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Home of the Whopper
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1969 Lotus Europa
Picked this up a couple of months ago.
Been sitting since 1983 - indoors but not under cover. 1969 Lotus Europa S2 - ~1500 lbs, 80hp, Mid engine, fiberglass "rocket".   She was pretty dirty and filled with rat nests. Gave her a bath then started tearing out the nasty interior.  
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1968 912 coupe 1971 911E Targa rustbucket 1972 914 1.7 1987 924S |
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02-24-2014, 07:23 AM
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Home of the Whopper
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Next task was to remove the engine.
I decided it would be easier to remove the body, and then the engine Almost every bolt was so rusted it had to be cut out. After lots of bad words and many beers, success!!    
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1968 912 coupe 1971 911E Targa rustbucket 1972 914 1.7 1987 924S |
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02-24-2014, 07:30 AM
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Home of the Whopper
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Some better shots of the frame:
 
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1968 912 coupe 1971 911E Targa rustbucket 1972 914 1.7 1987 924S |
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02-24-2014, 07:34 AM
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A project like that far exceeds my skill levels, I'll be watching with interest.
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1977 911S Targa 2.7L (CIS) Silver/Black 2012 Infiniti G37X Coupe (AWD) 3.7L Black on Black 1989 modified Scat II HP Hovercraft George, Architect |
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02-24-2014, 07:42 AM
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Banned
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: St Paul MN
Posts: 19,426
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interesting rear suspension setup in these guys ...
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02-24-2014, 07:44 AM
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drunk and stupid
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 8,619
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Oooooh purdy
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02-24-2014, 07:46 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Maryland
Posts: 31,582
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This should be fun.
My Dad bought one of the first ones imported to California in 1966. We lived in the coastal mountains outside of Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park and I have very found memories of canyon carving Mullhuland, Decker, etc. in '60's. Keep posting!
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1996 FJ80. |
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02-24-2014, 07:51 AM
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durn for'ner
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: South of Sweden
Posts: 17,090
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Classic!
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Markus Resident Fluffer Carrera '85 |
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02-24-2014, 07:54 AM
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most terrifying test drive EVER
LOL - these things go like the wind!
There was one for sale in DEN in the mid-80's and I went to go look at it. The guy asked if I wanted to see what it would do.....sure! We went around a 90 degree residential corner, in 2nd, over 60mph, in perfect control, then he grabbed 3rd as we headed up a slight hill. Not sure how fast we were going (in a residential neighborhood mind you!) but we were airborne over the crest of the hill as he shifted into 4th upon landing! Holy crap. Those things do literally fly! Not easy on the eyes from the rear, but damn fun when you are buckled into the thing.....I'm not sure you drive it as much as 'WEAR IT'..... tremendous handling.....and i've seen a bunch of guys jazz up the engine a bit for MORE power. should be fun to watch this thread - keep it up! and remember Chapman's famous philosophy: "when anything broke on the Lotus, Colin would say we should build everything ELSE lighter!" |
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02-24-2014, 07:59 AM
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Home of the Whopper
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Quote:
 Finding parts will probably be the biggest challenge. Engine is siezed so researching a rebuild versus engine swap. Hopefully pull the engine this week and start tearing into it.
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1968 912 coupe 1971 911E Targa rustbucket 1972 914 1.7 1987 924S |
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02-24-2014, 08:01 AM
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I have total admiration for your project. I do not have the skills required for that kind of project. The last driving Europa I saw was back in the 1970's.
 G |
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02-24-2014, 08:02 AM
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beancounter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Weehawken, NJ
Posts: 3,593
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Awesome!
I love the Europa. That's the Lotus that really does it for me. There are some interesing Ford Z-tech swaps out there. If I were looking at a project like that, I'd be looking to do a modern powerplant. Please keep posting...love to see this!
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Jacob Current: 1983 911 GT4 Race Car / 1999 Spec Miata / 2000 MB SL500 / 1998 MB E300TD / 1998 BMW R1100RT / 2016 KTM Duke 690 Past: 2009 997 Turbo Cab / 1979 930 |
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02-24-2014, 08:11 AM
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drunk and stupid
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 8,619
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Quote:
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02-24-2014, 08:13 AM
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Gary H 1978 911 SC
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Fort Worth Texas
Posts: 1,306
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A buddy and I had a Black 1970. Had a Renault engine. We could never keep the engine running very long, So most of my driving was being towed. It could torn on a dime at any speed. Nothing can turn like it....Keep your phone with you when you drive.
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Gary H 1978 911 SC |
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02-24-2014, 08:22 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 5,941
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subscribing,, this will be good.. Tell us how did you find it ??
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"Todd" 98 Tahoe ,2007 Saturn Vue 86 930 black and stock, 80 930 blue tracdog 91 Spec Miata (yeah I race a chick car) "life"ll kill ya" Warren Zevon |
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02-24-2014, 08:27 AM
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Love these cars! On my B list after the 911.
Nice project please keep the progress and pictures flowing. Had a friend back in the mid to late 70s who had a back yard of them; about 5 in total. He was always after me to buy one, wish I had!
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65 356SC Cab - 70 T Sunroof Coupe - 82 SC Targa - 86 Coupe - 87 Targa - all sold years ago 89 944S2 Daily Driver-Sold because...still thinking why. 73.5CIS Targa Shed Find -On the Road Again |
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02-24-2014, 08:28 AM
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coulda, woulda, shoulda
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 2,659
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my friend used to have one of those and I drove it many times. you can actually fit under an 18 wheeler float to avoid oncoming traffic I discovered one night.
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John 74 911s They laugh at me because I am different. I laugh at them because they are all the same. |
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02-24-2014, 10:05 AM
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Go-Kart Mozart
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86 Carrera Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats. H. L. Mencken |
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02-24-2014, 10:22 AM
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Did you get the memo?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 32,664
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Very cool, keep the updates coming.
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‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
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02-24-2014, 10:25 AM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Harford Co, MD
Posts: 1,623
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That "frame" is frightening on a self-preservation level.
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-Brad 2002 Carrera2 1986 944 Turbo |
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02-24-2014, 11:00 AM
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Olive
The Turtle
Ruby
Brownie
1977 Porsche 911S 2.7L
Lexus RX350
1973 Porsche 911
