a live rear axle with trailing arms and coil springs. This provided excellent compliance on rough surfaces while maintaining superb body control. The car’s steering was unassisted, using a direct rack-and-pinion system that gave the driver fingertip precision. Drum brakes were fitted all around as standard, though many Super Sevens were later upgraded with front discs for competition use. Every mechanical detail was exposed and functional—part of the Seven’s appeal was its honesty, its mechanical beauty laid bare for all to see.
Visually, the Super Seven S2 retained the familiar minimalist shape of its predecessors: the long, narrow nosecone with oval grille, the cycle-type front fenders, and the open cockpit sitting low between the wheels. The fiberglass nose was slightly more sculpted than before, improving aerodynamics marginally while giving the car its now-classic look. The car’s proportions were perfect—compact, balanced, and purposeful. It had no ornamentation, no luxury, and no excess weight. Everything about it said “performance.”
The cockpit remained extremely simple but functional. Two lightweight bucket seats were mounted directly to the floor, with thin padding and minimal upholstery. The flat aluminum dashboard carried only the essential Smiths gauges: tachometer, oil pressure, temperature, and fuel. There was no heater, no sound insulation, and certainly no radio—just the essentials needed for driving. A small three-spoke steering wheel sat close to the driver’s chest, offering perfect control and a clear view over the front wheels. Many cars were delivered with detachable windscreens and side screens, and a basic canvas roof was available for those determined to brave the weather.
On the road, the Super Seven S2 felt alive in a way few cars ever have. The combination of low weight, quick steering, and lively engine response made every drive an event. The car reacted instantly to every input, whether turning, braking, or accelerating. It could change direction with astonishing speed, carrying momentum through corners where heavier cars would have to slow down. The experience was pure and mechanical—every vibration, every shift, and every exhaust pulse was felt through the seat and steering wheel. The engine note, crisp and eager, filled the open cockpit as the revs climbed.
The car’s behavior at the limit was beautifully progressive. Drivers could balance the car with small throttle or steering adjustments, allowing it to slide controllably through corners. It was forgiving but demanded finesse; the Seven didn’t hide its dynamics behind technology or weight. It rewarded skill, sensitivity, and courage—the hallmarks of the best driver’s cars.
The Super Seven S2 quickly became a favorite in club racing, hill climbs, and sprints across Britain and Europe. Its lightness and balance allowed it to dominate classes far beyond its power rating, and it often embarrassed cars with twice the horsepower. It was especially popular in the 750 Motor Club and similar grassroots motorsport events, where privateers could easily tune and maintain it. The car’s simplicity meant it could be modified endlessly—stronger engines, disc brakes, and close-ratio gearboxes were common upgrades.
Like its predecessors, the Super Seven S2 was available as either a factory-built car or a kit, allowing enthusiasts to assemble it at home and avoid the high purchase taxes of the time. This made it accessible to a new generation of drivers and racers, many of whom learned the fundamentals of performance driving behind its wheel. Chapman’s creation had become not just a car, but a platform for learning, competing, and enjoying the art of driving.
Production of the S2 continued until 1968, when the Series 3 introduced further refinements, but the Super Seven S2 remained one of the most revered variants. Around 1,350 S2s were built in total, with a significant number being high-performance Super versions. Many survive today, often restored or raced in historic events, continuing to demonstrate the enduring brilliance of Chapman’s design.
The Lotus Super Seven S2 is remembered as one of the purest expressions of driving ever created—a car that proved performance comes from lightness, balance, and feel rather than raw power. It is a machine that connects driver and road with unmatched intimacy, an experience that modern cars, for all their technology, can rarely replicate. The Super Seven S2 stands as a timeless reminder of Chapman’s genius: a car that turned minimalism into an art form and transformed simplicity into speed.