Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: BDA on Wednesday,June 19, 2024, 10:30:03 AM
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Every once in a while, I like to list the active restorations going on on this forum. It seems there is at least a half dozen going on at any one time which seems like a pretty good number given the small production numbers and the number that by now must be beyond help. Here is my list. If I've missed anyone, please let me know! I don't want to slight anyone!! I think most of these are body-off restorations but in any case, please post where you are with your restoration and where you started.
Kendo - I think he's assembling a frame
Chequava - early days. About to get the body off
kram350kram - V8 monster Europa
314159td - rebuilding an S1
Elanman39 - more than half finished with an S2 restoration I'm guessing
TurboForce - mini monster turbo TC
Serge - busiy with family and new house if I remember but he claims he will be starting again when he gets his shop in order
Richard48Y - last I remember, he was up to his elbows in Renault engine build and buying machine tools
Chuck Nukem - seems to be busy forming him into the next Richard Winter with custom parts. I haven't heard much about his Europas lately
cannonsami - last I heard he was almost finishing up on his TC project and selling extra parts
I ought to mention that dakazman has taken his first drive so he's fallen off the list. I believe that 4129R has finished the last of his (it was six wasn't it?). I think someone else recently finished his car but I can't find it now.
If I've missed somebody who is starting or in the middle of a restoration or if you've recently finished yours, please let us know!!
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I had my car’s frame replaced about 22 years ago by a Lotus mechanic. So my project is mostly stripping parts to repaint, doing body repairs and undoing sketchy mods, then a new interior and windshield. The car is currently at a paint shop.
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Hi,
Good idea for making a list!
Please add me, restoration thread is "Restoration of 3940R" and yes it will be a body off. The sooner the better. Just have to sell a Boxster and make some space.
All the best
Berni
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I believe that 4129R has finished the last of his (it was six wasn't it?). I think someone else recently finished his car but I can't find it now.
I have 7. 3 black TCS, 2 blue TCS, a red TC and a yellow TCS.
One blue, the red and the yellow are being road tested, 2 black and the other blue are in the queue for road testing, and the 3rd black needs a Weber head and twin 40DCOEs.
The problem I find with road testing rebuilt cars is that everything that has not been renewed is 50+ years old, so likely to fail.
Plus if they are not used, things stop working due to water.
At present 3089R is nearing full completion during road testing, the list is getting shorter, but today's problem is black plugs on 2,3 & 4, and a misfire over about 4500 rpm.
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There's always something, eh 4129R!
Thanks for the updates Kendo and berni29!
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There's always something, eh 4129R!
Thanks for the updates Kendo and berni29!
Do rolling renovations count? LOL. Restoration not in the cards for 3291R...too many folks who have seen her comment that 'it's only original once', and since most of the work that needs be done is under the skin...leaving the body as Hethel pushed it out the door and refreshing, as I can (now that I'm officially retired!) what needs be done mechanically.
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I'll leave that up to the individual. I don't want to muddy this up with a bunch of rules.
Mine's been on the road (on and off) for almost 25 years and I've recently considered that she's "finished" in that I my ratio of driving to wrenching is expected to be very large but that's not the first time I've thought that! After I started driving her to go somewhere, I considered her restoration complete but there were lots of rides to test or experiment with something after that. That sounds contradictory, I know. I suppose we all have our own definition "done" but I think we all also really know that they are never truly "done." :)
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I'm in the middle of a body off restoration. It had a slow start, went off on too many tangents and then stalled. It's sobering to see that my first post was 6 years ago. I am getting a bit more organized and fully expect to make some actual progress "real soon now". Just don't hold your breath.
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Hi -I usually just lurk here as I always have more questions than answers. 3348R is my second Europa, a 1973 TCS 4-speed. First Europa was a 1969 S2 54-1818 which I sold to buy a house. I've had 3348 for longer than I care to admit and only drove it two times before I decided to "restore" it. It ran OK but the brakes were really bad and it overheated quickly. It was represented as a California-only car with a "recently" rebuilt Twin-Cam (no receipts) and a poor black paint job over the original Lagoon Blue. Interior is black with minimal wear on seats/carpet. Dash is OK and it seems to have everything in place (including the ash tray). Lots of time and effort at getting it registered (a long story) but now has a new CA license plate and registration.
