New Europa S1 in town

[Moses]

Hello everyone, 

I am just starting a Europa S1 restoration. However, it is not my first Europa project. I bought a Europa S2 back in 1990 and restored it for the most part. After I sold it in 2004, I was without a Lotus for quite a while. I got back into it a few years ago via a Rover Elise 111 S.
My brother, also the owner of a Europa S1, brought this S1 to my attention. It was offered in Ottawa, Canada. At first sight, one could mistake it for an S2, especially because of the false tail lights, but the year of construction was also given as 1969. Without further ado, I called the owner and asked for the chassis number: 460161, so without a doubt an S1. The incredibly friendly and helpful owner was the owner of a small garage and had bought it from a customer rather out of embarrassment. We got on well straight away, which was certainly helpful for a purchase without a viewing and prepayment. He helped me a lot to ship the Europa to Germany via Montreal. Everything arrived intact - and I got a lotus cake from my family... When I had unpacked all the parts at my leisure, it was clear that it was almost complete. Even parts of the original dashboard were there. I bought the (correct) tail lights from Carello on ebay at about the same time.
Now I want to restore the Europa to the original as best I can. When I took a closer look at the chassis, I noticed that it had been restored, but something in the middle felt strange. As the body was open at the bottom, we lifted it off. Unfortunately, our fears came true: An S2 front part seems to have been welded to the original frame. The welding work doesn't look very professional. So I have now decided to install a new frame. However, all my efforts have failed so far. When I had the frame for my S2 restored in the 1990s, I took it to Midas Metalcraft in England, but the company no longer exists. Both the guys at Banks and Kelvedon can't help me at the moment. Does anyone have any ideas and can give me a tip, how to get a new frame?

In any case, I am happy that I am now the proud owner of a Europa S1. 

Many greetings, Stefan

[TurboFource]

 

I am not sure where you can get an S1 chassis, hopefully someone can help you!

Looks like a project like my car!

[jbcollier]

There are no S1 chassis available.  You can, however, easily modify an early S2 chassis to S1 specs.  You can, just a bit more involved, modify a later S2 chassis as well.

[Moses]

Thank you for the tip. I had also thought of modifying an S2 chassis, but there is no S2 chassis available either. Let's see...

[BDA]

  Moses!!

You sure seem to be acquainted with a lot of S1s!!

You may have to buy a new S2 frame to modify. Have you talked to Spyder? I know they didn’t always make the tube frame they are famous for now (I have non-tube frame under my TCS) and they may be able to work with you.

If nothing else works, you’ll have to modify/fix/rebuild the frame you have. Not being a welder (watch how easily I say the next part!), I would think it wouldn’t be all that difficult.

It seems like you certainly have the first ingredient for a successful restoration - motivation. Good luck with your baby! And keep us informed of your progress!

[Chuck Nukem]

What an excellent project! I am also a lover of the S1. They all deserve to be saved! I am looking forward to your progress. I have 2 S1A currently and unfortunately both frames are unoriginal (one is non usable)

I made a mold of the rear of 0392 to repair 0468 which had been badly damaged. I think you can probably source the S1 rear end more closely from banks, but if you have trouble I could make you one. The tail lights are a different story....

[S2Zetec54]

Welcome and good luck with the project.

Lots of progress photos please

[jbcollier]

Spyder and Banks used to make stock replacement S2/TC chassises as well.  Word got around and Lotus sued.  They had to "cease and desist" and pay a settlement.  Lotus licenses someone to make stock chassises but I don't know who that is right now.  They usually make them up in batches.  When they run out, they let the orders get to a certain level before doing another run

No one has made S1 replacement chassises for decades.  Put the word out and see what turns up.  I found an early S2 chassis in Seattle and modified it to suit.  Worked great.

[kram350kram]

Not knowing, what are the differences between the S1 and S2 chassis? I know S1 bodies were bonded to the chassis. What mods would be required to an S2 chassis to use with an S1 body so it can be rebonded?

[jbcollier]

The S1 chassis is technically not bonded-to, but bonded-in to the S1 body.  The chassis goes between the lower and upper body sections.  The two sections are bonded together and then the chassis is riveted to body: bottom of the T-section to the Y junction, top of the T-section, interior has three along each side where it widens for the Y-junction, bolts to the body at the end of each Y-section and the tranny mount loop is bonded to the rear under tray.

Other differences include:
- a series of welded nuts to provide three different locations for the throttle pedal bracket
- spot-welded-in, sheet-metal "floors" around the lower a-arm
- triangular seat belt support brackets
- no tabs for attaching the body
- different hole patterns on the front T-section and rear chassis diaphragm plate (I did not change these and just used S2 coolant pipes)

[jbcollier]

PS: the welded-in through tubes in the rear loop are for the custom mount on a 395 transaxle.

[Bodzer]

That is a very nice project. Good luck with it.  I have the frame that I took out of my S2(1970). The front box will have to be replaced/repaired but but the rear is ok. You can have it for free if you’re willing to arrange the shipping from Ireland?

[jbcollier]

Both Banks and Spyder can repair an old chassis by fitting a new "T-section".  You could buy the above chassis and have it sent to one of the two and then you are business.

[kram350kram]

JB, your S1 chassis looks much stronger at the lower T-section near the foot box area, much more so than a TCS. Was there an insulation pad between the body and chassis? Thanks for the info.

[jbcollier]

Just a short piece around the gearshift access hole.