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Lotus Europa for sale..What do U think?

Description

Item Specifics - Automobiles
Lotus :
1967 LOTUS EUROPA S1 SERIES 46

Miles: 61942 Doors: 2 doors
Transmission: Manual Interior: Black
Engine: 4 - Cyl. Year: 1967
Warranty: No VIN Number: 46/0487
Title: Clear Exterior: Gray
Condition: Used Inspection: --

Options
Leather Seats















Vehicle Description

THE ITEM YOU ARE BIDDING ON IS A 1967 LOTUS EUROPA S1 SERIES 46. THIS VEHICLE IS INTACT,ENGINE RUNS,TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH

ARE FUNCTIONAL,ALL ACCESSORIES OPERATE PROPERLY, INCLUDING ALL

INSTRUMENTATION. THE PAINT HAS BEEN STRIPPED FROM THE

COMPLETE BODY.ALL OUTSIDE ACCESSORIES ARE COMPLETE INCLUDING

BUMPERS,DOOR HANDLES, WINDOW REGULATORS,WHEELS AND

WHEEL CENTER CAPS,HEAD LIGHT ASSY,HEAD LIGHT RINGS,TAIL

LIGHT ASSY AND ALL EXTERIOR EMBLEMS.THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN

GARAGE KEPT SINCE 1987 TO PRESENT. THE PAINT HAS BEEN STRIPPED AND THE VEHICLE IS IN PRIMOR AT THIS TIME. THE INTERIOR IS IN

VERY GOOD CONDITION INCLUDING THE DASH BOARD.

THE VEHICLE WILL BE SOLD “ AS IS” WITH NO IMPLIED WARRANTIES.

PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE,PLEASE CONTACT HANK OR DEAN AT

CASSIDY238@MSN.COM

ANY FREIGHT OR SHIPPING WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER
 
just a warning but getting a fiberglass car painted costs at least 2x as much as a metal one.
 
One sexy car. However, as we all may know, LOTUS is an acronym for the following:

Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
 
I think for $3000 or under it'd be fun if the chassis is good. The Series 1 Europas had their bodies bonded to the frame and they're almost impossible to restore or repair.

I wouldn't touch it without looking at it, though. The frames on these are like Elans (a backbone design made of fairly thin folded sheet metal) in that they can rust badly under a car that still looks presentable. In an Elan and later Europas you can replace the chassis without too many heroics but in the Series 1 Europa you're stuck with it.

This is one of the early "bread van" cars with the Renault (R16?) engine of about 80 horsepower. Driver vision is not good, the windows don't open so it's hot in the summer, they're so low that they're dangerous to drive...

On second thought, $2000.
 
Interesting looking car, I always liked the shape. They still have a kind of modern line to them. And I do believe the windows open on these...( been a while since I drove a MK one ) At least the Renault motors are not very high strung, and can be made to go well ( not so good stock, but the cars are more about handling and driving feel than raw acceleration anyway..)

The cars go ok with the Renault motor, still a bunch of fun.

A point about bare fibreglass ( spray primer is the next best thing to being bare..) The fiberglass can soak up all kind of contaminants and moisture, be sure to use a good two part primer sealer, and baking this on is not a bad idea. I see bubbling on Lotus's all the time, and really this is just poor ( dirty ) prep.

Have fun, and welcome to the club.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
JBsZ06, The car is in Melrose,Pa, if not too far from you go sit in it and look at the frame. Take a Jack and a couple of stands. If the guy has a problem with that say BYE BYE. You might be very disappointed with the preformace of this model. Wayne
 
Another thing to take into consideration is if you have never tested if you fit, go look at it before you buy. While Europas are fantastic and responsive cars, many feel they are too uncomfortable...and if you're like me (6'4") there is almost no possible way you can fit into Europas to even test drive them.
 
Series 1 had drop down windows. You had to pull them out from the opening and there was a slot in the door shell for them to stay when not in use.

Series 2 cars had a frame like the Twin Cam. The body was bolted right to the frame. On Twin Cam cars the factory raised the body by an inch using spacers.

The Renault R16 can be modified to produce the same amount of horsepower as the "Twink." The iron block of the Ford engine makes it 100 lbs heavier than the all aluminum Renault motor. Five speed renault gearboxes can be installed, but I'm not sure of the availability of them (junkyards?).

One interesting option is turboing a R16. I've seen pictures of a car that used a SU carb bolted to a RayJay turbo from a Corvair. A stock manifold was modified for the induction/exhaust. It could be done for $300-500.

Mine will be For Sale in a month or two so keep an eye out!
 
I'm 6'4" and owned a Europa S2. Certainly it was a tight fit but comfortable. The S2 had electric windows. I had a 45DCOE on mine and it was fast enough. I wish I still owned it but I sold it almost 30 years ago....
 
[ QUOTE ]


Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Never had one, huh?
 
The Twin cam is the one to have, IMO. Better looks, and the Twincam is good for an easy 140 to 150 horse without making it remotely finicky.

The do not perform a whit better than an Elan though, and there is no roadster.
 
I agree with Super 7 that the Twin Cam Europa is a decent car. My opinion may be colored by the fact that every non-Twin Cam Europa I've actually touched has been in seedy condition & every Twin Cam has been beautifully restored.

(This reflects the values, I think, in that a good TC is worth 2 to 3 times a good Renault engined one. Hence, the TC's are more likely to get restored.)

Sports Car Market mag says that Twin Cams are going up in value steeply whereas the Renault cars are dropping 15-20% year. The cars are unusual enough, though, that they'll always have a buyer somewhere.

I still think the Elan is the better car but that's personal opinion of course.

Regarding the S1 that started this thread - it went for a little over $4100, which I think was high. It is rare, though, since it appears that only about 150-160 were imported to the US. All left England but most went to France, iirc. Few get restored because of the bonded body/frame combo.
 
I'd like an Elan but I don't think one would be in the budget. Maybe an Elan +2 would be more affordable. I can live with a fix roof considering where I live. I'd really like a Lotus and with my wife going back to work a lower level one should be within reach in about a year. A good condition Elan +2 or a Europa TC would probably be at the top of my list. I don't know if this link will work but there a 1974 for sale locally for a seemly reasonable price (Cdn$) https://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?adID=1752015
 
I was looking for this picture I took of a Europa for sale at Lime Rock last year.
It was part of a flea-market in the paddock during a vintage race.
Finally found the picture....needs a bit of work!

very_crappy_europa_project_for_sale.jpg
 
If that is Canadian money, that is cheap for a nice car. I like to look at them, and nice ones are in the 12 to 15 thousand range for nice cars.

As to the Plus 2, I'm in the minority when I say that it is one of the best cars Lotus built. I love them.
 
yeah it is Canadian money. Seems a good deal to me and I'd love to pick it up but it will be about year before I can afford it - no way I'm financing a 'play' car!
 
There happen to be two very nice low mileage Twin Cam Europas on E Bay right now, I particularly like the one which has been autocrossed but not driven.
 
Is there something wrong with the black Europa. $5500 and reserve met? Suppose it will go for more but what a low reserve.

Bruce
 
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