'74 TCS 3722R 5-Speed on BAT

[Vegantune]

Some work done, some work still needs to be done to be really nice. Would have been invoiced around July 1973 although ad says its a '74. Sold in LA area, now have AZ plates. Says not driven since 1980, and brakes don't work despite MC replaced 2019. Had AC at one time but compressor taken out but included, other pieces still installed.

Surprised at how much has at least some rust on it for a CA/AZ car. Looks all there, but quite a bit looks sort of rough. That and color won't help price, but interested to see where it goes. Bids opened at $5K.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-lotus-europa-twin-cam-13/

[FourLoti]

Thanks for posting. I have 3826R with a build date of 73/07. One month and about 100 cars later than this. Mine is also a '74 MY with the same confirmation on the emissions plate. Others probably have more historical info, but I assume the factory MY cutover was around June of the prior year.

This makes sense since the majority of Europas were for export, and given long transit times, the dealers would want the "all new and improved" cars in the showrooms to demo and sell in the Fall.

Interested to see where this one goes.

Ron

[Bainford]

Looks like a good solid project, and in the best Europa colour, too. It will be interesting to see where this one tops out.

Thanks for posting. I have 3826R with a build date of 73/07. One month and about 100 cars later than this. Mine is also a '74 MY with the same confirmation on the emissions plate. Others probably have more historical info, but I assume the factory MY cutover was around June of the prior year.

This makes sense since the majority of Europas were for export, and given long transit times, the dealers would want the "all new and improved" cars in the showrooms to demo and sell in the Fall.

I have 3682R, which also has a build date of 73/07. It was originally purchased and titled in Jan '74, and at the time I bought it in 2010 it was offered for sale as a '74. However, the car is obviously a '73. The two model years are mostly identical, though there are a few features that are generally considered to be '74 model year items. A couple that come readily to mind are the map pocket between the seats on the back wall of the cabin, and the engine cover lift cylinders, of which my car has neither. I now list and refer to my Lotus as a '73.

[Kendo]

Interesting. I have a '73 TCS with map pocket but no engine lid lift cylinders. (I added Aaron Hines' suggested parts, which worked well.)

[SilverBeast]

I have TCS 2267p, manufactured November 1973 (from vin plate prefix), registered 01/11/1974 (UK date format as I'm in U k and it's a U k car). It has factory engine support struts and the map pocket.

[Bainford]

Hhmmm... perhaps the allocation of these features is not as linear as I had thought. SLAFU (Situation Lotus, All F'd Up)

Mr Beast, I am curious about your car, with S/N of 2267P and manufactured in November '73. Mine, with a later S/N of 3682R was built four months previous, as was Mr Loti's car, with a S/N of 3826R. Quite curious indeed.

[SilverBeast]

I think it's because it's because it was built for UK not US market. There may be a 2267R as well as a 2267P. Full  number with date code is 73112267P

[FourLoti]

Sold for $21,000, plus 5%!!!

[BDA]

That's a lot for a non-running project!

[vh2q]

Yes, there was something fishy about that whole deal ... keep a car for 46 years, do some haphazard restoration/repair, then put it up for auction in an almost done state. Brakes and carbs are mickey mouse in the scheme of things. The owner posted in person so it was not an estate situation. I expect there are some expensive deficiencies that were not fully disclosed.