S1 factory colours

[Nockenwelle]

I'm interested to know in which colours the Europa S1 initially left the factory. There are of course the popular ones like Cirrus White, Lotus Yellow and Carnival Red. My S1 seems to have been Cirrus White (now red) and my former S1A was originally painted in Lotus Yellow.

But what about the less common colours? Has anybody seen an S1 in Wedgewood Blue or in French Blue? Those colours were part of the Lotus colour range in 1967 (see chart below). One of the prototypes seems to be painted in French Blue. Unfortunately the Lotus factory has no records about the original colours of the cars.

[Chuck Nukem]

My S1A is BRG

[jbcollier]

Mine was originally Carnival red.  I have seen (period photos, original or restored to original)  S1s in white, French blue, BRG, yellow, wedgewood blue but not the burnt sand.  Doesn't mean there weren't S1s in that colour.  I just haven't seen them

[lotusfanatic]

Hello Nockenwelle,

I also asked Andy Graham at Lotus Archives and, as you said, there are no records of the colours.
My S1A may have been Cirrus White originally, to be determined once the existing layers of paint are removed.
There is a stunning blue example (No 0202, in Germany I believe?) which says that it is French blue LOT 02.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI--I_PfZ8I

Mark 

[Nockenwelle]

Hello Mark,

I know of the German S1, thanks for the tip. It was Cirrus White before and has been repainted some years ago in French Blue. I think the car looks fantastic in that colour.

JB: do you have a picture of a car painted in Wedgewood Blue?
The seller that sold the S1 to me had another S1 for sale at the same time that could have been a 'Burnt Sand' one. Although it looked to have been resprayed the colour could still be the original one.

Klaus

[lotusfanatic]

Hello Klaus,

I remember your car being for sale along with the 'Burnt Sand' car which has also now sold I believe?

Mark

[surfguitar58]

I'm a little confused regarding any uncertainty about original colors. Don't all Europas have their original paint code stamped in the lower right corner of their VIN plate? Mine is L04 = Cirrus White, per this: http://lotus-europa.com/colors.html

Tom

[lotusfanatic]

Hello Tom,

the earlier cars did not have a paint code stamped on the chassis/VIN plate.
Unfortunately the records for the early were not kept (or were lost) so there's no real way to find out, unless you find traces of the original colour when you strip the car for repainting.

Klaus,

you can see a Wedgewood Blue car in the link below (shared by Tom)

http://lotus-europa.com/colors.html

Mark

[Nockenwelle]

Hi Mark,

yes, the Burnt Sand one has been sold even before I collected mine. I'm still very happy that I was able to buy mine. Not many S1s for sale around, especially good and original ones.

I'm asking about the colours because I'd just like to see some pictures of the not so common early Europa colours.

Klaus

[lotusfanatic]

Hi Klaus,

I would really like an immaculate S1 but, as you said, there are very few original examples for sale
(especially in Europe)

Mark
 

[jbcollier]

S1s have an enclosed chassis.  Water kicked up by the rear wheels seeps in and stays.  Corrosion is a huge issue.  Of all the S1s I know of maybe one had a sound chassis.  I say maybe because who knows for sure unless you open it up.  Back in the day, even a minor curbing incident could be written off.  There are a few, very few,  good condition (probably!) S1s out there.  Don’t hold your breath on finding one.

[lotusfanatic]

Hello John,

perhaps the best bet when buying an S1 is to assume that the chassis is most probably wrecked.
(as I bought a wreck I won't be getting that unpleasant surprise as I already know that the chassis is rotten!) 

Mark 

[Nockenwelle]

It's true that there are not many S1 around which still have their original chassis in a usable condition. But those cars exist and I know of a couple of them. For example the yellow one featured in the latest 'Absolute Lotus' magazine. Or my red one which is still with its first chassis and the same is true for my S1.
Most of them spend their live in a particular dry climate like mine in New Mexico. In addition to this one of the previous owners treated the whole hollow space around the chassis with lots of grease like stuff. It's a bit messy but I'm glad he did it as it may have saved the chassis.

But, as Mark said, it is best to be prepared to get the chassis out if you are looking for an S1. I would have bought mine even when the chassis needed to come out.

Besides this: anybody got some pictures to share of S1s in rare colours?