Colin Chapman’s ubiquitous Lotus Seven was launched as long ago as 1957 yet the concept is, if anything, more popular today than it was then.

When Lotus ceased Seven production in 1972/1973 , Caterham acquired the manufacturing rights and have built cars to the original design ever since.

However, such has always been the demand for affordable wind-in-the-hair machines that a number of other companies have successfully marketed look-alike models, among which was Robin Hood Engineering of Sherwood, Nottingham, whose stainless steel monocoque S7 model was manufactured between 1989 and 1999.

The handsome version on offer was constructed in 1994 and imported to the UK c.2000 before acquiring its Q plate on January 1, 2001.

It is a Deluxe model, which means it would have been delivered with its suspension, windscreen, hood and GRP body panels already fitted by the factory, and just needed a donor car for the remaining items.

This would have been a MKIV or V Cortina, as the running gear...