About 10years ago I met Joji Tokumoto, through Whit Davis, as he lives about 90 minutes from me. Joji has been a goldmine of information and has helped and encouraged me. Current status of project is as follows: Engine/Trans removed for evaluation/repair by Frank Monise Jr (Lotus 23 guru), Front suspension arms cleaned/painted, new front Spax shocks, new front springs, fabricated adjustable front sway bar mounts, new radiator, new coolant transfer piping, new coolant hoses, general clean-up of front compartment, new shifter bearing assy, new shifter bushings, new rear Spax shocks, new rear springs, removed boosters and PDWV, currently fabricating new brake lines, have rebuilt S2 Master Cylinder, new rear brake cylinders, speedbleeders all four corners, new front brake pads, new rear brake shoes, 5 new Kumho Solus tires (175/70, 185/70), stripped refinished 5 original Lotus alloys, acquired (4) 5 1/2 x 13 Revolution alloys, removed/refinished fuel tanks and had interior coated.
Short term plans: Work with engine builder on what needs to be replaced/repaired (budget $6000). Objective is reliable engine, mostly stock. Engine turned freely when removed and "looked" in good condition. Finish brake line fabrication, test/install S2 Master Cylinder and test brake system. Reinstall shifter assy after installing new bushing/bearings (prior to engine install). Test electrical items for correct operation, troubleshoot electrical system, Test/install rebuilt engine.
Bodywork is about average for a 40+ yr old Europa, it has stress cracks and the paint is cracking in areas. Doing extensive prep work for paint is not high on my list and I don't think I want to pay $$ for someone else to do it. The seats have 2 small areas at the seams where they need repair. I can probably get that dome locally.
I just turned 75 and am finding a few more aches and pains everytime I work on the Lotus. I also have a 1997 Saleen Mustang that needs attention, but at least it still runs and looks good. I hope that I will get the Europa finished and running in the next year or two and at least be able to drive for a few more years before passing it along to someone else to take care of it.
This site has been of great value to me in answering questions and illustrating how to deal with the many little issues that come with owning a Europa.
Larry Mullen
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gideon and jlmullen2, stalled projects are unfortunately not a rare occurrence. It was over twenty years between the time I was involved in an accident and I finally "finished" my restoration. I regret it taking so long so I'd like to encourage you to accelerate your efforts so that you'll be able to enjoy your baby that much longer!
Let us know if there's anything we can to to help facilitate your progress!
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Dilkris (UK) - Complete TCS restoration, 'Go Kart' 85% complete. Scheduled to start body in next 2 months
Cheguava (UK) - Rebuilding a TC - In the middle of complete disassembly. Posts regularly
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BDA,
HATS OFF TO YOU!
This is by far the best thread we as BUILDERS can get kicked off of.
The members on the list have our support, and as a MAYBE kicked off I love it.
We are here to support members to complete their build. I have received that support here and will try, with my limited knowledge to help people with S2 Issues .
Many thanks to the people who supported me , LitteryMadness, Pfreen, JB, turbo, certified, sandy, Texas( my wife interrupted) and many many more, and of course BDA.
BDA, Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
Dakazman
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Dilkris! I knew there someone I’d forgotten! My apologies and thanks for the updates!
D’man, thank you for your kind words. We all have our part to play…
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I am restoring mine from more than frame up, also doing "Mechanical Refreshing" but not full restoration on a second car.
Paid $5,500 for mine on feeBay, with a Cross-Flow and Webers.
It was supposed to only need a little work, stored indoors. LOL!
Engine has been stalled waiting for the replacement cam gear center but it is on the way.
