Lotus Europa Community

That's a bummer to have to go through all that! I hope that solves your engine problems!

Prior to the last event, I had too way many misfires codes on cylinder 6, more than from traction control. Low compression on 6. I knew I would break a piston eventually and I finally did, it's always the ring lands. I ordered a set of forged 9:1 Wiseco's. They came in and were an ounce heavy per piston. I had a friend machine the once out to match factory weight.  Dropping from 10.8:1 to 9:1 wasn't even noticeable. While I waited on Pistons, I changed the piston seal on the turbo too and re routed the catch tank.

A UK Dash is a little over $600 at the current exchange rate.
So I would think that US made at around $400 should have a fair market?
Particularly with a wide variety of available veneer.
It is only 1.5D CAD so I can handle it on my own.
I am trying to get a 30" x 60" CNC router to do them with.
I could get a pin router and make patterns on the CNC Mill, but at 2,000 Lb. pin routers are not simple to move around. 3 Ph. power too.

I agree the S2 has the cleaner lines and is more faithful to the original vision.
The Renault Wedge engine is not all that powerful but these are surgical precision cars, not brute force Cobras.
A Renault TS/Cross-Flow can be built to exceed JPS Twin-Cam power levels for MUCH less expense than a TC.
And still keep the all aluminum weight advantage.
No water pump woes or short valve train life as TC's are known for.
Wet sleeve so no concern about oversize bores reaching a limit, just pop in new cylinders.
Parts availability is actually good, just a bit inconvenient with possible language barriers.
To me the lesser resale value is not a problem, the investment is also less.
The time to restore is about the same.
Rough S2's can be had pretty cheap, occasionally for free.
Lots of dreamers offering them too, maybe cash would wake some of them to reality.

Your TC has an advantage in that you already have it, an S2 has the advantages I mention above.
All up to you.

Thinking outside the box, is there a nearby state that has an easier titling system? Maybe a fellow lister could title it in his state, then “sell” the car back to you, with title.