Viva GT Lotus 900 series testbed

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richardw
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Viva GT Lotus 900 series testbed

Post by richardw »

I'm in touch with a Viva GT owner installing a 912 engine who sent me this link to his site dealing with the history of the GT Lotus used as an engine testbed: https://www.annteak.com/lotus-viva-gt-history/

The car was registered RAH 713F and it is still in existence (although a bit of a Trigger's Broom as it is on its third shell!)

There are other links on the site detailing the engines used:

The prototype 907 engine unrestored
https://www.annteak.com/prototype-lotus-907/

The prototype 907 engine post restoration
https://www.annteak.com/lotus-907-prototype-update/

A close relative to the 907 but all of Vauxhalls work and 10 years before the HS / HSR
https://www.annteak.com/vauxhall-8-valv ... inal-part/

Cheers, Richard
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Pete Boole
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Re: Viva GT Lotus 900 series testbed

Post by Pete Boole »

I've seen a few of those photos before but getting all that info together is great. If only they had retained the 10-stud cam covers :roll:

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Re: Viva GT Lotus 900 series testbed

Post by bash »

I can't find any pictures yet ( I will do ) but there were a couple of Hillman avengers done with 900 series engines as testbeds for the sunbeam lotus because the floorpan of the sunbeam is an avenger. Ultimately they went for a BRM twin cam for the avenger based on a brazlian block but didnt get very far. Very advanced plans are in place for the remanufacture of the BRM unit and some prototypes have already been run. An Avenger with a 912 would be a great sleeper classic. Two estate Avenger Lotus chase cars were built for the RAC and I believe one still exists ( MAC550V.... I think )

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Re: Viva GT Lotus 900 series testbed

Post by Pete Boole »

ISTR my Rapier having a Holbay engine - didn't Lotus work with Holbay at one point as well?

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Re: Viva GT Lotus 900 series testbed

Post by bash »

I know that holbay worked with lotus for the formula junior racers but apart from that ??
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Ps, I slso found out that Holbay was initially founded in Sheffield.
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Re: Viva GT Lotus 900 series testbed

Post by TrevorK »

Good articles. It was interesting to see the different layout of the auxillaries.
What car is that?

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