What does your Europa look like *today* ?

[EuropaTC]

Hi folks,

Now this is a shameless copy of a thread which has been running on Lotuselan.net for a while now, and I was wondering if it would work here as well. The idea is to post what's happening today with your car and it doesn't matter what state it's in,  broken, being patched together, missing the engine or parked up by some nice scenery while you take in the views. 

As a starter, here's our car at 9:30am this morning. The sun was shining and I suddenly realised I hadn't road tested the new spark plug connectors I fitted at the week end..... 

Brian

[LotusJoe]

Unfortunately, mine has not changed in several years.

Current:





Before the restoration:




 

[pboedker]

My Europa is on jackstands in the garage for 2 reasons:

1. Rear brakes was making a creeking noise wen coming to a full stop, and I suspected the shoes to be at their end. But they had plenty of liners so instead I cleaned and adjusted the brakes properly and am now ready for driving again. Would be nice if they were noise free now...

2. I've been driving 2 weeks with my internal 5th gear detent prototype and took it out for inspection. It works fine but will need a few small modifications to work even better. 

Note to self: Tighten the wheels completely after lowering but BEFORE driving the car.

[benbeames]

Gassed up and ready to go for some filming this weekend.

[EuropaTC]

Note to self: Tighten the wheels completely after lowering but BEFORE driving the car.

   Now I leave the socket against the wheel so I don't forget......

[benbeames]

   Now I leave the socket against the wheel so I don't forget......

That's a much better method than mine.  I tend to do about 15 miles on the freeway and then suddenly remember and pull off onto the shoulder to tighten them.

[3929R]

Mine is stuck in the garage at the moment.  The starter died a slow and intermittent death, so I replaced it with a new gear-reduction starter.  Wow that thing really spins the engine.  But go figure, it won't start the engine and so I can't spin my wheels.  You can't start a fire without a spark and I don't think I have any.  Where there's smoke, there's fire or maybe a dead ignition coil.  My ignition coil emitted a small plume of smoke.  I say "maybe dead" because I just haven't found the time to figure things out.  Oh well all in good time, which might be Friday.

[3929R]

I think I killed this thread, so I'll try again.
From my front door today-

[EuropaTC]

I think I killed this thread, so I'll try again.

No, with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight I think I should have waited until Spring when everyone was wheeling their cars out for the summer and bouncing with enthusiasm rather than heading into winter.

But here's us today, a lovely sunny Lincolnshire morning and parked in our village next to the church. As I explained to Helen, I had to take the Europa because I'd filled the windscreen washers and it's important to road test everything you do on these old cars......

Brian

[Matt]

Just joined the forum and seen this post so thought I would pop outside in the rain and take a picture of my Europa
I brought my car a few years ago with a rottern chassis and engine in bits and did all the work myself.
I drive my Europa most days, the picture is taken in the car park at my work in Northamptionshire England

[3929R]

 
Wow she's beautiful!  As are the rest of your gaggle.
Nice work!

[Roger]

I'll take a photo later today....

[EuropaTC]

Very nice Matt, and even better to see a car being used daily !  It looks a very tidy restoration, the colour scheme works well on the car.

Brian

[cal44]

Anyone that has a Plus 2 and a Europa and an early Esprit............gawd love em'
Matt........I am liken' those mirrors on the Europa.............brand?
mike

[Matt]

They are vitaloni californian mirrors, they where on the car when I got it, and have kinda grown on me since.

What red is your Europa, Pictured ? is it a Lotus colour?

It looks fantastic !

Mine was originally red and im thinking of repainting it or just wraping it.

Matt