Lotus Europa Community

I found this dash pattern on the groups.io group: https://groups.io/g/LotusEuropa/photo/157183/1844248?p=Name%2C%2Cdash%2C20%2C1%2C60%2C0 Is this what you were looking for?

First, is it actually a JPS? To expand on what Grumblebuns and Kendo said, the only difference between a black with pinstripes Special (with a 5-speed, I can’t remember if all specials had a 5-speed) and a JPS is the little plastic badge that gives it a JPS number. According to Hagerty, that is worth an extra 10%. The area of the dash Grumblebuns mentioned could be damage to where the dashboard lights dimmer goes or it could be related to a JPS badge.

Looks like someone, based on the damage, pulled off the badge.  (photo of mine is below; going on the new dash I bought a few years ago when I get a Round Tuit and take the windshield out so I can replace the crash pad and put it in) It should be noted that for the US, that badge was put on there by the importer as an 'inducement' that the car was one of the special runs.  While not necessarily an 'official' JPS tribute, it did add a premium to the sales price.  Just the same, if it is indeed one of the Lotus East (the east coast importer, where most of the 'JPS' numbers cars came through) badged JPS tribute cars, it does rate a little consideration, even if the certificate of provenance from the factory did not indicate it was so badged by Hethel. 

Since it’s your car, I think you should do what you want with it. Personally, I think the reverence for JPSs is a little silly but at the same time I admit that I’m caught up in it a little so if it’s really a JPS, my preference would be for you to restore it pretty faithfully but as I and others have said, it’s your car and it should make you happy. My car is certainly not stock!

Indeed.  At this point though, having been outside for an untold number of years, then being stored inside, depending on the condition of the frame (which are getting dear...I know I'm searching for one 'just in case' to put in the basement in the event my eventual tear down indicates that it needs to be replaced), you will be into it for a not inconsiderable sum of money to even restore to stock condition.  Boy racer modifications will, depending on the severity or not, have an additional cost (in time, money, or both) and affect the eventual resale value depending on who's looking at it and has the cash to burn.

Another thing you might consider is that if you’re concerned at all about resale, being closer to stock will very likely make a difference in sale price.

Let us know what you decide and we’d love for you to keep us updated on your progress!

I'm not a purist (my S2 renovation in '07-'09 was an outlier, but even that had some slight tweaks for reliability sake), but a well-presented stock-appearing car in good nick is more than capable of bringing enjoyment to the driver.  It's when you get into modifications that you realize how even one change (wide tires and lowered suspension, for example) have follow-on implications to other systems that have to be accounted for if you want a safe and reliable ride.  In the end, it IS your ride, but what may be accepted mods to more modern road cars doesn't necessarily translate to a 50-something-year-old hand-built plastic car built from bits out of the Tudor/Unipart/Brit Leyland parts bins by farm hands in East Anglia so the boss could sell them to fund his F1 efforts!

Agree with BDA...whatever you decide, let us know...there is a wealth of knowledge (and not a few strong opinions) here to take advantage of!

Ivygreen,  if you have had your heart set on an S2, you should hold out for one a little longer and let a JPS fanatic have his dream car by purchasing yours.  Clean it up so that it is presentable and you can see what is and what is not actually there and move it on.  If you do decide to keep it...if I were you, I would restore it as best you can as a thoroughly original black JSP.

Having said that, I wanted a 1965 Riviera (with concealed headlamps etc.) since I was nine years old.  In 1984, a 1964 Riv fell in my lap.  I began restoring it back to it's original specs but ended up mildly customizing it.  Forty years later I still have that Riv (drove her the other day and fell in love all over again) and I have grown to appreciate the styling features of the '63,'64 more so than those of the '65.

Long story short...don't listen to me. It is your car and your decision.

Is it a JPS, or just a black Special? If the latter, do what you want with it, though I would not add wheel well flares. My TCS had really ugly flares, period correct, but ugly. I sold them to a racer making a period correct race car. So we were both happy with the results.

To get in that rough shape, it must have been stored outside for a long time .All JPS's should have a small black and gold roundel affixed to the lower, middle part of the dash. I see something to the right of the radio that may have been torn off? I agree with TurboFource, do what you want with it tp make it your vision .Just be aware that when you get around to selling the car later on in life, super extreme modifications may make it difficult to sell.