Lotus Europa Resto/Project Under Way
Discussion
I missed this thread first time round too, glad it got resurrected. Around 2005 I purchased a yellow Europa Twin Cam in very similar condition to the one in this thread. How do they ever get as bad as that? The mechanic mate who was going to help me was booked up with work for ages so we stored it in his relative’s barn.
There was no rush for it, I got it at a fair price and had my M100 Elan, which I still have, for my regular Lotus fix.
Anyway, after a few months I got a bit impatient and noticed another Europa Twin Cam for sale in a Club Lotus magazine. The mag was a couple of editions old but the owner still had the car. I went to see it, the owner had done loads of mechanical work on it but was about to lose his rented garage so it had to go. Nice guy, I felt sorry for him but he was pleased it was going to a Lotus enthusiast.
The bodywork was in the usual tired state with cracks and crazing all over so a full strip and repaint was needed. The previous owner had the wheels refurbished and painted gold so I had the bodywork painted in Gold Leaf colours, my favourite Lotus race livery. Fortunately it had the oatmeal interior trim in good condition, I always think the black trim makes the cockpit feel claustrophobic.
We had eight great years with the Europa, including two trips to Classic Le Mans and one to the 24Hour Le Mans. Sadly I had to sell it as I was struggling to get in and out. It was regularly serviced by my mate and had been very reliable. I must learn how to put pictures up on here although I never take many of my cars.
The yellow one got moved on, and with imitation being the sincerest form of flattery the owner painted it in the same colours as mine!
There was no rush for it, I got it at a fair price and had my M100 Elan, which I still have, for my regular Lotus fix.
Anyway, after a few months I got a bit impatient and noticed another Europa Twin Cam for sale in a Club Lotus magazine. The mag was a couple of editions old but the owner still had the car. I went to see it, the owner had done loads of mechanical work on it but was about to lose his rented garage so it had to go. Nice guy, I felt sorry for him but he was pleased it was going to a Lotus enthusiast.
The bodywork was in the usual tired state with cracks and crazing all over so a full strip and repaint was needed. The previous owner had the wheels refurbished and painted gold so I had the bodywork painted in Gold Leaf colours, my favourite Lotus race livery. Fortunately it had the oatmeal interior trim in good condition, I always think the black trim makes the cockpit feel claustrophobic.
We had eight great years with the Europa, including two trips to Classic Le Mans and one to the 24Hour Le Mans. Sadly I had to sell it as I was struggling to get in and out. It was regularly serviced by my mate and had been very reliable. I must learn how to put pictures up on here although I never take many of my cars.
The yellow one got moved on, and with imitation being the sincerest form of flattery the owner painted it in the same colours as mine!
Nyloc20 said:
I missed this thread first time round too, glad it got resurrected. Around 2005 I purchased a yellow Europa Twin Cam in very similar condition to the one in this thread. How do they ever get as bad as that? The mechanic mate who was going to help me was booked up with work for ages so we stored it in his relative’s barn.
There was no rush for it, I got it at a fair price and had my M100 Elan, which I still have, for my regular Lotus fix.
Anyway, after a few months I got a bit impatient and noticed another Europa Twin Cam for sale in a Club Lotus magazine. The mag was a couple of editions old but the owner still had the car. I went to see it, the owner had done loads of mechanical work on it but was about to lose his rented garage so it had to go. Nice guy, I felt sorry for him but he was pleased it was going to a Lotus enthusiast.
The bodywork was in the usual tired state with cracks and crazing all over so a full strip and repaint was needed. The previous owner had the wheels refurbished and painted gold so I had the bodywork painted in Gold Leaf colours, my favourite Lotus race livery. Fortunately it had the oatmeal interior trim in good condition, I always think the black trim makes the cockpit feel claustrophobic.
We had eight great years with the Europa, including two trips to Classic Le Mans and one to the 24Hour Le Mans. Sadly I had to sell it as I was struggling to get in and out. It was regularly serviced by my mate and had been very reliable. I must learn how to put pictures up on here although I never take many of my cars.
The yellow one got moved on, and with imitation being the sincerest form of flattery the owner painted it in the same colours as mine!
Please post somepics Nyloc There was no rush for it, I got it at a fair price and had my M100 Elan, which I still have, for my regular Lotus fix.
Anyway, after a few months I got a bit impatient and noticed another Europa Twin Cam for sale in a Club Lotus magazine. The mag was a couple of editions old but the owner still had the car. I went to see it, the owner had done loads of mechanical work on it but was about to lose his rented garage so it had to go. Nice guy, I felt sorry for him but he was pleased it was going to a Lotus enthusiast.
The bodywork was in the usual tired state with cracks and crazing all over so a full strip and repaint was needed. The previous owner had the wheels refurbished and painted gold so I had the bodywork painted in Gold Leaf colours, my favourite Lotus race livery. Fortunately it had the oatmeal interior trim in good condition, I always think the black trim makes the cockpit feel claustrophobic.
We had eight great years with the Europa, including two trips to Classic Le Mans and one to the 24Hour Le Mans. Sadly I had to sell it as I was struggling to get in and out. It was regularly serviced by my mate and had been very reliable. I must learn how to put pictures up on here although I never take many of my cars.
The yellow one got moved on, and with imitation being the sincerest form of flattery the owner painted it in the same colours as mine!
hairy v said:
Please post somepics Nyloc
I’ll have a look, they’re probably stuck in drawers somewhere on long forgotten camera chips.There’s an unusual ending to my Europa ownership. A local Lotus specialist at the time I was selling it offered to advertise it for me. It finished up being shipped to a buyer on Australia’s Gold Coast. A few years earlier a local friend had moved out there to run a classic car service/repair operation. He was also an excellent racing engine builder. One day out of the blue the Europa turned up at his garage to have some oil leaks fixed!
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