In the late sixties, racing was evolving. The front engine was out at Indianapolis and across the pond, and the mid-engine was in. A few enterprising automobile manufacturers with a background in racing decided to capitalize on this by marketing mid-engine street cars. While Porsche and Lotus took radically different approaches, both companies produced cars that still live on in the hands of those who like to make cars faster. Take for example this 1969 Lotus Europa for sale on Craigslist in Redondo Beach, California. This British Racing Green sports car has been heavily upgraded and those improvements were well executed. Would you save money in the long run by purchasing this canyon carver for $14,969 instead of making your own masterpiece? Thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!
The story on this Europa is an interesting one. The seller tells us that it was originally purchased in London and then brought to Southern California in 1971. It is curious to see that this is currently a left-hand drive vehicle. As the British produce right-hand drive cars to help them navigate their backward driving choices, one must wonder if this was an export model from the start or if it was converted at a later date.
Regardless of its steering wheel location, it was brought to the car mecca of Southern California in 1971 by the same family that purchased it. At an undisclosed time later, the car was transported to Washington for a complete disassembly and rebuild. While details are scant as to when this car was modified or by whom, we are told that it was outfitted with custom bodywork, a removable targa top, a front air dam, turned aluminum accents, and a set of four lug alloy wheels. Given that the fresh set of tires that are on the car currently are a 60 series aspect ratio, an educated guess would put this update around the early eighties.
The car’s transformation included a respray in British Racing Green and an updated black vinyl and custom aluminum interior. It was re-upholstered in 2020, with the seats again being swathed in black vinyl and the carpets were replaced as well. The custom gauge and switch panels hold an interesting mix of the original Smiths gauges, supplemental instrumentation, switches, and lights straight out of a science fiction movie. All of these modifications and updates are complimented by a three-spoke steering wheel with a Lotus center cap and a period-correct wooden shifter handle. We are told that the 43K miles on the odometer is the actual mileage on the car.
Under the hood is a Renault R18 four-cylinder engine that has been heavily modified. During its two-year overhaul, this engine was crowned with a special hemi cylinder head and is fed with dual Weber carburetors. We are told that the engine was sourced from a Renault, so we assume that this is not the original powerplant for the car despite Colin Chapman’s use of Renault engines for Europas. The car sends power to the rear wheels through a rebuilt four-speed transmission, and everything has been gone through from the brakes to the suspension system.
As a total package, this Europa is an interesting look at period modifications to an already interesting vehicle. One could imagine having a lot of fun with this light and powerful mid-engine sports car. The original Europa was fast for its day considering the powerplant and the tire technology of the time. This car would likely be difficult to replicate at anything approaching the asking price and is surely more reliable and better sorted than it was when new. Hopefully, it finds itself in the hands of someone who likes to go fast and takes good care of their equipment.
After owning 2 ’72 S2s l’d be after this car if it was on the east coast or at least closer to Florida. Nicely done!
Would have loved to see this in action. Apprentice special from GKN engineering. http://www.colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk/?page_id=3225
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=14&t=45728
The’ targa type top’ helps to remove the claustrophobia I would have in a Europa. Sharp looking for an older Renault powered Europa. I’ll bet its a fun driver!!
The R 18 is a good engine. It was the base for their mid engine hot rod in the ’80s.
Love it, am impressed with the effort and worksmanship – at least what we can see from the pics.
Unfortunately, there is no way that I could justify this to “the boss”.
Well, sadly I can’t get in to see the pics on CL while at work. A couple of points:
– You could order a Lotus for UK delivery with LHD without any problems whatsoever. My 1965 Elan was a prime example, ordered by a fellow from London ONTARIO who was working for a few years in England – brought it back with. I expect that any number of Loti found their way back to North America with US serviceman etc this way
– No, it is not the stock motor. But these things are stout and as others have said, can be built
– Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The car looks to be in very good shape overall (which is a huge plus), but the flared fenders and targa will narrow the market for this. Someone’s gotta love it to own it
– It looks to me that the rear hatch has been significantly altered. No idea why one would remove the trunk cubby and glass the whole thing together, unless it had been hit hard in the back and that was the only economical way to fix it. I’d look very carefully at the rear bodywork
best,
bt
The “trunk cubby” wasn’t part of the rear deck. It was just a box that sat on the cross bar you can see in the engine shot. The main modification was cutting down the side flares on the rear lid. Nice job on that.
I get that Bob, maybe I wasn’t clear on it though. I just don’t know “why” someone would do that, was my point.
bt
True, the trunk was a “tub” dropped in the body but the lid originally would have extended down 1/2-2/3rds of the way down to the bumper to allow access to the trunk and allow for its removal for repairs.
Sail panels were cut down to improve rear visibility, like on later Europas. Wonder why the horn button is upside down?
Bought one from a Lotus dealer in New York city in 1969. It was LHD and had the black badge. A Lotus company detail to honor the late Jim Clark or so they told me. Drove it for six months. Sold it and bought a MG TD that I still have. The big problem with the Lotus was overheating. Head gaskets head work and bleeding the air out of the cooling system was a constant duty. Finally gave up and passed it on for what I paid for it. I don’t miss it.
I owned a 70 S2 for 10 + years, purchased from an estate in 1973, it was my daily driver. I never had overheating issues, head gasket problems and had never even heard of bleeding the cooling system. Luck of the draw I guess, wish I still had the car, it was a blast to carve up Hwy 9 on the weekends.
Yes many years ago i had a 1969 Europa, and this is very close to me. They did many mods that they like, but not done for my taste. GLWS.
I’d put a 97-99 SHO v8 in that with a 5 or 6 speed tranny and have a scalded cat quick Europa.
They are reasonably quick with the original 80hp Renault 4 banger, with a built R-18 they would be extremely quick. Because the S2 only weighs around 1,400 lbs you don’t need to put some boat anchor V8 in there to make them go fast.
Don’t get excited over the “hemi” head. All Renault R18s have hemispherical combustion chambers. Chrysler copyrighted the logo HEMI. A bunch of other manufactures use that combustion chamber. Even my lawnmower. My Honda car.
The Fiat twin cam comes to mind. On those, you can look through the inlet ports and see a sliver of daylight through the exhaust ports.
Did the rear deck of these really have to be that high?
If I had the money, I’d buy it and put the gas to the floor! Seems it would be a real hoot to drive. I drive an 05 C240, which is no race car, but sure is fun to drive.
And gone. Someone got a really quick vehicle for that money!