lottylotus Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 been looking for a project for a couple of weeks,i came across a series 2 lotus europa, bit rough but runs,they really are a bit quirky looking,but unusual as well in my opinion,should i be blacklisted?for turning my back on the esprit which i love so much ( JUST HAD SEVERAL MUGS OF MERLOT) any body know about europas ,europus,europases oh hell back to the winnnnnnnnnnne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydclements Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 I you look at my list of cars you'll tell I can't say anything bad about you buying an Europa. Mine had to be the Twin cam or Special, to get just a fraction more space in the cabin area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lottylotus Posted October 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 hi Andy was the special a later model Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydclements Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 Yep. Main model points. S1 = Renault engine, chassis / subframe gelled in as part of the body. Big rear buttresses. S2 = Renault engine, chassis/ subframe can be removed (helps insurance rating due to cost of repairs). Same big butresses. TwinCam = Original Lotus Twin Cam engine (ford block same as Cortina, Elan etc), bit longer, reduced butresses. Special (sometimes referred to as JPS special, but only if in correct colours) = Same engine but with BIG VALVES, giving extra power (allegedly, although some say it was a marketing ploy as same power already achieved with other mods). Mine's not black & gold, so not JPS, it's going to be yellow with dark green interior, when i get round to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneshot Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 Europa the car that started my love of Lotus! If I'd got the cash (and space) I would have a classic Europa Quote Dave - 2000 Sport 350 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvan Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 Further detail to Andy's list of Europa models. The early Twin Cams had the Renault 352 four speed transaxle. The Specials had a Renault 356 five-speed box. There also are a cars labelled as Twin Cams that have the five speed. The five speed transaxle is supposedly stronger and better able to handle torque loads. At least that was the rationale that Lotus used for not putting the 126 bhp, Weber carb version of the Big Valve in the early Twin Cams. Mine, for example, has the four speed and Stromberg carbs. It is mildly tweaked with no gearbox issues. Still, the five speed version in the Special is the preferred transaxle. Quote Mike '97 V8 '73 Europa TC '10 Elise SC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydclements Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 Mine's one of the four speed 352 in a Special, but it will gain a fifth gear when it gets the NG9 box instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonf Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 Mine's one of the four speed 352 in a Special, but it will gain a fifth gear when it gets the NG9 box instead. Special edition? Wasn't that the one with rover metro gti wheels fitted as standard?? I have said to andy on many occassions, that i can't help but have a look at his europa every time i am at his - they definately have a presence! If i were to get one, i think i would paint it sprint green straight away because they look awesome in that colour!! Quote REHABS FOR QUITTERS!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giorgio67 Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 (edited) My first Lotus love... for me one of the best car ever made. Go to: http://www.banks-europa.co.uk/index.php best place to get original and improved spares for all Europa models, and: http://www.lotus-europa.com/ best Europa informations site. Ciao Giorgio Edited October 24, 2008 by ghe67 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelanman Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 (edited) I had an S2.....basically coz I prefered the styling rather than the chopped sides of the twink version and I was never gonna buy and S1 with its bonded chassis... cheers G ps good choice Edited October 24, 2008 by theelanman Quote The Faster You Drive...The Slower You Age (Albert Einstein 14 March 1879 - 18 April 1955) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPx Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 Europa the car that started my love of Lotus! If I'd got the cash (and space) I would have a classic Europa Wot he said! A neighbour had a new JPS with oatmeal interior when I was at my most impressionable (early '70s). Been a Lotus fan ever since. Quote Loving Lionel and Eleanor......missing Charlie and Sonny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73JPS Posted October 25, 2008 Report Share Posted October 25, 2008 (edited) Yep, the Europa was my first Lotus love too! Why??? They are sort of ugly... but: there is truth in the old teaching adage that "things first learned are longest remembered." Since the Europa was the first Lotus I ever saw (I think I was 5), to me, an Europa IS Lotus. Although I never finished the restoration on my 73JPS, I figure when I finish paying for my V8 I'll get a complimentary Europa! Those of you who recognize that one never finishes paying for an Esprit will realize the futility of my statement Edited October 25, 2008 by 73JPS Quote "At home, I have a King Sized bed. Now, I don't know any Kings, but I would imagine if one were to come over, he would be comfortable." -Mitch Hedberg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
