Colin Chapman is someone you should be familiar with. His singular focus on weight savings and efficiency set the stage for what Lotus automobiles would be and still is today. However, that singular focus sometimes made him and the company overlook some important details. Take for example this 1974 Lotus Europa for sale on eBay in South Bend, Washington. While the handling is surely sublime on this fire engine red beauty, the styling could only be gently described as “an acquired taste.” Is this extremely original and well sorted Lotus worth the $28,500 buy it now price?
Colin Chapman is definitely one of the most interesting personalities in the history of the automobile. Through hard work and a borderline insane focus on doing things his way, the man accomplished great things. At times his focus was almost too maniacal. His Formula One and Indy cars were so light and fragile that they terrified drivers. While this is scary enough through today’s eyes, remember the period we are referring to. Driver deaths and disfigurements were a regular occurance in the sixties. When drivers of this era tell you they were scared….
Chapman also built road cars to finance his racing teams. Racing was everything, and road cars were just a distraction to him. Therefore, complaints about quality and reliability were annoyances to him. I remember reading that a close friend shut down Chapman’s desires to be knighted by telling him he was too close to legal peril over his business dealings to ever be considered for such an honor. Many have speculated that the company would not have survived a serious audit.
Yet it was his obsessive desire for lightness and efficiency that drove everything along. When you speak to Lotus owners, the first thing mantioned is the almost ethereal handling of their cars. Of course, that was when they were running. If Lotus had managed to have a major maker build cars exactly to his design it would have been perfect. The problem is you have to add weight in certain areas to achieve reliability. You also have to test materials and fix engineering problems before they end up in the hands of the end user. People grow weary of being the beta tester for products.
The 1974 Lotus Europa you see here may be the most perfect Europa in existence. According to the ad, this car has been completely sorted out and is a reliable, original example of just what a Lotus could be. It has undergone a complete service with all fluids changed. It has also been the recent recipient of a water pump and a new set of tires. The brake system has been gone through along with the suspension. Did I mention that it is advertised as reliable?
So why would folks put up with Lotus considering that quality was far down on the priority list for the company at that time? The ad says it all. This car weighs 1,513 pounds and has a 113 horsepower twin cam engine and a four speed transmission. That engine and transmission are mounted in a mid-engine configuration. In other words, while the styling and quality may leave a lot to be desired, there is no closer experience to owning a go-cart for the street. Only a hot rodded Porsche 914 comes close in that era.
In all, this car personifies the Lotus spirit in many ways. It is a car so light that fragile has to be in its description, it is powered by a high revving twin cam engine with an acceptable power output, and the engine is in the right place for cutting edge handling. $28,500 is a lot of money for a Lotus that is not a near-perfect Elan roadster, but if you can get past the “breadvan” styling, this may be an even better driver’s car. The spectacular condition of this example is just a bonus.
Have you ever owned or driven a Lotus? What was the experience like?
Great looking Europa, and I think it properly defines “form following function”.
Hats off to the great Colin Chapman!
I raise a pint……🇬🇧
👍🤓
I had a 1969, wish i still had it, my friend had a TC and had many problems, this looks like a great deal, like all things the prices just keep going up. I hope it sells.
I sat in a Europa once. I’m not a big guy at only 5’8″ 150 lbs. and found it the very definition of a car so tiny and snug you don’t so much “get into it” as “put it on”.
Is it possible that LOTUS might NOT be “Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious” but it’s still an almost 50yr old vehicle that was built using parts from a selection of different manufacturers, but thankfully they have a fantastic independent network of suppliers for most if not all parts, I’m in the UK & the last series of WHEELER DEALERS had one that required “work”, in the show it had a serious problem as for a car that was known for its exceptional handling & power to weight considering it only has 113bhp.
Owned two S2s with the larger “sails” in the back. Was disappointed when they chopped the tops off of them in the later models to improve the rear view, which it didn’t. It didn’t do the overall look of the cars any good as they look like half pickup truck and half sports car.
