Just picked up a major project

[Justin51982]

So I traded my 1977 Triumph TR7 which was a restoration project for this car.

It's a major project but ultra rare.

It is a 1970 Lotus Europa. It had been sitting in this guys garage since 1987. Today is the first day it's been outside in over 20 years.

This car is 100% fiberglass body, most of the parts, interior and exterior are with the car, just not on them.

As you can see, most of the paint is gone, and all the brown you see, is the fiberglass showing.

It is missing it's engine but all else is there.

I will admit, I don't know what the hell Lotus was thinking with the back end of this car, but even so, only 9230 were made between 1966-1975, which means about 1000 per year. So as I said, very very rare.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/Justin51982/LotusFront.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/Justin51982/LotusSide.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/Justin51982/LotusRear.jpg

[jhadleyh]

um wow that car is crazy looking.....good luck with it mane

[Echonova]

I used to know a guy that had one that was mint. He never drove it though, only started it up in the garage once a month. But I'm with you on the back end.

[FTMFL]

Looks like a old Del Sol to me lol. Good luck to you.

[RutRoe]

Cool man... saw a nice one for sale in ATL in the last year. Funky for sure

[Glides]

Europas are very cool. There was one in an old Japanese Anime awhile back, can't remember the name of it. That's a really cool car. Good trade.

[91ma70]

props on the car man always love some euro classics .

[browningboy7]

Saw the front and said' o0o0o sexy" saw the back and said "omg wtf". Cool little car none the less.

[HeLLo iM iZzY]

Send it to the boys at G.A.S !!!!

[dimsumboy]

i've never seen one of those. good luck on your interesting project.

[91ma70]

Saw the front and said' o0o0o sexy" saw the back and said "omg wtf". Cool little car none the less.

yeah these cars you either love or hate, and that rear just make it hard to love for some.

[bloodline]

wow thats somethin i never seen before...

[Justin51982]

Saw the front and said' o0o0o sexy" saw the back and said "omg wtf". Cool little car none the less.

Its almost like they crossed the backend of a hearse and an el camino to come up with that

[Justin51982]

wow thats somethin i never seen before...

I like to think I know more than my average amount about European cars, especially classic ones, but same here, until the guy approached me about it a few days ago, I didn't have a clue this car existed.

[Glides]

I like to think I know more than my average amount about European cars, especially classic ones, but same here, until the guy approached me about it a few days ago, I didn't have a clue this car existed.

Lol really? Europa's are out now. 2006 to present. Longer version of the Exige and the Elise. They actually named it...of course, after the one that you now own. It's basically a more comfortable version of those 2 cars. A/C, bigger trunk, longer wheelbase.

[bdydrpdmazda]

Saw the front and said' o0o0o sexy" saw the back and said "omg wtf". Cool little car none the less.
my thoughts exactly

[S2KJD]

looks like a coffin should be in the back lol! super rare = fun project...GL:goodjob:

[Justin51982]

Lol really? Europa's are out now. 2006 to present. Longer version of the Exige and the Elise. They actually named it...of course, after the one that you now own. It's basically a more comfortable version of those 2 cars. A/C, bigger trunk, longer wheelbase.


I knew the new Europas existed, just not ones like this.

Oh well, even so should be an interesting project. I've been trying to track down an original engine for days now.

[Catnip]

That's definitely a cool little car!

I can't wait to see the progress on this and the next project once you get it :)

[Justin51982]

That's definitely a cool little car!

I can't wait to see the progress on this and the next project once you get it :)

That next project you speak of is going to take priority over all the other ones. I'm excited about that one, I've been clearing out room in my garage to work on it.

[Justin51982]

I'm thinking maybe I should sell this one too.

I traded to get it for another car I had, and this thing I could get more for. I don't know, suggestions?

Plus I have another project I'm supposed to be picking up next weekend, that I would really rather devote the time and money towards.

[RollaAce]

I knew the new Europas existed, just not ones like this.

Oh well, even so should be an interesting project. I've been trying to track down an original engine for days now.

I know a guy who has 7 of these!! And he wont sell lol. Been awhile since i talked to him, maybe he will sell now.

[cpearson]

Nice find man. If you do keep it, keep us posted with pics of progress!

[Justin51982]

I got it stored at my mothers house in her garage, as I have too many cars already (please see my signature).

I did manage to find out a little more information about this particular Lotus.

OK, so they made 3 different sub models of the Lotus Europa S2.

The first set was made between April of 1968 and August of 1971, it was a Type 54, and they only made 1788 of them.

The second set was made between March of 1969 and December of 1969, it was a type 65xxxx and they only made 372 of them.

The third set was made between January of 1970 and December of 1971, there was 2134 made, and it was just a type 65.

From the registry, it turns out, mine falls into the second set, that only 372 were made, period. Furthermore, being that it's date of manufacture was 11/1969, that indicated it is one of the last ones of that series.

[91eflx]

reps to you sir for having a super rare project

[Justin51982]

reps to you sir for having a super rare project

Thank you. The hardest part will be finding parts for it.

