Some of you may remember when our dear friends at Burger King operated under the slogan “Have it your way!” While most of us are loath to ask for anything special from a fast-food kitchen, there is no reason to not have things our way regarding a project in either our kitchen or our garage. Let’s say that you want to build a hot rod version of a mid-engine classic like this 1973 Lotus Europa for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Sugar Grove, Illinois. While it is missing some major parts like its drivetrain and hood, this can be the perfect project for someone who can hot rod a sports car their way. How would you build this car? Does the $2,000 asking price allow room in your budget to build a beast of a Lotus? Thanks go to Dr. R for this tip!
If it weren’t for racing, Lotus would have never stayed in business as a car manufacturer. Founded by Colin Chapman, who was an absolute genius at designing cars that could go incredibly fast. Specifically, Chapman’s talent was finding ways to reduce weight. Reducing weight allowed him to design smaller and lighter components that would otherwise drive weight right back up. In other words, a 1,500-pound car could run efficiently with a smaller engine, lighter frame, lighter suspension, and smaller brakes. Chapman’s problem in racing was that his cars were exceptionally fragile, and drivers were understandably worried about their chances in an accident. As well as they should have been.
Chapman also built lightweight street cars to capitalize on Lotus’s racing reputation. They also helped to fund the racing side of the house, which was his true passion. Applying the same principles, Chapman’s street cars were also fleet of foot and efficient. They were also constructed in the most parsimonious way possible. Some were not much better than an eighties kit car in construction and components. Still, customers tolerated these misgivings because nothing else on the road drives like a Lotus. At least when it was running, of course.
Take for example the car we see in the pictures. In a “Is the glass half empty or half full?” kind of way, this stripped-out 1973 Lotus Europa is either what’s left of a parts car, or it is a wonderful opportunity to build a much-improved version of Lotus’s first mid-engine road car. The seller tells us that despite its condition, the car comes with a valid title. It is missing the hood, back bumper, engine, and the gearbox. We are further informed that the body is in good condition structurally and that it will require media blasting before any refurbishment takes place.
After media blasting the body, backbone frame, and suspension components, you have quite the starting point. Europas have been modified heavily for racing and the street, and there are numerous examples for you to examine before you set to work. You can’t help but think of the possibility of putting a GM LS V-8 in one of these featherweight beasts. While it may seem sacrilegious, a small block found its way into the last of the Lotus Esprits. From there it would be a struggle to find a transmission that could handle the horsepower and torque. Perhaps an upgrade to the braking system would be in order as well. How would you keep the focus on light weight while making it faster? Can we call this “the Chapman dilemma?”
While this could easily be a hole to throw money down, taking a Europa and turning it into a high-horsepower canyon carver could be an awesome project. Or you could try to gather the parts to restore it. It would be interesting to find out what the readers would do if they found this carcass sitting in their garages tomorrow morning. Please share with us in the comments how you would proceed.
I think i would rather have a Whopper from Burger King. The Link to FB comes up as a Jeepster?
How about an old school gasser hemi with a blower, wheelie bars and a parachute?
I’m thinking 3 71 Detroit diesel! Big exhaust stacks and super swampers…
After putting the money the seller paid me to haul it off in the bank I would go on the Europa Registry and see if I could find a ’73 or later twin cam and gearbox for it. If not successful I would put it up for sale as car parts.
A few months ago there was a yellow one in colorado for sale with a V8 in it, so it is not impossible. Personally I’d buy the missing pieces and OEM Renault engine and put it back together. It’s in it better condition than the complete Europa out in my driveway.
What a waste…even worse if someone put an LS in her
What about the worlds fastest Delorean? Someone put an LS with a “STANDARD” transmission in it. All rear wheel drive. That would be a perfect setup for this one to. Don’t ya think? Certainly would be interesting.
It looks straight. Paint it (yourself, decently, economically), Clean up the wheels, straighten the interior…. then put it up for sale. We live in an era where looks are paramount! That would be as far as I would go. Finding an available twin cam and gearbox would be very dear and the incidentally stuff on a Lotus will kill you….50 years ago.. no problem! Today, unless you want to REALLY want to tackle a Europa project.. you are looking for headaches!!
( 2 cents from the peanut gallery and a former Lotus Elan owner!)
It looks straight. Paint it (yourself, decently, economically), Clean up the wheels, straighten the interior…. then put it up for sale. We live in an era where looks are paramount! That would be as far as I would go. Finding an available twin cam and gearbox would be very dear and the incidentally stuff on a Lotus will kill you….50 years ago.. no problem! Today, unless you want to REALLY want to tackle a Europa project.. you are looking for headaches!!
( 2 cents from the peanut gallery and a former Lotus Elan owner!)
Sorry about the double post! It happens sometimes!
As per the blue one – FFord 1600/Hewland – but this one’s a more sensible price. Or maybe an electric conversion? Think of the acceleration…!
I would love to buy it, but transportation will be too expensive!
Lotus twin cam is expensive to restore, I would choose a Renault TL18 engine and gearbox, fuel injection, and highly tuneable. This because of balance 50/50 that makes it very driveable.
I literally lived on Whoppers, double if been a while, during my trucking days, today, their food makes me sick. Naturally, I’m appalled here, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Lotus in such poor shape. The drivetrain was the cheese, Mr. Chapman would be spinning in his grave if he saw one of his treasured cars in this condition. The Lotus, I figured, catered to a more responsible person, and appreciated what a Lotus was. This was merely someones beater. For shame.
I agree with your sentiment – sad to see so many Europa on Barnfinds in similar condition – another of Mr. Chapman’s jewels of design spending time with Fiberfab Avengers :-(
Hello if any one is interested I have a complete 1972 Lotus twincam , with 23k original miles, I’ve owned for 45 years now, has a beautiful bright yellow body, in very nice condition, with original nice alloy wheels, had flood damage when it was in my garage , was a mint car before it happened, bought a complete twin engine that was rebuilt and being put back together when the owner past away that will go with car, open to all offers.
Send it in and we will auction it for you!
Best friend from High School died in one. It suddenly veered into oncoming traffic at 30 mph. Car had just had front end work done.
Park that body on a lifted Ford Ranger 4×4 chassis. Add some huge mud tires and you will have the meanest mini monster truck in the neighborhood (is my mullet showing?)
Hey 30 somethings! Offer the seller a grand. Get the title, park the carcass behind the shed. And tell the grandkids about that Lotus Europa you owned. Way back when.
If you can’t keep it original what about a snowmobile or motorcycle engine and drivetrain?
That would be a screamer!
If keeping it lite with plenty of poop. what about an aluminum 215? The transaxle would be the question here. Beef up a narrowed Corvair or VW with adapter? Seen plenty of mid-engine V8 sand rails so there’s room for a dreamer like me here…
Early 80’s Mazda rotary!