Chapman, '72 and the Europa

[nello]

Hi Europa owners - never posted in this section before as an Esprit owner - but stumbled on this photo which I though may be on interest (unless its been seen before!)

Colin Chapman (l) founder of the sports car company Lotus Cars, pictured with Roy Spicer and the new Lotus sports car, 6th September 1972. In background, Colin Chapman's private plane.

 

[USAndretti42]

Not seen that before, either. Reminds me of the one with the Esprit and plane.

[Winter]

One of the JPS-livery Lotus Europa Specials.  Oatmeal interior, 5-speed gearbox and electric radio aerial.  Fabulous car then, and now.

 

Attached is an image of Colin Gain "working" on my car.  The photograph was taken in 1986 or thereabouts as a publicity shot for Norvic Racing Engines.  In the 1960s, Colin worked at Lotus and was central to the adaptation of the Renault 16 type 365 gearbox for use in the Europa.  Similarly, he was centrally involved in the introduction of the type 352 and 365 5-speed box for use in the twin cam and Special respectively.  All had to be converted so as to have several forward rather than reverse speeds; in the Renault 16, the gearbox pointed forwards.  The 352 and 365 boxes required different gear-change systems and he was involved in the design of those as well.

[Jim Estall]

 

On 04/09/2018 at 07:59, USAndretti42 said:

Not seen that before, either. Reminds me of the one with the Esprit and plane.

The car with Chapman is HNG 669L which featured in a few road test reports and Ronnie Peterson took it around Brands Hatch. Motor where they recorded a 0.60 in 6.6 secs.  The car finished up with Gold Seal Sports Cars, New Cross London before it was sold on.  

[Stuart Monument]

When I went to the duxford show about 4 years ago I got talking to a bloke about the Peterson car. A normal chap who said it has been in his garage for year and he keeps meaning to restore it. Why didn’t it take his number 

[Neil D.]

Tamiya scale model

[jonwat]

2 hours ago, Neil D. said:

Tamiya scale model

I've got one of them,even the steering works. 

[USAndretti42]

I guy I used to work with has a nephew who has a Europa parked in a shed doing what cars do when they are parked up and left for a long time.  Despite knowing that the car is deteriorating, the nephew won't sell it to a good home.  The work numpty springs to mind.

In other news, I recently read that Gordon Murray how has a Europa and is enjoying it.

[NickS]

I have one too and the steering works on mine as wel!! 😉

[NickS]

👍🏻

Edited March 30, 2020 by NickS
Duplicate post

[Jim Estall]

On 06/03/2019 at 20:45, Jim Estall said:

 

The car with Chapman is HNG 669L which featured in a few road test reports and Ronnie Peterson took it around Brands Hatch. Motor where they recorded a 0.60 in 6.6 secs.  The car finished up with Gold Seal Sports Cars, New Cross London before it was sold on.  

Correction to my quote above for the record.  Peterson took HNG 669L around Silverstone (not Brand Hatch).  The occasion was a JPS promotion day for the Press.  The JPS prototype +2 was also at the event.  HNG didn't go to Gold Seal Sportscars to be sold on.