Reviving 4139R (74 TCS) after 40 years

[69merc]

Thanks for the info on the wheels, I did not know that 

[69merc]

Just an FYI on the front alignment when I lowered the front end.  Before I lowered it, the camber was 0 degrees.  After I lowered it, the camber is now -1.5 degrees.  The toe is neutral ( maybe a smidge toe in).  Just some info if anyone wants to know how much camber gain can be expected from lowering the front end.

[BDA]

Yeah, that's kind of a problem. The camber is supposed to be between 0 and +30'.

There are a couple of ways to fix that. Some have slotted the bottom A-arm holes and made sets of shims that fit neatly in the A-arm with holes that change the camber. Yeah, that sounds like a lot of work to me and fraught with the possibility for errors requiring you to do a lot of extra work! But then if you have the time and want the challenge...

On the other hand, you can buy adjustable upper A-arms. I have a set I got from Richard at Banks (now Lotus Supplies at https://www.lotus-supplies.com/parts/). If you go the route, make sure you get bushings with it. That will require you to take the upper suspension pivot pin out and all that entails. The upper ball joint screws in and out to adjust the camber. IIRC, Richard said a turn equates to 3/8° so you should be able to get a reasonable camber value that way. I don't know that Lotus Supplies is the only place to get such a thing so you might try some other places if the price is scary.

[jbcollier]

Kelvedon carries them as well but I think they get them from Lotus Supplies.

[Bainford]

The Europa is looking good, and keeping good company. Cheers.

[69merc]

It was interesting to see how Lotus kept some design ideas from the Europa on the front end of the Elise.

[Bryan Boyle]

Made a couple of YouTube videos for funsies 

https://youtu.be/NzRTArpaIs8

https://youtu.be/QulpTKVcoz8

nice work.

Suggestion: get a can of silicone spray and treat the door window channel felts...your window motors will thank you!  (It does make a difference, believe or not!)

Otherwise, good job.  Enjoy the ride!

[69merc]

Just some more YouTube content on my Europa revival story.

https://youtu.be/3CaFS1KLEMs

https://youtu.be/1qq6bRuz02c

https://youtu.be/_sE8_mokHkg

https://youtu.be/w8l86sstbEc

Enjoy 

[BDA]

Nice job!! I bet it's satisfying realizing you resurrected a neglected Europa and restoring it using most of its original pieces. She really came out very nicely! The wheels especially came out nicely! 

[69merc]

It’s very satisfying to get it back on the road.  I feel lucky that I was able to use all the original parts.
That definitely kept the budget reasonable 

[jbcollier]

That and lots of your labour.  Job well done and it is still largely original !!

[69merc]

Yeah, I often forget about the cost of my own labor.  It’s been enjoyable on this car.  I think I’m going to put the original air cleaner assembly back on just because the car is so original.

[TurboFource]

Enjoyed your videos! How do you like the car now that it is on the road?

[69merc]

I’m really enjoying it (I’ve only put 100 miles on it so far).  It’s soooo different than what I’m used to driving and working on (American v8 muscle cars).  I’m getting more comfortable with it’s small size and the attention it draws. 

[69merc]

Representing at the St. Louis British Car show today!  The more miles I’m putting on it the more I’m falling for this quirky little car