New member new Europa owner.

[Gmg31]

Hi everyone.  My name is Gary and I've been restoring cars for 20 years (not professionally). I fell in love with lotus as a youngster, my favourite matchbox car a Was a Yellow Europa and I fell head over heels with Esprit after the spy who loved me.  I've just bought my first Europa, ( 4 th Lotus) a barn find that has been dormant for 30 years so I look forward to the next year trying to rebuild her to her former glory.  I have loads of questions to post over the next few weeks and I look forward to reading all your posts in the forum first. My car comes with an seized Else engine so I will be wanting some advice about what to do with that. 

[LotusJoe]

 
The Else is a fairly rare engine. I would encourage you to bring it back to life.

[BDA]

 

I'm with Joe. I think you should resurrect the Elise motor. After you do that, I'm not sure what to do with it. Over here in the US, the show Overhaulin' recreated a Europa using an Elise motor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AGknF9L-O8). They basically created a new car... The video tells the story. In fact, the owner of that car is a member of this forum (here's a thread about the car including posts from the owner, 7upJohn: http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=338.0). If you consider putting in a Europa, you might get in contact with Richard at Banks (http://www.banks-europa.co.uk/index.php) as he would probably have some good advice.

Good luck and keep us informed about what and how you're doing!

[LotusJoe]

BDA, I think this is the engine he is referring to:





There is also an article.

 http://www.lotus-europa.com/literature/ElseEuropa.pdf

[blasterdad]

 
Wow, sounds like a great barn find! I agree with Lotus Joe on this one & try to keep the Else engine!
We would love to see some pics when you get chance!!! 

[BDA]

BDA, I think this is the engine he is referring to:





There is also an article.

 http://www.lotus-europa.com/literature/ElseEuropa.pdf

I'll be alright as soon as I learn to read! Any day now...

I did have fun reviewing the video and the thread on 7upJohn's car!

[EuropaTC]

Hi Gary, and 

By any chance is your car the one that was on Ebay UK recently ?  If so, that looks to be a great project. I was one of those "watchers" because it did look like a genuine find and worthy of a proper restoration. There are a few references to the Else conversions kicking around and of course there's the Brooklands Road test books which also have road tests from the period so you'll have some idea of what you've got.

I'll look forward to the restoration thread..... ready for summer ?   

Brian

[Gmg31]

It is that car Brian yes. With A fantastic back story.  Thanks for your views and advice gents. I'll post more later in the week.

[EuropatcSPECIAL]

 
Welcome Gary keep us posted
all the best
Stuart

[buzzer]

Good luck with the restoration !

From another UK Europa owner

The good thing is they are simple cars, the challenging bit is the Colin chapman engineering. I must admit I admire the minimal approach, having just put back on the road a 2 door Range Rover!

Dave

[Nitwit]

Gary, welcome to the ward.  Sounds like a fantastic project, take your time, set up small goals to accomplish so you don't get over-whelmed.. as I have done after 9 Europa, Turbo Esprit, S7s4

She will keep you off the streets for a few nights

Whit
48yrs driving Europa

[Bainford]

Welcome to the forum, Gary. Your project sounds very exciting. Looking forward to tagging along as you go through the restoration. Cheers.

[StrawberryCheesecake]

BDA, I think this is the engine he is referring to:





There is also an article.

 http://www.lotus-europa.com/literature/ElseEuropa.pdf

Cool - I wondered what 'Else' engines were all about. Every day is a school day