Europa special options

[lawrence]

Hi,

I'm new here and I will start off with a question.
does anyone have a list of options that were available
on a lotus Europa JPS big valve from 1975. I've seen a few
With the same sunroof but not sure if that is original or not.

Thanks in advance.
With kind regards
Lawrence

[E Paul]

Maybe different in US, but all they offered me was radio and tinted windshield. I declined both.
Paul

[EuropaTC]

I didn't think a sunroof was a standard option but the glass tilt versions were very popular in the UK around that period, so perhaps the last cars off the production line had them on the options list. The other possibility is that it could have been a dealer fit item because there were loads of little places set up to pop sunroofs into your old mini, escort, etc.

The guy who would know is Andy Graham at Lotus who has been steadily building up the factory records on existing cars.  You can get in touch via this thread;

http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1545.0

Brian

[jbcollier]

A sunroof would be an aftermarket install.

Price list from mid-74 with available options:

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

[Certified Lotus]

I had heard that a special engine deck lift was an option (with gas struts).  A Europa owner even showed me the special mounting brackets added to the cross bar that holds the fuel overflow tank.

Anyone know more about that as it is not shown on the options list?

[BDA]

Here is the window sticker from my '74 TCS (not a JPS). I think it was built before they started offering the oatmeal interior. I know some with oatmeal interior came with a map pocket between the seats. I'm not sure if that was for all oatmeal interiors. The A/C option on my sticker would have been dealer supplied from a kit - not Lotus product. I'm flabbergasted that they offered a heated rear screen! Certified Lotus reminded me that gas struts for the boot were an option on the later cars. I suspect that was after the run of JPSs.


As for a JPS, I'm not sure there were really any options. They were all black on black with gold pin striping with TC big valve motor (in the US, that would be with Strombergs). This link will tell you more and may correct what I've said (http://lotus-europa.com/jps.html).

[jbcollier]

The last cars came with gas struts for the rear compartment cover.  It was a production line change, not an option.

[Certified Lotus]

Good to know on the gas struts and bracket. I’m looking for this part. Anyone have one for sale?

[jbcollier]

Europa Engineering and RD Enterprises both sell kits to retro fit the gas struts.  You can also build your own:

http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/misc/body/struts/hoodproject.html

It is not a perfect solution, however.  There is a lot of "sail" area to catch wind and you can't have very strong struts as it will stress the fibreglass.  So, yes, it works, but don't walk away from it if there is any wind (and it doesn't take much).

[BDA]

I got Europa Engineering's (which is where r. d. enterprises gets their kit) kit and I can say it is not a direct bolt on on a Federal TCS. Somebody with some welding skills has to adapt it to fit, but with a little welding skill, you could build the kit that JB linked to.


As for finding original parts for original strut kit, I would think they would be harder to find than even an ashtray, but if anybody could find them Certified Lotus can! 

[TCS4605R]

I have gas struts on my 74 TCS - they lost their charge and I replaced them with the weakest struts I could find.  The problem is they had enough force that when I closed the rear deck their force distorted the rear enough that it no longer fit properly.  So, I put they old worn out struts back on and drilled the old struts to accept push pins to keep the deck open.  Not a convenient solution, but a solution.

[jbcollier]

You're in the US.  McMaster-Carr carries a full range of gas springs in a wide variety of lengths and force ratings:

https://www.mcmaster.com

Specifically:

https://www.mcmaster.com/#gas-springs/=19z3pu5

[4129R]

The only changes/improvements that I am aware of on the later cars were the centre map pocket on the rear bulkhead, the oatmeal cloth trim for the seat removable centre panels, and the gas struts to hold the engine cover open.

Otherwise all the TCS seem to be the same spec.

Alex in Norfolk.

[LotusJoe]

I have looked through the Parts catalog for the TC Special and don't see the gas strut option listed. Was this something that was done at the very end of production?

[4129R]

I have looked through the Parts catalog for the TC Special and don't see the gas strut option listed. Was this something that was done at the very end of production?

4688R had them.
I will look at 4483R and 4259R this weekend.
4129R didn't have them.

75032529P had them.