I am a new starter on your community and have been advised that I should include a brief introduction in my initial post.
My name is Maureen, I am approaching 70 years of age and retired from my roles as HR Director and Head of Service for large scale employers.
I have previously had the pleasure of owning 3 models of the Lotus Elan, namely a S2 DHC, a S4 SE FHC and finally a Plus 2S. Whilst I am not a current owner, never say never !
My technical knowledge base is low and therefore I find it a challenge to understand, comment, participate in or provide meaningful input into many of the threads of conversation I see within the community. Must try harder !
Onwards now to my first post, I wonder if anyone may be able to offer information or assistance in locating a Hart cam cover for the Lotus twin cam. As a reminder of times gone by, this would sit on a shelf with my standard Lotus cam cover.
I have no idea if they remain available to purchase new or if there may be a used item available for sale anywhere. Any pointers would be appreciated. I do hope someone is able to assist.
Good evening, i do have an original Hart Cam cover that i have owned for the last 30 yrs plus. I would make it available but i would want £750.00 for it. I can post a picture if you require. Regards Bob
Thank you for your question. I have a standard cam cover with the Lotus markings, which I intend to keep. Whilst at a Lotus meeting at Donnington Park, many years ago, I saw a car with the Hart cam cover, I had never seen one before, it looked extremely different and I have always remembered it.
I am sure one of these covers would look a real contrast on my shelf with the standard Lotus item.
Thank you for your reply. I would appreciate detailed photos of your Hart cam cover, should I assume these will attach to these messages ? I remain on a learning curve !
Yes its a learning curve for both of us. I will photograph tomorrow and send. If i struggle, are you on WhatsApp, and if so can i have a number? Regards Bob
This is the one i have. I beleive it came off a Single Seater Formula Car from the 60s or 70s.
If its the one your looking for let me know. No probs if not. Regards Bob
Thank you for the photographs. As I know that the cam cover you have, possibly for sale, is the genuine Hart item I am confused as to what I saw at Donnington Park some time ago.
I shall seek to describe the cover I saw. It was extremely angular in shape without the rounded curves as featured on your cam cover. It had lines running front to back and had the name Hart on the inlet cam bank.
Should my recollection be correct and I believe it to be so, it had no wording on the exhaust cam bank nor on the top of the timing chain cover. It was painted in black or dark grey.
This leaves me unsure as to what I have seen, perhaps other contributors may offer a view in respect of differing designs of a Hart cam cover.
Should we go forward and I purchase your cam cover, how would the transaction proceed logistically ?
Maureen, did you maybe see a Hart 416-B fuel injected engine? Photo attached.
For your further interest, I attach an article I wrote on the gifted engineer several years ago, for Club Lotus News magazine. I have subsequently appended some of the obituaries written after Brian died.
Whilst your cam cover is not the same as the one I saw at Donnington, I may still be interested in purchasing. Should we move forward how would we proceed logistically ?
Thank you for your reply and the wealth of information included which I appreciate and will enjoy reading.
The cam cover on the Hart 416-B as shown in your photo appears very similar to the cover I saw. The differences between the cover you show and the cover I saw would be that the 416-B was not written above the timing chain, and the name Hart was not on the exhaust cam shaft bank, both these areas were plain and smooth.
The cam cover I saw had long straight aluminium lines running from back to front along each bank, exactly as in your photo.
My search is becoming more interesting with every step forward !
Hi Maureen, if you did want to buy it please contact me on 0777 320 6282 and i will pass on my Bank Account details. I will package it up and send it by courier if thats acceptable. No probs if you dont want it. Regards Bob
