$846 Lotus Europa

Well I brought home my basket case 1969 Europa and I'm still married. Now I just have to figure out which way to go with it. On the positive side the frame is in great shape, it came with a ton of spare susupension and steering parts as well as all the interior bits. The bad news is someone decided to "customize" the shell. They attempted to install gullwing doors and flare the wheel arches. I've already picked over 70lbs of bondo off the shell and I've just scratched the surface. I'm determined to return it to stock appearing. The drivetrain is missing which opens up a bunch of possibilities. I'm thinking of prepping this one for the 201? Challenge. This may be a bit optimistic but I think that it can be done. Any opinions?

Are you on the Yahoo List?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lotuseuropa

You MUST be on that list if you own a Europa. Tell them I sent you when you apply for membership.

Personally, I'm planning on using a 1zzfe with VVT or maybe a 2zzge, but probably a 1zz.

Pics of this potential atrocity???

Gullwing doors on a Europa. Blasphemy.

4AGE.

LSx

Skip the gullwing doors.

Cut away the inner rear fenders and drop a normally aspirated Subaru 2.5 in there.

Then send me an e-mail and tell me how to make out the check.

I vote for EJ25T.

ValuePack wrote: I vote for EJ25T.

Now that's just overkill.

normally aspirated 13B + Megasquirt or or 20B rotary if you have the $$

THIWWP!

very cool please keep this thread updated. True lotus junkie here and how in the lords name did you grab a europa for $846 I need your luck.

I've seen loads of sub-$1000 Europas. They usually look like that "Ikea car" gag that was going around.

Need photos.

$846 is the purchase price converted to US Dollars. I've joined the Europa Group on Yahoo but I'm thinking that they may be a bit more purist then I am. I came to this conclusion after watching a discussion on the correct shape and positioning of the chassis to frame pads. I'll try to get some photos up tomorrow.

Jay wrote: I've seen loads of sub-$1000 Europas. They usually look like that "Ikea car" gag that was going around.

Jay, Maybe in Europe but not stateside! Do you like you M100? I had a 91 in pacific blue one of 16 blue ones in the usa loved that car really a tru diamond in the rough. I have been sad since the day I sold it

Colin

Don't be put off by "correct" type of stuff on the list. It isn't like the Jaguar club. The list is open to anything people want to do. There are several 4AGE cars on the list and they are fully accepted, some even running. We all know what a PITA the car is. Well, some more than others. Some people want a car like it rolled off the line, except with most of the crap fixed, others want updated with more modern features. There is no better source of information on any aspect of the car. Be sure to check out http://www.lotus-europa.com/index.html , download the knowledge base, and the shop manuals. And enter your car in the Registry.

audifan wrote: Jay, Maybe in Europe but not stateside! Do you like you M100? I had a 91 in pacific blue one of 16 blue ones in the usa loved that car really a tru diamond in the rough. I have been sad since the day I sold it Colin

I absolutely love the Elan, but I haven't gotten to drive it yet this year as it's sitting at a mechanic's waiting for a bunch of parts to come from England. In other words it's in the "Lotus position." I think the pacific blue is my favourite colour on these things; when mine gets a repaint (which it needs) I'll either do that or black. Not a huge fan of the red.

As for cheapo Europas... My dad and I once looked at two in Ontario that the guy wanted $2000 for. (We probably could have talked him down from that.) They were literally COMPLETELY disassembled - bodies detached from frames, etc. The seller claimed there were "two complete cars" minus interiors, but the fact that most of the parts were in an unlabled, unsorted jumble in the back of an old pickup truck sitting outside wasn't very encouraging. I'm just saying...

Jay I hear you on the basket case cars. I am really wanting another M100 really a perfect car You NEVER see another one they are pretty quick you get incredible fuel mileage for its given speed and they can hold 2 sets of golf clubs! God I miss mine so much.

I just removed another 15lbs of fiberglass and bondo "custom" flaring from a small section at the rear of the driver side front wheel arch. I know the the Europa was never considered to be a beautiful design but my god how could anyone have thought that this looked good? Luckily the original shell appears to be in good shape and the guy who did the work just scuffed up the paint before he started laying down the fiberglass. I have a warmed up Toyota 4AGE sitting on an engine stand waiting to go into my Locost but it may go into the Europa instead. The other possibility is to remove the rear section of the frame and replace it with a tube frame. Then transplant a transverse engine and transaxle from something modern and quick. I think at that point I'd build a double A arm rear suspension as well and modify the donors uprights to fit. I know that this is a huge amount of work but after building, or helping to build, four Locosts I believe that my fabrication skills are up to it. If I relocate the battery and fuel tank to the front I should be able to acheve a 50/50 weight balance. Any opinions on why the second option is a really bad idea? Thanks Andy

Banks in England makes all kinds of Europa stuff, including the whole car. I've seen a pic on thier web site (years ago) of one with a transverse mounted motor. I've thought about that too. 1zzfe with a C52. There's lots of room back there. I think the biggest problem would be in fabricating some upper suspension links. Silly English, axles aren't a suspension member.

+1 on the Banks stuff. If your body's trashed, a Banks 47 or 62 body would be pretty pro.

Transverse motors present problems when fabricating a suspension around them. The engine/trans assembly are so wide that fitting A-arms of any decent length in a narrow car like the Europa will be tough.

WPWP

A Europa is not really narrow, or short. I'd say it was probably about the same size as my AE92 Rolla. Maybe a tad longer, actually. It just is not tall. I should measure them some day.

Anyway, getting that top link in is the problem. Banks sells a frame that has the link. I know a guy with one in a S2, and I saw it once. They also make a piece that goes across the transmission to attach a link onto, and a lot of people have made their own, but that won't really work with a transverse mount. I'm still thinking on it. I gotta finish the Locost first, and to get back onto that I need to finish my bike trailer (fer pullin') and get the bikes tuned up for Sturgis this year.

gamby wrote: Gullwing doors on a Europa. Blasphemy.

I was thinking more in terms of "70 pounds of Bondo! Blasphemy."