• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

Red 'Ropa, Red 'Ropa

Share this page

RobT

RobT

Jedi Warrior
Offline
I posted a couple of weeks ago asking opinions on Lotus Europa's. The consensus seemed to be "make sure you drive one first!" Well I did, and I loved it! Agreed, not the most comfortable car to drive, or to get into or out of, but what a blast to drive.

The example I drove was located about an hour from me, and was for sale. Well I couldn't help myself, and now I am the proud owner of a red '74 Lotus Europa.

RedRotus_6_1trim.jpg


It has the "big valve" twin cam lotus/ford engine, and is remarkably original, with only 15,000 miles on it. The carpets and vinyl are all original. No rust, and running very strong. It was resprayed about 2 years ago. Not a perfect car, but a great unmolested example.

So I have no plans to sell the TR250, but as a buddy of mine used to say - you're never too old to have a happy childhood.

Rob.
 
DrEntropy

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
I'm so used to the Lotus forum having few posts I didn't see this 'til after posting in the 'rumph department...

Sweet, man. If you need to find ANYTHING about the car, post it here and I'll do my best to come up with proper answers. Great find, welcome to the wild and wooly world of frozen snot lightweights. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif
 
DrEntropy

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
...been almost ten minutes now.... No questions yet?!?! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif
 
Mickey Richaud

Mickey Richaud

Moderator
Staff member
Gold
Country flag
Offline
He be too busy enJOYin' it!
 
DrEntropy

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
THAT won't last. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
 
GB1

GB1

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
Doc:

How many of the specials\ big valvers were produced? I think they were only made for two or three years. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

Pat
 
DrEntropy

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
Yup. Don't have exact numbers on the production of the Specials, but total Europa run was something like 9,200 cars total. the Specials were a 128 HP big valve version, from '72 to '75. Great performers.
 
OP
RobT

RobT

Jedi Warrior
Offline
Thanks for the kind offer!

What I don't know about the Europa could fill many books! I'm still poking around under the hood. I've got a few jobs on the list:

1) The clutch cable needs lubricating - I believe this means pulling the driver side seat, and extracting the cable from under the carpet, then pouring some gear oil down the cable/sheath.
2) The electricals are a bit funky. I will probably have to pull out the dash at some point

3) Replace the Seibring mirrors. Has the originals on there but the passangers side mechanism is gonzo. Ordered a new pair from RD Enterprises

Also have a 5-speed Fuego 'box and cable linkage setup (the current 'box is a 4-speed, unusual on a special). Will need to figure out how that goes in - but that is a long-term project.

As I drive the car (its not registered yet), I'm sure the list will grow.

BTW I have the Yahoo europa e-mail chain knowledge base, and am on the mailing list - lots of info there too.

Rob.
 
OP
RobT

RobT

Jedi Warrior
Offline
Yep - I met Don last night. He's about 20 minutes from me. Great guy. Spent a couple of hours with him going through parts, and getting info from him. But wouldn't you know it - he's retiring. I think he knew I was buying a Lotus and decided that was the last straw and quit!

Rob.
 
DrEntropy

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
heheee!!! Send 'im over here to th' BCF!!! He's been doin' that for YEARS.

When you get the round tuit for the five speed, that would be the proper time to pull the whole unit and do the water pump at the same time.
 
DrEntropy

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
...oh! And make sure to order up a set of double-jointed elbows and some Lotus fingers fer yerself. You'll learn their importance as time goes on. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif


If you need shims, etc. be SURE to check with me before you PAY for stuff! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif


EDIT: I'm pro'lly as excited about this as you are, Rob! I keep comin' back to this post just to LOOK at the thing! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

Post some pix of the engine! The insides an' the rest, too.

WOOHOO!!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif
 
GB1

GB1

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
Thanks Doc

I can't take my eyes off of the beautiful red lotus.
 
DrEntropy

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
Me either, Pat. I wanna play with it! I don't even have to drive it, I just want to "lay hands" on the thing! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif
 
G

Guest

Guest
Guest
Offline
Wow - Nice Ride!~ I've always liked Europas since the first time I saw one as a kid. Been eyeballing them on Ebay etc the past couple of years.

Here's a video of one ripping at ACU-4 in Virginia Beach, VA. It's running in D Mod so it may be running a different engine? Can anyone tell from the sound? The acceleration is really impressive.

https://www.obrox.com/evante/DMLotus.wmv
 
L

Lotush

Freshman Member
Offline
I have a red 72 TC myself, although mine has the TCS rocker and pin stripes. What's your vin #? Europas are known for flaky electrics but are actually easy to fix as it's almost always bad grounds. There's one in the front compartment and two in the engine bay, as well as one behind the dash. Cleaning the connections will do wonders!