[rbwdriven]

there is alot of info around on the europa.

My buddy had one. very fast little car.

kind of scary driving it around atlanta traffic especially when you are sitting next to an explorer and the lady has her turn signal on coming your way.

It was a very fun mountain car, we pissed off a lot of mini coopers in one day with it.

[91eflx]

Thank you. The hardest part will be finding parts for it.

yeah but that makes it even better

[Brian*]

There is one of those in my neighborhood in MINT condition... Its pretty sweet*

[Justin51982]

yeah but that makes it even better

Well I hope so

[FasTech]

I'd rock that bish!!




Deff a neat looking car. G/L on it.

[Justin51982]

I'd rock that bish!!




Deff a neat looking car. G/L on it.

Thanks man I apprecaite it

[RollaAce]

Thank you. The hardest part will be finding parts for it.
What parts do u need? Maybe i can persuade him to sell some.

[Justin51982]

What parts do u need? Maybe i can persuade him to sell some.

LOL, pretty much everything. We can start with the engine. It's a Renault R16.

Let him know it's one of the very last federal series imported

[Elbow]

Damn I hate you, I've been looking for one. I love these.

[Elbow]

Here is one I saw a month or so ago:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/3853443088_e21841a57c.jpg

[Justin51982]

Here is one I saw a month or so ago:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/3853443088_e21841a57c.jpg

That one is bad ass looking

[87 Turbo II]

care to take any pics with the back end open? I've always wanted to know what lotus designed the back end around structurally that made them have to do that. I know an engine goes back there, but is there like luggage storage and such there as well?

[Justin51982]

There is storage back there also. There is a removable bin type thing that sits at the very rear, and the engine sits behind the cabin.

[EJ8allday]

wow thts crazy gool luck with it.

[RollaAce]

LOL, pretty much everything. We can start with the engine. It's a Renault R16.

Let him know it's one of the very last federal series imported

Believe the renault engines are the ones nobody wants so could be some possibilities there. Havent contacted him but will try today. He has some other cars too like 85 Mr2 that needs trans, perfect body and interior. Also has a race prepped crx.

[Elbow]

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/1974-lotus-europa-special/14568/page1/

Check it out.

[Justin51982]

Not bad, nice to see something that rough could bring so much money still.

Mine is even rarer than that one. So good news. Thank's for sharing!

[mushroom_toy]

Not bad, nice to see something that rough could bring so much money still.

Mine is even rarer than that one. So good news. Thank's for sharing!

It doesnt look like that sold yet lol. I sure wouldnt pay that much for that car.

[Justin51982]

It doesnt look like that sold yet lol. I sure wouldnt pay that much for that car.

Me either, but they are rare. So it probably is worth that, but being worth something and finding a buyer are different.

[Me86Rob]

Got any plans for a powerplant?

[Justin51982]

Probably the stock Renault R16 engine. It produces enough power, plus the car only weighs about 1400lbs with engine.

However, this car is 2 behind. I'm working on my 69 Datsun now, with the goal having it completed by late Spring of 2010, maybe early summer. Then after that I'm going to finish up my 1990 RX7, then I will get to the Lotus

[Justin51982]

I'm considering selling it. Any offers?

[RWD164]

I'm considering selling it. Any offers?


How much? As a little advise, should you keep it, find a 1972-1975 Jensen Healey for a motor. These have a great 1600cc twin cam lotus that is better than the renault gordini 1.8L.

Mark

[Justin51982]

How much? As a little advise, should you keep it, find a 1972-1975 Jensen Healey for a motor. These have a great 1600cc twin cam lotus that is better than the renault gordini 1.8L.

Mark

I don't really know how much, make me an offer and I'll consider it. It technically isn't actively for sale, but EVERYTHING is for sale for the right price. So if I'm offered something I think is fair I would take it.

[RWD164]

Can you send me pics? [email protected]

Mark

[RWD164]

Good pics, but it is a bit rough for what I am looking for. I think there are going to be some serious fiberglass issues (frame and body) that will need addressed before painting.

[Justin51982]

Good pics, but it is a bit rough for what I am looking for. I think there are going to be some serious fiberglass issues (frame and body) that will need addressed before painting.

It is pretty rough, but the frame is metal, so no issues there, and the fiberglass is actually in surprisingly good shape through most of the car.

[RWD164]

I was referring to the Frame to Fiberglass joints, but if the chassis is straight and relatively rust free then you have a good start. You should put a big valve 2.0L in it if you can get one. what are your plans for the car if you restore it?

[Justin51982]

I was referring to the Frame to Fiberglass joints, but if the chassis is straight and relatively rust free then you have a good start. You should put a big valve 2.0L in it if you can get one. what are your plans for the car if you restore it?

I really don't know. I am thinking about taking it back to more or less stock. I keep going back and forth on ideas for a power plant though. Maybe I should go back to stock, or maybe I should update to something else I don't know.