460384 S1a

[lotusfanatic]

Hello everyone,

I have finally collected a Europa from the shipping company which has returned the car to the UK for the first time since it was built in 1967!
The car was bought from Tom in Colorado US, 460384 is in need of a total strip and rebuild and I now need to find a space for it, assess the car and decide which way to go.
Assuming that it is a viable project, I will need to decide if I follow either:
a) a restoration to its original factory specification (however, I am not sure if the performance would be enough?)
b) rebuild with a more modern engine, running gear & parts (very tempting, if only for the performance, reliability and parts availability - but, obviously, no longer "original") 
c) create a Type 47 replica (again, very tempting but very expensive for parts, especially a Lotus twin cam engine) 

pics to follow....

Mark

[lotusfanatic]

a few photos of 460384...

[lotusfanatic]

a few photos of 460384...

[lotusfanatic]

a few photos of 460384...

[jbcollier]

Ouch, tough choices there.  I think the TC engine might end up being one the cheaper things needing doing on a 47 clone.  There's also a Hewland to procure and a complete redesign of the rear suspension!

[RoddyMac]

There's also a Hewland to procure and a complete redesign of the rear suspension!

Not to mention wheels, hubs, chassis......

Looking at the current prices for a type 46, I would be inclined to restore it to stock or close to stock (bolt on modifications or easily corrected modifications).  Though, if it were an incomplete/wreck of a car, then building a 47 clone or swapping in a newer motor wouldn't be that bad of an idea.  But, in the end, it's all up to you and what you choose to do with it.

[Chuck Nukem]

http://www.kelsport.net/parts/product_details.asp?PartID=3886&categoryID=37&PartsectionID=50

There is a 47 chassis reproduction at $3860 it would be only the beginning...still need all the suspension parts, hubs, knock offs, etc like roddy and others mentioned.

http://www.kelsport.net/parts/products.asp?CategoryID=37&PartsectionID=36

Wheels would be another $4k just about. Hewland would be $6k Race spec twin cam $15k? The 200hp twin cams do not last long... I love the 47 as much as the next europa nut but an accurate recreation would be very cost prohibitive for someone like me.

My 46 was a total wreck. Frame is trash, body is butchered. I could bring it back to original spec but like you I am not sure that the renault performance is going to be enough.... Not to mention that the S1 has very robust fiberglass which was reportedly thinned considerably for the 47. The later TCS feels like it is made of polyester soaked tissues in comparison.

I am going to save all my S1 pieces of course...If the values do like the elite (there are over 1000 of those....) then conceivably I could restore it to stock condition but at this point my car will never be truly "original" without its frame.

I say have fun with it for now. I am going to make mine a missile....one day (after I finish a house, and a truck, and a TCS, etc). If you want to bring it back to original spec later on you can do that. Serge is proof that every part of that car can be reproduced with a talent such as his!

[lotusfanatic]

Hello all,

thanks for the replies, if money was no object, then a 47 copy/replica would be most people's first choice!
However, for everyday use & reliability, I believe that it'll be a series of sensible relatively modern modifications which don't lose the S1's originality totally.
(in any case, all original parts removed would be kept for future use/reference - no matter which route I eventually decide to take)

best regards,

Mark   

[jbcollier]

Get an ice pick, reach into the large hole in the front of the chassis and start poking around, especially down.  There's a good chance your are going to need to pull the chassis for repair or replacement.  At least you are in Jolly-Old as both Banks and Spyder can fit a new "T" section.

[Steve_Lindford]

Nice to know there is another Europa in the UK. More pictures (bigger?) would be great.

Steve

[lotusfanatic]

Hello Steve,

I have some better pictures that were sent by Tom, the PO

Mark

[lotusfanatic]

another pic...

[lotusfanatic]

I think the term is "as rough as a badger's arse" but it's largely complete

[lotusfanatic]

a lot to do!

[BDA]

A largely complete S1A is a great start!