Early 54 in Canada

[jbcollier]

From the front cover of the summer 1969 issue of Beautiful British Columbia:

https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-hbQm3xw/A

Note that the bottom of sill is painted black and the S1 type rear quarter badge.

John

[EuropaTC]

Great picture, for my money that's the best derivation of the Europa theme as far as design goes. The nice clean front of the S1, no chrome door handles sticking out and yet civilization with electric windows !

For some reason I'd thought that by 69 we were all on S2's although I suppose they could just have grabbed a '68 car for the shot, the design still looked pretty amazing. 

As an aside, I quite like going back through old magazines and seeing the reaction to the cars back in the day. I just picked up a copy of Motor Sport where the "all new, radical Lotus" has been announced although not tested.  It sounded like they went along but the car wasn't working....  now there's a Lotus for you   

Brian

[jbcollier]

takes a while for the cars to filter through the pipeline.  Built by Lotus, allocated and shipped to Lotus Canada and then on to the BC dealer.

[jbcollier]

... and the summer of 1969 is when it was published.  Who knows when the photo was taken.

[Runningwild]

I also have a very early car. 54-750.  1968.  The head lites have been replaced .  Now I have to come up with front turn signals.   Are the early head lites available or do I have to hand ugly signals under the front. Any suggestions would be great. I would like to keep the front as clean as possible.  Tom

[jbcollier]

The early Europas used headlights from a Mini which have their park lights in the headlight itself.  The Mini headlights are available from most British parts places.  The front turn signals are lights that look like side markers.  They are also from the Mini and available as well.

[Runningwild]

Great. Thank you. I already have new side lites but wasn't sure what to do in front. The original owner hung these large ugly things under the car when he brought it home from France. I'll get new head lites from one of the mini suppliers.   Thanks. Tom

[Grumblebuns]

The front warts were removed from my TCS/Cosworth project car along with the side marker lights. I plan on using these halogen headlights with integrated turn signal lights. The lens is all clear with an amber LED.

https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail/15610/Headlight_Halogen_Lamp_With_Amber_LED_Park_Lights.html

Joji Tokumoto
Fallbrook, Ca

[Runningwild]

Joji. Great find on the head lites. I'll order them this week.  Tom