eBay: 1973 Black TC Special with a fuel injected Zetec

[LotusJoe]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1974-Lotus-Europa-Special/222788502060?hash=item33df3ac22c:g:SpgAAOSwjIVaU8m8&vxp=mtr

Looks like a nice Zetec conversion.

[BDA]

That's a very nice car!

I'm not a fan of the dual exhaust but I suspect that makes it much quieter than my car. It looks like it has Koni replacement shocks (the front shocks seem to have the larger diameter stock springs and they are that distinctive orange color. Also, the spring perches do not appear to be adjustable.). This is not necessarily a bad thing but I prefer the more modern shocks that are available now. I realize I'm picking nits a bit so I won't mention other enhancements I think would be "expected" but it looks like there is no access to the timing belt. If that's true, that would have to be rectified.

I think the Zetec engine swap is maybe the best choice. There are a lot of great things about this car. I hope the seller gets a very good price. It appears to be worth it!

[4129R]

Looks to be JPS #190.

Shame its originality has been spoiled.

[andy harwood]

True all the above comments.
Sent seller a question about original engine and mileage, answer following.
"Don’t have original engine. A few thousand miles on new engine. Have invoice from 2007 88000 Miles $12000 worth of work."

[BDA]

Looking at it again, I noticed the lower links are bent presumably to get the correct rear camber. That implies to me that there was some modifications but he appears to have otherwise retained the stock rear suspension. I'm not sure why it would need more positive camber and if it did why he didn't make or buy adjustable lower links...

[4129R]

Looking at it again, I noticed the lower links are bent presumably to get the correct rear camber.

Or jacking the car in the wrong place.

[BDA]

I hadn't thought of that because I can't imagine anybody would be so stupid (but three are all kinds of people!). Also, because they seem similarly bent. At least I hope that's not what happened! I thought I had actually seen someone selling bent lower links but I can't remember where I saw them... Maybe they were part of a strange dream!

[andy harwood]

There is a nice symmetry to the lower links, if it is a mistake.
Also, appears to have a bump guard on the rear hoop? The diagonal braces are custom also.

[4129R]

Strange to see a snow plough fitted for a car in California.

I could understand it in the Chicago/Seattle areas.

I wonder if cars exported to Australia have "Roo Bars" fitted.

[BDA]

It sold today. The final price was $16,800.

[Arizona]

Looks like the deal fell thru, it's back on ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1974-Lotus-Europa-Special/222802001687?hash=item33e008bf17:g:SpgAAOSwjIVaU8m8&vxp=mtr

[4129R]

lots of bids, from lots of different bidders.

They could not all have been his friends could they?

[EuropaTC]

Looks like it's now sold on a BIN for $15,500.

So either the original $16,800 bidder (with zero feedback ?) got cold feet and decided it was too expensive despite bidding 3 times on the day before closure  or perhaps there was only one or two genuine bidders and they stopped at around $15,000.

After Alex posted I took a look at the original bidding history and must say it's surprising just how many different people are interested in Europas.... 

Brian

[BDA]

That's a pretty disappointing price in my view. While every aspect of the car is not beyond criticism, if it runs as well as it looks, I would have thought it it would fetch much more.

It maybe that the market values originality much more than I do and part of that maybe concerns about the build quality of the modifications needed to convert to the Zetec but (again, I am making assumptions about that and the drivability), this car should be as much fun to drive and easier to maintain.

[4129R]

January is not a good time to sell classic British sports cars.