Lotus Europa?? Anyone Have One? - Page 3

smg911 · 12-22-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URY914

smg911 is my friend

URY914 is my friend and so is T.C. (inside joke)

smg911 · 12-22-2008, 07:37 PM

JPS

RF5BPilot · 12-23-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smg911

...Back in 1973 I wanted a Lotus Europa so bad I couldn't sleep at night. I was 19 years old at the time and somehow I convinced my mom and dad to allow me to get one. My dad and I drove out to the local Lotus dealership in New Jersey to order one for me. Believe it or not, the salesman would not sell me one. His exact words were, "This is not a car for a 19 year old kid". ....

Actually, he may have saved your life. An 18 yo brother-in-law was killed in an Elan. Slid sideways into a tree on a back road, likely while impressing a friend. Between the early construction techniques & fiberglass--assume it has about the same protection as a motorcycle. They can be wonderful to drive, yet, not to be trifled with.

smg911 · 12-23-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RF5BPilot

Actually, he may have saved your life. An 18 yo brother-in-law was killed in an Elan. Slid sideways into a tree on a back road, likely while impressing a friend. Between the early construction techniques & fiberglass--assume it has about the same protection as a motorcycle. They can be wonderful to drive, yet, not to be trifled with.

I have to agree with you and having owned the Europa for nearly 3 years now, I have to also agree with that car salesman. Although large and extra-large SUV's wern't nearly as common back in the 70's as they are today, the Europa was still considered a very small/light vehicle and certainly not overly safe. Whenever you drive the Europa you have to assume that no one sees you and most teenagers wouldn't think to do that.