Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Tom999w on Wednesday,January 19, 2022, 05:22:09 PM
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Hi everybody, Newbie here from New York U.S.A.. I'm a long time classic car enthusiast (American muscle cars, Italian exotics, German sports cars, etc.) and decided it was time to be the caretaker of a Europa. I already have a 1988 Esprit Anniversary Edition in my collection, but the Europa is a completely different animal. So after five years of searching for the right project, my "new" Europa was delivered a few days ago. I don't have much info on it yet because it's now under a foot of snow and parked between a yacht and a stone wall (so I can't open the doors at this time either). But what I did see of it was that it's been off the road for 42 years, is about 99% complete, and needs every square inch to be restored. It looks to be a 1971 S2 Federal, in L06 Burnt Sand color. So I hope to give and receive information to help out the Europa community to get this car road worthy by the British Invasion car show this September.
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:Welcome:
I am totally redoing a Twin Cam Special that has not been driven since the late 70s.
Post pictures when you can!
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:Welcome: Tom999w!!!
Congratulations on the receipt of your new baby!! When you get to it, we'd love to see some pictures and of course, if you have any questions., we'd love to hear them!
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Thanks! It's funny how some people say that all the barn finds have been found. There are still cars in barns that have been sitting for 50-60 years...
I just took some pictures today, I'll post them in another thread...
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Welcome to the forum. That sounds like a good project, looking forward to seeing it come back to life. Like the others, hope to see photos when you can.
Thanks! It's funny how some people say that all the barn finds have been found. There are still cars in barns that have been sitting for 50-60 years...
The thing about barn finds is, the supply is not finite. Interesting cars are still entering barns every day, only to be 'discovered' decades later. As long as there are 'hobby cars', decades later there will be barn finds. Kind of exciting when one thinks about it.
Cheers :beerchug:
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:Welcome:if it’s the British Invasion at Stowe I believe Lotus is a featured marque this year . I will be there.
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:Welcome: Where in upstate NY? My '70 S2 International spec slept for over 40 years before I got her. Please keep us up to date on your restoration journey. Great group of owners on this forum. Are you going to wait for spring or get her into a garage soon? As with most Europas there will be some restoration surprises along the road.
Sandyman
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:Welcome:
Congratulations!
Is it registered or build date of 71 ?
Dakazman
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Yes, the British Invasion in Vermont. I've never been to it but have noticed that for some reason, the British car owners are nicer than the average bear. I've been to thousands of car shows and have noticed that each genre of car brings a different type of person to each one, from super nice people to outright snobs stuck in the 1980's who think their crappy corvette is the best car in the show.
Regarding the car location, its in Sullivan County New York, in a utilitarian country town where the residents of the area have no concept of interesting cars. Also at 51 years old, I hate to say that I don't have a garage to work in, so will end up working in foot deep snow like I've been doing for years. A nice big, new garage is hopefully in the future.
Regarding the build date, I don't know, I'm learning as I go, but here are the data plates for your decoding pleasure.
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Vin tag...
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Data plate....
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Data plate....
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Data plate...
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Oops, I messed upon the color, it looks like the original color was L04, Cirrus White. There's also red, blue, black, and silver paint on the car. I'm thinking that in the 1970's, painting your car was all the craze. Nowadays I just can't see painting a car five different colors in 8 years, (between 1971 and 1979/80, when it went into storage)...
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More pictures...
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More pictures... Note the license plate that says 1976 on the left and has a 1980 reg sticker on the right...
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More pictures...
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One more...
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Just to wet your appetite and keep you working ,2021 Stowe show.
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Just to wet your appetite and keep you working ,2021 Stowe show.
Oh nice. The last British show I went to (British Conclave) in another state had about 150 cars there, with plenty of representation by Rolls Royce, Bentley, Tvr, Morris Garages, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Rover, Mini, Austin, Jensen, Lotus, Triumph, BSA, etc...
