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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Mike Surber on Wednesday,March 15, 2017, 08:04:06 PM

Title: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Mike Surber on Wednesday,March 15, 2017, 08:04:06 PM
I'd posted several pictures in the ?Members Rides? section. But here is probably where they really belong.

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/lotus004.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/lotus004.jpg.html)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/lotus005.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/lotus005.jpg.html)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/lotusnew004.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/lotusnew004.jpg.html)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/lotusnew006.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/lotusnew006.jpg.html)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/lotusnew012.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/lotusnew012.jpg.html)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/roller001.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/roller001.jpg.html)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/roller003.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/roller003.jpg.html)





Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified Europa S2
Post by: Mike Surber on Wednesday,March 15, 2017, 08:18:32 PM
The body is being customized to resemble a Lola T70 coupe. The nose & tail sections will be able to be tilted to gain access ( I got tired of leaning over the "wings" when I had my first Europa in the early 70s) & removable by way of ball lock pins.
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/n_aCAHF8Q85.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/n_aCAHF8Q85.jpg.html)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/n_aCA5JLEEJ.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/n_aCA5JLEEJ.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0626.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0626.jpg.html)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0627.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0627.jpg.html)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0629.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0629.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0643.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0643.jpg.html)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0652.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0652.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/IMG_0656.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/IMG_0656.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/IMG_0665.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/IMG_0665.jpg.html)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/IMG_0657.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/IMG_0657.jpg.html)


Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Certified Lotus on Sunday,March 19, 2017, 04:17:05 AM
That is one heck of a back yard project! Can't wait to see all the updates as to how it goes.
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: tedtaylor on Sunday,March 19, 2017, 06:52:39 AM
Let's just hope it IS the backyard, cause if it were in the front yard, he'd have a lot of unhappy neighbors!!!!  :FUNNY:
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Mike Surber on Sunday,March 19, 2017, 02:31:04 PM
Yep it's back yard. I can sit on my patio & admire my work LOL Harley (the neighbor's dog) does,nt mind, gives him somebody to "talk" to LOL :pirate:
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Mike Surber on Sunday,March 19, 2017, 08:29:12 PM
Some new bits I just got. The carbs Weber IDF type, just got the manifold yesterday but haven't taken any pics yet. Offy valve covers I have for it too. I'll probably get taller stacks for the carbs. For that Can-Am look.
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/IMG_0671.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/IMG_0671.jpg.html)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/IMG_0673.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/IMG_0673.jpg.html)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/008.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/008.jpg.html)
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: BDA on Sunday,March 19, 2017, 09:24:03 PM
That really will look mean! How many carbs are you going to use?
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Mike Surber on Sunday,March 19, 2017, 10:58:25 PM
There'll be 4 carbs. Should look quite the Can-Am part.
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: BDA on Monday,March 20, 2017, 06:15:14 AM
Can't wait to see pictures of that when you get it together!
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: brucelotus26r on Monday,March 20, 2017, 02:24:45 PM
Cool there the exhaust system going to go?
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Mike Surber on Monday,March 20, 2017, 07:57:55 PM
When I get there LOL I'll have to make or have a set of headers made. Dual exhaust & mufflers. Not sure of the actual design yet. A long way to go before I get to that point though. Not exactly something you can buy "off the shelf".
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Mike Surber on Tuesday,March 28, 2017, 11:36:37 AM
Had to hang the manifold, heads etc together to get a look at how it'll look all together . I like it I like it (George my garage ape likes it too LOL)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0682.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0682.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0683.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0683.jpg.html)
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Mike Surber on Tuesday,March 28, 2017, 11:44:10 AM
Today's update comes from the "Oh you think it's smooth?" file. Otherwise known as put it on & sand it off LOL. I started the prime & sand (repeat) process on the right rear fender. Been working on the tail section too. Got the tail light frames cur & shaped. Started priming & sanding them as well as the flat rear panel. Much easier to sand them off so you can get inside the frames & flat sand the back panel. I got beehive type lights to keep it in the period look much like the T70. The lower section in the frames will get cut out & screen put in as well as most of the center section. The flat is only to give a flange to attach them to after I've made the molds & permanent pieces.

