In the roughly 17 months that I have been writing for Barn Finds, one rare car shows up quite often in the “sell this thing NOW” category: the Lotus Europa. We’ve covered fourteen of them since April of ’22. Jim Motavalli just covered this one a couple days ago. Only 9230 Europas were ever built, and given the proclivity of the car to destruct in one way, shape, or fashion, I bet only half of those survive. And some of those remain in England. Why do these cars show up for sale so often? Well, they are fragile, small, hot, break a lot, parts are hard to get (corollary: expensive), you can’t see out of them, they scare their owners, break a lot, no one wants to work on fiberglass, early cars were sluggish, build quality is lousy, they break a lot, and some parts actually do rust. Also, they break a lot. But if you are dedicated, stubborn, crazy, or besotted, here on eBay is a 1972 Lotus Europa at no reserve, currently bid to $7700. This car was stored for many years and is now located in Hubbard, Ohio. It’s best to take a trailer to pick her up because though she’s running, well, you know what Europas do.
Provided you spring for a later twin-cam car like this one, the engine will be the best part of your Europa experience (handling is a close second). The 1557 cc twin overhead cam four-cylinder makes at least 105 bhp, and much more in “Big Valve” configuration. Low end torque isn’t great, but the car is very light so that’s not a burden. This car is equipped with dual Strombergs, but a hefty investment in a new cylinder head can lead you down the primrose path to Weber pain. Sorry, did I say that? Weber GAIN. Personally, I like the Strombergs (sigh, yes, I fell for a Europa that I still haven’t sold) but to each his own. This car does run, thanks to attention given to the fuel system and fluids, and a documented rebuild under the prior owner. The brakes work but will need work.
The seller advises cleaning the interior thoroughly (always begs the question, why doesn’t he do it?) Other than a few flaws – the driver’s seat is somewhat collapsed, the sills should be body color – this interior is surprisingly good. Lotus didn’t aim for high quality materials, so persistence through the storage experience is admirable. I would probably find new door panels – the large speakers are distracting.
Ah yes, panel fit. Performed by feel in a Lucas-darkened factory, perhaps? Just manage your expectations and you can live with this car the way it is, including the driver-quality paint job. All in all, with the rebuilt motor and a pretty clean interior, this no-reserve car does offer the potential for a lot of fun at a reasonable price. Just remember – you’ll probably date this Europa – not marry her – like everyone else that has ever owned one of these. Dedicated maintenance will help you recapture value when you move on to some less troublesome partner.
Working on these cars is pretty simple and parts are available to do almost anything you need to do to them. Front suspension is Triumph Spitfire. Things like rear wheel bearings you get from NAPA. Instruments, lights, etc. available through Moss Motors. With all that they are a ball to drive. The thing I was in the process of doing when I sold my second one is getting a pair of fuel cells made to replace the metal fuel tanks that are located behind the passenger compartment right under the side fiberglass skin. Side hit would not be good.
Any hit is dangerous in this car. Chapman had occupants safety as the last thing to check
Any hit on a bicycle or motorcycle also not good. But ride we still do. This Lotus is quite more safe than any bicycle or motorcycle.
When road and track reviewed the 1974 model year which was the special with the five-speed gearbox by then, they mentioned that these things actually crash tested pretty well. And, in the early 80s I am embarrassed to say that I sailed one of these off a corner on a country road doing 90 miles an hour into an old growth cedar stump, and both the passenger and I walked away, no medical attention required. We were buckled up, too. Could have been a different outcome entirely… The fiberglass nose of the car was largely hollow, and it amazingly disintegrated completely right back to the front of the frame. Chappers won that round in my book.
These were beautiful pieces of exquisite junk. I craved one when I was 15, and didn’t understand auto mechanics, and money.
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure…
I found out the hard way, anything made in Europe is a pain, in one way or other…lol.. The last European car I restored a 78 MGB, was the last one for me,…EVER.
What Lotus parts on the Europa break a lot, making a Europa as unique in the old British car breakage category as the author makes it out to be? Yes, I u understand that was done in fun. I suspect these cars turn up so often as projects because the typical owners of old British cars are old and finally faxing the fact that they can’t get out of them anymore even if they get them fixed up well enough to drive. Also they are so special that no one wanted to throw them away, and, maybe, not enough metal in them that a scrap yard wanted to take them like a MGB GT or a Triumph GT6, etc. I would say almost no one attracted to these cars when they were 0-40 years old cared about fit and finish.
I worked for a Lotus dealer in SoCal when these were new. I remember a time where a mechanic grabbed the door handle to get in the car. He apparently pulled up a bit as well as out – the fiberglass door broke into two pieces. I remember the same mechanic drove one through a car wash that tore the entire right side of the car off. Then we had a customer that lightly scraped a curb while parking and pulled the front suspension off. Apart from that yes, very sturdy, long lasting well constructed cars . . . said no one ever.