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Thanks for the pictures, Tom999w! After you get the snow off your baby, what are your plans for her? Keep her stock? Modifications?
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I'll be making it just totally stock. I know alot of people will grumble about that, but if I wanted a car with modernized suspension, a Zetec engine, a big stereo , and comfortable seats then I'd go buy a Ford Focus...
90% of the driving experience of an old car is in re-living the sights/sounds/feels of the era. New cars nowadays have eradicated that experience. I feel bad for the drivers of tomorrow, who will never have felt what it was like to REALLY drive a car...
Im sure some old codgers would say that racing a Model A Ford around a dirt oval track with no helmet, seat belts, roll bar, is a REAL driving experience, but I'm talking about 1960's-70's technology....
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There is very little stock about my car but I don’t see a thing wrong with restoring your car to stock condition. In fact, generally stock cars and cars with certain desirable mods tend to bring more money than even well thought out, executed, and documented cars everything else being equal. There’s no reason to be defensive at all!
I’m not alone in saying I look forward to watching your progress!
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Ya, that yellow Europa floating around the internet with the V8 engine in it has to be pretty interesting to see.. Whatever makes people happy, is ok. These cars are pretty common, so mods are pretty much inevitable.. I have a few cars in my collection that are one of very very few made, it would be a sacrilege to modify them, but these Europe's are pretty plentiful..
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Hi Tom ,
I like the info you posted. I am your older cousin 0453R built 6/70 paint code L06
Your close but your car was built 8/70 and it L04 cirrus white. Hope you like the snow color it’s original to the car😂 see link.
http://www.lotus-europa.com/colors.html
Dakazman
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Yours is burnt sand? There doesn't seem to be many burnt sand cars on the internet.
The cirrus white is a pretty nice color.
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Hi Tom,
I'm a bit late to the game but :Welcome: So, I've noticed that you are in Sullivan County. My brother lives in Wurtsboro, across from the Airport & Glider field. We both flew sailplanes there. I plan on taking a ride up that way with my Special sometime in the spring. Maybe we could meet up?
As been mentioned, some subtle, period correct mods would not detract from the experience. I, for one, wanted to maintain a very stock look with some performance tweaks. But by all means, if pure stock is your goal, go for it! Looking forward to your progress.
Gerry
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Hi Gerry, that would be good, I live in Livingston Manor, which is about 30 miles up Route 17 from Wurtsboro. I'd be scared to drive on I-87 and Route 17 from Long Island though because they're a very close equivalent to the Indy 500, except all the drivers are not wearing helmets and have their phones in their faces. Personally I've always taken the longer scenic route. It's safer and un-crowded...
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Here are a few more pictures. It's -7 degrees here now, so a rule of thumb is that work doesn't commence when you can't feel your fingers..
You can still see the original Cirrus White paint in some places...
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One more picture. I'm thinking the rear lid must have flown off onto the highway during transport from Michigan because it's pretty busted up...
Note the mesh rear grille with the exhaust cutout. I'm not sure if that's stock because you see alot of Europas with different rear configurations there.. Some with solid rear panels, some with no exhaust hole in the mesh, etc...
Also note the two rear license plate lights. I'd assumed this was a Federal car since the VIN ended with an "R", so I wonder why they'd put license plates lights for a euro plate...
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Series 2 badge...
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You have quite a project there! It should be fun.
I have learned to be hesitant when talking about S1s and S2s but I believe your rear screen is stock. I know that it is for at least some S2s and I’m pretty sure for all. The screen was deleted for the TC and TCS and the area was glassed in.
An ‘R’ on TC and TCS serial numbers denote federal (US) cars. I expect the same is true for S2s. The license plate lights were the same for all cars regardless of their destination.
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Welcome Newbie. I am also a Newbie from Upstate NY - closer to Syracuse. Have my first Europa, but it is finished. That is a big change for me, but I know that I will be able bring it to the Euro show in Cazenovia, NY this Father's Day.