Between my brother and I back in 70’s we had five Elans; an S2 (the best) with a factory hardtop, a couple S4’s, a rare Elan coupe and an Elan +2. All a blast to drive, all mechanically temperamental. The pedals on the S4’s were so close together, you literally had to drive heel-and-toe all the time. We both had very wide feet. The S2 with twin Webers and pull up windows was raw and the best to drive. The only car I wish I still had 50 years later. Had the opportunity to drive a few Europas. Very fun and different but too claustrophobic for me on a regular basis. Back then you either loved the Europa or you let it pass!! I had a lapel button that said, ” Lotus; If you don’t know what it is, you certainly aren’t going to know how to drive it!!”
I think this should be a 5 speed
I drove one. Handled great. Sitting next to an 18 wheeler, my eye level was the same height as its axle.
Wow is this the one that actually runs!
Owned an S2 Elan, have driven several Europas, every Lotus I’ve ever driven has been a gas!
@ 160, 5’10” I’m a snug fit. I was surprised how easy it was to drive. Steering is very light, direct, with excellent weighting. The big surprise is the soft, but well controlled ride. I was wearing thin moccasins, pedals weren’t a problem. Good progressive brakes.But the small, low size made me very aware of Europa’s fragile construction. Suprised it wasn’t noisy as all the noise makers were behind me. Bright yellow helped. Price was fair, but two small kids meant no. This was in 1994 before cellphones, pickups and SUV’s. Much more of a risk today. Keep in mind you are invisible to driver idiots who can’t look down and see you. Don’t even think about it for a daily driver, pure good weather hobby car. First mod I’d do is add a wide angle rear view camera display system. Europa mirrors are almost useless. My guess is 1 to 1 driving to maintenance attention hours. I still want one, buy the best sorted one you can buy unless you have time and skills.
As a long term Lotus Europa owner (40+ Years) of over 200K miles I can say that what problems there are with the Europa are largely the result of the owners not understanding how to care for these cars and once neglected they blame the car and not themselves. In all that time I have had only one break down and that was from a faulty rear hub bolt that had an air pocket in it and of course it snapped on a rainy night but I had an extra and a friend to bring it to me and I was back on the road in an hour. That could have happened to any car as nobody examines or X-Rays bolts unless it is a race car.
It is critical to realize that the top of an Europa is just above the base of a Corvette windshield of the same date. While take off is not stellar the handling is just the opposite and because of the small frontal area and sleek aerodynamic body with it’s flat bottom the drag was one of the lowest ever recorded for a street car.
On winding roads I have been chased by almost everything and nothing comes close. It is far faster to go into a corner and to know you do not need to touch the brakes as the car will just stick like the road is straight. It is also great fun to see those who are trying to chase you almost go off road because they do need to use their brakes and since they do not see your brake lights come on they just don’t. EVIL fun to be certain but it does say something about the car. An example I made a 90° corner at 30MPH and got a ticket by a cop. I took it to court and I ask the cop if he had radar on me and he said yes. I then asked if I exceeded the speed limit and he said no I did not. I explained to the judge that this car can do what I did very safely and the ticket was thrown out.
I generally got milage in the upper 20’s to a maximum of 55 miles per gallon. The last number was by trailing a tractor trailer in his wind shadow. I could do that safely because you are so low you can see the reflections of the brake lights of what ever was in front of the truck. When they go bright you slow down and all is well. Also note that there are two trunks in this car, one front and one in the back and it will carry far more than you might think.
Mine had an after market air conditioner on it and it was painted the black and gold of the JOHN PLAYER versions but it was only an S2 with the smaller but much easier to repair Renault engine. A black version can get extremely hot and the fiberglass is extremely thin on the doors and deck lids. I have reinforced mine so they are very strong now. Notice that this car has the front end splitter and that is a critical addition as this design can hydroplane in a drop of the hat. I am restoring mine now (Total Frame Off) and that is one of the modifications I plan on making. In addition if you see only one gas cap behind the rear window the car can only hold 7 U.S.A. gallons of fuel. I have added a second tank to mine for extended range.
