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Breadvan Bargain? Two Lotus Europas For $5k

Pretty cool “breadvans”, aren’t they? I’ve heard that term used often to describe Lotus Europas; it refers to the rear sail panels of early cars like these two listed for sale here on Facebook Marketplace. The seller is asking $5,000 for the pair of cars which are located in St. Petersburg, Florida. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Patrick S. for submitting this pair of Lotuses!

While the white car has a title, the mustard-colored one does not. The seller does have a new windshield for the pictured car that is included in the sale. Both cars are 1972 Type 65s, which means they were Europa S2s that were modified to suit the US marketplace. Being fiberglass, Europas escape body rust, but there’s a steel backbone chassis under there that is quite capable of rusting away on its own. I’m just suggesting that prospective buyers either have the cars checked out or do it themselves.

Up close we can see that some of the paint is lifting on the white car. Given the exposure and storage of these cars, I would suggest planning on a full strip and rebuild. The seller states that some new parts are included also; it would be interesting to see what’s been purchased already. What do you think of that slit of a rear window? There’s a reason you frequently see large side mirrors on Europas!

The interior is pleasingly complete and largely original, although the cockeyed Triumph-sourced turn signal and light levers have me wondering. As with any fiberglass-bodied cars, grounds are incredibly important for all electrical components–be sure you check every wire before hooking up a battery. I know personally of two local shops, both with experienced British car mechanics, that have burned Lotuses to the ground through this issue. Don’t be that guy or gal!

The Type 65 Europa was fitted with a Renault 16TL 1565 cc engine tuned to produce 80 horsepower. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but Road & Track tested one and returned a top speed of 116 miles per hour. Remember, these cars are extremely lightweight, with most Europas ending up under 1,600 pounds. However, the seller had faster plans still as a cross-flow Renault Gordini engine is included in the sale. This is a common conversion for early Europas to deliver more power; you can view an early (1976) conversion manual on how to do it at this link. I’m sure that’s the way I’d go if these mid-engined beauties were mine. What would you do?

Comments

  1. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    I think I’d buy $5000 worth of scratch-offs instead. At least I’d only be out 5k, and maybe less if there were some winners in there!

    Like 13
  2. Avatar james malone Member

    Thanks for researching the link for the engine swap! Daughter and I are working on a ground up 70 S2. Obviously you wouldn’t buy these if you actually wanted to break even, but that’s not the attraction here. If there are enough parts in decent shape between the two and the spare motor is in good shape, this would be a fun and relatively simple starter project (assuming you had the room!).

    Like 3
  3. Avatar Al

    Maybe convert one into a shooting brake.

    Not sure what a shooting brake is? see: http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/11/24/automobiles/26brake600.jpg

    Like 6
    • Avatar james malone Member

      Maybe with touches from with my favorite shooting brake of all time, the Harold and Maude Jaguar hearse.

      Like 1
  4. Avatar Tempo Matador Ray

    Hey Jamie Palmer,

    Nice attachment of the “steel backbone frame” That would most certainly be my start point in resurrecting these fiberglass units. As James Malone mentioned, it is the labor of love that will see these through to another life on the road…”Continue to innovate, not duplicate”

    Like 2
  5. bobhess bobhess Member

    Frames are available and considering they are so minimal they don’t cost a fortune. We owned two of the S2s and if another car we wanted hadn’t come up we would have had one of the Ford twin cams in the last one.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Mike Hawke

    Frames are just sheet metal and rust…especially outdoors and close to the ground. I can easily lift the frame by myself. Frames are available from the UK. With shipping, you’d pay more for the frame than the purchase price of these cars.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar PairsNPaint

    And my wife thinks my Fiero is too hard to get in and out of!

    Like 2
    • Avatar george Louderbough3

      I’ve lusted after europas for years but I’m not sure I can get in one now. As a fellow fiero nut I can still get in and out of our 88 4cyl and our crossfire roadster with its wide opening doors i hope to get in & out of that car for a long time

      Like 1
  8. Avatar chrlsful

    any cross flow (esp i6) is my kinda thing!
    This 4 cyl has iron liners in an alu alloy block…
    & transaxel (both Reneau).
    Lets look a lill deeper for $4,800 (right now). May B strip off
    the mustard’n sell?
    That’s right PnP, if U can get in/out, this thing’s a lill slot car ! SCCA toy?

    Like 0

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