S1 rolling restoration

[EuropaTC]

Good morning,
The car that followed on the assembly line was delivered to France.
The original plates are different

That's interesting. The top plate is engraved rather than stamped, which is the same as my '68 Elan whereas my '72 Europa plate is stamped. Neither state the model name, just the "Type" identification number.

My guess from those two plates is that the top one is the original Lotus plate and the lower one added by the importing dealership ?  Interesting that the lower plate says "EUROPE" rather than Europa, does that car have the rare "EUROPE" badge on it ?

[Hachille]

Good morning,
The car that followed on the assembly line was delivered to France.
The original plates are different

Hello Europa TC,
That's interesting. The top plate is engraved rather than stamped, which is the same as my '68 Elan whereas my '72 Europa plate is stamped. Neither state the model name, just the "Type" identification number.
We see a similar plate on number 30
http://lotus-europa.com/picview.asp?page=460030

My guess from those two plates is that the top one is the original Lotus plate and the lower one added by the importing dealership ?
https://www.autodiva.fr/forum/download/file.php?id=68455&sid=cef24dfcf185fe6fa3d43729b4697a38&mode=view

  Interesting that the lower plate says "EUROPE" rather than Europa, does that car have the rare "EUROPE" badge on it ?

She does not have a Europe Badge 

[Dilkris]

This means the plan is not to disassemble the whole car but to do what's needed whilst trying to get it back to the road asap.

  We all tried that .....you'll end doing a full rebuild.. !!   
Good luck, welcome, and keep us posted on the journey.

[LotusEuropa]

Thanks again to all.

Can someone tell me if SJ or Banks is selling the correct screws for the steering wheel assembly? I mean the 7 screws fixating the steering wheel to the hub.

If not, can you give me the correct specification? Have to replace the incorrect screws on a wheel I already have.

Thank you.

[jbcollier]

There are no screws.  Originally the steering wheel is riveted to the hub.

[LotusEuropa]

There are no screws.  Originally the steering wheel is riveted to the hub.

I didn't realize that, jb, thanks. I'm not sure about using cheap pop rivets for my steering wheel, would you trust them completely?

Back to the seat belts, does anyone here have a pair of the correct ones for the Europa for sale?

Regards

[Dilkris]

The detail of those 2 engine cover vents look interesting - can you post some close up pictures of those please? 

[LotusEuropa]

The detail of those 2 engine cover vents look interesting - can you post some close up pictures of those please?

Sure, will be able to do so this evening.
But I plan to revert it to the original spec, including the oddie fasteners. If someone is interested in the current one feel free to contact me.

[jbcollier]

100% not pop rivets!  I would thread the holes and fit screws.

[Bryan Boyle]

There are no screws.  Originally the steering wheel is riveted to the hub.

I didn't realize that, jb, thanks. I'm not sure about using cheap pop rivets for my steering wheel, would you trust them completely?

Back to the seat belts, does anyone here have a pair of the correct ones for the Europa for sale?

Regards

My original tiller on 693R was scraped up and the leather/vinyl around the circumference was splitting (not unusual).  I realize NOT stock, but picked up a replacement wheel (OK< it was a a Grant) that looked cool. 

Took apart, all the holes lined up (strangely enough) to swap the original Lotus hub over to the grant wheel.  Tapped out the holes...used stainless cap screws to mount the wheel on the hub, snapped in a later-logo horn button...and that's how she rolled.

Think it didn't detract from the view from the driver seat...and the smaller diameter meant that my fingers weren't jammed up against the windshield either.  Style fit the car (as you can see from the second photo...)

Think you can see all the photos here:
http://www.lotuseuropa.us/0693r/photos/index.php/2009/03-21-09-Steering_Wheel

[EuropaTC]

That's a really nice wheel Bryan.

I'll admit I'm not a great lover of modern wheel styles but that just looks as if it belongs there - even the later gold horn centre !

Brian

[Bryan Boyle]

That's a really nice wheel Bryan.

I'll admit I'm not a great lover of modern wheel styles but that just looks as if it belongs there - even the later gold horn centre !

Brian

Thanks!  It turned out pretty nice back in the day. 

The Wickens emblem horn center was from my '86 turbo; I put a regular black and grey original emblem in its place to start...but the crash pad on the original Turbo wheel was only contact cemented on and while nicer than the original esprit wheel...the damn pad kept coming loose in my lap while driving.  So...updated it with a later (I recall) Excel wheel my mechanic had sourced for me.

I did a variation on the theme on my current ride; smaller diameter, the original center trim bit fit perfectly, just had to rearrange the turn flasher cancel pins as previously stated.  Like the smaller diameter wheels; they fit the tiny nature of the car better.... 

The first photo is the current wheel I'm running in 3291R.  13" diameter, rim is nicely thick and padded.  Just wish the seam at the top had a centering piece sewn in for that full boy racer look...lol

Second photo is a spare S1/S2 wheel I have...using it as wall art in the garage...some marking on the left aluminum spoke, but, cover is in good condition considering it age.  Even the horn button (Original!) is uncrazed and still works!  Keeping it for as long as I can.  Don't even know what it's worth, but it is OEM and original.  That counts for something.

Third photo is the original TCS wheel from the factory.  The center trim cup is from the current wheel in photo 1; the original center trim cup from the factory on this wheel fit the replacement wheel in photo 1 exactly.  How lucky can you get, right? 

[LotusEuropa]

The detail of those 2 engine cover vents look interesting - can you post some close up pictures of those please?

Sure, will be able to do so this evening.
But I plan to revert it to the original spec, including the oddie fasteners. If someone is interested in the current one feel free to contact me.

Here are the pictures. This doesn't look as efficient as the original 4-hole layout. I think it was done for looks, but I'm not sure.

[Dilkris]

Those are interesting photo's..!!!
Making gauze covers for the engine vents is well documented on this forum but I have never seen the opening edges finished like that.
Are those vents into the engine compartment close to the hinges of the engine cover lid? The lid appears to be have been substantially re-worked.
A lot of work has gone into that car from a P.O.
We will all look forward to more pictures of what (hopefully) will be pleasant surprises of what that car holds underneath.       

[LotusEuropa]

It is time for a brief update:

After continuously working on the car and getting most of the parts, I have decided to professionally repaint the car and not just partially paint it. The main reasons for this are the many places where this became necessary and the poor and non-original metallic paint that is on the car. Therefore, a painter friend of mine has agreed to help with the preparations and do the main work. The car will remain yellow (L07 Lotus Yellow) and get black inside. Apart from the visual aspect, the car is in good order. The chassis is in good condition.

I'm really looking forward to it.