I am prepared to accept that I may have been a bit hasty but I loved the back story, see Europa restoration 2015
and
According to my research it will be one of only two surviving 5 stage ELSE Europas. I really don't know yet how much it might be worth but for me it is all about the challenge.
Actually, I think you got a great deal. Apart from the ELSE connection what you'll end up with is a 100% restoration and you don't actually find many in that class. But it's not about the deal, the cost or whatever, it's about pleasure and a hobby. In the great economics of life, hobbies don't count......
Brian
ps - If it's any consolation I paid £4,600 for mine in the 80s at a time when most were selling at £3k. Never regretted it for a minute..... the best meccano set a boy can have