my latest Europa project came up on Facebook a few months ago and I couldn’t quite believe my luck. I loved my yellow Else Europa but it was my first Europa project and there were always elements of the car that I wish I’d done better or differently.
The back story to the new project is that it was involved in a rear collision about 25 years ago which required a replacement left rear quarter. Unfortunately when the monkey that fitted it lined up the new quarter with the chassis he didn’t realise that the chassis was bent until he went to fit the engine cover which was by then about 12mm too wide for the opening. He tried to shave the engine cover with obvious comedy consequences before giving up and selling the car as a project.
The next guy took the body off and had the chassis straightened and powder coated. He then restored and rebuilt the entire chassis with new brakes, suspension and coolant pipes. He sourced a Renault 17 Gordini Engine and gearbox and had them fully reconditioned and installed.
And then, inexplicably, he waxed it all, wheeled it to the corner of his workshop and left it for 20 years.
When I heard the story, I didn’t hesitate and agreed to pay the asking price over phone and this new project was in my workshop within 24hrs.
The project came with loads of spares and it quickly became apparent that I had another Else Europa which was later confirmed by the heritage certificate. The original Else R16 was present and in good condition and I had boxes of spares to catalogue.
