1974 Black TCS on eBay

[literarymadness]

I don't think I have ever seen 3 Black TCS's before at one time on eBay.  Seller debates whether it is JPS, but as far as I know Lotus never built a JPS with a 4 speed. And they definitely offered black as a colour option after the initial run of 100 Federal JPS's, but non- badged.  Looks like it is all there in the engine bay but yikes the dashboard.  It looks like an easier restoration than the Tanner one being offered on eBay.  Or just spend the $38,500 for the restored JPS one on eBay.

Wesley

[BDA]

I'm quite certain all the JPSs were 5-speed but I didn't find the confirmation I wanted here (http://www.lotus-europa.com/jps.html). Some of that is disputed by Andy at Lotus. I might have an email from him about the JPS Europas. If I find it I'll post it.

It is interesting to see three black Europas on eBay at one time. They sort of run the gamut, don't they?

[Lou Drozdowski]

All JPS edition specials were equipped with with the 365/5 speed box...

[BDA]

Yeah, Lou. I saw that when I reviewed this thread that Andy Graham started: http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1448.0

During that thread, I looked up the JPS info on lotus-europa.com that I linked to in my earlier post and passed that to Andy Graham at Lotus. Here is his reply that I promised:

Jim,

Unfortunately without documentation, the full truth cannot be provided and this is why there is so much confusion. I have asked two retired colleagues about these badges, one says they were nothing to do with Lotus and another says there were, so as you can see, even ex-employees have mixed memories/knowledge so it is no wonder members of the public have conflicting ideas too.

I have not seen any evidence to support these were fitted by production. Based on numbers provided by customers, the numbers are far too random to be production fitted, and so I personally believe these were supplied by sales and marketing or distributors for the US cars.

Any documentation I have seen shows 100 for USA, so why some US customers have plaques showing 1** numbers again is a mystery.

Remember many people also claim that these were a limited edition, but this is not true, a black Europa Special was available from launch until the end. As stated on there, no difference between a ‘numbered car’ and a standard black car.

Regards,

[Certified Lotus]

The value of limited edition marketing of sports cars. Amazing that all it took was a plastic emblem with a number on it.

I would rather spend my money on engine and suspension enhancements than one of 100 plastic emblems....

Just sayin.

[BDA]

Yeah. I'm happy to live with the shame of not having a JPS Europa. I have JPS stickers on my 'B' pillars which is sort of an homage to the first Europa I owned and because I like the way it looks. I thought I saw somewhere that some (all) original purchasers of JPS Europas got a jacket and some other trinkets but I can't find the article any more.

I told a guy that there wasn't really that much "special" about a TC Special - there's a lot more special about a TCS than there is about a JPS!

[literarymadness]

It is amazing the misinformation on Wikipedia. This is from the Wiki "Lotus Europa"page.

1972 Lotus Europa Special
Introduced in September 1972, the first 100 Big Valve cars were badged and painted to honour the just-won Team Lotus's 1972 F1 World Championship title with John Player Special as sponsors, all with five-speed gearbox, these were all black with gold pin stripe matching the livery of the GP cars – plus a numbered JPS dash board badge, becoming the first ever John Player Special commemorative motor vehicles. The "Special" name and colour scheme was planned to be dropped after the first 200 cars, reverting to the Twin Cam name, but such was the positive reaction to the new car that the name and pin stripe scheme remained until the end of Europa production although colours other than black were made available.

In the end the numbered plaque distinguished the first, original, 100 JPS cars from other black Europa Specials.

Lou's letter to the dealer clearly disproves this myth I have seen repeated in multiple articles.  And Lotus didn't win the Championship until October which is when the formula 1 season ended (just shortly before that letter was sent out to the dealers). If I am not mistaken none of the first 100 Specials were JPS's. Fellow Forum member 2766R, his TCS is still its original Lotus Yellow and mine, 2758R, is still in its original Colorado Orange.

[tedtaylor]

regardless of all the banter.... I think it is safe to say, this car is NOT an original numbered JPS.    someone obtained the badge to stick on the dash OR the transmission was changed out?
Having owned two previous genuine numbered JPS Europas (#185 & #059) they were very original cars with 5 speed transmissions AND black interiors.
and having my druthers, I still LOVE the unique individuality and originality and history mystique behind the legend.....
 

[literarymadness]

And then there were none!  The Kurt Tanner JPS sold and the restored JPS is no longer listed, and the same goes with the 1974 Black one.  Down to one lone Europa (Recency Red) listed on eBay.