Body is the most difficult aspect of these cars, I still have to decide which of two to use.
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I guess the seller was actually giving you the opportunity to make your car completely like you want it (by allowing you do a lot of things that should have been done when you bought it). Glad to hear you’ll soon be able to finish your engine, Richard!
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Dilkris! I knew there someone I’d forgotten! My apologies and thanks for the updates!
No problem at all :))
As an extension to your list of members with restorations on the go, I was interested in jlmullen2's account above where he advised us of his age (75) along with the aches and pains that come with that. I can relate to this - I can get under my car very quickly but getting up .... can take some time. :))
Personally, I'd like to know the age of the members on the list of active restorers - I am 71.
Why? I'm interested to know if there is a generation "coming up behind us" so to speak to keep Europa's alive. (For example, my son is 34 and sadly has no interest in the lotus what so ever.)
Could it be included and if so - who is the oldest?
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As an extension to your list of members with restorations on the go, I was interested in jlmullen2's account above where he advised us of his age (75) along with the aches and pains that come with that. I can relate to this - I can get under my car very quickly but getting up .... can take some time. :))
Personally, I'd like to know the age of the members on the list of active restorers - I am 71.
Snap, a 1952 model here !!!
I take a little while getting down into both footwells in the upside down full Lotus position, but getting back out again can take a while longer.
Similarly if the drivers door is not fully open, as supermarket car park spaces are so close together, getting the second leg in can be very awkward. (It is worse in a GT40).
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Almost 61 …..
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Firmly 66.
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I'm a '52 model too! Pro tip - if you click on a user's handle on a post (orange text to the left of the post), you'll see the user's profile. If he entered his birth date, his age will be there. Also on the Home page, you can click on the icon of a calendar next to "Upcoming Calendar" and see birthdays of members and famous people like Chunky.
Dilkris, I know exactly what you mean about getting under the car and then back up! I think these cars have an age limit. I met a guy who used to write a tech column in the "Lotus ReMarque" (publication for Lotus Ltd. - the US and Canada Lotus club). He told me he was selling his car, which was gorgeous, and stunned, I asked him why. He said he was having too much trouble getting in and out of it. So there is some motivation to do some exercises and explore different ways of getting in and out!
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63 I'm afraid, although my mental age is considerably less I'm told....... It's nice to have been included in the list of ongoing restorationists and yes, your estimate of about halfway through is probably right. I run a very small race and road going Lotus prep and support business from the barn behind my house and the Europa is the latest project for a customer. I specialise in Elans, 23's and Sevens but have enjoyed the occasional foray into other Lotus models and this is the first Renault Europa I have worked on. It came to me in bits and that's why I quite often seem to have trouble determining exactly how some parts should go together, especially if the service parts manual is not too clear. Luckily I have Alex (4129R) just down the road and his TC experience is proving very helpful.
Should I start a thread where I can post progress and also questions as and when they arrive? That way it's all in one place rather than scattered around as it is now.
My current conundrum is based around the silencer, which may or may not be the correct one for the car. It's obviously been fitted to something at some point as the two mounting brackets are severely rusted and bent, but I can't for the life of me figure out how or to what they should be attached.... Does anyone have a picture of the correct silencer for a UK spec Renault S2 and how it is installed?
Best, Nick
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Elanman39, whether you just post questions from time to time or start a thread for your car is up to you. A few years ago, Certified Lotus, who still logs in from time to tome, documented the restoration he did for a TC in a thread. It wasn't his intent but I thought it lent itself to indexing it so I posted my index of his restoration (https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=4871.0). Maybe that will help your and others on their restorations and maybe you might want to post your own indexed or indexable restoration or just keep all your questions and answers in one place.
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Should I start a thread where I can post progress and also questions as and when they arrive?
For me personally - please post a regular thread of your achievements and disappointments (the latter of which will be more :)) - it will cheer us all up on our rebuilds and give us strength to continue. :FUNNY:
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Should I start a thread where I can post progress and also questions as and when they arrive?
