Nice to meet You

[vito84]

Hi guys,
mi name is Vito and i write from Italy and i hope you apologize me for my english.
I'm looking for an Europa, i've found one here in italy but i'm not sure if is it a good one.
So, during my information searching i've discovered your forum and a lot of very interesting things.
I would to ask you an help about the car you see in the attached pics.
Can you give also suggestion about how and what check about it?
Thank you, best regards
Vito

[Europaforever]

Hi Vito,

Looking at the photos the car looks nice, but you'll need to check the chassis which is hard
without ramps, though not impossible. The rear valance is a modification to standard as are the exhausts!
Interior looks good, standard oatmeal in colour with an expensive original steering wheel. I am from UK and prices are
a lot higher for Europas here than in USA. Probably higher still in Italy?

Enjoy, ciao!

Rgds, Mark

[Grumblebuns]

Agree, from the pictures, appears to be a nice looking drivable Europa. Seems odd that it still has the emissions evaporative canister, perhaps a former federal car? I like the four tipped exhaust pipes out the rear. It's also the first time I've seen those brake boosters. I wonder where they came from.

Besides the chassis, check for any play in the rear hubs. 

[BDA]

 
Don't worry about your English. It is A LOT better than my Italian (Pizza, Spaghetti, Ravioli, Lasagna... after that it goes down hill really fast!  .

 It does look like a pretty nice car. Of course a lot depends on the price and there's no way I could judge that for a car in Italy. A few things seem to show that the car was actively maintained - the blue gas tanks (it is not trivial to get them out), the replacement boosters, the rear valence is custom and seems nicely installed. I'm not a fan of the four exhaust tips but that's a personal preference.

Grunble and Europaforever pointed you to the main areas of Europa issues. Other than that, check it like any other car. Keep in mind it's an old car so go over it carefully and as completely as you can.

Good luck and let us know what happens!

[Roger]

I'm a bit concerned about the carbs bolted directly to the intake runners without a balance pipe. Suggests a modified Federal car, as does the vapour tank.
It needs a good check over, but might easily be a good car.

[BDA]

I'm a bit concerned about the carbs bolted directly to the intake runners without a balance pipe. Suggests a modified Federal car, as does the vapour tank.
It needs a good check over, but might easily be a good car.

Good eye, Roger!

[vito84]

Hi to everybody,
I confirm that the car is a former federal and in the US life was used as race car. Next saturday i will go to view and check it.
In Italy these car are very rare, but prices are a little bit less than UK. Only in USA there are very affordable prices!
Regards

[cal44]

Vito,
incorrect shift knob, should have chrome bumpers.   

mike

[4129R]

What is the chassis number?

It should be something like 73053489R, where 73 05 are the year and month and 3489 is the actual chassis number and R is US specification.

If you find out the number, we might know some more about it.

[Bainford]

Welcome to the forum, Vito. Good luck in your search for a Europa. Keep us posted. Cheers 

[vito84]

Hi guys,
i'm back from my Lotus Europa visit.
I post some new pics,  before explain my doubts i would like to know your opinion about it (and also a possible economical quotation ).
Thank you for your help.
Best regards.
Vito

[vito84]

Pictures

[vito84]

Pictures

[vito84]

Ultimate pictures

[cal44]

Vito,
that is indeed a U.S car.   The paint number on the tag, if I read it right, is L28, Rover Brown.  Did I see that number correctly?
That would be the first Rover brown Europa I've seen.

Of course the air filter housing is toast but used or new can be purchased.  Are there any waves in the body work as you look down the sides.   How about the door gaps?

As to price............boy, you got me stumped as Lotus prices all over the world differ greatly.   What is the guy asking for the car?  Did you drive it?   Wiring under the dash is a little on the jiggy side but all and all, it doesn't look like a bad car, of course depending on the price.  I see some rubbing on the real axle from the exhaust pipe
mike