74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo

[dakazman]

Just passing it On:

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/europa/2326555.html

Dakazman

[BDA]

Nice car. There are a few minor issues with the interior but a very nice original car! I hope he gets his price.

[Bainford]

I don't know how much people are getting for their Europas lately, but the ask has sure gone up in the last several years.

[BDA]

I used to visit Hemmings pretty regularly to see what was for sale and what people were asking. The unfortunate thing is you never know how much of what they asked, they got so I don't visit as frequently. Bring a Trailer (https://bringatrailer.com) does keep track of that sort of thing so it's more useful in that regard. Here's the report on Europas: https://bringatrailer.com/lotus/europa/. You can see the general trend and range of prices from the graph and the postings are available by clicking on the dots in the graph so you can see what the car looked like. Judging from that, $30,000 is pretty much in the nosebleed price range but we can hope that in spite of the few interior issues I saw the seller gets his price and possibly turn the trend further up! But then we're not likely to find out.

[Certified Lotus]

Nice example of a well maintained Europa. I think $30K is fair. There were two Europa’s sold this year for $35K and mine is at the nose bleed asking price of $40K.  I’m patient.  I just sold two Elan’s that people told me I wouldn’t get my asking price. I did.

I still believe the Europa is way undervalued for what it is. Nicely restored versions should be going for much more money. One day in the near Future they will.

[BDA]

I hope the seller gets his price but I see a big difference between yours and his. Yours is essentially a new 1972 Europa - in fact better than new given your motor. The other car is very nice but there are some problems with the interior (the padded trim at the bottom of the dash and a tear in the steering column/signal stalk surround. Then he has a 54,000 mile old Stromberg engine while you have a fresh Quicksilver Weber motor. I'd say both of your cars are in the nosebleed price range but given the money, I'd buy yours without thinking.

[4129R]

Invoiced 22nd November 1973, built October 1973.

A little optimistic advertising it as a 1974 car.

Only got a 4 speed gearbox too, which is strange for a late TCS.

It does have the original gas struts to hold the engine cover up, and the map box between the seats, which I thought came in a few months later.
 

[surfguitar58]

Invoiced 22nd November 1973, built October 1973.

A little optimistic advertising it as a 1974 car.

Only got a 4 speed gearbox too, which is strange for a late TCS.

It does have the original gas struts to hold the engine cover up, and the map box between the seats, which I thought came in a few months later.

Mine is 4043R, also built in October of 1973, also documented as a 1974 model, also has the map pouch, and also has a 352 4-speed. (But not for long!)
Tom

[BDA]

I thought the 4-speed was a bit of a downer but I have heard from people who felt they had no use for a 5-speed (365). My first Europa was a 4-speed and was glad when my next (current) Europa had a 5-speed. In fact, that was one of the reasons I got it.

[surfguitar58]

Oddly, in the Europa Registry it is listed as having a 5-speed. Also says "Frame-on restoration completed in 2002".

[BDA]

I wonder if he (or the PO) swapped the 365 for a 352...

[jbcollier]

365 + "BANG" + no parts = 352

[Bainford]

Invoiced 22nd November 1973, built October 1973.

A little optimistic advertising it as a 1974 car.

Only got a 4 speed gearbox too, which is strange for a late TCS.

It does have the original gas struts to hold the engine cover up, and the map box between the seats, which I thought came in a few months later.

Mine is 4043R, also built in October of 1973, also documented as a 1974 model, also has the map pouch, and also has a 352 4-speed. (But not for long!)
Tom

Mine is 3682R, built in July '73 but registered as a '74. It does not have the gas struts or the map pocket, so I always refer to it as a '73.

[BDA]

365 + "BANG" + no parts = 352

Well said!

[literarymadness]

According to this bulletin, 5 speeds were still optional through the 1974 1/2 models, which certainly implies that there were late (1974 1/2) 4 speeds.