1972 Europa on BaT

[BDA]

While looking back at a few Europas that sold on Bring a Trailer, I found a new Europa auction (are people looking to get rid of their Europas all of a sudden?).

This one is not as nice as the previous BaT Europa I posted about. It's a standard TC with a 4-speed. The front looks really strange. It looked like he has 185/60s on the front so there is a lot of air between the tire and the fender. He didn't have any pictures of it on a lift so I can't tell but I suspect that he has the stock shocks all the way around. Almost no mods at all to see except the boosters were replace with Lockheed units (not really a mod). I'm not expecting much from this.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1972-lotus-europa-twin-cam-6/

[1970EuropaGuy]

Looks like it could be a good purchase for a rolling restoration. It's in similar shape to the S2 I bought last year and has worked out well. I'm guessing $11.000.

[tedtaylor]

@BDA are you sure you have the right link?   this sold in Sept for $22K

[BDA]

Oops!! Thanks Ted. I fixed it in my post.

[literarymadness]

This will definitely go for more than $11,000.  The previous owner had it for 44 years and seemed like he took fairly good care of it and it doesn't need a whole lot to get it where it should be.  Based on the last auction, I am thinking high teens.  There were five different bidders who bid over $17,000 for the last one but fell short of the final bid.  The TC that sold today was $22,500, the TCS that sold this past September on BAT was $22,000 and the S2 that sold in May on BAT went for $27,850.  Prices are creeping up. But more importantly, Europas finally seem to be getting the respect they deserve.  I would be surprised if I didn't see a bump in final auction bids. 

[BDA]

I like the way you think, 'madness! Better prices are long overdue, IMHO.

[tedtaylor]

$15K - $17K is my guess....

[BDA]

Maybe we could start a pool! 

[literarymadness]

Alrighty BDA:  My guess is 19,000-20,000.  Other than the weber heads, these cars are close in many ways.  The yellow had an owner for 33 years; the blue, an owner for 44 years.  The yellow has a sprint cam upgrade; the blue, an aluminum flywheel upgrade.  The blue has most of its its original paint and badges.  The yellow I believed was repainted.  The yellow was rebuilt in 1986 and the blue in 1993.  I think the person who won the bid wanted it enough to pay more but wasn't challenged in the bidding.  This car is more in line with the bidders who lost and their budget.  What is your bid guess BDA?

[BDA]

Starting at the $22,500 of the yellow car, I'd take some off for the Stromberg head, the 4-speed, and the original shocks. Neither dashes do anything for me and changing them is a major PITA. I would much prefer the locking flip top fuel filler but they wouldn't be used in '72 so I can't count off for that. I think you and I are in the same neighborhood but I would give a little less than you, 'madness. Even though it's already up to $7,100 with less than 6 days to go, I think I'll go $17,000 - $19,000.

Of course, I thought the yellow car would go for more than the $22,500 it brought so this blue one might catch fire and bring more which make me happy but I'd surprised (happily) if it brought $20,000.

We need to come with a prize for the winner! 

[Certified Lotus]

I think it will go for less than $18K (unfortunately).  Doesn’t present as well as the yellow car. Price does not include the buyers premium. I would like to be proven wrong and see it go for much more.  You never know with an auction. It only takes two bidders who want it at almost any price.

I’ve done my best in the comment sections of these BAT Europa’s to keep the interest up (as ‘madness has too). Who knows, maybe this is the start of Europa prices going up!

[literarymadness]

Well 1970EuropaGuy, you just about nailed it.  It sold for $11,252.  I was way off the mark, but it didn't help that there were no videos.  I am still shaking my head over this one.

[BDA]

That is a pretty low winning bid. I think Certified was right that it didn't show very well - in fact it looked a little scruffy. No videos certainly didn't help. Then there was that vibration that wasn't diagnosed (my guess is that it wasn't tire or wheel related because that seems to start around 50mph). It could be alignment as 'madness figured but then it could be something else. Somebody asked for the current condition of the drive train but there was very little detail from the seller...

BTW - what does it mean when a comment is yellowed?

Edit: I said it looked scruffy. That is probably harsh. There are some simple things that could done to make it show a little better - for example, the shift gaiter isn't anchored, there is some electrical piece that appears not to be used that is hanging from the passenger side of console cover, the glove box was in poor shape (though replacing that would be a real bear so I don't count much off for that). I do think he might have gotten more for it if he had detailed the engine and tranny a bit...

[1970EuropaGuy]

That was a good deal. I did expect it to go higher but when you look at the cost of painting and refurbishing this will still be a $20,000 + Europa.

[tedtaylor]

price low due to bad timing.....right before Christmas....who's shelling out big bucks for classic cars this time of year anyway???