Ken
72 TC 2577R
 
DrEntropy

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
Welcome to the mayhem, Ken!!

Don't be a stranger.
 
OP
RobT

RobT

Jedi Warrior
Offline
Welcome indeed! I'm 3650R (July '73 build).

I've pretty much sorted the electricals. And have about 500 miles on the car since owning it. Have to say, the more I drive it, the better it runs (I think its biggest problem was sitting for too long).

I have installed air horns, an iPod hookup, and have a set of "Lotus Brand" 5 1/2" alloys ready to go. The Europa is just a blast!

Rob.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
RobT New [Old] Wheels for the Red 'Ropa Lotus 5
RobT Red 'Ropa, Red 'Ropa.... Triumph 9
L Red Rubber Brake Grease Austin Healey 2
tr6nitjulius For Sale 4$ale: 3 Point Seat Belts Red Triumph Classifieds 0
dwpirkeyjr Red? Bue? Purple? Yellow? Poly Bushings Complete Set For 1979 MG midget 1500 Spridgets 6
J TR2/3/3A Red ignition light stays on Triumph 7
K TR2/3/3A Further question re TR3 red ignition light. Triumph 1
C Spitfire Red painted engine number Triumph 3
K TR2/3/3A Red ignition light stays on...car has alternator not generator. Triumph 17
K TR2/3/3A TR3 with alternator conversion... red light stays on and low voltage on the voltmeter gauge? Triumph 1
AngliaGT Red MG Spotted 0
K TR2/3/3A Girling red grease that used to come with brake cylinder rebuild kits? Triumph 7
TR6Canuck TR6 Wire spoke rims to fit Michelin Red Line Tires on TR6 Triumph 12
B TR6 Source for Carmine Red Triumph 4
boxofparts TR2/3/3A TR3 Spotted Petoskey Michigan Red and Wedgewood or Powder Blue Triumph 1
J For Sale For Sale - 2x TR6 seats in red vinyl - Best Offer! Triumph Classifieds 1
Leatherman Wanted Red and black TR2 / 3 front emblem Triumph Classifieds 6
J For Sale Early 70s TR6 seats in new red vinyl, with new tracks, $500 OBO Triumph Classifieds 0
WJKB-TR6 TR6 '73 Ignition [IGN] Red Light questions. Triumph 6
T 1993 xj v12 red hot catalytic converter Jaguar 6
C How best to restore red script on valve cover? Austin Healey 7
M TR2/3/3A Red or Blue Loctite Triumph 1
S TR2/3/3A installing a fuse in the red tail lights Triumph 4
S TR2/3/3A generator red light deal Triumph 6
T Radiator Shroud "Chinese Red" Match Needed Austin Healey 10
G For Sale TR6 Matador Red Interior and Boot Triumph Classifieds 0
Joe Schlosser Red Samples Spridgets 5
Alfred E. Neuman Red MGA MkII Spotted 1
RAC68 Clutch Still Slipping after replacing 30W-Non-Det. for Red Line Austin Healey 52
T Red TR3 on the Bachelor Spotted 1
HealeyRick "Cherry Red Austin Healey" Austin Healey 8
JPSmit Red Rubber Bumper Midget Spotted 0
H Red radiator guard reattachment question Austin Healey 10
C For Sale 1965 TR4 Red - Black Interior Triumph Classifieds 4
T Colorado Red Vinyl Interior Austin Healey 6
Pythias For Sale The Red Thing... Make Offer.. Spridgets Classified 0
AngliaGT Red Big Healey Spotted 0
Sarastro Red TR3 in Long Beach, CA Spotted 0
S Colorado Red - is there a close approximation in rattle can? Austin Healey 4
P TR6 Purple/Red wires & mystery bulbs Triumph 17
mrv8q TR5/TR250 Red 250 for Christmas morning! Triumph 10
C TR5/TR250 Red Master Cylinder Tag Triumph 4
R Donald Healey's red '53 Coupe to be auctioned Austin Healey 5
B New Colorado Red/Signal Red Thread - Trying to get it right Austin Healey 0
dklawson General MG Which Pertronix? 45D with Red Points. MG 4
J TR6 What are Original TR6 wheels with Michelin Red Lines worth? Triumph 11
NutmegCT TR2/3/3A Service Instruction Manual [the "red book"] Triumph 3
PAUL161 Regency Red Paint Jaguar 4
S Red Fan Shroud BJ8 Austin Healey 2
PAUL161 Jaguar Regency Red Jaguar 4

Similar threads

Top