Period photos of S1s being built and a prototype

[4129R]

Its still on DVLA database

But not being used on the road since before March 1983.

For those of you watching in black and white, the car is registered yellow.

[lotusfanatic]

The car is in the UK and I believe that it is due to be restored soon

[Nockenwelle]

That are truly fantastic pictures, many thanks for sharing. What a beauty the early Europa is.

I’m quite sure that is ‘P5-103’ a right hand drive prototype.

I also think that 'KPW618E' is the white RHD prototype. There is a letter of Richard Mann published  on 'Europa Central' that names it as one of them. The car even appears in this movie about race car manufacturing ('Look at Life - 1967 - Racing to the start'):

https://youtu.be/jBWuymZ4gaI

[buzzer]

Some great pictures.  Interesting point about it being a prototype the registration plate (E) is for 1967 and S!s started in 1966 so was it an early S2 mule or test car? Also note the bulge under the rear valance was that for a spare?

[Nockenwelle]

The 47 was launched late in 1966 and the I think the S1 early in 1967 so the E reg might still match. See this document for more details on the prototypes:
http://www.lotus-europa.com/mann/mann.pdf

The bulge on the rear underside is just a part of the GRP body that covers the rear lower chassis hoop on the S1.

[jbcollier]

The first 47 was a converted Europa prototype.

[Bodzer]

Thanks JB for the great photos. It was interesting reading about the Else Europa. It looks like atleast one went to the States. I believe that only twelve or so were built. I only know of 4. Gary’s one catalogued here, Steve Jarvis’ well documented one, mine and one that came up for sale on eBay about two years ago.