Hiding in this garage is a car that was the product of one of the most innovative minds in motorsport history. Colin Chapman focused on weight reduction with his Formula One machinery, adopting the same approach with his Lotus Europa. This 1970 Europa S2 has spent decades in storage and is begging to be returned to active service. The process will likely involve a nuts-and-bolts approach, but it appears this classic is essentially complete. The seller has listed it here on eBay in Huntington, West Virginia. They set their No Reserve auction to open at $3,999, but have received no bids at the time of writing.
Launched in 1966, early Europas represented motoring at its most basic. The Chapman mantra of “simplify, then add lightness” meant that early buyers had to forego such luxuries as opening windows, adjustable seats, and interior door trims. The company released its Series 2 in 1968, adding those features and a slightly more luxurious interior to widen the badge’s appeal. It is unclear how long the seller has been the car’s custodian, but they confirm that the previous owner purchased the vehicle at a police auction approximately twenty-seven years ago. It appears to be a restoration project that has stalled several times, and with the frame exhibiting obvious surface corrosion, entirely dismantling the Europa would seem the most appropriate option. The listing images also reveal fiberglass damage on the upper driver’s side rear quarter panel. The existing Orange paint isn’t original, with the photos supporting the seller’s belief that this Lotus started life wearing Blue, possibly Royal Blue.
The Europa perfectly demonstrates the Chapman fixation with vehicle weight. This classic offered buyers all-weather protection and a reasonable selection of creature comforts, but still tipped the scales at around 1,460 lbs. Therefore, it didn’t need anything potent under the hood to provide respectable performance. Lotus sourced the Europa S2’s mid-mounted 1,565cc four-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transaxle from Renault, placing around 85hp at the driver’s disposal. The Europa was more spritely than the modest power figure might suggest, but these cars genuinely come to life on twisting roads, where the low curb weight and center of gravity provide limpet-like grip. The seller confirms that this Europa doesn’t run, and it appears that it hasn’t for decades. The engine spins, but there is no spark. Therefore, another task for the winning bidder is to breathe new life into the motor.
This Europa’s interior, trimmed in Black vinyl, is partially dismantled. A previous owner removed the pedals, gauges, and other items, but they are present. The car retains desirable items like the factory radio, although a complete interior restoration will be integral to this build. That might sound daunting, but it isn’t as bad as many might think. Several local companies produce reproduction parts that could assist in the process. However, those preferring originality will welcome the news that Lotus still manufactures many of the interior trim pieces. It is willing to ship internationally, and although that approach won’t be cheap, the interior would look stunning once reassembled.
Some people can’t warm to the Lotus Europa’s styling, finding it just a bit too radical. However, others appreciate the Chapman approach to lightness and his desire to produce a car with a low center of gravity, offering exceptional handling. This 1970 Europa S2 ticks those boxes, although the winning bidder faces plenty of work before it takes its rightful place on our roads. Dismissing this classic out of hand could be a mistake, because the lack of auction action and the No Reserve factor could allow someone to become its next owner with a single mouse click. If you love British sports cars, is that idea too tempting to resist?
Owned two. A blast to drive but if you are any taller than 5 ft 8, 160 lbs you won’t fit in it. Easy to work on cars.
I’m an inch shorter but 3 lbs over that. Darn it . . .
Nice description. You don’t see them anymore, but, they kinda fit in the MG category of one size fits all. Nice add on for a collector, but not your average Joe kinda car.
I had a 1969, wish i still had it. Looking at the photos they will be very lucky to get one bid.
I see now it is no reserve, most of the time when there is no reserve the bidding starts at $0.
You’d likely be upside down after completing it unless you hung onto it for 10-15 years. There’s an idea!-restore it and pass it down! Even the non-Twink ones are allegedly a blast to drive and this one has a Weber side draft sooooo….A larger exhaust and maybe a little cam and head work could glean more power but the point of these is the handling. Given the large amount restoration is going to cost, 4k might be optimistic.😀
The later model twin cam Europas were a bit more refined than the earlier S2s ( if you want to call it that!). The rear wings were cut down to create better rear visibility however for me all Europa’s were a bit too claustrophobic. They were fun to drive for me for about an hour and then I got my fix. I could fit in (in my 20’s) but getting out today would be a challenge. I was an Elan guy. I preferred the basic two seat drop top. Lotuses ( or Loti) are special breed of car and if you never owned one, you missed that certain ‘feel’ and performance not like an other Brit car. Yes, they were temperamental and not for the ‘non-wrencher’ but when they were ‘on’, boy were they exhilarating! Off the line, I could keep up with any Corvette in first and second gears… After that the Corvette power would pull away! I had a Corvette guy one day say to me,”What is in that thing?”
PS. In my first Elan, the previous owner gave me a pin-on button which said’
“LOTUS! If you don’t know what it is, you certainly won’t know how to drive it!”
I’ve said this before in my 62 trips around the sun I have never seen one in running order,seen many sitting in none running order..
Love the comments from previous owners. It sounds like the Europa fever is still in their body, just dormant.
I’ve never owned one, but I, too, have always had the fever. At 68, it’d have to be a decent driver. This one is likely a donor car from now on.
Bluesman,even if it drives ok when u buy it,plan to start wrenching on day two.And I don’t mean a set of new wheels
TC, my days of buying anything that needs work never existed. Even in my 20s, I was aware of buying decent drivers and enjoying them. And even that required wrenching.
I learned early on that cars are not “investments”, but really money pits. Except maybe the very top tier that I couldn’t afford anyhow.
Still want to explore them, though. You can’t beat the feel of an old performance or sports car that is 100% mechanical.
Would love to park one of these in my driveway if only I had a driveway. If it’s all there as suggested maybe it’s not a bad deal? Though as mentioned above with a ‘no reserve’ auction shouldn’t it start at $0.-
Guess I’ll be watching the bidding if any.
I owned a 70 S2 Europa for 20 years. Purchased it used in 1972. It was my daily driver for almost 15 years. I’m 6’2″ maybe 190 lbs back then and getting in and out was never an issue for me. I don’t remember feeling cramped at all once in the driver’s seat. I wish I still owned the car.
I’m curious about the history of this BF car as it has the same wheels as mine and my car also had a repair to the left rear quarter panel.
Lotus made a fun car but I’ll stick with my Fiat X1/9. Same philosophy but with more dependable results.
The story behind the police auction could be interesting. Restoring this properly will take time and put you underwater; decent, running examples, some with the twin-cam engine, go for $20-30,000 (see BringATrailer).
Does it need to be restored?
Why not simply clean it up, put it back together, get it running and then just drive it?
I’ll never understand the need to spend years of time and bushels of cash restoring something so you can just sit and stare at it.
Better to use it for it was built for, then worrying about the next buyer might think!
LOTUS Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious. But fun as hell to drive and if you don’t need to have a show winner not that bad to work on. Oh and I have 2 of them an S1a and a S2.
I owned a 1970 S2. Ran flawlessly, never let me down. 196 pounds, 6 foot tall and never an issue.
Regarding this car, it is pretty rough. But, I did notice the Hermes Weber conversion and manifold, + their header. Meaning, it could also have any one of the 4 Hermes cams in it already. Equipped this way, they move out really well.
I think it is spendy at the reserve – there is a lot to be spent on this car.
best,
bt
Seller needs to keep the price,but but allow offers.I just had a garage open up.I wouldn’t mind spending an hour on it to see if it sputtered..And if it won’t run ,offer $1,000 and negotiate from there.
Bluesman,even if it drives ok when u buy it,plan to start wrenching on day two.And I don’t mean a set of new mags.
Ended with no bids.