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Assembly Required: 1971 Lotus Europa

The Europa was a British mid-engine GT automobile built by Lotus Cars from 1966-75. Its shape was most interesting as from the windshield back it almost looks like a rectangle. With the chassis and drivetrain separated from the sound body, this ’71 Europa was intended to be restored, but that has not happened. Located in New Braunfels, Texas, the car and its parts will go to the next owner to complete. It’s available here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $7,000.

Although mid-engine placement had become the optimum design for Grand Prix cars by the 1960s, few applications for road use had materialized before the Europa. The new car would follow the company’s guiding principle, “simplify, then add lightness.” So, several new and economical design approaches were used in the Europa to overcome the challenges presented by the mid-engine arrangement. Perhaps by Lotus standards, production numbers were high at 9,230 units overall, of which 3,615 were Series 2 cars which included export to the U.S.

Many changes were required with the vehicles to make them compatible with U.S. safety standards and consumer tastes. That included changes to the body, chassis, and suspension to make the car a bit taller. And the powerplant had more oomph, using an emission-controlled Renault 1565-cc engine rated at 80 hp. That engine is not the one that currently rests in the chassis of the seller’s car, having been replaced by a Gordini motor whose specs we’re not aware of.

Either the seller or a previous party began a restoration of this car by removing most of the pieces on the body and then separating said body from the chassis. We don’t know exactly what work was done besides this. For example, have the engine and transmission been rebuilt or are they good the way they are? The body looks to be in great condition, and little may be needed to complement it with a new coat of paint. The chassis is also said to be good with just a bit of surface rust. It comes with a full set of wheels and nearly new Firestone tires.

These cars were quick for their day: 0 to 60 in 9.6 seconds with a top speed of 116 mph (according to Road & Track). We don’t know if the seller’s car will be that fast or better when everything is put back together. Given that only a percentage of 3,600 of these cars made it to the U.S., they’re not a common sight some 50 years later.

Comments

  1. Avatar mike

    The Gordini motor is a great upgrade or stock Renault motor.Somebody please save her.

    Like 2
  2. Avatar Melton Mooney

    Seems like owners have disassembled more Europas than Lotus ever built.

    Like 4
  3. Avatar jimmyx

    I’ve done more than a few Europa’s over the years and would give this one consideration if the body was on the frame, and I had a clear idea of exactly what is missing. The shipping logistics are a nightmare as it stands now, except for a local buyer.

    Like 0
    • Avatar SMS

      Come on Jimmyx. I’ve pulled the body off and put it back on one of these. If I recall it was two screws and some double sided tape to put the body back on.

      At first glance I saw a project that I don’t have space for or time for. Then read Gordini and I started to think differently. My favorite Europa and motor combination S2/Gordini.

      All I need is that double sided tape and maybe I should go look at this.

      Like 2
      • Avatar jimmyx

        The body pull is simple, transporting this mess to So-Cal is not. If it were local, the body/chassis separation would be a plus.

        Like 2
  4. Avatar Troy

    Lots of people love these things… I’m not one of them to me it looks like someone tried to make a delivery truck into a sports car. Hope the new owner enjoys this puzzle

    Like 0
    • bobhess bobhess Member

      Troy… the design started off as a race car not a street car. After not getting the contract to build they were after Lotus put the legal stuff on and sold them as street cars. Probably recouped some of the money they spent designing the race car in the first place.

      Like 2
      • Avatar JagManBill

        According to Carroll Shelby, the design actually started off as Chapman’s Proposal to Ford for what would become the GT40. He liked it, Ford supposedly liked it, but the riff came when Ford wanted the car to be “Ford” only and Chapman would only agree to “Lotus Ford”.
        Chapman was so pissed off – thats why the car was powered by a Renault engine and not the more readily available Cortina based units that were already in the street Cortina and TC in the Lotus Cortina.
        The riff had to heal as Chapman was using other Ford based engines hence why the TC made it into the car ultimately. If you look at it with a small block 260/289 in front of a Colotti, DG or Hewland box, its not even a shoehorn fit. Just like it was made for it for some reason…

        Like 2
  5. Avatar Steve Clinton

    I would NEVER commit to purchasing this and put it together. When I was young I was a failure building model cars.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Bruce

    Depending on the engine a Gordini Engine is capable of between 106 and 130 HP. The getting of parts for this engine can be a nightmare. It is a cross flow engine and depending upon the care it came from it could have fuel injection or a carburetor. These engines often come from Renault R-17 or Fuego’s and the modification of the transmissions will also be required but not that difficult to do unless you wish to have 5 speeds in reverse.

    However on closer examination of the photos I think that is a stock engine and the seller might be gilding the Lilly a bit. The biggest problem I see is getting the doors back on. That job is a major pain in the ass. It is at least a two person job and better if you have three. It is time consuming but might have been necessary. There are stainless steel door posts available and they are highly recommended as replacement for the existing ones

    Placing the body back on is also a multi person job but is not that difficult as stripped out it does not weigh that much. A few bolts, lock washers and some lock tight and you are fine.

    One would wonder if the windshield and bumpers are there. They are available but they are expensive to source. In this condition I would suggest that unless he has proof about the engine and other bits and pieces it is more like a $3000 car. If complete it would be a time consuming but relatively REPEAT RELATIVELY EASY restoration.

    Like 5
    • Avatar SMS

      Good info, when I think of Gordini I only thought of putting the head on. Like this site for what I learn.

      Thanks

      Like 2
    • Avatar bog

      Bruce – bumpers are shown to be in the interior in one of the photos. Haven’t seen windshield though. Wondering how much he wants for red one parked next to frame. I had a new ’68 in Germany while stationed there. Fantastic handling car. Other guys had Elans, along with a group of Alfisti. If I’m not mistaken my model had tail lights from an Alfa. Wouldn’t have one here for several reasons… no longer flexible enough to get in (and if I did, how to get out !), road bumps (“sleeping bobbies”) everywhere would likely bottom out twice a block, and would probably get crushed by someone in their huge SUV driving while texting…

      Like 0
  7. Avatar Cobra Steve

    Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious. I love LBCs but will stick with my Triumphs & MGTC. Having owned an S3 I can say with total honesty they are a blast to drive! I don’t fold like I used to and have enough difficulty getting in and out of my GT6. It is still tempting since it is relatively close! Why do I continue to torture myself by perusing these ads which are nothing but temptation? Maybe I need to make an appointment with the Betty / Henry Ford clinic?

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Harold R Hueler

    I had a 69 many years ago, with no parts list or instructions i would pass, is that the best place to put the fan motor, right on top of the radiator fins.

    Like 0
  9. bobhess bobhess Member

    Blow the picture up. You can see the fan motor on it’s supports are fastened to the radiator.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Howie Mueler

      Yes i do now, thanks.

      Like 0
  10. Avatar angliagt Member

    The front bumper’s from an Anglia,& the rear is from a Cortina.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Frank D Member

    Don’t worry folks! Before years end a Lotus Europa will be in pieces in your area. This must be the 4th one of the new year.

    Like 0

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