Bill,
I've owned three Europas; a 1968 S2 that I wrote off years ago, a 1967
S1 that I partially rebuilt, and a 1973 Special that was almost a daily
driver. I sold the Special last year and the the S1 two years ago.
Currently I drive an Elise daily, but still miss the Europas. My garage
is not big enough :-(.
66-67 = S1, type 46
68-71 = S2, type 54 / 65
72-75 = TC, TCS (Special), type 74
Watch out for damage and rust. A lot of Europas have hidden or poorly
repaired damage. S2 Type 54/65 (the second generation still with the
Renault engine) are the simplest and less expensive to repair / rebuild.
The S1 had the body "bonded" to the frame, so one must cut open the body
to replace the frame. The frame on my had been damaged to a curb, front
passenger T section cracked. And the frame was rusted through along the
bottom of the backbone. Also realize that YOU are the crash structure if
hit on the driver's side. If you are not comfortable with this concept,
do not drive a Europa. Remove all carpet at the footwells and examine
for damage. Poke frame with a screwdrive. Inspect front A-arms for
damage, elongated holes, strange bolts, trunnion damage. Inspect front
fenders, A-posts at windshield to see if the front clip was replaced or
repaired. All Lotus have thin fibreglass, stress fractures are common
even with un-damaged cars. Check wheelbase on both sides. The right rear
radius arm on my S1 was pushed back 1/2", bolt bent by something,
possibly the same curb that hit the front. Right rear shock was also
bent. Bearings wear out quickly in the rear uprights. look underneath
the car for cracked fibreglass, check along sill areas for cracks, splits.
If the Renault engine is shot or seized, it can easily be swapped out
for Ford Zetec using a TC bellhousing, or you can drop in any Toyota
4AGE type with an adapter kit. Reliable 130-180 bhp. Less money than
rebuilding the Renault.
These cars are still "cheap" and have not appreciated in value as other
makes from the same period have. So, don't spend bags of money
rebuilding them. Be wise and keep it real.
Look up,
http://www.lotus-europa.com/
Jerry's great, lot of resources available at his site.
And also join
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lotuseuropa/
Excellent bunch of guys, guaranteed to have a answer for whatever
question you can think of.
Good luck.
Ian Green.
Bill Gilroy wrote:
> For years I have owned MG Midgets and I am thinking about purchasing a
> 1969 Lotus Europa. I was wondering what are the things that I should
> be aware of when I look at the car? I know the 69's are not bonded to
> the chassis. Any places where the wishbone rusts badly? Any other
> things I should be aware of? Engines or transmissions? Bad first
> gears?
>
> Does the body crack in any particular areas?
>
> Thanks,
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