If you fit, AGAIN IF YOU FIT the car is extremely comfortable to drive long distance. I have taken many trips from Kansas City to Denver with only one stop and felt rested when I got there. Now mine weighs more like 1340 pounds with gas oil and water the TWINKS (twin cams Ford engines) were a bit heaver and faster but most of the other issues remained. Mine is one of the few cars I would never sell. It is a drivers dream, especially on the open road. In traffic not so much because everything else around you is bigger than you are.
Every maker will have a race version of their sporty cars and often that is just a looks package or a bigger engine. With the Europa this is more like a Formula Ford open wheel race car of the era with a fiberglass body over the top that will hold two. If you assume that you need to maintain it like a race car with constant attention it will provide years of joy. I hope that this helps understand why some like me are so loyal to these and why the values keep going up.
Another good one Jeff. Back in 1971, I was in the Army and got to traverse the US a couple of times in my Fiat 124 Spider of the same year. I loved that car, but treated it as an ignorant 18 year old might and it died an early death. When I’d happen upon another sports car it was always Game On. MGBs were no problem and TR6s were only a threat if there were too many straight aways. 914s were good sport and would often lose me in the corners, but Europas were just fun to watch as they left me well behind.
I had a 1974 Europa in metallic brown/black interior. It’s true that the car needed constant adjustment to remain functional. However, I never had a major breakdown in 45,000 miles, It was an absolute joy to drive. I’d take it out early in the mornings on windy roads in Westchester county north of NYC and just drive the heck out of it! I’m 75 years old now and I wish I still had it! Thanks Colin Chapman!!
Absolutely love these but at my size, I would need one for the other foot…
Bought new drophead Elan in December 1967 in Leighton Buzzard, England. British Racing Green and in 68 went to Stuttgart, Germany. Wipers died at Belgium-Germany border at midnight. Had to go flat out to Stuttgart to blow rain from windscreen. Best handling car ever. Going thru roundabouts by merely dropping to 3rd, ignoring brakes altogether, much to the dismay of many others trying to stay with me. Great entertaining fun on my part.
Good comments, thanks Bruce. My daily driver Volvo is 20 years old with 170k miles. Strict attention to tire pressures with rotations, fluid checks, and regular oil/ filter changes are needed at a minimum. Wiper blades and bulbs are routine replacement chores. So is regular washing and interior cleaning. My only breakdowns have been two deer strikes. Keeping up with maintenance on an 50 year old Europa is truly dedication compared to Volvo’s few weak spot requirements. Besides race cars, maintaining a private airplane might be a fair comparison to keeping up a Europa. But this one seems to present a great starting platform.
Love these cars, twin cams the best, as long as the frame and gas tank look as good as the rest of it the price is in the ballpark. Would like to see those underside pictures though.
I own a 1970 S2,( no 180 or thereabouts of the right- hand drive export market) which I have owned for 30 years. It has 41,000 miles since new, original seats etc, all in good condition, carpet partly replaced with matching. Except it has a 2L Pinto in it, obviously timing, etc modifications. I have been restoring it as time permits. Not a lot to do, really. So I see it as something special. When I used to drive it some years ago it was impossible to not smile. It out handled everything.
Europa Specials were 5 speeds with 125hp.
Auction ended early, no longer available, which hopefully means they sold it off of FeeBay.
I owned a white 74 for about a year (76-77) and will attest that it was a thrill to drive, except when it left me stranded. That seemed to happen only at night, when returning from a bar. First time, the pin that held the shift linkage in the back of the car fell out while crossing Telegraph at 10 mile road. Found a piece of wire on the side of the road in the dark, tied the linkage up off the road, reasoned out how to rotate and pull transmission shaft to get second, and drove home. Second time it started raining. With the headlights already on, the wipers immediately caused the alternator light to glow. By the time I got to my apartment, actuating the turn signal was all it took to shut everything down! At least the car was light enough to push it off the main road and into the parking lot by myself. You will note that these cars do have the world’s smallest alternator, with such a low output that it cannot power anything else with the headlights on.
Like I said, it was a thrill to drive but once I realized that I was literally sitting on a plastic shelf, surrounded by a plastic roof and a plastic window (the frame being a single backbone down the middle of the car) I lost any desire to drive it as it was intended. I ended up selling it to make a down payment on my first house.