Just toying with the idea of replacing the black dials and cheap black switches with something that looks more "period". Has anyone done it or have suggestions or pictures of older dashboards. Ahem... Once it goes through IVA of course. I love the look of ali machined dashboards also!

Did Caterhams have the current back lights back in 73. I suppose the Lotus had Lucas lights similar to Aston Martins Land Rover etc of the time.

The first Caterham models used exactly the same gauges as switches as the last lotus 7's. Smiths gauges and toggle switches were the norm back then. The actual layout has not changed since the late 60's to today. On S2 and early S3 models the speedo was in font of the passenger where the driver could not really see it, common sense dictated that its better in front of the driver.

The only difference is the CSR which has a totally different layout.

Something like this maybe



Lookin good...

Nothing like that at all, that is not a Lotus or Caterham 7. Gear lever is too far back for starters and the hand brake lever was not fitted on the tunnel in any cars until the mid 90's. No Lotus or Caterham has ever been fitted with a square topped tunnel, always round.

My 7 dash was modeled along the lines of an early Caterham, and i feel has the "period look" opposed to a digi dash modern set up

Nice carpet! I would really like to do zomething similar. Next year...

that is nice steve!

Yeah looks good Steve, it stood out for me in the Dashboard thread...

I believe the original tail lights were rectangular, as fitted to caravans.

Lotus and Caterham used a variety of rear lights on the Seven S3 including early Morris Minor tail lights
http://www.completeautomobilist.com/products/53330-rear-lamp-lucas-l549
which were used with Austin Mini front flashers.
http://www.completeautomobilist.com/products/299amb-lucas-l594-indicator-lamp


I have also seen cars with Vauxhall Victor FB combination rear lamps
Later on the Caterham S3 they used Hillman Hunter tail lights --- (as had been used on the S4)
On the S3 the front the head lamps were Lucas 7.5" black with chrome rims Lucas but some cars had chrome bodied lamps


At the front these types were common fitments on swept wings

http://www.completeautomobilist.com/products/297-sidelamp-lucas-1130-type
http://www.completeautomobilist.com/products/297amb-indicator-lamp-lucas-1130-type

On the S3 of this era the hand brake was the umbrella type under the dash.

[Edited on 23/3/13 by britishtrident]

I just remembered the temperature gauge is a 2"/52mm combined oil pressure/water temperature gauge. as fitted to the MG Midget/Austin Healey Sprite --- you can now get an electronic version.

Thanks BT I like the look of all those, £50 for an indicator though - YIKES, food for thought though!

I like the look of some of these also

http://www.completeautomobilist.com/categories/complete-automobilist-dashboard-switch

[Edited on 23/3/13 by Zagato]

I like that dash Steve, traditional and very practical.

Does anyone happen to have any pictures of the original S3 dash layout ?

I wanted somthing retro but modern with a nod to the seven style cars roots. This is what I came up with fairly basic but functional. All you need IMHO.




Regards Adrian

Found a pic of a Lotus- gorgeous!!



Bet your looking at 50K + for one of the original Lotus Wire wheels are a PITA but they do look good on this...

[Edited on 24/3/13 by Zagato]

Dash & back lights go as far back as at least 1969 (at least on this SS version at the 1969 Earls courst motor show) They'll grow on me...

It is quite surprising how different the early car looked just with the absense of a roll bar and the presence of a spare wheel.

i have a brand new pair of those type rear lights if anyone is interested!