Hi all,
Just getting around to introducing myself after joining Dec 2014.
Although it's been many years and many cars since my last Europa (1972 type 65) I have never lost my love of them and have always retained very fond memories (S2's particularly). Of all the cars that I've owned over the years nothing has come close to the sheer delight of driving them and cornering in a Europa has been the benchmark by which I have tended to judge all others. There are lots of winding roads in my area and it's on these that the Europa excels.
I'd always talked about getting another and have looked at many cars over the years, but have always been put off by my other half who decided that I should get something more practical!
After travelling the length and breadth of the country looking at Elans. I travelled to Paul Matty Lotus dealers in Birmingham in May 2014 to purchase an Elan+2S and finished up coming away with a 1969 Europa S2 (54/1984).
The car was originally Colorado Orange but was painted Black in the 90's by a PO. The car had covered just 261 miles after undergoing a full engine and gearbox rebuild and had a few cosmetic and detailing issues that have now been put right.
They say you look back at the past through rose tinted glasses, and whilst I admit that owning a Europa is not without problems, driving the car again has only reinforced my happy memories of this vastly under rated and beautiful car.
The biggest problem with the Car: People nearly falling into the road staring at it as I drive by, or tailgating whilst taking pictures on their smartphones.
