• 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

Europa with Mazda Rotary engine

R6MGS

Yoda
Offline
So I was on my way home the other day and happened to spot a europa behind a warehouse...So I did a little detective work to find the owner...cars been sitting for 4 years, owner wants 2500 bucks for it...Problem is; it's got a mazda rotary in it. It apparently ran when parked, body is really good, interior is mint...Not sure about anything else cuz I don't know much about these things. Anyway...What do you guys think?? Is it worth anything without the proper motor??(tranny is original)
 

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
I'd be concerned over the transaxle... What'd they have to do to it so they could mate a Mazda to it... and is/was it a Renault car or a later T/C one?
With the proper engine they are amazing cars. With the rotary it's the equivalent of a Chevy V-8 in a Jag, IMO. Value gone for a chop.
 

Dan_Morrison

Member
Offline
If the condition is as described, it's probably not a bad deal. My guess is that they would even be willing to negotiate on the price to have it gone.

The rotary is a good swap, but if the engine doesn't run or you don't want the rotary, sell it off and get one of the kits to install an engine from the Toyota 4AGE family. The rotary is one of the engines that won't affect the value of the Europa too much; maybe even desirable. Barry Spencer in the Bay Area has one in his D-mod car. He took that class at the SCCA Solo Nationals a few years back.

You didn't say whether it is an S1, S2 or TC, but for the money, you almost can't go wrong. Other engine options are the Lotus TC (depending on what model this is), 2.0l Zetec which bolts right up to the TC bell housing, the 2.3l Duratec and of course, going back the the Renault motor if it's an S1 or S2.
 

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:] You didn't say whether it is an S1, S2 or TC, but for the money, you almost can't go wrong. Other engine options are the Lotus TC (depending on what model this is), 2.0l Zetec which bolts right up to the TC bell housing, the 2.3l Duratec and of course, going back the the Renault motor if it's an S1 or S2. [/QUOTE]

That's where I was going with the question. Maybe a cross-flow head, Kent block. IF it's a notched car.
 

lotuslover

Senior Member
Offline
In my experience with Europas, by the time you were finished, it would have been cheaper to buy one that was already roadworthy.
 

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
Depends on WHO ya KNOW, Jody! :wink:
 
OP
R6MGS

R6MGS

Yoda
Offline
Well, I am really not sure what model it is....I couldn't find anything on it to tell, cuz it's the first time I've ever really looked at one. It did have rims on it that very closely resembled the mgb le/stag rims..would that mean anything??
They seem very negotiable on the price??What do you guys think you be a 'good price'..considering the last thing i need now is another old brit car.
 

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
Are the buttresses running from the rear of the roof straight to the back or do they have a "notch" to facilitate rearward vision? If it has the reduced buttresses it WAS a twincam car. That would influence my decision a LOT. Electric windows?


If you can get a chassis number that'll tell us what it was.
 
OP
R6MGS

R6MGS

Yoda
Offline
I don't remember 100%, but I think I am gunna call him tomorrow and make some kinda offer. My TR6 auction on ebay ends tonight, so that will have some influence over how badly I want this....So far with 6 is a few hundred bucks from reserve with a few hours left to go.
 

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
Well, if it's an early car, no matter WHAT engine is in it, it'll break your heart. If it was a TwinCam car, it can be made to be a riot. They ~ARE~ that different. Pedigree it before you jump!
 
G

Guest

Guest
Guest
Offline
DrEntropy said:
Well, if it's an early car, no matter WHAT engine is in it, it'll break your heart. If it was a TwinCam car, it can be made to be a riot.

Doc - could you elaborate on that a bit? I've been eying 'ropas for a long time without really knowing the difference in them.(they often seem to go for bargain prices) If this car was in my neighborhood I prolly would've bought it - not really knowing what I was getting.
 

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
Okay, the caveat first: this is MY opinion, mmmkay?


<span style="font-style: italic">The early cars had the body bonded to the frame. A "negative" IMO. They had fixed windows, I.E. no way to pay tolls, etc.

Renault engine/trans... French(!)... another negative to me. SAE it ain't. The Kent based Twin Cam is a MUCH better engine for my taste... not to mention more power.

Drum brakes inna rear... feh. WHAT was he THINKIN'?!?

High buttresses, REALLY limited rearward vision, mirrors are only half helpful. </span>

Those are a few of what I consider the 'down-sides' of the early cars. With one in front of me I would pro'lly come up with more :wink:
 

creepingfur

Member
Offline
In regards to drum brakes:

All the europas had inboard drums - even the TC.

heck, so did the Elite, Eclat, and S1 Esprit.

They aren't that bad - the stop the car well enough for the power it originally put down and, in the case of the europa, are pretty easy to get to. The are also surprisingly hard to lock up.

The reason drums where used was to save weight - similar to the F1 cars of the time. The outboard disk systems of the era where much heavier then inboard and lotus is all about saving weight. The probably could have used inboard disks (like XJ6 / XJS jags), but chose drums.

For everythinge else - I agree with Doc :smile: -- Get an S2 or TC.

Of course, you could always get one with a blown engine and throw a rover V8 in it. How that would be fun, figuring it weighs the same as the TC.
 

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
I shoulda said the early cars had "small" drums inna rear. T/C had REAL rear brakes. :wink:
 

creepingfur

Member
Offline
That I will agree on :smile:

You could mount T/C (or Spitfire as that is what they are) rear brakes on a S1, but really - just get an S2 or TC. Live with less pain.