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0685.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0685.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0688.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0688.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0687.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0687.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0684.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0684.jpg.html)
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Bainford on Wednesday,March 29, 2017, 08:20:59 AM
That's some sexy engine jewelry. I like the tail light set-up too.
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: BDA on Wednesday,March 29, 2017, 08:38:31 AM
Jewelry is a good name for it. You need to watch your eyes with all that bling!


I also like the tail light setup. That is going to be a very interesting car when you're done!
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Mike Surber on Wednesday,March 29, 2017, 08:18:46 PM
Thanks Guys yeah I really want it to look the part for the engine. I had gotten an Offy 4 barel intake but then found the 4 IDF set up & couldn't resist LOL My pistons & bearings came today so I can tell the machinist to go ahead & bore the block. He had a Harmonic balancer too that I needed. He's got a couple of old Buick 215s kicking around his shop LOL
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Mike Surber on Wednesday,March 29, 2017, 11:03:56 PM
I have an Offy 4 barel carb manifold. But when I saw the 4 Weber set up I just couldn't resist LOL I'll probably get taller stacks too. I want it to look the part of a Can-Am or Lemans car. Going to be black with blue pearl in it & gold paint. Kind of a tribute to the John Player period.
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Mike Surber on Saturday,April 01, 2017, 08:30:37 PM
We have tiltage !!!!!!!! Today marks one of those mile stones you think you'll never get to when building a car. I cut the nose loose so it can pivot or be removed. When making the radiator support I put two heim/rose joints in the bottom. Then made two brackets & bolted them to the lower edge of the nose. Has two ball lock pins so easily removable. The lower edge will need to be reinforced when I make the new nose. Probably a piece of steel all the way across the nose. Now I can work on the lower side of the nose without getting down on my hands & knees. Besides gravity doesn't like to let mat stay up on underneath areas LOL So what ya think?

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0691.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0691.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0693.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0693.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0694.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0694.jpg.html)
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: BDA on Sunday,April 02, 2017, 05:37:04 AM
Very cool! That must have been a BIG project! Congratulations on your success!
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Mike Surber on Sunday,April 02, 2017, 02:54:50 PM
Rear section getting close. A few more days body work & it'll be ready too. I'd had them cut off & tilting some time ago. Then got the big idea of 15" wheels & tires. Because I wanted wide tires in the rear & you just can't get wide 13" street tire (not to mention only 6 1/2" wide rims. So I glassed it all back together till I got the body done for the wheel/tires I got.
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: BDA on Sunday,April 02, 2017, 02:59:48 PM
I went with 15" wheels too but the funny thing is that there aren't a whole lot more options in 15" - at least in 195 and 205.
Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Mike Surber on Saturday,April 08, 2017, 10:47:11 PM
Well this week I've been working on the nose. I didn't like the "Chevron happy car" look after I'd lowered the bottom side. So I added about 5" on to it & completely reshapes the nose. I've also redone the head light buckets to accommodate a turn signal light under the headlight. Also lengthened the lower edge of them & reshaped the outer edges. Will get clear covers over them too. There will be a round air intake on either side of the radiator air opening. They will be fresh air intakes for the cabin. But I'll probably wait to put them in until after I've made the permanent nose piece.

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/Lotus%20build/IMG_0656.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/Lotus%20build/IMG_0656.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0698.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0698.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0699.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0699.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0695.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0695.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0696.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0696.jpg.html)

(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x470/skystone3/IMG_0697.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/skystone3/media/IMG_0697.jpg.html)


Title: Re: My Buick V8 going into a highly modified/customized Europa S2
Post by: Mike Surber on Friday,April 21, 2017, 09:12:35 AM
Got the first coat of primer on the nose section. A lot of block sanding & priming yet before ready to pull mold.