Superlatives and facts about the Europa

[LotusEuropa]

Hi,

Thinking of the Europa I am occasionally coming back to the following:

I think all of us are aware of the different tastes - some really like their design, others absolutely hate it. Also the power output was okay back then, but far from stunning.
What you cannot debate is that there are some superlatives and cool facts about our cars.

I want to list why I believe the cars are something special and why it should get more attention than it actually gets out there. And if not is the solely fact, it is the combination of them what defines the Europa.
You can see most of them both from back in time and from today's perspective

• One of the lowest cars / coupes ever built (~1.080mm)
• One of the first ever mid-engined production cars
• One of the lightest mid-engined cars ever built in a respectable number (610 ~ 710 kg)
• One of the best handling cars ever according to some testers
• Produced within the most recognizable period of the F1 Team Lotus
• Produced within the heyday of the Lotus-philosophy
• The first car to be produced only in Hethel as far as I know
• It was designed to give access to the mid-engined cars for the average people
• ...

It is not that I try to justify why I love the car, it is about to see what the car really characterizes. And looking back 56 years after SOP I believe some of the listed facts are getting more and more impressive.

I am sure you can add some points to it, so please feel free to do so.

[jbcollier]

It all started with the Seven and Colin's efforts to replace it with something cheaper to build.  That's how the Elan started ( the Elan's origami chassis was a 1/3 of the price of a Seven's) and the Europa as well.  Both times they went upmarket due to drivetrain and body costs and the Seven soldier on.

[Dilkris]

I am told the only car lower in height was (is) the Ford GT40 at 1029mm - is this correct?

[EuropaTC]

The original Marcos 1800 was about the same, 1054mm from an internet search.

There was a fashion for low cars at one point and I can remember looking at a Costin Amigo and thinking "how would I get in that ?". The lowest I can think of was the Adams Probe 16, shown at a few motor shows and also used in the film Clockwork Orange. Now that's a low car....   34"

Brian

[Dilkris]

"........how would I get in that ?".

Brian

As I get older Brian I find myself having more difficulty in getting out of what I have actually managed to get into.....   

[LotusEuropa]

I am told the only car lower in height was (is) the Ford GT40 at 1029mm - is this correct?

Both, the Lamborghini Miura (1.055mm) and the Countach (1.070mm) are also slightly lower, according to Wikipedia.

[lotusfanatic]

I loved the small pink/purple matchbox model that I had when I was a child in the 1970s.

(and I love the fact that the Europa has remained ever so slightly bonkers !

[Roger]

It all started with the Seven and Colin's efforts to replace it with something cheaper to build.  That's how the Elan started ( the Elan's origami chassis was a 1/3 of the price of a Seven's) and the Europa as well.  Both times they went upmarket due to drivetrain and body costs and the Seven soldier on.

I think Elite rather than Seven...

[jbcollier]

No, the Seven made money, they lost money on every Elite made.  The Seven CBU was expensive.  Everything else for the car was as cheap as chips.

[Dilkris]

The Seven CBU was expensive. 

Hi John - What does CBU stand for?

[jbcollier]

Chassis

Body

Unit

With Elites (first generation), Sevens and early Europas, the body and chassis are one part/unit.