Lotus Europa Community

Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: TurboFource on Sunday,May 08, 2022, 11:59:41 AM

Title: 18 months and counting….
Post by: TurboFource on Sunday,May 08, 2022, 11:59:41 AM

I am currently a little over 18 months into the restoration of TCST. I am behind my mental timeline as far as progress by several months, all this cleaning, painting, rebuilding is taking a little longer that I thought. I do think I am on track on my budgetary goal to have a Europa with the following:

Chassis - rust repaired, 2 coats of Ospho, 2 coats of primer, 2 coats of paint
Suspension & Steering - everything gone through including the Koni shocks
Brakes - all components new except the drums and backing plates
Engine - rebuilt 5400 miles ago and refreshed with new rings , valves, gaskets seals etc and updated turbo system
Transaxle - new seals etc (still needs done)
Wheels & tires - new Rota RBs (tires still need)

I should have a Europa that is running and driving with over 150 WHP (with everything out of sight restored  ::))for around 10K (total including purchase of car) of course it will have patina and a ratty interior.  Does this seem to be a good price point  :confused:

I could have probably purchased a running car for this amount but it would still need a full restoration and wouldn’t have the interesting turbo history mine does.

Thoughts?

Title: Re: 18 months and counting….
Post by: BDA on Sunday,May 08, 2022, 12:33:44 PM

I’m actually impressed with your progress so far!

$10,000 for a mechanically refreshed, especially with the turbo motor you want and the attention you paid to the frame, seems like a pretty good price to me. You can refresh the interior later. I’m not sure what sort of costs you’ll have with your tranny but I wouldn’t expect that to be excessive.

Title: Re: 18 months and counting….
Post by: Grumblebuns on Sunday,May 08, 2022, 01:35:28 PM

When that includes the cost of the car, I'd say you're doing pretty damn good, good enough to at least get it started and short runs around the block to work out the kinks.

Title: Re: 18 months and counting….
Post by: 69merc on Monday,May 09, 2022, 07:35:58 AM

I’m also impressed with your progress.  It takes dedication to keep going and not stall out.  I’m a bit lower on mine ( about 6K ), but I think I lucked out so far on mine.  I’ve put a lot of labor into it though.

Title: Re: 18 months and counting….
Post by: TurboFource on Monday,May 09, 2022, 08:29:02 AM

I have many labor hours at this point .....