trailer

[Nisswa Collision]

I got this trailer with a series 2 Europa that I sold. Later I stumbled across the plans that the trailer was built from. I think it was the Golden Gate Lotus club site? Anyway, I thought I'd show it to you. I learned that the car goes on backwards from the plans. My fenders were installed later and in the wrong location although it's nice to be able to open the car doors on the trailer. The tires rub on bumps. When I first picked up the trailer from the welder that installed the fenders, he had welded them on in such a way so as to block the suspension by the leaf springs hitting the fenders. He must have been high.

[BDA]

Nice trailer, Nisswa!  Having it sprung is a nice touch.

[Nisswa Collision]

A wrecking yard guy said he recognized the axle from a Dodge or Plymoth Voyager Van. It has been widened with a section of round pipe in the middle.

[TurboFource]

I always thought they would make a good trailer axle!

[jbcollier]

Be VERY CAREFUL if you are towing a Europa backwards.  The wind can get under the engine cover and lift it up.  It flips up and over destroying itself, the roof, and the windshield.  This is a common occurrence.  If you absolutely have to tow it backward, make sure the engine cover is tied down.  The lock will not hold it.

[Nisswa Collision]

How can the air get underneath it? Maybe the old ones that had a screen rear panel would fill up, but mine has no opening.  At speed it tucks nicely behind my lowered Silverado with a topper (cap). It wasn't a problem towing this car on it from Northern Minnesota to south of Phoenix. (A couple thousand miles in 2 1/2 days) It likes 60 lbs of air in the tires and it's best to have weight in my standard-cab, short-bed, 2wd pickup. To tow it with an empty truck or small SUV, you'd want trailer brakes. With a heavy truck, you can stop it.

[GavinT]

How can the air get underneath it? . . [...]

Observe the trailer.

I had a Europa engine cover lift, flip over the roof and break the windscreen (and the cover) just as JB describes.
This happened while parked in a car park on a windy day.

I'd expect with any Europa being towed backwards on a trailer, there's more than a slight chance of air moving either under or from the sides of the tow vehicle.

[jbcollier]

Glad your tow worked out.  I wouldn't tempt fate though.

[Nisswa Collision]

I hope you paid your insurance and adjusted your latch correctly if that's what happens when parked.

[GavinT]

I hope you paid your insurance and adjusted your latch correctly if that's what happens when parked.

Hi Nisswa,

You've seen the latch, right? 

[jbcollier]

I added button latches to each side, as per the early cars and the 47.  I plan to replace the mini-quick-latches with period fittings:

[Sandyman]

We all know what can happen. We take our own risks.

[RoddyMac]

I did something similar to John's car, though I made the plates and modified some Dzus fasteners (cut, extended, and welded) as finding Oddies proved too difficult:

[jbcollier]

That's what I'm looking at switching to, more of a period look.

[TurboFource]

JB and Roddy,
Your cars could be twins!