I’ve long wanted a Lotus Europa, but as I’ve noted before, they are for the slight of build, and I don’t qualify. However, this collection of Europas and parts happen to be close enough to me to make me wonder again! They are located in Indian Trail, North Carolina, and are listed for sale here on Facebook Marketplace for the oddly precise price of $17,289. Just wait until you see what’s included, though!
For starters, in addition to the green and yellow body shell, which presumably is the one with “fresh paint”, there’s this red shell that also looks pretty nice. I don’t think the 280ZX wheel will help much as it’s a different bolt circle, but as you’ll see later there are some nice Cosmic wheels included.
Shell number three looks pretty solid as well, although being stripped down like this has me wondering if there was some physical damage at some point. All three shells are the later, cut-down sail panel type which supposedly improves rear visibility. Based on my experience, it’s still not very good!
There are five (!) chassis included in the sale, including this one that looks like it has been nicely restored. Many components look brand new and the work appears done to a high standard.
This chassis has a Lotus engine included and is equipped with a Weber-compatible cylinder head. Looking at the tires, I *think* this is the rear of the frame in the picture below, but I don’t know for sure. I would love to take a day and visit this find, but I’m afraid of what I would end up doing. Thanks, Chuck F., for sharing this cool find with us!
And here we have a view of those Cosmic wheels. They look perfect on Europas and I believe were original equipment on some. There are boxes and boxes of additional parts included in the sale along with four transmissions and numerous other items.
Here’s another twin-cam, big valve engine, although this one’s cylinder head appears to be set up for the US-spec Stromberg carburetors. There are actually three complete engines included as well as a spare 701 block and a spare US-spec cylinder head. I’m sure the majority of parts needed to build at least two of the cars are there based on the pictures, and I know it would be fun (yes, fun) to put them together. If you agree, please buy these in a hurry before I try to wedge myself into one!
IF I had the space & the money,I’d be strongly considering these.
My Wife’s probably happy I don’t have both.
Wonder what the “bottom line” is on these?
Ha! I have the money and a wife. No space though. Man this guy has a real nice LOTUS stash, and none appears to be junk. Too bad for the seller who says he’s old and not motivated. I can relate. But this is some of the cleanest , decent looking (collection) of LOTUS parts I can recall ever seeing. Damn I want these bad…sometimes life just sucks.
“they are for the slight of build, and I don’t qualify”
The struggle is real and I feel your pain. Back when Chrysler was just about giving away Crossfires, I checked one out. Nothing short of origami was going to get me behind the wheel. I still say the salesman let me try strictly for his own entertainment.
I would never have considered a Crossfire after Jeremy Clarkson (Top Gear) famously described its look as “a dog taking a dump”. That image would be seared into my brain every time I looked at the Crossfire in my driveway.
I have a Crossfire that I have owned for 13 years. Mine has the 6 speed manual transmission. I LOVE driving it and my wife loves it as well. It is the nicest driver I have ever owned.
Agree with most of the above. The stripped shell is the best way to get a good base for a first class paint job. I’d bet the red painted one was stripped as the paint looks glass smooth. I’m sure glad this wasn’t 10 years ago when I was playing with Europas. Don’t have room for this much stuff but that would not have stopped me from buying this collection. Now up to my gills in Healey race car parts stashed in every nook and cranny I can find. Note: the engine/chassis shot is looking to the rear of the car from what would be the passenger compartment.
I’ve commented on another lotus on Barn Finds – but just beware with these cars that are not built that L.O.T.U.S. stands for Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious. I think I know people that would be interested though.
Don’t do it, Jamie. You’ll lose the next 2 years of your life, and possibly your wife :-). But just in case your jones for it overwhelms you, NC 49 down to I-485 to NC 74. Bring a large trailer or 2.
A total steal. Huge value…. Wish it could be me buying this
cheers,
BT
I had a 69 many years ago, wish i still had it. This might be good for a shop that works on Lotus cars. Posted 3 weeks ago.
Wow. This seems like quite a deal for what’s being included in the sale. I think you’d need more than an urban garage to pull this off though…and probably a real knowledge of the cars to put them back together
Want.
Had Cosmics on my BGT; they look great on almost any sports car.
Cosmic wheels did not come on Europa cars, but they are somewhat similar to the Brand Lotus wheels that did.
It is now marked Sold.