For the longest time I assumed that my Europa had Girling type 12 calipers, as peering behind/under the wheel revealed only one clamping bolt on the bottom, like a type 12. Little did I know, there's something between the 2 bolt type 12s and the 4 bolt type 14s: three bolt type 14 (14p?) They have 48mm pistons, like a 14 would.
I went to remove the front calipers so I can bug my rebuilder, and found these. Googling the casting number got me to an
FVP rebuilt caliper that's listed as fitting all Series 1 and 2 Europas (67-71). It also lists a 48mm piston, so some parts directory definitely has type 14 listed as fitting early Europas.
I'm trying to ascertain if my car left the factory like this, because it seems that it did. They looked a little tight around the dust shield (probably designed for 12 and the same part as a Mk1 or 2 Spitfire), but fit just fine. I don't see any evidence of mucking with the brakes or plumbing or etc.
The only place I've seen it mentioned that the early Europas used type 12 calipers are on forums including this one. That finally took me to the obvious solution of pulling up the
parts book, which shows type 14s as being for a Series 1 (
and 2) car. The pistons listed, 36J6000, are 48mm type 14 pistons.
Given all that, I'm fairly certain that not all (any?) early cars rolled out of the factory with type 12 calipers. My concerns of overbraking the fronts by installed 14s are also likely unfounded in that case.
