This 1973 Lotus Europa Special is a running project purchased by the seller from the son of the original owner. Originally Lagoon Blue in color, it comes with a non-matching but correct twin-cam engine that runs, paired to a four-speed manual transmission. The Lotus will need further work to be a project you can drive, but as the seller points out, this is what you’d call a “soft” restoration if such a thing truly exists. Find the Lotus here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $12,500 and the option to submit a best offer.
The Lotus is located in New Jersey, and since it comes with a New York certificate of title, it has likely been a northern car for the last few years. The condition up top looks better than you might expect of a vehicle from the snow belt, but like any car from this region, it’s the undersides that count. A Lotus chassis is no less vulnerable than any other vintage car, so while adding lightness was part of the original design, it didn’t call for large chunks missing from the frame. The seller calls the Europa structurally sound, so rust is hopefully not an issue.
The interior looks tidy, and downright usable as-is. The bigger challenge with the Europa interior is whether you actually fit in it, as you essentially wear the car while driving it. Taller folks need not apply (sorry, Scotty G.) and anyone who put on some weight around the holidays better go for a test-fit before buying. The woodgrain dash is surviving nicely, as is the center console. The carpets look better than I was expecting for a car that likely hasn’t seen regular use, and there’s no evidence of mice nests spilling out of the various storage compartments. The seller notes the passenger side window is not working.
As noted, the replacement “big valve” engine does run, but the seller notes a few maintenance items that will need to be addressed before roadgoing use is achieved. This includes replacing the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, and brake booster, so it seems like stopping capacity is greatly diminished at the moment. Still, that’s a relatively short punch list if the seller has assessed its needs correctly, and with no known accident damage in its history file, it seems like a worthwhile restoration project. The Europa really does capture Lotus’ vision in one of its most authentic forms, so if you can fit in it, this claimed-manageable project could be worth an offer.
The seller is a Lotus fanatic. Which is kind of funny since he’s the size of a big NFL offensive lineman. He’s a straight shooter (ex-cop, I think) and I’m very confident he’d disclose all issues accurately.
What’s up with the puddle on the passenger side floor?
The frames of these cars are a series of sheet metal boxes welded together and a bent metal frame at the rear. They are extremely light and very well protected. If there is rust damage to the frame you have two choices, one cut out and replace the damaged section to match the existing or two to take and replace the entire frame with a spyder tubular frame chassis. Both will work well. I have put over 200K on mine thru winter after winter and had no rust problems. I did put the frame over my shoulder and carry it into a stripping shop so I could repaint the entire chassis with more modern and far superior paints. (Yes it is that light about 90 pounds plus or minus as a guess) The fiberglass body is a great protection for most of the chassis. Put it up on a lift and you can easily see any damage.
This looks like a very good car and well worth the asking price.
You drive a Lotus Europa over winter and have put 200K on it? That’s absolutely magnificent!
My dream car in high school until I went down to the Lotus dealer and sat in it. I didn’t fit at 6’1”.
These were always pretty ugly, they look like a flower car for a pygmy funeral…..
I currently have a ’73 as well, I’m 6’1″ and fit just fine, although I do have the pedal widening kit on it. You do need a good strong core though to get in and out, but once your in its fine. Of all the cars I have (which includes a Lotus Elise SC) or have had the driving experience in one of these is like nothing you have ever experienced. When set up correctly they will out handle anything you have ever driven, until you experience it words just can’t describe it. Like R&T said when these 1st came out, “it’s the closest thing to a F1 race car for the street”, I believe that still holds true today.