As Lotus put it, “…the one with the engine where the GP cars put it.” The Europa was an eye-opener upon its introduction in 1966, not for its unusual body style as much for the location of its engine “in the middle”! This twin-cam 1974 model has been stationary for the last 5 years and is now being sold. Thanks to Pat L. for sending in this find! It’s listed for sale here on craigslist for $6,900 and is located near Houston, Texas. 
The seller states that they removed the low-slung car from the road to revamp the interior, bought all the components (which are included), and then never installed them. They also characterize the body and paint as in “great condition”. I think the gold-painted bumpers should be chromed, but I know some Lotuses (Loti?) used painted fiberglass bumpers; hopefully, a marque expert can chime in with the real answer. I think the orangish paint would work better with the gold if it were red (Gold Leaf Team Lotus) or black (John Player Special) to emulate the Lotus F1 teams.
As you can see from these two period ads for the Europa, Lotus made a big deal about the Formula 1 connection. One item of note in the ad on the left is that the Europa was available with both a four-speed and five-speed gearbox. That’s an odd option for any car, don’t you think?
Although the interior items look nice in this picture, the most attractive thing to me in this shot is the Factory Service Parts List and hopefully a shop manual below it. I’m sure some work will be necessary to get this Lotus back on the road, and of course, you have to be able to fit in it once it’s there! But it’s a tempting project, don’t you think?
Owned two S2s and still think one in good condition is a bunch of fun to drive. The literature I have shows that the first Europas out had chrome bumpers. The Elans did have painted fiberglass bumpers. This having the twin cam engine gets you out from under the Renault engines with limited power into the proper power to enjoy these cars. Nice find.
I’ve said this before,I have seen lots of these, never seen one that runs and drives.
I don’t pretend to be a Lotus expert but for what I see that looks like a pretty fair asking price for a complete [probably] running Europa. I always loved the red with gold bumpers Elan paint scheme and this one looks pretty nice carrying it. You get a pretty good idea of how small these are in the pic where it’s parked beside that little crossover.
Having been a passenger in one I can tell you that on the highway you are looking out your window at the hub of an 18 wheeler wheel…definitely a butt-clenching ride, but on the back roads in the twisties these are like an amusement park ride
I have one in my garage, they’re like no other car out there. The firewall is made from cardboard, the firewall insulation has “horse hair” in it, the rear suspension is connected to studs that protrude from the frame, the front a-arms are pressed sheet metal steel… In addition, it’s six inches lower than the MG Midget.
At $6900 it will be gone in a second. If I was anywhere close to this I would buy it sight unseen – incredible deal (and yes, I have owned and driven Europas. In fact, mine was never inoperable during my ownership)
cheers,
BT
I think that there might have been a Gold Leaf edition, but it’d be earlier than 1974 as I’m fairly sure that the F1 team was sponsored by JPS by then. My first Europa was a green and yellow one that came from collecting tokens on Weetabix boxes…
Might do better on FeeBay, no interior photos.
It doesn’t have an interior. Or I should say, the interior is shown spread over the garage floor
I owned one of these 4 speed. 2 things I can guarantee fuel tanks are junk and the carbs need to be rebuilt. Also main seal is probably about to go. Ran when parked? Five years is a long time for things to sit. If you are larger than 6 ft or have 3 e shoe size give it up . You wont fit or are unable to cleanly shift , Size 11 3e feet here and had to drive in sneakers or bare feet. I am 5′ 11 and it was tight but comfy. Always wanted to put a Wankel in one of these but not sure if you could cool it .
A friend of mine has one with a rotary conversion,
although I’ve never seen it run.
That’s what you pay for the engine in UK.
Paint is not factory for reasons @Derek states above.
Drove one in my 20s, might be a tight fit in my 60s.
Tight fit for anyone of any age; this isn’t a car you “get into” so much as “put on” — Big and/or Tall sizes need not apply.
You would still well in profit if you were to buy that and ship it back to the UK. As mentioned. Here you would get double that for a none running twin cam engine.