For me personally - please post a regular thread of your achievements and disappointments (the latter of which will be more :)) - it will cheer us all up on our rebuilds and give us strength to continue. :FUNNY:
Absolutely keep posting any progress or planned, To-do jobs . Many here have been through them.
I did keep separate threads on my build and don’t regret it, body / mechanical / painting
It keeps you busy and it helps advance the job faster. Then post pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words and gets people to chime in .
Bda, an index is in my future.
Dakazman @ almost 69
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I see I didn't make the list with my V-8 project. Really not a restoration, but some of it is.
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I didn’t forget you. Look at the first post on this thread:
kram350kram - V8 monster Europa
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How is that beast doing Kram?
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1955 version.
Recently lost 6" from my waist, trying to lose a little more.
Engine getting near to running is a great motivator.
I said from the beginning that an S2 is also a diet plan, not just a car.
Like a Marcos, you do not just sit in it, you WEAR it!
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Congratulations on your multi-front progress! :beerchug:
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Well damn! I just turned 69 so can I have a mulligan on missing that?
The beast is still there waiting on start-up, but have been sidelined with a dream car project and new house, so been busy.
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No problem, kram.
Any pictures of your beast? I’m sure we’d all like to see some!
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I was interested in the original post made by BDA on this subject and personally thought it worth pursuing and maybe expanding upon. So - I put together the attached.
The information I collected is from the comments within the thread plus looking up members details to establish where you actually are in the world.
Subject to approval, (and support), I am happy to continue to update this/along with making any corrections as and when.
Note: The data is just a list to show who is actually rebuilding/restoring a Europa, which model, where you are located and your age; it does not include cars already on the road that are being improved/repaired, or indeed to record progress, (the Forum already well caters for this).
So - if you feel it has value, please help me update it - just drop me a PM maybe (so as not to fill up this thread) and I will update it accordingly on say a weekly basis. Obviously if you think there should be extra data (ie: date of rebuild start, date of forecast completion, etc) let me know.
If of course, you believe there is a problem with this idea that I have not seen - just let me know.
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Great idea and no problem with me being included in the list. I have posted this here rather than pm'd you as I think you might want to add some other information and others may wish to be involved in that discussion. Personally I don't see much point in the date of birth of the restorer being included, but I think a more useful column would be some indication of whether the restorer is happy to be contacted by pm (or other means?) for specific queries. Similarly you could usefully split the list into completed restorations and ones currently in progress. Another column might indicate the nature of the restoration - concours, modified for practical everyday use, improved performance or whatever. A link to any restoration thread relating to that restoration would be handy as well. There must be other stuff as well but I can't think of it right now!
Best, Nick
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All points noted Elanman39 - interestingly I personally thought the date of birth to be of some significance - data we have at the moment from just 9 members shows our youngest member actively restoring to be 60 and our eldest 75 - personally it worries me that there is no "young blood" coming up behind us so to speak and if this be the case, is this going to have a negative impact on the long term future of Europa's :confused:
We could add a variety of extra data, depending on the consensus of opinion I guess - "over complicated" however may kill it. :(
Let's see if it gets off the ground.
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:-X It's political.
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I bought my TCS 4 years ago when I was 33. I'm 37 and still own the Europa and at this point always will. I wouldn't consider myself as a young blood but I am actively restoring my car and figured I should chime in.
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37 , your a pup. I like your attitude. Never sell. I wish I had kept many cars 67 ,XKE 4.2 , 58 MGA coupe. Many Trans ams Indy, Chevelle SS 396. Keep it, you'll miss it when its gone.
Dakazman
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37 , your a pup. I like your attitude. Never sell. I wish I had kept many cars 67 ,XKE 4.2 , 58 MGA coupe. Many Trans ams Indy, Chevelle SS 396. Keep it, you'll miss it when its gone.
Dakazman
Not my first rodeo...2943R in 74...3307R in 2008...
It's never really finished, there's always something to tinker on !