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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Fourporche on Monday,March 06, 2017, 06:43:11 PM

Title: Tawny brown
Post by: Fourporche on Monday,March 06, 2017, 06:43:11 PM
 :newhere:
I just bought a TC special in " tawny brown"
How rare is this color?!!
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: BDA on Monday,March 06, 2017, 08:10:11 PM
 :Welcome:  Fourporche!!


Congratulations on your purchase!!! Why don't you tell us more about her and what plans you have for her! Hopefully, you can post some pictures soon!


I don't know how rare tawny brown is but Andy Graham (AGraham@lotuscars.com) might. He's the Lotus archivist. I don't think it was one of the more popular colors though.
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: 4129R on Monday,March 06, 2017, 10:36:27 PM
Of the TCS original colours on the Registry, Black 161, Lagoon Blue 80, Regency Red 76, Tawny Brown 49, Yellow 46, White 41.

So it was quite a common original colour.

Alex in Norfolk
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: Fourporche on Tuesday,March 07, 2017, 04:47:11 AM
 :lotus:
Hi everyone
I bought a 72 4 speed TC in red / biege
Just getting that restored to original shape bought that 6 years back
New story
A customer at workcame in and said his friend has 2 Europa tc one white JPS( don't think they made white for that)5 speed
One tawny brown 4 speed
Both are original cars wheels carpets seats and tool kits
Both parked since 1990 outside but covered
He wouldn't sperate  the pair
But they were incredibly original complete and best of very very very reasonable
So I have 3 TC
And 2 Elise

Please advise Lotus addiction
I love it!
Denny
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: Certified Lotus on Tuesday,March 07, 2017, 04:52:56 AM
Welcome Denny! Great to hear about another Lotus addict. Have you gone to any LOG's?
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: BDA on Tuesday,March 07, 2017, 05:05:40 AM
There seems to be a lot of that going around!   ;)
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: Bainford on Tuesday,March 07, 2017, 09:23:44 AM
Welcome to the forum Mr. Fourporche. It seems you have been seriously afflicted with the Lotus bug. There is no known cure, but brisk morning drives on deserted country roads is quite effective in relieving the pain. Post up a couple pics of the fleet when you can. I love the Tawny colour on the TCS, but perhaps I'm biased
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: kiwiokie on Tuesday,March 07, 2017, 05:29:48 PM
That color looks great on a Europa.  Almost displaces my favorite - lagoon blue.
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: Grumblebuns on Wednesday,March 08, 2017, 01:29:09 PM
Anyone know if tawny brown is also known as butterscotch or is that a different color?
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: EuropatcSPECIAL on Friday,March 10, 2017, 05:05:13 PM
Welcome Denny, mine left the factory in that colour, what ever colour you will be hard pushed to see another Europa in any colour. Happy motoring, Stuart    :Welcome:
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: Fourporche on Friday,March 10, 2017, 05:19:18 PM
 :BBQ:
I bought the tawny TC  special 4 speed
And the white TC special 5 speed
The guy I bought them from left them for 20 years
He locked the pass door on one
Anyway can't get the doors open on any of the cars
Any ideas!!!
Denny
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: BDA on Friday,March 10, 2017, 06:49:11 PM
You could try a locksmith who can pick a lock (do they really do that?) but when I locked myself out, I cut the quarter window out. It was a long time ago, but I don't remember that it was very expensive to have it put in again.
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: jbcollier on Friday,March 10, 2017, 09:21:45 PM
Just need a clarification.  You have two cars and all four doors are shut and won't open?
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: EuropaTC on Friday,March 10, 2017, 10:57:33 PM
Well, when my car was broken into many years ago all the thief did was to knock a screwdriver into the lock and twist. The whole mechanism turned, wrecking the lock and damaging the paintwork but opening the door.  If these are restoration jobs then that's what I'd do if the usual "slim jim" steel down the side of the window won't move anything.

Brian

(4 seized doorlocks is incredibly unlucky. If they're all gone then I'll bet the hinge pins aren't going to be easy....)
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: Fourporche on Friday,March 10, 2017, 11:21:04 PM
 :headbanger:
Hello!!
The guy that sold me the cars (2) said he locked the  passanger doors and left drivers unlocked
Pushing the door handles the doors won't open
It's very cold here and the cars are out doors
The day I tried to get them open as in the 40 degree temp range
All 4 doors do not open
The cars have been sitting for years :lotus:
Denny
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: 4129R on Saturday,March 11, 2017, 12:33:10 AM
The locks basically move a rod, that opens the door.

If you slide a 1 or 2 mm flat rod with a hook down the outside of the window glass, you can move the rods and open the doors.

e other way of doing it is to take the front or rear screen out and move the inside black plastic locks with a broom handle.

Failing that, you need to drill both sides of the lock in the door through all the little tumblers with a 1/8" or 3mm drill, and then you can rotate the lock normally with a screw driver.

Or you could get the key code from Andy at Lotus records,  if all the problem is no keys.
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: jbcollier on Saturday,March 11, 2017, 05:42:51 AM
First, wait until it warms up and then re-evalutae the situation.  I would assume at least some of the doors should work in the warmer weather.  The others are right.  Europa doors are not particularly secure and you should be able to unlock them easily with a "slim jim".  Examine the parts manual carefully to get an idea of how the locks work and where to direct your attention.
Title: Re: Tawny brown
Post by: Fourporche on Wednesday,March 15, 2017, 08:47:54 AM
 :BBQ:
I should also mention, the cars have 4 flat tires , and are sitting on grass/ and some gravel for years
how on earth to get them on a flat bed to the mechanic.
I had my TC flat beded they bent the steering rack pulling on it up the ramp