Highlights
- Subject to extensive and photo-documented body-off restoration
- Comes from long-term (twenty-year) ownership
- Accompanied by a substantial history file
The Appeal
Undoubtedly one of the most underrated cars in Hethel’s back catalogue, the Europa was inspired by Lotus’ championship-winning mid-engined Formula 1 cars. Colin Chapman had long sought to reduce his reliance on Ford components, so he sought a new engine supplier to power the Europa, turning to Renault and the Cléon-Alu motor featured in the Alpine A110. Just 9,230 Europas were made, using Chapman’s trademark fibreglass body fully bonded to a boxed steel backbone chassis.
This 1970 Europa S2 comes equipped with Renault’s 1.5-litre A1K engine. It’s a right-hand drive UK car coming from long-term previous ownership. Having been subject to an older restoration, which is holding up nicely, this Lotus continues to present exceedingly well. It comes with a large history file, complete with a detailed photographic record of the restoration work.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 1st January 1970
- UK market car in RHD
- VIN: 47R552542518
- 84,048 miles indicated
- HPI clear according to the vendor
- Exempt from road tax and MOT
- V5C present and in the owner’s name
- Collection of old MOT certificates
- Numerous invoices from B.S.S. Parts and various Lotus specialists
The Condition
- No obvious cracks or crazing to the fibreglass
- Smart, glossy paint finish
- We’re not advised of any corrosion to the steel backbone chassis
- Minilite-style alloy wheels in smart order
- Single door mirror
- Both doors appear to fit well, as does the engine hatch and luggage compartment lid
- Highly original and well-preserved interior with minimal signs of wear
- Smart vinyl seats
- Period radio cassette player fitted
The Mechanics
- 1.5-litre A1K inline-four
- Four-speed manual gearbox
- Reportedly runs and drives very well indeed
- No MOT advisories when last tested in July 2020
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