Lotus Europa 1966-1975 & tuning & conversions etc
Discussion
Well ... I'm not to judge.
My thoughts:
1. A decent modded 1.6 Big Valve Europa should be - at least a few secs - quicker than a 1.8 B right?
2. A U2TC Cortina has the same Ford Lotus 1.6 and is quicker than a B.
As the Lotus Europa is so much lighter and has the advantage of a low centre of gravity it should duck at least under 3:10.
Again, I'm not an expert: please enlighten me.
My thoughts:
1. A decent modded 1.6 Big Valve Europa should be - at least a few secs - quicker than a 1.8 B right?
2. A U2TC Cortina has the same Ford Lotus 1.6 and is quicker than a B.
As the Lotus Europa is so much lighter and has the advantage of a low centre of gravity it should duck at least under 3:10.
Again, I'm not an expert: please enlighten me.
said:
Not only did the Lotus factory knew they had great potential with the Europa, but its Lotus Racing team also recognized the potential hidden under the evocative and sleek fiberglass bodywork.
Lotus engineers would take the new Type 46 and would begin to make some important modifications. The weak Renault engine and drivetrain would be taken out of the car, and instead, a robust and more powerful 1600cc Ford Cosworth engine, capable of producing 165 hp, would be placed inside the car. In replacement of the Renault gearbox, a Hewland FT200 with a limited slip differential would be used. These improvements, in addition to a lighter steel frame and an updated magnesium rear suspension, would all combine to make a car that would go on to win in its very first appearance at Brands Hatch. With the changes made to the car, it would become known as the 47GT and it would take 1st and 2nd in its first event in the hands of Jackie Oliver and John Miles against a field comprised of Jaguars, Cobras and Ferraris.
Lotus would go on to produce between 50 and 70 examples of the 47GT which meant it was homologated in the Group 4 class. In that class, the car would just continue to win. Just during the 1967 season the car would go on to win at least eight more times.
In 1968, the car would go on to win its class at Brands Hatch. It would go on to win the 2-liter class at Silverstone and would come in 2nd during the Silverstone International event. Often in John Player Gold Leaf livery, the Europa was a force to be reckoned with on the sports car scene.
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z2972/Lotus-47-Europa.aspxLotus engineers would take the new Type 46 and would begin to make some important modifications. The weak Renault engine and drivetrain would be taken out of the car, and instead, a robust and more powerful 1600cc Ford Cosworth engine, capable of producing 165 hp, would be placed inside the car. In replacement of the Renault gearbox, a Hewland FT200 with a limited slip differential would be used. These improvements, in addition to a lighter steel frame and an updated magnesium rear suspension, would all combine to make a car that would go on to win in its very first appearance at Brands Hatch. With the changes made to the car, it would become known as the 47GT and it would take 1st and 2nd in its first event in the hands of Jackie Oliver and John Miles against a field comprised of Jaguars, Cobras and Ferraris.
Lotus would go on to produce between 50 and 70 examples of the 47GT which meant it was homologated in the Group 4 class. In that class, the car would just continue to win. Just during the 1967 season the car would go on to win at least eight more times.
In 1968, the car would go on to win its class at Brands Hatch. It would go on to win the 2-liter class at Silverstone and would come in 2nd during the Silverstone International event. Often in John Player Gold Leaf livery, the Europa was a force to be reckoned with on the sports car scene.
strange Spanish lotus Hispano Castilla
Hispano info> http://www.autopasion18.com/HISTORIA-HISPANO%20ALE...
http://www.pruebas.pieldetoro.net/web/pruebas/ver....
source>
http://www.lotuseuropa.org/gallery/Hispano-Aleman-...
nice car me thinks.
there's also a video of this car here>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwJdkvu46k0
Hispano info> http://www.autopasion18.com/HISTORIA-HISPANO%20ALE...
http://www.pruebas.pieldetoro.net/web/pruebas/ver....
source>
http://www.lotuseuropa.org/gallery/Hispano-Aleman-...
nice car me thinks.
there's also a video of this car here>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwJdkvu46k0
Edited by GTRene on Thursday 11th September 11:40
dinkel said:
Well ... I'm not to judge.
My thoughts:
1. A decent modded 1.6 Big Valve Europa should be - at least a few secs - quicker than a 1.8 B right?
2. A U2TC Cortina has the same Ford Lotus 1.6 and is quicker than a B.
As the Lotus Europa is so much lighter and has the advantage of a low centre of gravity it should duck at least under 3:10.
Again, I'm not an expert: please enlighten me.
