My 72 Europa SS

[Sofa King]

I apologize for the disorganized way I’ve been telling my build story, but the drawings took me back to the very beginning, so I thought I would show you what I started with.  I bought the yellow car first. It was just a shell on a frame. No interior or hardware.

[Sofa King]

The red car came second. It was cut into several pieces, I have no idea why! And yes... it was in the previous owner’s living room! It had been there for almost 20 years!

[BDA]

Well, that is a pretty strange beginning to your story! It's sure been a "long strange trip" hasn't it?

[Sofa King]

It has been, but I’ve enjoyed the whole journey!

[Sofa King]

Still working on the interior. I found some rubber diamond plate style mats, that will protect the floors, and hopefulllyadd a little insulation. They also keep to the “nice race car” look. I may still go to carpet at some point, but I like the look for now.

[Sofa King]

Still working on the side skirts. Both sides are fitted to the contour of the body and in primer. Will paint soon, but I have another project in the way. Attached are two photos, one without the skirt and one with it in primer. I plan on painting them body color because I think it will make it look lower.

[dakazman]

Sofaking,  the europa in the living room, what a great way for me to put more cars in a garage.  LOL
dakazman

[Sofa King]

I thought it was a brilliant idea! ....my wife on the other hand ....didn’t! I asked the previous owner if he was married, he said that he was, but the Lotus in the living room happened befor he met the wife! 😃

[1970EuropaGuy]

I thought it was a brilliant idea! ....my wife on the other hand ....didn’t! I asked the previous owner if he was married, he said that he was, but the Lotus in the living room happened befor he met the wife! 😃

I had a hard enough time parking my Europa in the garage. My wife believes her old smelly Subaru should have the honour!

[Sofa King]

A couple more details sorted. I fabricated covers for the engine vents from the same material that I used in the rear panel. The photo also shows the mini LeMans style gas cap that I found.

[dakazman]

Sofaking,
   The gas cap looks like an OEM item 👍👍. The grills/vents look very professional.

    I have one question about this entire area and worry about it becoming the bathtub it is so deemed. I have not had my car outside in the rain to actually see the accumulation it could possibly hold, and it really comes down in buckets here in Florida. Adding a few dozen leaves with the wind blowing adds even more blockage and 4” of water on the rear window. Am I being too paranoid?

Dakazman


 

[Sofa King]

My car is currently leading a very sheltered life, and I’m also pretty new to the Europa world, but I think that you are probably right to be concerned. On the other hand it’s fiberglass, so better in the wet than steel.

[jbcollier]

Don’t worry if Lotus can’t keep water out, you’d hardly expect them to keep water in!  It flows off the edge of the rear cover, along the edge of the compartment and out large drain holes in the back.  If the drain holes plug then it just flows into the compartment along the edges, no big deal.  Best not to have an open foam air filter element under the vent holes though.

[1970EuropaGuy]

A couple more details sorted. I fabricated covers for the engine vents from the same material that I used in the rear panel. The photo also shows the mini LeMans style gas cap that I found.

The vents look fabulous. My I ask where you sourced the material?

[Sofa King]

I ordered it from McNichols Co. , they were great to work with. Great service even though I’m sure an order this small was a pain in the neck for them. Freight was a little expensive because they had to ship the sheet flat. But they had exactly what I wanted. They have a great selection of other hole sizes and patterns. I used aluminum.