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Wow, word travels fast. I haven't taken any photos of it myself, but I have some taken by the PO.

IMG_0429.JPGIMG_0430.JPGIMG_0431.JPGIMG_0432.JPGIMG_0434.JPG

This is a Series 2 Europa, meaning that it has the 1470 cc Renault 16 engine with a single Solex carburetor producing 89 HP. Don't laugh, this thing is so light and well balanced that you might be very impressed with what it can do with so little power. Speaking of balance, in the handling department it is like a street-legal race car, and oh by the way, I got 47 MPG on the highway, and 36 in nasty stop-and-go conditions.

Yes, it's awkward to get in and out of - what you have heard is largely true - but I'm 6 foot and not especially svelte and manage just fine, if not especially gracefully. There's even an inch or two between the top of my head and headliner.

Yes, rearward visibility is limited and backing makes you nervous, and lane changes require lots of extra attention, but it is a real fun machine and oh-so-rare if that appeals. When was the last time you saw one out on the highway?

Immediate plans call for some paint chip repair and then a good cut and buff (it hasn't been cut since the amateurish paint job, but I think there's enough paint on it to cut enough to make it look pretty darn good). Then some interior repair/redo; the PO really bodged some things there, but it's not hopeless.

And all that for 1 percent the price of NOJ 393.
 
Nice !
Rearward visibility can be compensated by the one on the passenger seat ;-)

Hans
 
Rearward visibility can be overcome by driving faster than the cars around you(Italian style driving), Gumball Rally.
 
Now I would like a video posted of you getting in and out of the Lotus - that would be humorous for those of us the same age as our esteemed moderator !!!!
 
Too funny. I wonder how long it took him to recover as well - he looked a little faint??
 
So very nice, well which one do I feel like driving today? A torquey, open, beautiful, and relatively upright and very 50s 100, or a low smooth, revvy, enclosed, sophisticated, very early 70s Europa. Reid you gonna paint it black with gold stripes and call it a JPS?:highly_amused: I am sure the Lotus guys don't mind that kind of thing.
 
glemon said:
So very nice, well which one do I feel like driving today? A torquey, open, beautiful, and relatively upright and very 50s 100, or a low smooth, revvy, enclosed, sophisticated, very early 70s Europa. Reid you gonna paint it black with gold stripes and call it a JPS?:highly_amused: I am sure the Lotus guys don't mind that kind of thing.
Click to expand...

Actually I thought I'd see about louvering the bonnet and then calling it a dealer-installed Le Mans Europa :cheers:
 
This thread is making me miss my S1 Elan, which I stupidly sold a few years ago. A delightful car when it was in the pink. It did have some issues, mostly electrical in nature...we all know what LOTUS stand for...Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious.
 
Love the guy getting out of his MG - too funny. I'm only 6 feet tall and about how I feel getting in or out of my Healey with the top up which is very seldom! You should see a buddy of mine getting in and out with two replacement knees - we all stand around and make fun of him, his wife being the worst abuser.
 
Roadster giving birth. Sounds harsh maybe, now that I am rereading this so to be a bit softer, I never saw so much labor in trying to exit. Getting in can't be that much fun either. Top down, must be easier.
 
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