'72 Europa TC 4-Speed with Webers on BaT Starting 24-July-2024

[Vegantune]

Was sold on BaT before. Built and invoiced May 25, 1972. Looks nice just at first glance, including some reasonable mods. Has an ashtray . . .  but windshield washer don't work (seems like not that difficult a fix).

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1972-lotus-europa-twin-cam-14/

[BDA]

That's our own Certified Lotus's car! The thread on its restoration is here (https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1704.msg15486#msg15486) and the index I created for it is here (https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=4871.msg52756#msg52756). Unless the new owner messed it up, it is a great car (albeit a 4 speed but with Webers). It will be interesting to see what happens with it!

[TurboFource]

The only Europa I have ridden in … it left a very good impression on me 

[Dreamer]

I’ve gone on about owning a ’73 TCS back in the day and that my wife thinks she would now like a Europa of her own. This car does check most of the boxes especially as ours was a Lotus yellow four speed with black interior. I have skimmed through the detailed restoration by choosing BDA’s index site, thanks ever so much by the way. I was not looking forward to going through all 91 pages. I zeroed in on my main issue with all Europas, the stub axles. I read all about the debate as to which way the “flinger” lip was to go. I’m happy to know that uprights were checked and new bearing etc. were installed. My one big question is, were the stub axles changed for newer ones or, were the originals cleaned up and reused? I didn't read anything about them. I’m asking here as I doubt the present owner/seller knows what exact parts were new and what were reused.

[BDA]

You’re welcome for the index. I don’t think Certified Lotus replaced his stub axles. I would expect not but you can send him a PM. Look him up on the members list. He should get it.

[Certified Lotus]

I did not replace the stub axles as they were within spec and had no cracks. The entire transaxle was rebuilt with all new bearings, syncro’s and seals.

The driving video provided is a little odd. The car shifts much smoother than demonstrated (or it did when I owned it).

[BDA]

Hey Certified!

I was surprised by the shifting too. It's amazing to me that there has apparently been only a few thousand miles put on it since you sold it (a picture on your auction listing looks to show 5810 miles, even though the listing says 6000, and a picture of the speedometer the odometer on the car in the current listing shows 6129). So I can't imagine the shifting problem is because of wear but maybe something came loose... Or technique?

Of course, after so few miles, the car still looks as beautiful as when you put it on the road.

[Certified Lotus]

Regarding mileage, the current owner and previous owner only drove it on weekends in nice weather. I drove it a lot when I owned it (including a couple of road trips). Never the less, your right…….it still looks exactly as it did when I sold it.

[BDA]

The car was sold at $31,000. A somewhat disappointing price in my mind. It was bid to $35,000 when Certified sold it and subsequently sold to the high bidder for more. The buyer should be VERY happy!

[Dreamer]

The expression is, “Gobsmacked!” I was pleading with the wife during the last hour to let me bid. I said I wouldn’t go over $32,000. (We don’t have that in cash and it would take some financial magic but it should be doable.) She was very firm with her NO! She did let me go way over our agreed upon limit to purchase our Caterham so I had to give in. But crikey mate! I mean bloody ‘ell dat waz cheap.

[BDA]

I'm really sorry you missed that one but you can console yourself with a blast down some curvy streets in your Caterham!

[Certified Lotus]

I thought it would go for more. These cars are so under valued!

[BDA]

Yeah, they really are! Good for buyers, not so much for sellers.