Lotus Seven Series 4
For me the basis for my interest in Dutton Phaetons - the series 4 lotus Seven is the unloved and poor relation to the S3 and the subsequent Cataterham Sevens.
| Engine | Ford 'Kent' cross-flow 1598cc GT Spec - 84BHP |
| Gearbox | Ford Corsair 2000E |
| Axle | Ford Escort MK1 with 3.77:1 ratio and 8" brakes |
| Front Suspension | Triumph derived double wishbone suspension with Triumph disc brakes |
| Rear Suspension | Full Five link axle location using leading and trailing links - Fully adjustable coil over shock absorbers |
| Weight | 1276lb |
| Performance | 0-60 - 8.8 Seconds / Standing1/4 mile -16.0 Seconds Fuel consumption 26 Mpg |
Also interesting to note is that the more powerful twin cam version when tested achieved the following
The 115 BHP twin cam - 1300lb
Maximum speed 116mph
0-60 in 8.7
standing 1/4 mile 15.8
With 16 mpg !
So performance from your average GT spec Dutton should be around the same sort of figures as those above.
Modern tyre technology will lower the 0-60 times and a 135bhp Caterham Super Sprint with a 3.54:1 ratio diff pushes 5.6 sec’s. In the main because a second is sliced off the 0-30 time due to better grip and an engine that revs hard. However that does not quite explain the poor performance of the Twin cam. Unless the figures were in the wet or the 8 is a typo and it should be 6.7 but somehow I doubt that.
What does this mean in the performance stakes - well unless you have spent a small fortune on your engine you will be left for dead by most modern sporty hatchbacks - and 100bhp Pinto is very unlikely to get you past 60 in less than 7 seconds no matter how much you grimace.