Exactly. The cars weren’t meant to care about what was behind you, just drive it fast. On any road with turns an twists, you’re passing everything. You don’t want something so nice you’re worried about smashed insects on the grill and chipped paint from random pebbles on the road. The low position is basically a go cart for adults. Irresistible to race it.
Woohoo finally one that runs,oh yeah BAT that is rich.
An article which reflects my views precisely.. The well desreved reason for the demise of the British car and motorcycle industries was their general arrogance vis-a-vis the buying public. If ever there was technical junk, it was Lotus.
I worked for a Lotus dealer when these cars were new. Yes, they break a lot – it was a special design feature I think.
Heck, a Europa it all together and it runs.
Those wheels look very stupid on this, they do not say if they have the originals. That battery mount is not a great idea, you would not be able to mount the trunk tub if they even have it.
Michelle
Why do you like the Strombergs that I detest? When I saw them, I thought ON A TWIN CAM?
Do you really think “they break a lot”?
I detest Webers the Strombergs are almost the only thing on my car that havent broken. Yes, they do break a lot. Have you ever heard, Lots of Trouble, Usually Serious? There is a reason for that acronym.
Michelle
First, when I hear/think twin cam, Ford Escort always comes to mind and how they sound with DCOEs wide open.
Webers are never low on oil.
Which Webers?
I don’t care for the single downdraft replacing dual side draft anythings.
The DCOE copies out there probably aren’t any better than repro Cibie and Marchal lamps. I guess they look good or are cool?
I’ve been warned the latest DCOEs have variations in the number and position of the progression holes, by the was young man when he worked and crewed for me, when I told him how much I could sell my 42 DCOEs for. I do have a better than average collection of brass and spares for DCOEs plus a set of jet drills ( I sell more spares than I consume). I do get irritated/frustrated with some parts not interchanging between Made In Italy and Made in Spain DCOEs but I still like DCOEs.
I never heard that acronym. Dave Bean was a friend and more. He told me Dellortos had some benefits that DCOEs didn’t but I never have dome much with Dellortos.
If SU hadn’t gone on strike, there’d be a lot fewer Strombergs out there.
If 1 3/4″ SUs (maybe 1 1/12) would work on your car, get my contact from Jesse. Then I won’t diss your Strombergs when they’re under the bench where they belong and you’ll never need one of those damn rubbers again.
Long time ago I was told the best carburetor is a poor substitute for fuel injection.
😊
I liked the article; full of satire with a nugget of contradiction in the closing. I think if you’re a serious tinkerer and like the power to weight ratio low curb weight cars, you are ready for a Europa. It’s not as horrible as everyone trying to infer. It’s like a computer: Garbage in, Garbage out. If you want reliability and more robust suspension and engine: Build it into the car as you go. Guys who did that for 30+ years got too old, didn’t want to let go, and here we are. They will be around forever. So kids now will be swapping electric motors into these tiny cars. The new solid state batteries light enough to probably get a 200 miles+ range. Overall so light and smooth, it will get another chapter. Since there are all kinds of Europa mods, I can guarantee it will happen.
OK, I just crossed the Europa off my “wants” list. I have already suffered 23 years with a Pantera.
I have serious doubts that the majority of commenters here have ever owned one of these, or any other British car for that matter and that includes the original article. You sound like a pack of dogs attacking the weaker one. The fact remains that Lotus cars were always all about the handling,, and once you experience that, it will be nigh unto impossible to duplicate without spending a fortune. No mention of the fact that the Europa was the first car ever to generate more than 1g on the skid pad when tested by Car and Driver magazine. There are lots of positives to this car but you “experts” will need to gain a little more, at least basic knowledge of European cars to even understand or appreciate that.
I have had plenty of experience with my TC having struggled with it for ten years. For a time it ran great, then it began breaking with abandon. The brakes gave up on a rally. When it returned, the fuel pump literally disintegrated after I pulled it halfway out of the garage. Then it had some cooling issue, threatening the motor. It is currently running. I have my fingers crossed.
Here is my Europa asleep with its pals. I can tell by the grim set of the rear tires that it is dreaming of stranding me somewhere dreadfully inconvenient. Such as going up the hill around the blind curve on the way home, particularly if I have dared drift over the center line slightly. Or any hill anywhere, near home or not.
If we were as old as the TC we’d all have trouble with our old parts.
Ha ha, I resemble that remark!
I had a Triumph Spitfire. You could not kill the engine. Everything else self destructed. Dad had English Fords. You could hear them rusting in the garage. When you own a vehicle, you want to enjoy it. Not wait for the next thing to break.
Not a expert, as you must be, but I had enough of them, no more, thank you very much.
Sounds like my experience and luck with them…lol. I’ve owned, rebuilt 2 and that was enough..never again. 😨lol.
Maybe your luck will turn around. I enjoy driving them, just so temperamental, you never know what to expect.
