Properly Classic: 1970 Lotus Europa S2
I’ve always had a soft spot on my head…no…a soft spot for classic European sports cars, those mesmerizing machines that combine elegance, power, and precision. Among these timeless icons, the 1970 Lotus Europa S2 stands tall, showcasing an unmistakable design and a performance that continues to captivate enthusiasts today. This particular specimen, bathed in a lustrous white coat adorned with bold blue racing stripes, is a testament to Lotus’s enduring legacy and passion for speed, and lightness. Find this 1970 Lotus Europa S2 offered for $18,800 in Rowlett, TX via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!
From the seller:
1970 Lotus Europa
condition: good
cylinders: 4 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 46000
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: coupe
Colin Chapman campaigned his Lotus Europa against Lola, hoping to convince Ford that by “adding lightness” instead of horsepower Ferrari could be vanquished. Ford chose the Lola chassis and stuffed it with a V8 and we all know how that turned out.
Undeterred, Chapman and Lotus moved forward with the design that came to be known as the Europa, which is still lauded as one of the best handling cars ever produced.
This Lotus Europa came in to my possession with some issues, most prominent of which was the gearbox. Turns out the linkage, which consists of no less than five discrete components, was the culprit and not the internals of the 4-speed transmission. It took three sets of hands working in concert to get it right. Now it shifts into all forward and reverse gears. The Weber carb on the Renault sourced inline 4-cylinder was serviced and she is running quite well.
This is not a restored car, but rather a sweet little survivor. Its got some patina but is complete and in good working order, with instrumentation and lights working as they should. Is there more to be done? Of course but it is a fully driving car that can be driven and enjoyed as its steadily improved. That owner involvement is the key to a successful love affair with a Europa. If you just want a car you can drive and park its probably not for you. If you like the idea of tinkering with the camber and toe, and spiritedly driving it between adjustments then this is your car.
You don’t just drive a Europa, you wear it.
Not even a twin cam fiat motor? 🙁
“You don’t just drive a Europa, you w̶e̶a̶r̶ ̶i̶t̶ stare at it for years on end in your garage because nothing works right and you can’t fix it and there are no parts”
Tho’ “wear it” is also spot-on, the very epitome of a car so tiny and snug you don’t so much “get into it” as “put it on”.
“You don’t just drive a Europa, you spend hours with it broken down at the side of the road, helplessly wondering what went wrong this time…”
-Stan (who has had his share of Lotus Alone moments…)