The Lotus Seven Series 2, produced from 1960 to 1968, simplified the original's design for more efficient production. It featured a new spaceframe chassis, a fiberglass nose cone and fenders, and ditched the Series 1's complex aluminum bodywork for simpler flat panels. This evolution retained Colin Chapman's core philosophy of performance through light weight, creating one of the most direct and engaging driving experiences available.
Collectors are drawn to the S2's purity and its giant-killing performance on road and track. Power typically came from Ford Kent engines in 997cc, 1340cc, or 1500cc displacements, with the top-tier cars receiving Cosworth tuning. It's this variety and the car's elemental nature that cements its status as a cornerstone of the Lotus brand and a vintage racing favorite.
The market for the Seven S2 is steady, with an average price hovering around $30,000. Values are highly dependent on provenance, originality, and specification. Cars with period race history or desirable Cosworth engines command the highest prices, while standard models represent a more accessible entry into vintage Lotus ownership.
Buying Tips
- Inspect the tubular spaceframe chassis meticulously for corrosion or signs of crash repair, especially at suspension mounting points.
- Verify the car's authenticity. Many replicas exist, so confirming the chassis number and provenance with Lotus registers is essential.
- Engine specification is key to value. Determine if it's a standard Ford unit or a more desirable Cosworth or BRM-tuned engine, and assess its condition accordingly.
- Check the fiberglass nose and fenders for cracks, stress marks, and poor quality repairs. Original, undamaged pieces are difficult to find.
Prices range from approximately $11,750 for projects to nearly $45,000 for exceptional, high-specification examples.
83 Lotus Seven Series 2 vehicles have been tracked across auctions and listings on Hypercars, with 17 currently live.
Data sourced from Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids, eBay Motors, PCarMarket, and Collecting Cars. Updated daily.
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