Description
This 1972 Lotus Europa is a Canadian LHD import. The current owner brought this car as a fully stripped-down project from Canada, most parts had been removed, and the body had been separated. It was complete but not assembled.
The Lotus has undergone a body off restoration, carried out by the current owner who completed 90% of the works himself. He then commissioned Fourways to complete the build to his requirements.
The owner fully inspected the main frame of the car, which was in good condition, so no metalwork was required. The frame has been finished in a stunning satin black as well as all joining arms and suspension components. All bolts within the main frame have been cleaned up and are in respectable condition, to keep the originality. Bolts have been replaced where needed.
The standout part of this specific Europa is the “Big valve” lotus twin cam engine packing 126bhp. The engine was rebuilt back in 2010 in Canada. The engine was stripped down and checked. The crank was measured with no measurable wear. New crank bearings were installed. New pistons and rings were fitted, Valve seats were ground, and new valves were fitted and shimmed. The engine was reassembled with all new gaskets and due to the difficulty of fitting a water pump when the engine is in the car this was also changed for a new one. A new clutch and pressure plate was also installed.
All new brake lines have been fitted around the frame along with new and improved braided flexi lines. A replacement brake servo has also been fitted. The front callipers have been fully refurbished along with the rear drum set up also being refurbed. All with new pads/ shoes.
In Canada the body was stripped of the original paint and was put in primer. When the current owner got it in the uk he had it painted In a stunning red with a lower white stripe creating that period two tone finish. This paint job plays homage to the successful Gold Leaf Lotus race team from the era.
The fuel tanks have been removed, cleaned out and professionally repaired. These were then painted and finished. Wiring was redone across the car to make sure it is all in working order, again this was carried out by a professional car electrician.
This car comes with a folder full of receipts from the build. Aswell as photos along the way while the car was being rebuilt by the owner.
By the mid-1960s, the mid-engine vehicle configuration was well-established as the optimal design for Grand Prix cars, however almost no road vehicles yet used this arrangement. Lotus planned the Europa to be a volume-produced, two-seater mid-engine sports coupe built to reasonable cost, quite an ambitious goal for the time. Like all Lotus vehicles of the era, the Europa was designed and built following Colin Chapman's oft-stated philosophy of automotive design: "Simplify, then add lightness". To this end, a number of ingenious design approaches were made by Lotus to allow it to economically overcome the many challenges presented by the novel mid-engine arrangement.
If you would like to view the car or have any queries or questions, feel free to give us a call or drop us an email.
the details below
Iusing the button belowA mid-engine two seater paired with 70s sports car styling. This Lotus Europa has undergone a recent rebuild. It packs the renowned Lotus twin cam.
