Lotus Europa anyone?

[JayG]

I'm looking into them pretty hard. Any past experience? They are TINY and not very powerful but so is an Elise. Same concept but 40 years ago. I am looking at pulling the trigger on a 1974 Europa T/C Special.

Thanks!

[Hugh R]

I always liked the fact that they came standard with their own picnic table.

[legion]

Many944s has one. Ask him.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I had a 66 Elan. Fantastic little car.

[legion]

The features of the Europa I dislike are the single-piece radiator hose (a real pain when the engine is in the back) and the dual fuel tanks.

[K. Roman]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=320285429841



This is at around 8.5K 3 days left...

[JayG]

Originally Posted by legion

The features of the Europa I dislike are the single-piece radiator hose (a real pain when the engine is in the back) and the dual fuel tanks.

Yeah but you know I have a water cooled 911 right now with the engine in the back so I can relate.

The fuel tanks are ridiculously small too. Like 7.5 gallons total or something.

This is the one I'm looking at. British racing green (can't tell in that light), twin cam.



Sub 1500 lbs with that twin cam singing at 7k rpms is pretty sweet.

[legion]

Originally Posted by JayG

Yeah but you know I have a water cooled 911 right now with the engine in the back so I can relate.

Yes, but the radiator hoses on a 911 is not single, 10-foot long hoses that have to be threaded through the body.

[dd74]

Yah - I'd jump on that Europa. I seem to recall they had single ohc engines, but the John Player Specials had dohc and a 5 spd. Pretty rare cars.

There's a guy who drives one near my work. I think the only thing smaller but just as flat is a Radio Flyer wagon.

Sweet cars, though. Supposed to handle unbelievably well.

[ZOO]

Be aware that the selection of tires for smaller rims is limited -- unless you plan to run R compound tires you may be stuck with off brands.

[javadog]

I hate to be the dissenting opinion, but these cars are crudely made. Think "kit car," and you'd be close. Make sure you have driven one enough before you buy one that all of the little things that you don't notice on a test drive have a chance to creep into your head.

The reality is sometimes different from the dream.

JR

[URY914]

I have a friend that has one. Fit and finish on the body is laughable. The door gaps are so big a cat could walk thru them. I hope you're small, they are not built for large people. It looks more like a toy in person.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by legion

Yes, but the radiator hoses on a 911 is not single, 10-foot long hoses that have to be threaded through the body.

I have an RX7 swap not a modern WC 911. I have rubber lines that turn into metal hardlines under the car. Not exactly the same but I understand the quirks.

Also the car is the dual cam 5 speed so thats great and I'm 5' 9" so I'll be fine fitment wise.

Now, this particular car has basically al the money in paint and body work. Fit and finish are kit car esque but to a high standard. The motor is a little tired with some oil leaks but nothing to be concerned with yet.



I have heard tire selection is rough on the oem wheels but plenty have done 14x6 Panasports and been able to get real sizes on there. Its a niche car, not collectable to some but to others they are golden. We'll see, I may have a weekend trip planned to look at it.

[johnco]

drove under an 18 wheeler float with one of those long ago. passing cars, we ran out of room. no where to go but under the truck's trailer until the oncoming car passed. that was pretty exciting. long ago the city hung a cable a little higher than average car headlight height across an intersection to prevent cars from going thru and slowing traffic. didn't even slow down zipping under that.

[Overpaid Slacker]

I've come close to buying a Europa on 2 different occasions... both times I just couldn't bring myself spend the ducats on what felt like a poorly constructed car, for which repairs/spares were going to be very expensive.

Yes, they're MAD sexy, yes they're fun to drive ... but don't be so hubristic as to actually make plans to be somewhere at any specific time if this is the car you're going to take.

Each of the two I was interested in were being sold by their respective owners after the fun wore off and they'd buried a lot of money in the car w/o being able to use it with any regularity. The guy I met who loved his was a great wrench and owned 3 (!) parts cars to keep one JPS on the road.

The only technical detail I remember about these little monsters is that they had plastic fuel/banjo fittings that would wear out from heat and fail, often spraying fuel all over a hot engine. That is an all-day ruining event.

All that said, I'll envy you a little bit if you get it.

JP

[fxeditor]

Do you have small feet? I can't drive my friends without taking my shoes off because the pedals are so close together! Do you have any pictures of the engine bay?

[Racerbvd]

I have a friend in Daytona with a few, I can check with him on what he plans to do with them.

[scottmandue]

One of my all time favorite cars, wish I had the time and money to own one.

I'm jealous... you ^*&%$!

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'm sure it's great to drive, but I just can't make myself like the looks. I suppose you can't see the body from behind the wheel. For the money, a mint 240Z, 2002, or driver GTV would blow away the Lotus.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by URY914

I have a friend that has one. Fit and finish on the body is laughable. The door gaps are so big a cat could walk thru them. I hope you're small, they are not built for large people. It looks more like a toy in person.

That was my gripe...a friend who is "vertically challenged" bought one when they were new. He fit well. I literally couldn't get in the thing and close the door. I was a skinny (185 pounds) 6'3" with a 34" inseam then...