Enjoy the warm weather down South!
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You have quite a project there! It should be fun.
I have learned to be hesitant when talking about S1s and S2s but I believe your rear screen is stock. I know that it is for at least some S2s and I’m pretty sure for all. The screen was deleted for the TC and TCS and the area was glassed in.
An ‘R’ on TC and TCS serial numbers denote federal (US) cars. I expect the same is true for S2s. The license plate lights were the same for all cars regardless of their destination.
Thanks for the info, I didn't know that. Also people probably modified their back panels over the years, so pretty much anything goes nowadays...
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Welcome Newbie. I am also a Newbie from Upstate NY - closer to Syracuse. Have my first Europa, but it is finished. That is a big change for me, but I know that I will be able bring it to the Euro show in Cazenovia, NY this Father's Day.
Enjoy the warm weather down South!
Hmm, I thought a Europa was never finished! Maybe the next caretaker of your Europa might want to beef up the engine or paint it a different color!
The car show on Fathers Day sounds like fun, is it only for British cars? If my Lotus isn't finished then a different car may attend..
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Tom , my data plate reads L06 , however I painted it black, the fender flares were put on by a PO crooked. I had to cut them off and start over. Since I couldn’t easily get back to original, I modified quite a bit aesthetically. Engine all most stock but with a different crankshaft. A Hermes intake and headers also added.
It must have been towed backwards, I’ve been told not to tow backwards unless you strap down the boot lid. Your fortunate that the windscreen wasn’t cracked.
The exhaust grille is original and the dual plate lights.
Dakazman
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Nice, it sounds like you had yourself a good project car too.
Thanks for the info about the rear grille/lights.
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The exhaust grille is original and the dual plate lights.
Interesting . . the Type 54 had just one plate light in the middle.
Maybe that wasn't sufficient for Fed sanctioned cars?
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The exhaust grille is original and the dual plate lights.
Interesting . . the Type 54 had just one plate light in the middle.
Maybe that wasn't sufficient for Fed sanctioned cars?
The type 54 is an S2 however none of the wiring prints show a single plate light , S1 prints, yes.
Dakazman
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Curious.
I still think it's likely related to the differences between the Euro cars and the Fed cars.
Here's a Euro TCS with the same single number plate light.
The Euro TCS's also carried over the same column stalks, single wiper & heater controls as the Euro S2.
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24132/lot/40/?category=list
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My '70 S2 is 8 months older than yours and an International spec car. As you can see it has a single rear plate/tag light. I have also replaced the rusted rear screen and moved the exhaust outlet.
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Hmm, the single and double lights look to be the same model. Maybe they used whatever was available in the parts bin...
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Do the single light cars have an unused connector on the wiring harness? They would have to if it was builder’s option at the factory.
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I think that the US spec car required the double lights. The wiring harness on my car only had the single leads.
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I have learned to be hesitant when talking about S1s and S2s ... The license plate lights were the same for all cars regardless of their destination.
I guess I haven't learned to be hesitant enough!! :P
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I have learned to be hesitant when talking about S1s and S2s ... The license plate lights were the same for all cars regardless of their destination.
I guess I haven't learned to be hesitant enough!! :P
Keep talking, any info is good info :BBQ:
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Funny, it doesn't appear that the two rear license plate lights even shine on the U.S. plate at night... In New York it's the law that you have two lights shining on your rear plate. In a different car I got pulled over and ticketed in New York for having one of those little bulbs not working...
Since we're talking about this, I've also noticed that there's no mount for a front license plate. That's a sure way to get ticketed in New York. And while the cops have you stopped on the side of the road, they also check lots of other things they may be able to ticket you for (seatbelt operation, all lights working, horn, exhaust noise, window tint, open beer, etc...).. I'm not too fond of giving the police a reason to pull me over, so will have to fabricate a mount for a plate somewhere on the front of the car.
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Interesting comments , one other place to look is the parts manual to see how many required.
