I remember a time when a Lotus Europa would be seen periodically traversing America’s highways and byways. I haven’t come across one in years so I thought it would be a worthwhile exercise to take a look at this 1970 example. It is located in Uxbridge, Massachusetts and is available here on eBay for a BIN price of $11,900 with a make an offer option.
The Europa was produced for ten years (1966-1975) and approximately 9,800 were built. This specific example is a model “S2”, produced between ’68 and ’70, and was the most common, at 4,200 produced. This S2, also known as a Type 54 (or in this case a Type 65 since it has been “Federalised” for U.S. export) made up a small volume of that 4,200 total. The seller states that this Lotus was a long-term (decades), dry storage occupant.
The seller believes this Europa was modified with “Else” enhancement which refers to J.A. Else and Sons, a British Lotus dealer and performance modifier. Bob Else lists some of the specifics that went into “Else” dealer-installed Lotus modifications in this article. The seller is clear that he does not have proof that this is an actual Else modified car and he suggests that potential buyer perform their own research but this Europa does possess an Else valve cover and a four into one exhaust header, reminiscent of Else prepared cars. So what powers this Europa? A Renault 1.6 liter, in-line, four-cylinder engine good for 80 HP. It doesn’t sound like much but in a two-seater that weighs only 1,500 lbs., it’s probably motivational. This example does run, with a fuel can connected to the fuel pump, and the seller says that the engine sounds pretty good but it has, however, not actually driven any time recently. Power to the rear wheels is via a four-speed manual transaxle.
This Europa has a Matchbox car look about it with its tiny footprint and flying buttress sail panels. The screaming yellow finish is probably a good idea, it let’s other taller vehicles know you are out there. And the finish appears to be pretty strong still, no sign of fading or oxidization. Owing to its fiberglass body, there is no concern for body corrosion. There are extensive images included in the listing and all show aligned, non-damaged body panels. The green wheels are a bit unusual, not sure what the statement is with those, or maybe there is no statement at all, just something different and a matter of choice.
As for the interior, it’s late ’60s/early ’70s British sports car the whole way. It’s basically in good nick though the black vinyl seats have been repaired with matching duct tape or something similar. The footwells appear to be deep so I imagine a tall driver, and passenger would have adequate legroom though the shoulder room looks tight. The wood veneer, or instrument panel faceplate, looks a bit worn but it’s a nice inclusion and adds to the atmosphere. There is typical British sports car full instrumentation in place but no word on how, or if, it all works.
There are many excellent images, via the listing, that accompany this Lotus, I recommend checking them all out. I would like to say that this is one of the nicest Lotus Europas that I have seen but it has been so long since my last encounter, I have nothing for the sake of comparison. Nevertheless, this example appears to be in fantastic shape for a half-century-old British sports car. It will probably have the most appeal for a Lotus enthusiast so I’d like to hear from anyone who has familiarity with a Europa, perhaps you have a story that you can share?
No risk of body rot, but the spine and appendages of the skeleton frame are susceptible. Has the Weber DCOE, it’s a 4-into-1 exhaust, not a 4-2-1, and can’t tell about the transaxle ratios. Looks like a stout skid plate up front, and the oil pan has taken a bashing along the way. There is adequate leg and pedal box room, but headroom is limited for anyone over 6 feet with a normal distribution of height above and below the hip hinge point. Love the color, wheels and all. Fun cars to drive, especially with a bit of static toe-out at the rear.
The only person I know that owns one is well over 6′ tall. All I could figure is that Ed like it so much, he never complained about headroom.
In the mid ’90s, there was someone daily driving a Europa in Charlottesville, Virginia. Its body was crumbling from what must have been a terrible job of initial laying up. but I saw it all over town. It’s a good thing Lotus didn’t make boats.
Oops. Lotus DID make boats. Super fast speed boats at that.
I loved the blue one that I took my drivers test in. The factory A/C was u e cold.
Now this interests me. As far as I know Lotus never fitted A/C at the factory, it was an aftermarket dealer option probably to shift some units in the hotter climates. And I thought A/C was only ever fitted to the later twin cam models. Anyone know more?
Driving a Europa on a highway at highway speeds has to be akin to driving one’s own casket. Man ! We were stupid when we were young.
I thought all the S2 series were twin cam powered??? Need some input from the Lotus experts.
I think S2 just signified that the windows opened and they weren’t exclusively for export.
Non of the SIi’s were twin cam powered, all Renault powered. The twin cam wasn’t produced until ‘72 and uses a ford block and lotus twin cam alloy head. Later twin cams came with bigger valves and a 5 speed gearbox. I had a ‘72 twin cam for 20 years and loved it and still regret selling it. I also had a ‘70 SII which had a cross flow Renault engine and separate alloy intake castings enabling fittment of twin Weber carburetors
The Twin Cam was 1971 onward.
1972 onward, I have a 71 s2
60s Lotus colours were green and yellow, F1 was british racing green body, yellow wheels. Nothing wrong with mixing it up?
I car pooled with a co-worker that owned a Europa-I owned an Alfa spider veloce at the time. Some sorta fun. Especially in winter as neither had much of a heater.
The Europa leaked rain water into the impervious tub which froze into a slab about 2″ thick and encased a copy of the local newspaper.
The Hot plan is to swop the Focus 2 Litre 4 valve DOHC which fits where the DOHC 1588cc Lotus engine goes, they’re cheap and easily will put out LOTS more ponies!! They’re another of the long standing of racing cars you can drive on the street like the Lotus 7, Elete and Elan
@Michael Rogers… more correctly, ” street cars you can race “… … Although Lotus continued to think racing in other cars, beginning with the Series 2 Seven, Lotus compromised his designs for the Elite, Elan, and others to be exported to USA for the street … and some were raced………… not the other way around.
Getting into a Lotus was like putting on a coat. The padded door rests against your head when closed. The fiberglass body quality was poor yet it was so lightweight that the tiny one liter engine moved it right along. I had to pass as I had 2 small children and there was No room for them.
Pity.
Hard to clearly see the wheels. Are they painted Cosmics?
They do look very like Cosmic Mk 2.