Without the the same drivers and the same cars to carry out a genuine test it's always going to be a tough call. Away from tracks in the real world a BV Europa will leave a B and a Lotus Cortina for dead. I guess until someone builds a genuine track focussed Europa to the same level as the cars you cite we will never know. Our only evidence of this type of approach was Chris Meek who from '75 - '77 was Production Sportscar Champion in the UK.My thoughts:
1. A decent modded 1.6 Big Valve Europa should be - at least a few secs - quicker than a 1.8 B right?
2. A U2TC Cortina has the same Ford Lotus 1.6 and is quicker than a B.
As the Lotus Europa is so much lighter and has the advantage of a low centre of gravity it should duck at least under 3:10.
Again, I'm not an expert: please enlighten me.
I have been trying to sell mine as time and health catch up with me.....
So difficult with time wasters, don't want the Zetec engine, etc. Rivet counters....
A few pics anyway.
Looks a bit pink there!
Engine bits ready for assembly
Tasty BDA style cam cover.
Hopefully someone will buy it to make a really good car. Has Spyder chassis, Fuego Turbo trans, lots of nice bits.
So difficult with time wasters, don't want the Zetec engine, etc. Rivet counters....
A few pics anyway.
Looks a bit pink there!
Engine bits ready for assembly
Tasty BDA style cam cover.
Hopefully someone will buy it to make a really good car. Has Spyder chassis, Fuego Turbo trans, lots of nice bits.
Dorchester said:
Those are some really impressively finished Europa's, I wish that mine was anywhere nearly as immaculate as them.
My Europa is very much modified on the outside but is very basic as far as the driveline is concerned (although it was possibly the first Fuego conversion done).
Link to images on the Europa pages here:
http://www.lotuseuropa.org/gallery/DinoEuropa
and a taster here:
I don't usually like replica cars, but yours appeals to me on many levels.My Europa is very much modified on the outside but is very basic as far as the driveline is concerned (although it was possibly the first Fuego conversion done).
Link to images on the Europa pages here:
http://www.lotuseuropa.org/gallery/DinoEuropa
and a taster here:
1. I have been in love with the Dino 246 GTB since seeing one in the mid '70's.
2. I have never been able to afford a 246 GTB (closest I got was in 1982, a 7,000 pound blue one that was very rusty, too rusty for my body work restoration skill level at the time)
3. Like the way the Europa TC goes, handles and brakes, but despite that have never found Ron Hickmans styling job particularly attractive (even with Oliver Winterbottom's later revisions)
Brilliant job, combining the timeless beauty of the Dino (without the rust) with the dynamics of the Europa TC.
that were good prices, I als remembered seeing a topgear or sort like car series on TV were a man had bought such red Ferrari Dino, it was a lovely example and it cost him no more then a Ford escort he says....I guess that must have bin in the 80/90tees then? I think (not sure) Tiff did a bit talking driving? too.
Does a good Lotus Europa drives better then such 246 dino?
Does a good Lotus Europa drives better then such 246 dino?
Dino handles very well but is a much heavier car and cannot be 'thrown about' or driven with that Lotus 'verve'.
In my opinion a good Europa (especially a car that has the inherent problems dialled out) is by far my car of choice between the two for actual driving. (you obviously already know my opinion on kerb appeal!!)
In my opinion a good Europa (especially a car that has the inherent problems dialled out) is by far my car of choice between the two for actual driving. (you obviously already know my opinion on kerb appeal!!)
The Dino has a solid engineered feel to it, I particularly like the rifle bolt action of the gear change and the go kart driving position, it is and does feel heavier than the Europa TC, but I like the feel of either car myself.
Dino V6 engine loves to be revved,(and sounds superb) its something I think most new owners to the car are worried about, but failure to keep it on the boil by rowing it along on the gearchange will result in fouled plugs and misfiring.
Rust is definitely the biggest Dino problem, even ones that have lived in warm climates seem to get some rust, the doors seem to display the issue first.
Dino V6 engine loves to be revved,(and sounds superb) its something I think most new owners to the car are worried about, but failure to keep it on the boil by rowing it along on the gearchange will result in fouled plugs and misfiring.
Rust is definitely the biggest Dino problem, even ones that have lived in warm climates seem to get some rust, the doors seem to display the issue first.
here's my PH'ers mates really light car, took these a fortnight ago. He stripped his car down some 25+ years ago and converted it to a hill climb road legal racer, making his own fibreglass wide body. It hadn't run since 1990, so with a new battery, a new set of plugs, a clean of the carbs and a rinse of the fuel tank it fired up for the first time
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