Editing Lotus Seven (section)

==={{anchor|S1|Series I|Series 1}}Series 1===
{{Infobox automobile
| name = First generation
| production = 1957–1960
| engine = {{convert|1172|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
| image = 1959 Lotus Super Seven Series 1 (15623495517).jpg
| related = [[Lotus Eleven]]
| caption = 1959 Lotus Seven
}}

The Lotus Seven was launched in 1957 to replace the Mark VI as the entry-level Lotus model. The Seven name was left over from a model that Lotus abandoned, which would have been a [[Riley Motor|Riley-engine]] single-seater that Lotus intended to enter into the [[Formula Two]] in 1952 or 1953. However, the car was completed on Chapman's chassis as a sports car by its backers and christened the Clairmonte Special.

Externally similar to Chapman's earlier [[Lotus Mark VI]], but with a different tubular frame similar to the [[Lotus Eleven]], the Seven was powered by a {{convert|36|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} [[Ford Sidevalve engine|Ford Sidevalve]] 1,172 cc [[straight-four engine]]. In addition to the Ford unit, both [[BMC A-Series engine|BMC series A]] and [[Coventry Climax]] FWA engines were available for fitment. Under the [[Purchase Tax]] system of the time cars supplied as a kit did not attract the tax surcharge that would apply if sold in assembled form. Tax rules specified assembly instructions could not be included. This situation remained until 1973 and a large proportion of Sevens sold in the United Kingdom were delivered in kit form as a result.

The Seven Series 1 was used both on the road and for club racing (750 motor club in the UK).

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