This conversation is just as good as the S1 or S2 badge 1 or 2 ?
Dakazman
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My plate was originally bolted to the right side of the front grill. This is my modification. I have since added a lower support.
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I have learned to be hesitant when talking about S1s and S2s ... The license plate lights were the same for all cars regardless of their destination.
I guess I haven't learned to be hesitant enough!! :P
Keep talking, any info is good info :BBQ:
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Tom999w but if you look at the number of posts I've made, I don't seem to be able to shutup! :)
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Interesting comments , one other place to look is the parts manual to see how many required.
This conversation is just as good as the S1 or S2 badge 1 or 2 ?
Dakazman
It's an S2, Type 65.
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I'll be making it just totally stock. I know a lot of people will grumble about that, but if I wanted a car with modernized suspension, a Zetec engine, a big stereo , and comfortable seats then I'd go buy a Ford Focus
I feel fortunate to have gotten an S2 with nearly all of the in-period upgrades/modification I would have wanted, already done by a previous owner.
"Gordini" engine, Webers, Headers, and only a minor body mod to create an air dam up front.
Also has some minor hill-climb history but nothing to make it too famous-valuable to drive when finished.
I have been gathering some original bits the previous owners deleted, such as front marker lamps and both bumpers.
So mine will still be slightly modified but very much period correct.
I would not call Europa's common, but they are production cars.
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Nice, I hear the Gordini engines/mods are pretty rare; kind of like the "Else" mod parts..
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Log 41 West Virginia September 2022?
Keep up the good work 👏
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I am also in Upstate NY. The Hudson valley region. Where are you?
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Funny, it doesn't appear that the two rear license plate lights even shine on the U.S. plate at night... In New York it's the law that you have two lights shining on your rear plate. In a different car I got pulled over and ticketed in New York for having one of those little bulbs not working...
Since we're talking about this, I've also noticed that there's no mount for a front license plate. That's a sure way to get ticketed in New York. And while the cops have you stopped on the side of the road, they also check lots of other things they may be able to ticket you for (seatbelt operation, all lights working, horn, exhaust noise, window tint, open beer, etc...).. I'm not too fond of giving the police a reason to pull me over, so will have to fabricate a mount for a plate somewhere on the front of the car.
my S2 had 4 holes drilled under the front bumper to the driver side of the grille opening. Top of the plate hard up against the bottom of the front bumper, bottom bolts in the body caught the bottom plate holes. In PA, where the car was registered, we didn't need a front plate, so just put a brit flag on instead. Looked ok. But, in NY, if you need a plate that's where I'd put it. Check; the holes may already be there.
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" I am also in Upstate NY. The Hudson valley region. Where are you? "
I'm in Sullivan County, Livingston Manor New York. Europe's are far and few between (non-existent) up here...
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Funny, it doesn't appear that the two rear license plate lights even shine on the U.S. plate at night... In New York it's the law that you have two lights shining on your rear plate. In a different car I got pulled over and ticketed in New York for having one of those little bulbs not working...
Since we're talking about this, I've also noticed that there's no mount for a front license plate. That's a sure way to get ticketed in New York. And while the cops have you stopped on the side of the road, they also check lots of other things they may be able to ticket you for (seatbelt operation, all lights working, horn, exhaust noise, window tint, open beer, etc...).. I'm not too fond of giving the police a reason to pull me over, so will have to fabricate a mount for a plate somewhere on the front of the car.
my S2 had 4 holes drilled under the front bumper to the driver side of the grille opening. Top of the plate hard up against the bottom of the front bumper, bottom bolts in the body caught the bottom plate holes. In PA, where the car was registered, we didn't need a front plate, so just put a brit flag on instead. Looked ok. But, in NY, if you need a plate that's where I'd put it. Check; the holes may already be there.
Hmm, that makes sense. I'll check tomorrow. Thanks for the info..
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Hmm, that makes sense. I'll check tomorrow. Thanks for the info..
Like this.