74 Europa Silverstone auction

[Lou Drozdowski]

A restoration done in 2006 that has held up nicely...curious on what this one will fetch.

https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/sa078b-lot-17539-1974-lotus-europa-twin-cam-john-player-special?el=17539&pn=1&pp=100

[BDA]

It doesn’t appear to be an actual JPS since, unless I missed it, it doesn’t have the JPS number badge. Having said that, it is stunning! The interior is among the nicest I’ve seen and everything else looks well done. Unfortunately, it appears to have stock front shocks (are they still available?) because the nose is sticking up.

Has the market for beautiful Europas sagged? Their price guidance seems very low to me.

[MRN I J]

Its on Weber's, I thought they were supposed tp be on Dellorto's as the general running was much better, just been reading about it, Tony Rudd put them on

[Bainford]

The ad is horribly written, fraught with general errors. Whoever wrote it is highly ill informed on Europas. I have always hated the reference to Europas as having 'bread van' styling as it generally means the speaker/writer has a poor understanding of the usage of the term, but using it to describe a Special is just wrong. The ad also seems to suggest that because the paper work identifies the car as a Special, that it is a JPS. I think Jim is correct, that it is not a JPS - no dash badge, and biscuit interior (though the interior could have been changed).

Nice Europa all the same, though. Just annoyed by the poorly written ad, which, as a buyer, always diminishes any confidence in the product. It will be interesting to see what it sells for.

[TheKid#9]

The ad is horribly written, fraught with general errors. Whoever wrote it is highly ill informed on Europas. I have always hated the reference to Europas as having 'bread van' styling as it generally means the speaker/writer has a poor understanding of the usage of the term, but using it to describe a Special is just wrong. The ad also seems to suggest that because the paper work identifies the car as a Special, that it is a JPS. I think Jim is correct, that it is not a JPS - no dash badge, and biscuit interior (though the interior could have been changed).

Nice Europa all the same, though. Just annoyed by the poorly written ad, which, as a buyer, always diminishes any confidence in the product. It will be interesting to see what it sells for.

I agree, also it is not a special, nor is it a JPS. The instrument cluster and the front side markers are wrong, none in the rear. It does have a 5 speed which is good. Solid car even though it is advertised wrong but should go for some good money.

[SilverBeast]

It is a Special. Its UK spec and Lotus never changed the dash/column controls in the UK (or rest of world?) Only in the US did they give it less power and more weight with lower compression, strombergs, emissions equipment, dual circuit brakes, hazard warning lights and seat belt warning interlock.

I agree it's not a "JPS", I don't think they made any even with just the dealer badges as late as 74.  It does have the map pocket between the seats and engine lid struts of the later Specials.

[kram350kram]

Only one wiper ? Thought by '74 there were two?

[jbcollier]

Depends on the country of import's requirements.  Almost all of the UK sold Europas had one wiper, right to the end of production.

[4129R]

It looks very normal for a UK spec '74 model.

The UK did not have badges for JPS. They were only for US market.

All UK spec had 1 wiper. The side repeater lights are UK spec too.

I think it should fetch £30,000 - £32,000 if marketed properly, but this is the wrong time of the year to fetch a top price.

[Lotsof 3146 R]

SOLD for £33750

[jbcollier]

PS: Lotus went with Dellorto carbs because they were cheaper than Webers.  The fact they were a better performing carb in the low and mid-ranges was, I'm sure, incidental to the cost factor.

[4129R]

SOLD for £33750

Good news for me, at last.

[Kendo]

As all of us, I have been following sale prices. Is this price indicative of Europa values around the world, or more UK specific?

And JBC, why do Dellortos work better at lower ranges?

[jbcollier]

Better progressive circuit and transition to mains.

[Sparkrite]

£33,750 plus 12% and vat. Saw the car in person,not bad but not fantastic either. It had a spring attached to the gear selector rod and up to the top of the gearbox to offset the weight?. I wonder if thats a good idea.