Hiding in this garage is a 1970 Lotus Europa with a story to tell. The current owner has been its custodian for forty-five years, commencing a restoration that would have returned it to its former glory. However, advancing years have seen him admit that he will never see the project to completion. Therefore, the Lotus needs a new home with a passionate enthusiast who can recapture its glory days. The Europa is listed here on eBay in Williston, Florida. The seller set this auction to open at $8,500, but there have been no bids.
Lotus produced the Europa between 1966 and 1975, with the updated Series 2 emerging in 1968. The original owner took delivery of this Europa in 1970, ordering it in Colorado Orange. This was a relatively new shade, with Lotus introducing it to the palette in October 1969. The seller states that most of the paint is original, with the Gray primer applied in stages as the car was hand-rubbed for a repaint. This process stalled because the owner could not physically complete the work. However, the news is positive for someone willing to tackle this build. The fiberglass is in good order, meaning they can sand the rest of the panels and apply fresh paint over a sound base. The frame appears to be structurally sound, with no rust or other issues. Any trim pieces no longer attached to the body are included, and these appear to be in an acceptable state for a driver-grade restoration. There are no glass issues, and the Europa rolls on genuine Lotus alloy wheels.
The secret to the Europa’s success rested in its weight. Colin Chapman was almost obsessed with this, producing a car that tips the scales at a mere 1,459 lbs. Therefore, an engine offering relatively modest power could provide surprising performance. This car features a mid-mounted 1,565cc four that produced 88hp and 87 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. It sent this to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transaxle. The ¼-mile ET of 16.7 seconds demonstrates the benefit of Chapman’s focus on weight reduction, while the owner confirms the speedometer needle has seen the factory’s claimed top speed of 115mph. The Europa’s engine was dismantled as the owner began a rebuild. This didn’t proceed far, but the removed components are present. A range of included new parts should allow the winning bidder to bolt the four back together, returning the motor to excellent mechanical health.
The “complete, but needs work” theme continues when we examine this Europa’s interior. The driver’s seatcover is torn, and the carpet is tired and faded. The timber dash fascia has delaminated beyond the point of no return, but I can’t spot any aftermarket additions. The good news is that parts to address the shortcomings are readily available, and Lotus retains a stock of components that could return the interior to its former glory. There are more affordable alternatives, but a new owner focused on originality may find that prospect irresistible.
Various sources are contradictory, but up to 4,294 examples of the Lotus Europa Series 2 are claimed to have rolled out of the company’s Norfolk factory during the model’s production run. That makes these cars relatively rare. While they don’t possess the outright performance of a traditional muscle car, they are enormous fun when pointed at a twisting ribbon of tarmac. This 1970 model needs work to reach that point, but it is far from a lost cause. One of the great attractions of a Europa as a project candidate is that they are handbuilt. That means that every part was installed using human fingers. It makes them easy to dismantle and reassemble and prime candidates for DIY enthusiasts. This Europa offers that opportunity for its new owner, but could you be that person?
Always loved the Eurpoa, maybe because it was my first matchbox car (my son has it now).
Had a lotus Cortina, so I know what the engines can do.
This is something I feel I could tackle in a home garage, including the fibreglass and paint.
I hope who ever buys her, returns her to her original glory.
I never did like the 5 mph bumper.
Just replace it, simple
Over here, same rule kinda, just needed more bracing, factory look.
On these cars the bumpers are at least 1/2 mph units….
The second S2 I had had the factory installed fog/running light buckets up front and all sorts of other small goodies. Wish I had it back.
Big ask if it was a late twin cam. Simply too much money fir a S2 in this condition.
Yes i had a 1969 for a few years, wish i still had it. Would be great to see this on the road again. But for all that it needs the price is way too high, that is why there is no bids, and ends very soon.
Another week, another unfinished europa project!
It’s an ‘all there’ car and the right project for a Europa fan (an S2 fan is getting rare). That is a tight market and I believe $8500 is a bit too high for this level of restoration. A $4K -4500 number might draw more interest.
Major project for someone.And they are Cosmic wheels not Lotus wheels.
Yup!
Man! I never knew how many of these Europa’s were squirreled away.
Way overpriced for an S2 with the Renault Engine. Good luck to the seller but I highly doubt he will get close to half the asking price. I practically gave mine away after a year of trying to sell it for $4K.
I know I’m going to catch some hate for this, but I just don’t like the Europa from the rear of the door back. It just looks like a hatchback or station wagon with blanked in windows. I would have to assume that the rear visibility leaves a bit to be desired.
I wish they had found a way to lower it even if it ended up looking like a 914 or X9.
The design of the S1 and S2 series came from the competition between car builders for the Ford GT Le Mons race cars. The big flares were designed for aerodynamics, not looks or rear vision. If you look at the Ford race cars you can see they did the same thing. The cut back ’73 Europas were in response to the poor visibility complaints on the now street cars.
It looks way better in person. The car sits so low and the engine lid is higher with a lip on the rear that blends with the rear sails so when you look at it from normal height it looks great (in my opinion as an S2 owner).
I have an excellent S2 I’ve restored recently. This price is high. Just the body/paint cost will be substantial. Simple cars, amazing handling.
The Europa was a childhood favorite of mine. If I were to buy this one. I would change the color to the same medium-dark blue and the Matchbox Superfast Europa that I had as a kid was (I had another one that was a deep pinkish color, but that idea would be a non-starter!). But the first time I saw one in person, I knew right away that I would never drive one, much less own one. It seems that my Matchbox Europa was roughly the same size as my older Matchbox ’64 Impala taxi. Then I find out that the Europa was probably at least partially designed by a famous Lotus employee from that era: Sir Jackie Stewart. So, therefore, it is of a size that would be comfortable for The Wee Scot. Unfortunately, I’m more the size of Michael Waltrip or Boris Said. There’s no way on God’s green Earth that I could ever fit inside one and, if by chance I did manage to shoehorn myself into o e, it would take the Jaws of Life to get me out of it! Hey, I might be 6’3″ and, well, heavy (hey, I’m workin’ on it OK?), but I like small cars. I’ve owned about a dozen Corvairs over the years and my everyday car is a Cobalt SS, but those look to be the size of a Cadillac next to a Europa! So I hope someone gets this car and gives it the restoration that it needs and deserves. And maybe, once it’s finished, I’ll see it at a track day up at Lime Rock.
Jackie drove for Ken Tyrell; not sure that he ever drove formula cars for Lotus. Graham Hill certainly drove Lotus Cortinas (BRMs in F1), but I think that the Lotus lifer that you’re after is Jimmy Clark.
I’m happy driving small cars; I’m 5’10” and skinny. The funny thing was always that there was loads of room for the driver in Minis and totey FIATs. 2CVs positively luxurious! I fit in Lotuses; have so far managed to resist buying any!
Ended No Bids.
To a guy who has been through Porsches, Alfas, Mercedes-Benzes, Minis, and more, this looks like a fair deal. Compare prices and resto costs for the brands above with this Lotus. It went Reserve Not Met, but it ain’t over ’til it’s over. Call the seller and make him an offer.
Owner is 80 years old and can’t finish this project – with all the work that will be required it looks like someone who is younger with deep pockets might be able to finish it up . . . auction has ended with no bids, not much interest at that price and in that condition. Sad to see all the Lotus Europa’s that show up on Barn Finds in similar condition ;-(