Europa basket case

[davearkley]

Hi Guys
Europa newby here from sunderland UK - just bought a complete wreck - to explain - the nice chap that sold me the car had bought it to restore but found that he took very ill and is waiting for a liver transplant - so couldnt take on this project so I have picked up the gauntlet. He had bought a spyder chassis and a new Zetec engine but I prefer to keep things as original as poss so I will refurb the renault engine and I have ordered a new lotus original chassis. I have until mid jan to get the bits sorted - the chassis will arrive then. Until then I'm cutting most of the bolts or snapping them as I try to get them loose with a socket. Lots of WD40 getting used. Even the seat runners have had to be cut off - its been in a garden for years with the windows open. The transport guy lost the engine cover when bringing it back to me - new one just arrived. The first person to start "restoration" cut out the front indicator pods and filled the holes with 2 fibreglass "rugs" so I have had to remove these and refit the pods - RHS Rear radius arm collapsed due to rust so the back wheel was hanging loose water pump siezed alternator siezed - just about everything siezed so I need to be careful with the cutting wheel so I dont set fire to the car. - plenty to do then eh!!!

[BDA]

It sounds like a huge project! Please post pictures when you can and be sure to let us know if you have any questions or problems. There are several of us (not me! ) who are very knowledgeable about the Renault motor and S2s! In fact if you're going to use a cross flow motor, there is a thread in progress about them here: http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1748.0

Good luck!

 

[EuropaTC]

Hi Dave, and 

Wow, that sounds a tough job. Nut splitter and angle grinder sound the best way forward to me 

I think the radius arms were a weak spot back in the day because when I got my car the original owner had wrapped them in layers of denso tape, so you might be in for replacing both sides if your car has been standing in wet conditions.  It looks as if the previous owner had some serious plans for the car and I must admit it's the sort of project I'd like at some point as well.

Brian

[4129R]

It is not the first Europa to lose the engine cover.

If put on the trailer backwards, the wind flexed the cover, the metal clip no longer holds the cover down, and it has been known to break the windscreen.

I expect the pedal box will be rusted beyond rescue too if the seats needed drilling out.

Been there, done that.

Alex in Norfolk.

[davearkley]

Hi Alex
Lucky that it didnt break the rear window - just a hinge - new lid and hinge arrived Friday with 2 radius arms and mounts
R arm to chassis bolt well siezed. Back to the cutting disc eh!
Pedal box rusted but will strip out and have a look at it - looks like an S1 style? - will know better tomorrow.
I'm trying to find out about the piston size for the renault engine - waiting for a response from garage. (76mm or 77mm)
Even the seat frames are badly rusted in places - part of the seat base is gone so I'm rebuilding missing sections with aluminium plate and fibreglass
I'm bouncing from one job to the next when I get time - stripping carburettor next at home where its warm. Will pop to warehouse and pull body off next week.
cheers
Dave

[4129R]

When you need to know where to source parts, just ask. Someone on here will know.

I got the bumpers restored to new by a specialist chrome plater next to Wembley Stadium, but being from the Sunderland area, I don't suppose you get down that way very often.

Alex in Norfolk.

[davearkley]

thanks alex
theres no chrome platers in the north east - nearest to me is manchester but I have found a decent one on ebay for £30
There are some new 77mm pistons/liners on ebay for £150 but i'm not sure if mine are 77mm or 76mm
cheers
Dave

[4129R]

I think the acids they use in chrome plating are a health and safety nightmare. 

[BDA]

Chrome plating is a very dangerous operation and new products are becoming available to take up the slack such as this that was on Jay Leno's Garage: http://www.nbc.com/jay-lenos-garage/video/spray-on-chrome/n35122

[Bainford]

Welcome to the forum, Dave. Sounds like quite a project you have there. Good luck and keep us posted. Cheers.

[davearkley]

Cheers
I just hope I can get this Europa sorted.

[davearkley]

Hi Guys
I'm looking for a windscreen. This one has had it - gone cloudy down the sides so I have taken it out.
I have identified the engine as a renault 1565 TL unit - its seized so I will be getting the body off soon and get the motor stripped
May just need pistons and liners - I have found a couple of contacts that specialise in renault 16s and have spare parts - engines etc so even if the engine is a complete no - go, I should be able to find a replacement. Its not the original engine anyway so I'm not too precious about it.
Plastercine bolts are a bit of a nightmare - so its a shipping order of helicoils required. (and a good drill) Hopefully I may find some time overy the holidays to do a bit more with it.
Had a massive crash in my merc 320cls - aquaplaned in the dark without any warning - total write off so I'm looking for another everyday car. Luckilly no one hurt.
Bye for now.

[EuropaTC]

bad news about the Merc, but if there's a car to have a crash in, it's probably something like that. And good news it's only tin that's damaged, that's easily replaced and people are a touch harder to fix.

I think the windscreens are fairly easy to come by, like the Merc it's just a case of throwing cash at it !

Brian

[BDA]

Dave! Sorry to hear about your crash! As Brian says, the important parts ended up in good shape and if you're going to get in a crash, better in a 320cls than a Europa!

Hope you find another good driver!

[jbcollier]

Pilkington Classic sell original windshields for a reasonable price.  Banks (Europa Engineering) carry the the rubbers and trim depending for both the early rubber seal and later glue-in.