Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Members Cars => Topic started by: BK911 on Monday,January 27, 2014, 05:56:39 AM
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Hey guys/gals,
Picked up a '69 S2 over the weekend.
Sitting indoors for about 25 years.
Rear wheels locked up so what a PITA to get in/out of the trailer!! :headbanger:
Looks pretty complete but some mouse damage on most of the interior.
Lots of surface rust on the frame but doesnt look too serious. Yet!
This is my first Lotus so expect lots of questions!
Q1 - where are the jacking points? Wanted to lift it but jacking points were not obvious.
BK
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Go here: http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/s2owner/index.htm (http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/s2owner/index.htm). You can download the owners manual which shows the jacking points plus a lot of other things you might want to know. When I jack the rear, I place the jack under the transaxle mount and lift both sides. Been doing that for 40 years with no problems so I guess it's safe.
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I see it is a blue plate special from California.....or, are my eyes that bad?
What a neat project. Don't lose patience, it's a learning.
love the bread van Europa's....nice find.
Looks like a 911 sitting next to it.
mike
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Thanks for the link George. Shop manuals are top priority now.
I just started another project but couldnt resist this one. 1500#s of joy! I will tinker with her off/on until I finish the other project.
Your eyes are pretty good Mike. Was a San Diego car but sitting for ~25 years in a TN garage, where I found it.
Other car (fender) is a '62 356.
Ebrake was left on so drums were LOCKED. Took lots of propane, a can of PB Blaster and many whacks with a hammer, but she rolls now!
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Well BK,
ain't that somethin'. My Lotus Elan Plus2 came from Franklin Tennessee. I am a lover of pre 90's 911's + I live in the San Diego County and hunting for another 911 coupe. Small world it is.
mike
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Workshop and parts manuals here:
http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/index.htm
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Thanks JB. That will keep my printer busy for a while!!
Good luck on your search for a 911 Mike. Prices have gotten crazy!!
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Welcome to the forum, BK. The Europa looks like a great find. I love the colour, is it original?
Just a few thoughts on jacking. Jacking points on the Europa is often a concern. Once you check out the manuals you will find that the jacking points are the flat underside portion of the fiberglass rocker panels, adjacent to the wheel wells. Once one comes to grips with just how thin (and of course, old) the fiberglass is, the wisdom of jacking at these points may be questioned. Also, when jacking at these points you are lifting the car by the body, meaning that the entire chassis will be hanging by its feable attachment to the body. Just a few things to consider, especially if one were to lift a Europa on a hoist. Keep a sharp ear out for that splintering fiberglass sound.
Arizona's post above recommends jacking the rear at the chassis cross member, and I would second that advice. The front can be more difficult, and I go about it in several ways. I always try to jack the front at the forward frame 'T' piece, but most jacks wont reach this area. I bought a special low profile jack, but even that won't fit under the front sway bar to reach the frame from the front. Often what I'll do is jack the front using the factory jacking point on one side, just high enough to insert a block of wood under the front tire, then let the car down onto that. This usually provides enough clearance for me to reach the frame with the low profile jack. Other times, with the car jacked up high at the rear, I can put the jack under the car and jack the front frame by reaching it from the rear. This method is a bit tricky but can work well once you sort out your method.
The low profile jack I use is a cheap aluminum floor jack purchased at Princess Auto or Canadian Tire in Canada. I'm sure something similar is available at discount tool shop in the US. This particular item was branded as Goodyear, and makes a fine jack for working on small lightweight sports cars.
Apologies for blathering on so. Cheers, and good luck :beerchug:
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I am not sure about the color.
The guy I bought it from was the 2nd owner, he bought it ~1972.
He said the car was delivered in primer and the dealer painted it. Does that make sense?
My google-fu turned up another in this color, so maybe it was a factory option?
The PO could not find the keys.
Called several locksmiths with no luck.
Any ideas? New tumblers and ignition switch?
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If I recall correctly, a '69 has the ignition key in the dash? If that is the case I think you should consider ordering a new ignition switch. RD Enterprises has the switch (36B6015R Ignition Switch $29.00) .