If you’ve read Issue 39 of Absolute Lotus (in the shops at the time of posting this), you’ll have seen the Shapecraft Elan that’s bedecked in 1970s modifications. Far from being in the usual race trim, it’s instead sporting a vinyl roof and Revolution four-spokes. It reminded us of another Lotus that had been hidden away since the most garish decade – a Seven S2 that was discovered by Paul Shipley of PJS Sports Cars.

We featured it in full in Issue 28, but though it was worth a brief bit of reminiscing here. Unlike the Shapecraft Elan, which is roadworthy, the Seven is in true barn find condition. Faded paint – in psychedelic orange and purple – is hidden beneath a layer of dust, while corrosion has crept around the car almost everywhere. 

It’s probably fair to say that most of us would be put of any notion of restoration, but Paul is unfazed by its state. “Condition doesn’t worry me,” he told us at the time. “We restored a Seven for a customer in the past that arrived in tea chests.” He can see the good in it, and provenience is the most important thing. In that regard, the Seven holds up.

Having been in storage since 1972 (when it was just ten years old), the car proved more than willing to depart its long-term home. After digging out leaves and detritus, Paul and his colleague Nick discovered that the old rubber still held air and the brakes unseized themselves in a matter of feet. It was as though the car wanted freedom.

At the time, we concluded the feature by saying that Paul had set no deadline to get the car Shipley-shape. Speaking to him recently, he admitted it’s still untouched – there are a couple of other personal project cars in the queue ahead, and customer cars always come first. Patience…