2k: New Year’s Project: 1969 Lotus Europa
If this next feature was a short-wheel-base 911 or a BMW 2002 Tii, the price would be easily an order of magnitude higher. It is a dirt cheap price for a project and a mid-engined classic from one of Europe’s premier super car builders. What a perfect way to kick off the New Year! Find this 1968 Lotus Europa project offered here on craigslist for $2,500 in Harmony, PA. Tip from Hugh.
The Europa was a sporty two seater built by Colin Chapman’s Lotus Cars
in Norfolk, UK. Only 9300 of these high-butted gems were built between
1966-1975 and today they are surprisingly affordable. The lightweight (1300-1500 lbs) Europa featured a mid mounted inline 4
and race car derived suspension bits. The series 2
cars introduced in 1969 introduced newer/better powertrains and bolts
to secure the fiberglass body to the steel backbone chassis instead of
the crusty wall paper paste used in the series 1 cars.
The series 2 Europa used the same 1.6 liter Renault engine used in the S1, but
offered additional creature comforts, like roll-up windows and
adjustable seats. The Renault engine is rated at 81 horsepower and 80 ft-lbs of torque, but the car only tips the scales at 1400 lbs.
See another cheap project for 2015? Send it here: tips@dailyturismo.com
I don't fit in these.
In 1977 I thought I'd found the car of my dreams until I tried to get in and drive it.
I love the interior shot with a helmet on the centre console of a car that, according to the ad, has not run since the 70s. Now that is optimism.
Still, this car looks a lot better than many Europas I have seen, and for much less money. What a great project. However, it has been close to 40 years since I sat in one, so maybe I should book a fitting first.
This is the right car and price at the wrong time and place for me
It looks like the front left suspension is in the rear trunk along with the air cleaner , and has been for a long time.
Oh, and what is a Bilstein jack doing in the trunk of a Lotus?