The Lotus Europa tends to appear fairly often as a project car, and usually the long-stagnant examples are fairly rough. This Europa is closer to an ideal middle ground of being a car that was running not too long ago but still will need some revival work done to bring it back to life, but nothing like that of a full restoration. The seller notes he bought it out of Texas in the early 2000s and used it for some time before being parked in 2018 and not run since. Some new parts have already been installed and most of what is needed to get it running again is included with the sale. This is a desirable “Big Valve” model and it is listed here on eBay with bidding at $7,800 and no reserve.
The Esprit wears a sharp shade of dark blue paint, with no mention from the seller as to whether it’s original. Thankfully, despite its western Massachusetts location, the previous years of residence in Texas has kept the bodywork in good shape, with no obvious signs of rot or rust. The chrome bumpers still shine nicely, and the Europa rides on factory wheels. The tires look to be newer rubber with an aggressive tread pattern, likely making the already lithe Europa even more fun to hustle. The seller notes the back window is missing and based on the description, it doesn’t sound like one is included.
Fortunately, several other key parts are. The seller reports having gotten the car running and driving it in 2014, evidently enjoying it for four years before it was parked in 2018. This is a “Big Valve” engine, packing more torque than the standard engine and featuring a beefier five-speed manual gearbox to handle the additional thrust. The Europa will come with the necessary assortment of parts to get a dormant car running again, including a new gas tank and carburetor rebuild kit, and will also be sold with a new parking brake cable (I’m guessing the existing one is frozen) and a replacement muffler – perhaps the current one is rotted out.
No photos of the interior are included, but the seller notes that the Europa was fitted with new seats, center console, and door panels when it was last running around. It will still need replacement carpet and a headliner if you wish to make the cabin as complete as possible. The Europa requires occupants of a certain body profile, so it’s best to find one locally to try on for size if you’re bidding from afar. These are raucous little things when they’re running well, and will deliver very respectable acceleration times even by today’s standards. This one seems like a fair deal given there’s no reserve left to clear at the moment.
Possibly, deal of the year if it doesn’t get too much attention on Fleabay. IF it was originally a Texas car and stayed there until this fellow bough it in 2000, and he didn’t get it running until 2014, and he subsequently bought $2400 of parts that largely remain to be installed, this could be a great chassis ie no rust. If of course it was stored in dry storage for all of those unused years….
Has the right alloys too. Don’t think it is an original colour, but probably does not matter. Assuming the carbs come with it! I’d be a buyer if not in the wrong country….
cheers,
BT
After Chip Foose redesigned that Lotus on Overhaulin’, looking at an original Europa is just not the same!
First you refer to it as an Espirit, then comment on no rust or rot in the bodywork which is fiberglass and not susceptible to rust.. where s
Do they get these guys?
Hey Jeff. The second paragraph should start “The Europa wears…” instead of “The Esprit wears…”.
I used to love the look of these cars back in the Seventies, however my tastes have changed in the interim.
Somebody removed the twin carbs and put something else on.Any idea owner what carb is on it??
No carb is on the car. That’s just air filter sitting on the intake manifold. The Stromberg carbs used by Lotus on many of their cars are not in place.
Love the color. Do these have a lot of leg room say like with a ’73 MGB roadster? What would be my chances at 6′ 4″ of even fitting in one?
I have a 6’5″ friend who had a couple of them, and the chief engineer was also that same height. But agility and flexibility are needed, as is a tolerance for being in a small space. Lot’s of people who are 5’10’ and claim they are 6′ find anything smaller than a full sized pickup too cramped.
I’m 5’10” and fit in the one my friend had perfectly. Getting in and out was no problem, of course that was over 40 years and several Lbs ago. Cool little cars and a blast to drive.
I am interested in the surf board that is next to the car.
Weird. Left a comment hours ago, disappeared.
Deal of the year. LT Texas car, chassis should be good. Body is unmolested. and it looks like a couple grand in new parts to go! Has the right wheels. Would be bidding if this was in Canada…..
cheers,
BT
Perhaps it is just me, but when your lead photo shows the car in front of piles of junk it does not increase interest or value.
Imagine posting a photo of yourself on a dating site in front of piles of garbage. Guilty by association. Swipe left quickly.
BruceThe missing rear window is not a problem as it is just flat glass. If you need to have one make I have a CAD pattern for one. I am restoring my S-2 Europa and I am making CAD drawings of all the parts for future owners.
The additional power of the big valve engine would be a great help as would a pair of side draft webber carbs. I am certain that would also add additional power as the Stromberg’s were not that great an installation.
Yes not too bad, no interior photos? On the rear deck i do not remember pins holding it down, and something sticking up on the right side for the air intake, maybe for that tiny air filter? $10,800 now.
Hi I owned a 73 I am 5 -11 with eee feet, I could drive but just. Pedals are tight for people with wide feet. Drove barefoot when I could. Great handling car. Stromberg’s are a pain but Webbers are no better in my book. Would try to fit SU’s or? Took a long time for other cars to match this on a skid pad. Rear vision sucks! Install a camera to see. Gas tanks are a known problem as are rear seals that have been sitting. Much fun for the money. Personal inspection suggested, Frame especially.
One of the spare parts on the invoice is a “twin cam bottom end set”. Sounds like an engine rebuild is required?
Bruce, given the price and description, I don’t think it is a bearing set. More likely a bottom end gasket kit (pan, rear seal, front seal, etc)
cheers,
BT
A buddy had 1970 Type 47 back in the early-mid 70’s. It wasn’t a twin cam and I think it only had about 80 -100 how and a 4 speed. It was so small that it was pretty fast for such low how. It handled better than any American muscle car at the time. It was a blast to drive.
Item location:
Amherst, Massachusetts
Sold $11,500.
Ended:
Jul 27, 2021 , 8:06PM
Winning bid:
US $11,500.00
[ 24 bids ]