Classic British car fans will occasionally dredge up the old “Lots Of Trouble-Usually Serious” description when referring to Lotus sports cars. Was that in the back of this seller’s mind when he listed his 1971 Lotus Europa for sale on Craigslist in Nobleboro, Maine as “Sports Car”? Thanks for this tip, Barn Finds reader AMXBrian!
The Europa has its roots in the early 1960s when Colin Chapman and his engineering team went after the contract to create a LeMans entry for Ford. When Ford chose Lola to develop what would become the GT40, Lotus was left with an aerodynamically-efficient body design that they needed to find a use for. In 1967, the Europa was introduced.
The early Europas featured a fiberglass body bonded to a fabricated steel backbone chassis. While it was advanced thinking for the time, these bonded body/chassis combos would bedevil future restorers. This car’s build date is late enough that it is of the bolted body/chassis design. Complete new chassis are available to repair rusted or crash-damaged cars.
Colin Chapman chose to forego his default choice of Ford engines in the Europa, whether from the sting of rejection of his bid by Ford or the desire to expand his vendor base, we don’t know. He chose to utilize Renault’s new 1470cc four-cylinder engine and transaxle package developed for the R16. This aluminum block/cast iron head powerplant made 63 horsepower in standard issue, but Lotus was able to coax 82 horsepower out of it with modifications. The seller states that the engine in this car has been rebuilt but does not say how many miles have been put on it since then.
Lotus cars are not easy to restore but a methodical home restorer might be able to perform the work on a budget and get good results. Fiberglass repair is fairly straightforward and there are a number of experts in the Lotus community who will generously share their knowledge on the subject. We don’t have many detailed photos of the body and none of the interior (except for a small view through the mail slot rear window), so it is difficult to determine the scale of the work required. What do you think, dear reader- is $4,100 a fair price to join the Lotus club?
I have a spare wheel that matches these if someone buys this car. More than happy to send it for the cost of shipping only. Yes it is the BWA type wheel with the correct bolt pattern. It was thrown in with a deal to me and I have no use for it.
Owned two of these. They are pretty simple cars with pretty good parts availability as off the shelf parts like the Spitfire front suspension were used. Rear suspension aftermarket parts, disc brake conversions etc. make it all feasible to rebuild a good car. Looks scruffy but solid.
Just curious, since there was a Ford connection to these cars, would a 302 engine/drive train drop into it easily? That might make it a little more interesting than the Renault.
i was wondering the same thing.
You guys need to stick with hot rods. This car is very small and light. That is the reason it is what it is. The hot modification for them is a Mazda rotary…….but it is more than capeable of getting the hair up on the back of your neck as it was built. I bet this might be not a lot over 1000 lbs wet. The only versions I can even squeeze my 6’2” body into are the twin cams with there higher roof lines. These are incredible autocross cars. They have a palpable kit car feeling but are very accomplished at there intended purpose. For competition, a warmed engine along with a Hewland trans with interchangeable gearset would be great.
Almost any V* would torque the little sheet metal back bone into a figure 8. I’m not so sure the rear frame spars would even hold the weight, let alone the torque. It would be a wonderful little car if it were possible.
Agreed on the twist John. I have such a chassis here in the shop right now to fix that problem. It is a “replica” of a stock S2 chassis but about 100lbs heaver due to the thicker steel.
best fit is the Buick 215 backed with a Corvair transaxle or Porsche unit but either requires a lot of mods. I have seen one with a Ford 260 so a 289/302 might fit but it too takes a lot of mods. Another swap is the 2.0 Ford Ztec. Most popular is the Toyota AG6 and NG3 gearbox from the Renault Fuego. I have a 71 that had a BDA and Hewland FT200 in it (racer). I’m putting a 1600 Ford Kent motor with a VW box with Hewland side plates in another. Your options while not limitless are limited by space and imagination (and money)
…and mo’ money!…
Greetings All,
I know a Ford 260 fits, BUT…………..you need to modify the frame. There just isn’t enough of the stock one to handle it.
I always wondered about the after market aluminum blocks and heads along with the Olds 260 being a good candidate.
…there was one built with a Rover V8…I understand it is still around…
…a couple of things…#1…this car by looks and vin#, is a type 54 which was not available in the states in ’71…#2…it is sitting somewhat low in the right rear which could indicate a bent frame…the engine (R16) has an aluminum head and is a wet sleeve design…original Solex carburetor has been replaced with a Weber DCD (not a bad thing)…a type 54 is more desirable than the federal type 65 which will have a different front suspension layout than the type 65 as well as a different body shell which is lower in the front…pic is my type 65…
I agree this is not a federal import. I bet it came in from Canada and there are problems getting it permitted for driving in the U.S. I love yours but I would suggest a spoiler on the front. Wet roads can be very very scary at any kind of speed with out one.
Beautiful car, love the colour.
Car has a replacement front end (note the different position of the signal lights). I had a Canadian spec 1972 big valve, also with the same front end – an accident replacement. Also (Bruce) a front lower air dam was added in 1973 to counteract the tendency of the very light front end to lift at speed. Great handling cars but very fragile – as Colin Chapman intended !
$4100 seems like a steal. I have had an S2 for over 40 years, like a fast go kart! The frames are pretty fragile but fine for a hopped up Renault. I can’t imagine a more fun car for that kind of money.
….forgot to mention that, if it indeed has had an engine rebuild, and is a runner, $4100 is a very fair entry price…beware, though, of quite a few NLA parts…
I will wait it for the one Chip Foose built to come up for sale.
The Europa was designed for Lotus by the late Ron Hickman,who also designed the Black & Decker Workmate.He lived in The Channel Isles,and had a 1931 Cadillac V16 Phaeton.Nice guy!
I believe I am correct, this Lotus Europa is #10 for sale in 2018 in Barn Finds. Not so rare after all.
@LukeArnott – I was aware of Ron Hickman’s connection to Lotus, but I thought it was only the Elan. However, his obituary confirms your observation. Lotus Elan, Europa, and the Workmate. There is a life well lived! https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/ron-hickman-lotus-car-designer-and-inventor-of-the-black-amp-decker-workmate-2266757.html
You need to stop thinking like hot-rodders, and more like light-weight racers. K75 or K100 BMW engines are lite, good torque, compact, and reliable. Dry clutch and fuel injected, water cooled , might make a good combination. Good luck to the new owner and seller.
Using the Renault engine gave access to the continental market, which England was not a part of . There was a name for the alliance of the western european contries, but I can’t remember it.
Colin Chapman was a genius and/or hired geniuses. But my guess on why the switch to Renault engines for these cars in 1967? Colin likely still owed Ford for the engines of 66, maybe 65, 64….