Here’s another stunning STIHL Chainsaw restoration from Chris at C.S. Goldman’s Reaper Restorations. It’s the STIHL 07 S, which was produced from 1965 to 1968.
We already have a full overview of the 07 and O7 S that explains the differences between the two versions, so here we’re simply sharing Chris’s restoration photos, starting with the after shots, and followed by the before and during images.
Here’s a description of the 07 S from Chris:
Some saws are rare because they’re old. This one is rare because STIHL barely built it — and then quietly let it disappear.
The STIHL 07S was produced for only three years: 1965, 1966, and 1967, with the last units rolling out in early 1968. It never made it into the 70s. A short‑run, high‑output variant bridging the gap between the 07 and the 08S, it never got a marketing push and never hit big production numbers.
Walk into a dealership today and ask for an 07S. Their computer will show the 07… the 08… the 08S… but not the 07S.
A real production saw that the system acts like never existed. That’s why collectors call it a ghost model. Most were worked to death. Almost none survived. Finding one complete enough to restore is almost unheard of.
This one lived a hard life — you can see it in the metal under the paint. But tonight, for the first time in decades, it fired like it remembered every acre it ever cut.
I don’t bring these saws back for money. I do it because every old machine has a story — and this one was almost forgotten.
Tonight, the ghost woke up.
Specs:
• Model: STIHL 07S
• Production Run: 1965–1968 (only 3 years, never entered the 70s)
• Displacement: 75 ccm (4.57 cu in)
• Power: 4.5 HP (3.3 kW) @ 7,500 RPM
• Bore x Stroke: 50 mm × 38 mm
• Cylinder: Aluminum w/ chrome‑plated bore
• Carburetor: Tillotson HL‑155B
• Status: Fully restored, factory‑correct, history preserved
Chris shared some great background on this saw during the restoration, and it really highlights just how unique the 07 S is.
The 07 S sits in an interesting spot in STIHL’s history as a crossover model and one of the earliest “Super” saws, alongside models like the Contra Lightning S, 08S, and S-10 series.
What makes it especially unusual is how it blends parts from different saws—some components are shared with the 070/090, others with the 08/S10, and a few are completely unique to the 07S. It’s essentially a bit of a “Franken-saw,” which adds to both its character and the challenge of restoring one.
Parts for the 07S are extremely hard to come by, and finding good-condition originals is even tougher. In this case, some pieces, like the recoil cover, weren’t available at all in usable condition, so they had to be fabricated from scratch.
All of that ties into its rarity. The 07 S was only produced between 1965 and 1968, and it’s considered even rarer than the Contra Lightning S. It also holds a unique place in Stihl’s lineup as the only true “convertible top” model they ever made.
Another stunning restoration!
