Newbie here from New York U.S.A.

[Tom999w]

More pictures... Note the license plate that says 1976 on the left and has a 1980 reg sticker on the right...

[Tom999w]

More pictures...

[Tom999w]

One more...

[Exlimey]

Just to wet your appetite and keep you working ,2021 Stowe show.

[Tom999w]

Just to wet your appetite and keep you working ,2021 Stowe show.

Oh nice. The last British show I went to (British Conclave) in another state had about 150 cars there, with plenty of representation by Rolls Royce, Bentley, Tvr, Morris Garages, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Rover, Mini, Austin, Jensen, Lotus, Triumph, BSA, etc...

[BDA]

Thanks for the pictures, Tom999w! After you get the snow off your baby, what are your plans for her? Keep her stock? Modifications?

[Tom999w]

I'll be making it just totally stock. I know alot of people will grumble about that, but if I wanted a car with modernized suspension, a Zetec engine, a big stereo , and comfortable seats then I'd go buy a Ford Focus...
90% of the driving experience of an old car is in re-living the sights/sounds/feels of the era. New cars nowadays have eradicated that experience. I feel bad for the drivers of tomorrow, who will never have felt what it was like to REALLY drive a car...
 Im sure some old codgers would say that racing a Model A Ford around a dirt oval track with no helmet, seat belts, roll bar, is a REAL driving experience, but I'm talking about 1960's-70's technology....

[BDA]

There is very little stock about my car but I don’t see a thing wrong with restoring your car to stock condition. In fact, generally stock cars and cars with certain desirable mods tend to bring more money than even well thought out, executed, and documented cars everything else being equal. There’s no reason to be defensive at all!

I’m not alone in saying I look forward to watching your progress!

[Tom999w]

Ya, that yellow Europa floating around the internet with the V8 engine in it has to be pretty interesting to see.. Whatever makes people happy, is ok. These cars are pretty common, so mods are pretty much inevitable.. I have a few cars in my collection that are one of very very few made, it would be a sacrilege to modify them, but these Europe's are pretty plentiful..

[dakazman]

  Hi Tom ,
 I like the info you posted. I am your older cousin 0453R  built 6/70 paint code L06
Your close but your car was built 8/70  and it  L04 cirrus white. Hope you like the snow color it’s original to the car😂 see link.

http://www.lotus-europa.com/colors.html

   

   Dakazman

[Tom999w]

Yours is burnt sand? There doesn't seem to be many burnt sand cars on the internet.

The cirrus white is a pretty nice color.

[2766R]

Hi Tom,

I'm a bit late to the game but    So, I've noticed that you are in Sullivan County.  My brother lives in Wurtsboro, across from the Airport & Glider field.  We both flew sailplanes there.  I plan on taking a ride up that way with my Special sometime in the spring.  Maybe we could meet up?

As been mentioned, some subtle, period correct mods would not detract from the experience.  I, for one, wanted to maintain a very stock look with some performance tweaks.  But by all means, if pure stock is your goal, go for it!  Looking forward to your progress.

Gerry     

[Tom999w]

Hi Gerry, that would be good, I live in Livingston Manor, which is about 30 miles up Route 17 from Wurtsboro. I'd be scared to drive on I-87 and Route 17 from Long Island though because they're  a very close equivalent to the Indy 500, except all the drivers are not wearing helmets and have their phones in their faces. Personally I've always taken the longer scenic route. It's safer and un-crowded...

[Tom999w]

Here are a few more pictures. It's -7 degrees here now, so a rule of thumb is that work doesn't commence when you can't feel your fingers..

You can still see the original Cirrus White paint in some places...

[Tom999w]

One more picture. I'm thinking the rear lid must have flown off onto the highway during transport from Michigan because it's pretty busted up...

Note the mesh rear grille with the exhaust cutout. I'm not sure if that's stock because you see alot of Europas with different rear configurations there.. Some with solid rear panels, some with no exhaust hole in the mesh, etc...

Also note the two rear license plate lights. I'd assumed this was a Federal car since the VIN ended with an "R", so I wonder why they'd put license plates lights for a euro plate...