th4neuk Posted October 25, 2008 Report Share Posted October 25, 2008 (edited) If you do a search for NYLOC and post in the non members bit we have a couple of guys locally who are real specialists on Europas. Might be able to give you advice and parts sources etc. Cheers Edited October 25, 2008 by th4neuk Quote Alan Croft 2000 V8 GT 87 Turbo Esprit HC 2000 Elise Sport 160 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelanman Posted October 25, 2008 Report Share Posted October 25, 2008 for all your europa help see richard winter at banks europa in blackpool..... Quote The Faster You Drive...The Slower You Age (Albert Einstein 14 March 1879 - 18 April 1955) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted October 26, 2008 Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 I want one! They're ace Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Blanchard Posted October 26, 2008 Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 (edited) How about converting a Europa to 47 spec? Or maybe a copy of the infamous GKN 47D? Mean as hell . Edited October 26, 2008 by Mark Blanchard Quote Mark www.lotusespritturbo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazza 907 Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 I had two Renault engined S2's - fanatastic cars but wrote off first one in first major downpour of the year when steering wheel turned but the car went straight on. In the dry its the best cornering thing ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8Esprit73 Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 (edited) They're brilliant! (although i am somewhat biased!) Basically a small Esprit - much easier to work on though! Light and agile (its a Lotus so how else would it handle?!!) Parts are pretty cheap and there are a number of sources for upgrades that improve the reliability of the originals (twin link rear suspension kit from Banks is the single best improvement you can make to an original Europa). Alternatively you can go down the modify route - can't really convert a Europa into a 47 - chassis and body are both rather different although if your pockets are deep enough you could still buy all of the parts required to build a full 47... Alternative is to go to Banks near Southport for one of their chassis' - stick with the longitudinally mounted engine/gearbox and you'll end up with a very reliable, extremely capable road/track car - just don't get too carried away with the spec....! I've got an S2 that my parents bought new in 1971 - Rebuilt it as a Banks racer with a 1.6 Vauxhall 8 valve and 5 speed Renault. - All the original bits are carefully stored just incase i ever want to return it to factory (not likely as its just too much fun!) Edited October 27, 2008 by V8Esprit73 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
talon Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 lovely cars. I'll have one someday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Blanchard Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 can't really convert a Europa into a 47 This was once a stock Europa, now a replica 47 / 62. Did cost a lot of money to modify though. Quote Mark www.lotusespritturbo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8Esprit73 Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 All i meant was that there aren't very many common parts between a Europa and a 47 - even less with a 62! Although they look very similar even the bodyshells are different... You can get 47 replica shells (moulded from an original 47) from Banks as well as 62 style shells like the one that has been used on that silver car. - The original 62's are far better looking though and where basically a test bed for the Lotus LV220/240 engine - so has a small place in the story behind the engine that most people have in their Esprits..... I worked at Banks for a few years and have seen every variation of the Europa including 47's and one of the two original 62's built, for a group of cars that do look remarkably similar the number of differences between the different models/type numbers are unbelievable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Blanchard Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 (edited) Hi Jon, that's interesting. By the way the silver replica has a Ford 302 5.8 litre V8, producing 500bhp and Porsche 911 Turbo gearbox with Jag drive train! Edited October 27, 2008 by Mark Blanchard Quote Mark www.lotusespritturbo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8Esprit73 Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Mark, I'm fairly sure the running gear was in a GT40 replica many years ago - something happened to it i think and he rebuilt it into the Silver Europa based car that you see in the pics... Pretty nice all the same tho, has a certain "presence" about it! What the real 62 looks like..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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