-bp
 

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
I've a couple sets of shoes here, NOS. Can't recall if they're for a TC or the French cars...

I ~NEED~ to go thru all that *stuff* and get rid of the non-Elan bits.

Anybody want ONE Dunloop NOS wire wheel for an early Elite? :devilgrin:
 

RobT

Jedi Warrior
Offline
I actually quite like the "concept" of a S1 - the lghtest, lowest and least practical of the Europas. Not sure if I'd actually want to own one though. The Renault lump wasn't so bad, an all-alloy unit, with removable cylinder sleeves. And with a Gordini cross-flow head & Webber carb, performance was pretty darn respectable. And the high rear buttresses and dash layout were cool too IMHO. But am happy to stick with my TCS.

Rob.
 
OP
R6MGS

R6MGS

Yoda
Offline
Well, I looked at a few limited pics I could find on google, and I've determined the car I am looking at has to be a later model, with the cut down rear for visibility. The other thing I am not sure about is I am like 90% sure that car I looked at had no rear bumper, but all the pics I've found the cars have big chrome rear bumpers?
Anyway, I did call the owner of the vehicle, he's owned it 12 years...2nd owner, drove it with the mazda motor for 4 years, but stopped driving it because it now needs some tranny work. The interior(which looks very good to me) is original black and red two/tone leather...and he seems pretty negotiable on price, he was busy so we didn't talk long...I forgot to ask what year/model it is. The motor however is a 13B(?) Rotary from a 86 Rx-7.
The TR6 auction ended with a new buyer...so if all goes well that will be gone in a week or so, thus freeing up some space....I've got a busy work week ahead though, so it's going to be at least a week or so before I can really check out the europa, the owner of the shop it's sitting at has the keys and I've now got permission to open it and nose around whenever I please...so when I do I'll report back.
 

Dan_Morrison

Member
Offline
I think there might be some confusion/misinformation here about the Europa brakes. No Europa ever came with inboard rear brakes (except maybe the 47, but that is a different animal). As for brake sizes, all Europas had the same size front discs from the Spitfire. Europas (S1, S2 & TC) all had the same size rear brakes (drum), except the TC Special, they were the same diameter, but .25" wider.
 

AngliaGT

Great Pumpkin
Country flag
Offline
I believe the bumpers came off of the Ford Anglia.

- Doug
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
Lotuswins For Sale 87 Esprit Turbo and 72 Europa Racer Other British Classifieds 1
M Europa turn signal problem Lotus 7
M Lotus Europa Spiral Pins Lotus 9
B Anyone have a Europa Twin Cam for sale? Lotus 6
Grantura_MKI Europa at auction. Lotus 6
glemon Europa S2 Lotus 2
X Help me celebrate my Europa's 40th birthday! Lotus 1
J Lotus europa 5 speed need recommendation for transmition work [Flordia] Lotus 3
Bob Claffie Europa Project Lotus 1
K Heigt of a Lotus Europa? Lotus 5
D Europa a la Foose Lotus 10
D For sale Daytona Europa Lotus 1
jjbunn Lotus Europa - what to look for? Lotus 12
aeronca65t Europa Spotted 13
H Boy do I love it when things work....Becker Europa Austin Healey 16
Reh Lotus Europa Wheels Triumph 3
Roger My '72 Europa Lotus 27
JodyFKerr Europa Technical and Parts information Lotus 6
RobT Europa 47 GKN Sighting Lotus 3
P Racing Europa Lotus 2
M europa,wider,lower,tires,wheels Lotus 0
Roger Europa TC Brakes Lotus 5
Roger My Elise has company - '72 Europa Lotus 9
D Saw a nice Europa today--one of you guys? Lotus 6
R6MGS Europa grills Lotus 15
C Europa Twin Cam Autocross Car Lotus 3
walt Help identify renault engine in 71 S2 europa Lotus 1
RobT Europa Up-date Lotus 8
RobT Europa "Basket Case" Question Lotus 6
RobT Thinking of buying a Lotus Europa S2... Am I nuts? Lotus 9
RobT Thinking about a Lotus Europa S2... Am I nuts!! Triumph 24
LeeMcKee Looking for a Europa air dam Lotus 0
JamesWilson Europa- Buying Guidelines wanted Lotus 19
Y Cross Reference on Brakes for Europa Lotus 2
78Z New Europa - not for North America though Lotus 9
Y Restarting a stored Europa issues Part #2 Lotus 0
Y Restarting a stored Europa issues Lotus 1
Y Jacking points and jack stand placement on Europa Lotus 1
Y Europa Towing Points Lotus 2
Y Thinking of a Europa for my next car Lotus 2
G My 1969 Lotus Europa S2 is FOR SALE! Lotus 0
CraigFL 220HP Europa??? Lotus 7
J Lotus Europa for sale..What do U think? Lotus 19
Roger Lotus Europa for sale Lotus 4
G Voltage Regulator - Europa S2 Lotus 2
G 2 Weber 45's; nice Europa new resto . for sale Lotus 0
mezy mazda MX5 / Miata gear stick relocation Other Cars 2
R TR6 Mazda Miata ride, everything else TR6 Triumph 13
rjc157 TR6 Mazda seats Triumph 3
Steve P. Formula Mazda open wheel race car Racing 0

Similar threads

Top