Solved NIC#778 - Lotus 7 with Lotus XI rear bodywork

[nicanary]

What are we looking at?

[nicanary]

Experts?

[tobytwirl]

Is it a Hamblin De Luxe bodied Austin 7?

[nicanary]

Is it a Hamblin De Luxe bodied Austin 7?

Nothing to do with Austin 7 specials at all.

[tobytwirl]

Anything to o with Lotus?

[nicanary]

Anything to o with Lotus?

Very much so 

[tobytwirl]

Anything to do with Longbacon?

[nicanary]

Anything to do with Longbacon?

I don't know - the source site just shows it as it is. I don't think they know who built it.

[tobytwirl]

So is it a Lotus 6, there were a number wth special bodies?

[nicanary]

So is it a Lotus 6, there were a number wth special bodies?

Not a Lotus 6, but very close......

[tobytwirl]

Lotus 7?

[tobytwirl]

Just found my copy of the photo- mine says" factory built lotus seven eleven". Do you have a photo of the front?

[nicanary]

Just found my copy of the photo- mine says" factory built lotus seven eleven". Do you have a photo of the front?

You've found it! I don't have a photo of the front. The photo appears on a dedicated Lotus 7 site and is in a section of unusual bodywork. The owner of the car fitted the rear end of a Lotus XI for some reason or other. I didn't think it was factory fitted, but it's possible.

You've done enough for the point.

PS I've just found your source and it does seem highly likely that this bodywork was fitted at the factory, because that's where it was photographed. It's chassis #465. Presumably a special order, although a later owner removed it and reverted to the standard bodystyle.

[nicanary]

A photo of the removed panels.

[D-type]

Now that I know what it is, I'm not that surprised as the Lotus Seven was based on the Eleven chassis.

[barrett]

I saw the back bit of this for sale at Beaulieu a couple of years ago, the chap selling it didn't know its history at all and I promised to send him the period photo, but I don't think I ever did...