Lotus Europa 1966-1975 & tuning & conversions etc

Lotus Europa 1966-1975 & tuning & conversions etc

Author
Discussion

GTRene

Original Poster:

16,372 posts

223 months

Saturday 18th April 2015
quotequote all
dinkel said:
What I mean: dropping in a huge V8 has serious concequences for setup, wheels and tires, suspension, gearbox etc.
I know what you mean ;-) all have their plus and or minus, depends what you like to be a plus.

Andy Allenton

554 posts

122 months

Monday 6th July 2015
quotequote all
Hi all,

I've been looking for a used (preferably S2) Europa for a couple of months now. Prices seem a lot stronger than 12 months ago so nothing's tempted me so far. Me thinks the middle of winter will yield better-value potential purchases. From the Banks Europa website I noticed an orange Smart-powered one they made about 8 years ago. Well, I'd love to own that one. Anybody out there seen it lately or even knows the owner?

Cheers,

Andy

GTRene

Original Poster:

16,372 posts

223 months

Monday 6th July 2015
quotequote all
don't know who owns it, but its also in a 2008 kit kar magazine, pdf file here>

http://www.banks-europa.co.uk/articles/kitcar_08/k...

Andy Allenton

554 posts

122 months

Monday 6th July 2015
quotequote all
Nice one, GT! I did email Banks a couple of days ago but understand they're very busy so won't be too surprised if I don't get a reply.
It doesn't seem to get any mentions on t'interweb after 2008 so it may even have been written off soon after. I loved the idea of the small efficient modern engine and the whole build remaining true to the Chapman ethos of light weight.
Oh well, dreaming over for now. At least there are several S2s out there.

b2hbm

1,291 posts

221 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
quotequote all
Hi Andy,

Richard (Banks Engineering) is a very helpful guy but I've found it's better to call him rather than use email. He's been very helpful over the phone and would no doubt tell you what happened to the Smart conversion. He's very knowledgeable if it's the "alternative" Europa that you're looking for.

Brian

kenny.R400

1,211 posts

239 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
quotequote all
Here's one of my old Banks cars........would love to see it again.

I also had the 62S which Top Gear had an "incident" in, which I believe the went to Oz/NZ.




GTRene

Original Poster:

16,372 posts

223 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
quotequote all
nice, is that engine transverse mounted?
I like in line, also there was a banks lotus for sale a while ago with Honda and the engine transverse mounted.

Also, how do those Banks lotus europa drive, especially the banks 62S, can you compare it with some car by steering feel etc?

dinkel

26,887 posts

257 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
quotequote all
What you want Rene, is a Busso powered Banks Europa wink

GTRene

Original Poster:

16,372 posts

223 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
quotequote all
I had to look that "busso" up, its a V6, sounds fine by me :-)

GTRene

Original Poster:

16,372 posts

223 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
just came across this Europa with a Audi engine and 290 bhp...and a gorgeous alcantara interior.













it says:
said:
Not to be confused with a standard twin cam, this very rare 1971 Europa is a fully refurbished, mechanically sorted and very quick car. It comprises a powder coated space frame chassis, Audi 1.8 litre turbo engine producing aprox. 290bhp and 370Nm, Audi Turbo transaxle.
Re-built Avo shock absorbers. New Rota alloy wheels. New Toyo tyres (195 x 45 x 15 front, 215 x 45 x 15 rear). Re-bushed front and rear suspension. Willwood 4 pot front brakes vanted discs front. Stainless braded brake hoses throughout. New painting dash, alcantara seats and trim.
All work fully documented and all invoices kept.
Perfect in every way, and ready for driving.
2 video's also
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eQlvodjpY4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B8xNualCD0

found it here
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C653279#

GTRene

Original Poster:

16,372 posts

223 months

Monday 22nd February 2016
quotequote all
ooooooh angel
lovely those type 62, I would love one biggrin
so different, look at the door tops and how the front and rear clam opens and such lovely airflow/downforce
radiator in/out flow system, compare that to the normal Europa system...

were can I buy one for around 8k biggrin


dinkel

26,887 posts

257 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
There must be a joint out there doing replicas on the Europa theme?

GTRene

Original Poster:

16,372 posts

223 months

Tuesday 28th February 2023
quotequote all
This one also fits very well in this tread.

With 300hp Cosworth and lovely styling, 'sadly' RHD but nice non the les.









more here>

https://www.mathercollectables.com/copy-of-1950-ja...

RoddyMac17

6 posts

102 months

Wednesday 29th March 2023
quotequote all
Here's a few shots of my Europa












GTRene

Original Poster:

16,372 posts

223 months

Wednesday 29th March 2023
quotequote all
looks very good, like a new one but better.

what is that on the chassis, the black stuf what comes between the body and the chassis, looks like a great set, guess they had not such in the early days.

RoddyMac17

6 posts

102 months

Wednesday 29th March 2023
quotequote all
The black stuff is closed cell foam, I think originally it would have been jute or something like it, the closed cell doesn't hold water and stops the body from vibrating on the chassis.

GTRene

Original Poster:

16,372 posts

223 months

Wednesday 29th March 2023
quotequote all
RoddyMac17 said:
The black stuff is closed cell foam, I think originally it would have been jute or something like it, the closed cell doesn't hold water and stops the body from vibrating on the chassis.
ah, good to read, looks also very professional, well thought of and indeed you don't want the protection layer between chassis and body to hold on water, over the years they scratch/move and get rusty.
Did they sell those in the right format (say for such Europa Chassis) or did you buy a big sheet and cut it to fit.

anyhow, well done, looks like a nice sorted restored Europa, ready for the next many years.

dinkel

26,887 posts

257 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
Wow and wow, did you built this gem?

RoddyMac17

6 posts

102 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
GTRene,
The foam was all cut to fit. I dont think any of the suppliers have it pre-made.

dinkel,
Unfortunately yes, I did nearly all the work. It was sent out for paint, and a few pieces machined by a local machinist, but other than that it was all done by me.


GTRene

Original Poster:

16,372 posts

223 months

Saturday 29th July 2023
quotequote all
seen this art work? based on a lotus europa,











100+ pictures more with details, look here>

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-lotus-europ...