By Dean Larson

Photos: Seller, BringaTrailer.com

We’ve explored the ocean depths, climbed the tallest mountains, sent men to the moon and robots to Mars, but one question always remains: will an LS fit in that? It had to be this line of thinking that brought about the Brunton Stalker XL, a bonkers V8-powered twist on Colin Chapman’s Lotus 7. And this example, currently listed on BringaTrailer.com, could be the very best of its breed.

In the interest of accuracy, the Brunton Stalker is on the ragged edge of what we can classify as a Seven-esque car. It’s much larger that Chapman’s original, and heavier than other Seven re-creations on the market today. Brunton's Stalker XL model is bigger than the company's other offerings, with a passenger compartment that’s 4 inches wider, and a wheelbase that’s 10 inches longer at 105 inches. According to Brunton, the XL is larger, more comfortable and offers more stability at high speeds.

But at roughly 1,900 pounds completed with a 330 to 550 hp LS under the hood, you’ve got a power to weight ratio that’s simply in a league of its own. And no one’s asking questions about a few hundred pounds or a few inches when you’re posting 0 to 60 mph times well under 3 seconds. But there’s more than a few reasons why you shouldn’t write the Stalker off as a big Seven with a big ’ole V8 though, as Brunton has really upped the ante in recent years.

The car starts on a tubular steel chassis that accommodates a hefty rollover structure along with double wishbone suspension front and rear. Inboard coilover shocks and billet spindles are used on both setups, actuated by pushrods and rockers. Brunton touts the adjustability of their suspension systems, with multiple mounting options for A-arms, coilovers and pushrods, and kingpin inclination angle adjustment as well.

The Stalker XL accommodates various GM power plants from the 3.8-liter V6 to the 5.3 to 7.0-liter LS engines. In stock GM trim, that gives you new and used options from 200 to 550 hp!

But the proof is really in the pudding, and this 2018 Stalker XL up for auction on BringaTrailer.com could be the most spectacular example we’ve seen. The car was a Brunton Level Six build, meaning the original owner commissioned the company to build the car as a complete turnkey, with no expense spared. It’s finished in a candy-apple shade with black underpinnings and XXR wheels.

And of course we can’t talk about this car without touching on the power train, which is a bonkers 6.2-liter GM LS3 crate. It’s hard to comment on the exact specification of this engine, as Brunton offers a stock 430 hp option and a 480 hp version with a hot camshaft, and the seller has not listed which was used here. Either way, you’re getting a powerful crate engine backed by a T56 Magnum six-speed transmission. With these power train options and the Level Six build package option, you’re looking at an initial cost of $50,390 and $51,390 respectively.

Climb inside the Stalker and you’ll note that extra room offered by the XL configuration, and we suspect this is the roomiest Seven available. Seating is provided by Procar and the Speedhut gauges reveal that the original owner logged just 2,200 miles.

Offered by the dealer Hyperformance Motorsports, the Stalker has a current high bid of $23,000 with four days remaining in the sale.

See the Stalker XL here on BringaTrailer.com.