At the front of each copy of the ‘Publishers Edition’ is a book plate which has been personally signed and numbered by the author Dennis Ortenburger and certified by the publisher William Taylor. This fascinating read, a must for all Seven & Lotus enthusiasts, covers the life and times of this ‘four wheeled motorbike’ from it’s conception to the present day. Detailing for the first time, the many seven derivatives that have been manufactured the world over, it is the result of two decades of research about a car that was too good to let die. It is ironic that such a huge industry was born and thrived simply because Colin Chapman lost interest in his creation.

Lotus Seven & the Independants is all about that industry and starts with an overview of the Lotus Seven Series that inspired all of this devotion. The body of the work however, details 80 known builders in 17 countries, 'The Independents'. While individual differences are discussed in the text this book delves into the history of each manufacturer. In some cases their stories read like an adventure novel complete with heroes and villains and high drama. In every case their enthusiasm for this special kind of automobile is enormous and judging from the vast numbers of competitors, highly contagious. Equally so is the excitement, which borders on fanaticism, exhibited by their owners. Take care when you read this book. Like the author, you might just be compelled to get behind the wheel of a Seven of your very own.