Lotus has for years been synonymous with performance sportscars and lending engineering expertise to many other vehicle manufacturers. Vehicles like the Europa we see before us were rather revolutionary in their day, and this beautiful example from 1972 is listed here on craigslist in California, U.S.A. Want to see more? We sure do!
Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman (more commonly Colin Chapman) founded Lotus in 1952, and he and his team came up with some rather advanced automobile ideas early on. His design philosophy centered around lightweight cars with superb handling, rather than traditional wisdom of brute horsepower. He is quoted as having said: “Adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere.”
The Europa was revolutionary (and dangerous for the driver) during its 1966-1975 run, for a total of about 3,600 units. Early cars ran modified 1.4- or 1.6 -liter Renault engines and transmissions, while later ones had Ford-based mills. The bodies on them were completely fiberglass, bolted to a sort of ‘backbone’ metal drivetrain setup, with fully independent suspensions and mid-engine layouts. Long story short is that they weren’t the biggest or most powerful things on the road/track, nor the safest, but they sure could haul you-know-what around corners. This one looks to be in extremely nice condition, and we’re told its twin-cam engine has seen only 41,000 original miles. The only thing we noticed out-of-place at first look is a newer aftermarket radio setup.
If this particular car looks familiar to you, then you’ve been paying attention to Mecum auctions, because this very vehicle sold at their Chicago auction in 2015, but one has to be a member of their site to see the final number. The asking price here is $40,000, which is about the average price for a new vehicle in America-if you can even get a new vehicle right now, with everything going on in manufacturing supply chains. I don’t know about you, but if I had that kind of money for a fun vehicle, it would go to obtaining and preserving a classic.
Don’t remember ever seeing one of these in this color but this car is a real beauty. Russell… you mentioned the cars being dangerous to drivers, which is true especially in side impact situations. No real door protection and the biggie, fuel tanks just behind the two seats behind the fiberglass. Our two cars were destined to become race cars with roll cages with side protection and most important, fuel cells instead of just metal cans in the engine compartment. If we bought this car we’d have a company like Fuel Safe on the west coast or ATL on the east coast build us a couple of cells to match the factory tin cans. Second would be a single hoop behind the seats which would provide a bit of side protection as you’d have to fasten it to the center steel tunnel. Not much else you can do to stay totally safe other than keep your eyes wide open and focused while driving. These are fun cars and well worth having.
Agree with all that you said. I would just add that these days, I’m pretty sure that drivers of a good percentage of the humongous pickups (lifted, oversize wheels and tires), wouldn’t even be able to see a Europa if it was anywhere near them.
Not to mention the get out of my way SUV drivers with their cell phone inplants and other in car distractions. Just say’en
Blew the engine on one during the test drive.
This was the first sports car I lusted after as a kid.
Mom drove an Alfa 2600 Spider that didn’t draw me in like the Europa did.
Yes very nice, but not worth $40k!! I had a 69 years ago, not original wheels.
You sent me looking for comps…I agree, although the color might command a small premium. Maybe $30k is fair.
I think these cars are cool, but I don’t think I could get in and out of one.
I tried to get in a new back in 1967. Bill Collins Ford in Louisville was the local dealer for them. No matter how I tried to get my 6’01” young body in the car there was no way.
When I was installing the headliner in mine I took the windshield out just for the elbow/head room so I could stretch the fabric in place. There isn’t a lot of room in these cars. But what struck me was with the glass out how little there was in structural integrity to the roof. One had to be very careful on how much pressure you applied with your hands. It felt like you could literally push the roof right off from the car. I sold it not much longer after that.
Very nice example. Brought $25,000 at the Mecum auction on 10/15.
I think you guys should buy a Camry! (=;
Yes, not much more protection than a motorcycle…and almost as much fun. The same can be said for my Elan (not much protection) I have owned several Europas (currently an S2). They are thin skinned, small bore sports racers (but streetable). Hard to beat for lowish speed fun.
There is little legal fun to be had in in the 600+horsepower cars that anyone can buy now. Cars capable of 160+ right off the lot, Yikes!. No safety concerns there? Loti are fun under 70MPH. Even a trip to the grocery is entertaining. These cars aren’t for serous traffic work, just ease out to the back roads and enjoy!
Head on a swivel, all the time…regardless of the vehicle.
This car is very pretty, but not a factory color and not the correct wheels as stated above. Wheels should be steelies, Cosmic Mk II or Mk 1. MK I’s are rare.
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I guess the only argument I have is that this money buys a lot of Elise if Lotus driving excitement is what you are after.
Bet Special John is just dying to play with this one…paint it black…add gold pinstripes….you fanboys would go crazy for a car you cant fit in…yeah…ooooh that Special John….
Wow! Nice car!