Lotus Europa anyone?

[URY914]

Yes that is a JPS.

Look that the top of the door/window frame. Typical fit and finish on these things.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by targa911S

i'd take the BWM though.

No kidding. That's a pretty car, it's not really helping the Lotus' case in that picture.

[rouxroux]

Originally Posted by speeder

Really? Your 1975 911 walks on a 190 mph, 480hp (stock), 0-60 in 4 seconds modern technology Porsche?? That's impressive, dude.

C'mon speeder, cut him some slack. After all, it is a TARGA!

[JayG]

Originally Posted by rouxroux

C'mon speeder, cut him some slack. After all, it is a TARGA!

No idea what thats supposed to mean. Whether you guys believe its faster than a 997 in the straights isn't really a concern to me.

URY914-Look that the top of the door/window frame. Typical fit and finish on these things.

They came with a bow like that stock didn't they? I dont know if thats sag, I just think they are all shaped like that. That one is so nice I'm not sure it wouldnt go to a show with any imperfections like that. Most of the ones that I have seen fully restored have added braces here and pins there to keep perfect gaps.

[URY914]

I think they did came with that bow as stock equipment. That framw is probably from another car and Lotus bought them to install in their doors. My friend's car has the same problem. You can stick your finger in the gap and push on the weatherstripping.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by URY914

Yes that is a JPS.

Look that the top of the door/window frame. Typical fit and finish on these things.

Nothing to do with fit and finish. They are all like that.

Lotus used many parts from other manufacturers; window frames, glass, taillights, suspension parts, even doors.

Much cheaper than designing and building your own.

So you sometimes see funny lines, but that doesn't mean it's bent.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by speeder

Really? Your 1975 911 walks on a 190 mph, 480hp (stock), 0-60 in 4 seconds modern technology Porsche?? That's impressive, dude.

Paper racing:

2007 911 turbo ($110K invoice) curb weight 3500 lbs 480HP 460 Tq

7.29:1 - HP:Weight Ratio

1975 911 - Cub weight with Rotary engine guessing 2200 lbs with 330 hp (I suspect he has a rabbit in the hat with race fuel and morepower than that)

6.67:1 - HP to weight Ratio

Whats so hard to believe?

[speeder]

Who said I didn't believe it? I just said it was impressive. And that was before I knew that his car had an RX-7 turbo motor and was lightened. You can set-up a Yugo drag car that runs 10-second 1/4 miles and will "walk" a new 997 turbo in a short, straight race. So what. Which car would you rather have?

It's all academic at those performance levels anyways, unless you are bracket racing down at the local drag-strip. (Do they still have those)? A 997 turbo w/ a semi-talented driver will make a passenger blow chunks on the dashboard in under 12 seconds at the track, at least that's what happened at some "Fantasy Car Experience" deal that I read about recently. Bunch of rich guys pay big $$ to drive all the exotic cars on a track w/ a pro instructor + get some hot laps in passenger seat w/ pro driving. All the other cars, (Lambo/Ferrari/Viper/Z-06/etc.), didn't make them puke. Only the 911. It's a beast.

And that's stock. With a couple minor mods, they are ~600hp. MMarsh from this board has a buddy w/ a modded one that people say is the "fastest car they've ever ridden in". Forgive me for being impressed by that engineering. And FWIW, I've driven an early 911 w/ RX-7 turbo power. The one I drove was not set-up well, (ghetto conversion), but it was quick. Quicker than a stock 930, IMO at the time. Nobody leaves turbo cars stock, though, if they care about bragging rights.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by speeder

And that's stock. With a couple minor mods, they are ~600hp. MMarsh from this board has a buddy w/ a modded one that people say is the "fastest car they've ever ridden in". Forgive me for being impressed by that engineering. And FWIW, I've driven an early 911 w/ RX-7 turbo power. The one I drove was not set-up well, (ghetto conversion), but it was quick. Quicker than a stock 930, IMO at the time. Nobody leaves turbo cars stock, though, if they care about bragging rights.

Well, this is putting well over 120 whp of a stock turbo swap. My car has a streetport (stroker motor is piston terms) with built internals. I was on a race/pump mix with a played with the 997 on the highway. Cool guy though, he waived and had a big smile on his face. On a road course he would eat my lunch for sure. On an on ramp and up to 120 however, my car is just faster by a few car lengths.

My point is straight line performance is a blast and in the twisties it is definitely no slouch but I just thinking of a Europa to do that job instead, that's all.

[speeder]

All good, brother. We're both gear heads.

[Tobra]

Really liked this car, tiny. It was a twin cam motor, I think that little plaque behnd the door says John Player on it

[MOMO3.2]

I have always LOVED the Europa. I once owned a book that focused on the Europa and there were some stern warnings about the doors drooping and rust forming on the steel backbone and end wishbones.

As far as speed at the track goes...I have seen the basic singel cam renault engined Europas haul ass at Big Willow. I have seen a twn cam run with a Ferrari Daytona for an overall win in a serious vintage race. Europas can be verym very quick little cars.

I can totally appreciate your interest in this car. But, as much as I love Lotus Europas, I would definitely get an Elise or Exige instead.

Good luck.

Mike

[Arizona_928]

you could put a V12 in it, and it would be sick.

[dennis in se pa]

I owned one brand new back in 1975. A twin cam 5 speed. What a car! It was said that you did not "drive it" so much as "wear it". The car is an extension of you. If I could find a nice one and could afford it I would have one. You did not need a brake pedal, just a steering wheel. No need to slow down, just turn and it will follow. No need for bigger tires either. No weight to wrestle with. Fit and finish and reliability? Are you kidding? It BRITISH!!!!! But fun to dive - OH MY GOD THE BEST!!!!

[JayG]

Originally Posted by MOMO3.2

I have always LOVED the Europa. I once owned a book that focused on the Europa and there were some stern warnings about the doors drooping and rust forming on the steel backbone and end wishbones.

Good to see some of you guys really liking the things! I would drive it once a month and so reliability is not as much of a concern.

The local one I was looking at has a stainless frame and all wishbone suspension. It has the Renault motor but with dual weber 45s and a banks header. A nice cam puts it at very competive with the rest of the frame.

Heres a pic:



That one needs a little body work and paint so I'm still working on one thats a little more complete. I'll update the thread if/when I pick one up.

[Rot 911]

There are plenty of them out there for sale. I would look for one that is as complete as possible. They are really fun cars. Yes the fit and finish is not comparable to other cars, but neither were MG's, Triumph's, etc. But they sure are fun cars to own and drive.

[rouxroux]

Originally Posted by JayG

No idea what thats supposed to mean. Whether you guys believe its faster than a 997 in the straights isn't really a concern to me.

search "execmalibu targa"

[creaturecat]

Europa just popped up on the local Craigslist. FWIW

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/cto/815982763.html