I have no experience with Lotus cars, know essentially nothing about them, have no opinions. So I’m not getting into those comments. Rather, I will compliment Michelle’s clever article. Yes it was biting, but it made me chuckle.
I know exactly what the author thinks about the car.
Glad to have Michelle writing articles for us to enjoy and comment on.
Thanks, Bob_in_TN, so happy to hear that. For good or bad, the tone of the article reflects actual experience!
You’re also admitting you’re not putting much love into your Europa. It’s not the easiest car to start out tinkering on, but it’s one that will tell everyone if it’s being neglected. It needs pampering. To deliver the experience you were hoping for.
You are right. I am, honestly, a bit scared of it. I need to deal with it more, or sell it. There is a giant All British Field Meet shortly in Portland, early Sept. Maybe give myself up until then to love it or list it.
… and then there is our story of 3 out of 4 wheel bearings failing on our ’03 Mini Cooper at 59,000 miles….
05? PT Cruiser, last car my mom bought needed the rear wheel bearing just past 50K and before 60k tie rod end came apart at a stop light on Christmas eve. Light turned green to turn left and max toe out in 2 feet. Never any tire wear or anything felt in steering for warning.
Made in Mexico?
What kind of uncalled for, ugly comment is this “Made in Mexico?” As one who has done my own mechanical work and repairs for 50+ years I will gladly take a part made in Mexico over anything made in China. Mexico has a rich culture and many accomplishments, America can learn a lot from Mexico. I think the worst stuff in the world is made in Mar-A-Lago!
I have an ’01 PT Cruiser,139K. Has has 2 complete rack & pinion steering sectors.
Didn’t Mercedes-Benz own Chrysler when those weird little PT cars came out? I heard M-B was obsessed with quality control. LOL
Chinga-Trailer
“What kind of uncalled for, ugly comment is this “Made in Mexico?”
It was in reference to a PT Cruiser that was built by:
Daimler Chrysler
11/04
Made in Mexico
It was purchased new by my mother. She didn’t drive a lot or far.It has 62k mi now and has had many problems that started after 50k and 5 years.
“As one who has done my own mechanical work and repairs for 50+ years I will gladly take a part made in Mexico over anything made in China”
I have more experience than you and I’m not pro Chinese parts.
My Dad was a Lee Iocca fan. So he bought the brand new Dodge Omni: FWD hatchback made in America. First 200 miles: A front axle falls out of the knuckle, causes a minor wreck that could have been much worse. They give my dad the runaround, offer him a replacement car with about 2,000 miles on it, no refund. Well same thing but other side happened. Apparently someone wasn’t torquing the wheel axle retainers to specifications, and a rash of Omni’s lost their axles. Dad got a check. Bought a Chevy Citation after waiting for it to be released. It was mired with transmission and electrical problems, and CV joints made all kinds of terrible noises. Brand new. So compared to a Lotus that you can tinker with and actually work on yourself, the context isn’t really accurate. Lotus Europa when done well is a wide skateboard with a high revving sewing machine engine.
First off I can’t believe the bad comments on the PT Cruiser I had one and the wife took it when she left best car I ever owned. I also can’t believe the bad comments on the British cars I restored (driver quality) 3 spitfires over the years drive them every day and they never broke down the first thing I did on my cars was the electrical and mechanical systems I would love to tackle this lotus but alas my age and health prevents it
There are British cars, and then there are british cars. I love my MGs. They are robust, nearly always run, are cheap to cope with, and yes, I do like their SUs way better than other choices made by other makers. The Lotus is in a different category, not aided by being fiberglass, which I view as a cheap-out method when a company didn’t have enough money to bring a quality car to market. (I am talking about british cars here, mind you, not something like the Corvette.) There are always fans for every car. But the fact is that only four of the fourteen Europa’s we have covered in over a year was roadworthy, and one of those had a Windsor 351 installed! That speaks volumes.
Windsor 351 you say?? I can’t think of anything that would destroy the whole intent of any small Lotus sports car more than that.
Sorry, a 347 CID, see here:
https://barnfinds.com/windsor-v8-power-1969-lotus-europa-s2/
I don’t think cost had anything to do with their using fiberglass.
It was lowering weight.
Look at how light the early Elites were and the performance they had from a peanut motor.
Did you almost say something negative about Strombergs?
Almost.
Sold $9,655.55, 11 bids.
Michelle, I love your article. It made me laugh and smile. I finally got the idea “these things break.” Nothing better than a little personal experience in the article to liven it up. You are a good writer. Thank you.
Wonderful article, love the acronym Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious. You forgot their evil partner Let Us Create A Short. (LUCAS).
I love true twin cam engines with their wider head providing easy grip handles to remove when someone forgot timing belt maintained. SU & Stromburg best easy carbs ever. Weber and Delloroto are like Italian models for a mistress Devious And Dear.(DAD). See what I did there 😂 keep up the good work, it a breath of fresh air.