Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Zeusguy on Saturday,April 03, 2021, 12:16:16 PM
-
Hi, I'm new to this forum. I recently acquired a S1A Europa project which needs a full restoration so I will probably have a lot of questions:)
FWIW, Zeusguy comes from my collection of Spanish bicycles.
Scott Edrington
San Diego, CA
-
:Welcome: Scott.
-
:Welcome: Zeusguy!!
Congratulations on your acquisition!
One of our member, Serge Sleurs, is restoring an S1A and has a youtube channel devoted to his experiences. Unfortunately, he starts with the car taken apart so you won't have any videos to help with that but I'm sure he or the other people on this board who have restored S1s will be glad to help you. Here's the playlist of his videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/sleursmotorsport/playlists
Keep us informed of your progress and don't feel shy about asking questions!
-
:Welcome: Looks like a good starting point. I hope you restoration journey is rewarding. Lots of help here. We love pictures.
Sandy
-
Welcome!
-
:Welcome:
Good luck with the restoration. Keep us up to date with your progress and post photos if you would
-
Welcome!
How’s the chassis? Reach inside with an ice pick and poke around. Be prepared to not be happy with what you find. If bad news, not to worry, a chassis can be changed. Did it in my S1b
-
Thanks for the warm reception.
Yes, the car needs a lot of help including a rebuilt or new chassis. The previous owner had an over heating problem circa 1978 and parked the outside for the last 40+ years. Mother Nature has not been kid to it:( The odometer shows 46K but it looks 200K+.
-
You might want to check at Dave Bean for a frame. I got mine there many years ago and they might stock them. r. d. enterprises might stock them too. After that, I would look as Lotus Supplies or Spyder.
-
:Welcome: Definitely shop around. Used ones occasionally show up on eBay. But I look forward to hearing about your restoration.
-
:Welcome: about time we scanned a frame & put dimensions to it
-
S1 frames are different. Close to an early S2 and it is straight forward to modify one over to S1 specs, especially if you have the old S1 frame to hand as a guide and a donor of brackets. I suppose a Spyder or Banks space frame could be modded as well but you would be welding in a lot of sheet steel. Some people mod the S1 body to bolt in an S2 frame. It has the advantage of also quieting down the S1's noisy interior.
I modded an early S2 over to S1 specs. It's noisy in a fun way for the first hour or so. Anything longer than that and I wear a noise cancelling aviation headset.
-
You mean like this
http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/misc/Lotus%20europa%20chassis%20drawing.pdf
-
Thanks, might need to make some or a complete chassis for my S2
-
Hi Scott and another :Welcome:
I'm another S1 owner 46/0433 up the road in Fallbrook. I'm also sorting through another S1A 46/0478 for the wife of a good friend of mine getting ready to sell it for her. Contact me if you want to take a look at another S1. Also, when you get a chance, post more pictures.
Joji Tokumoto
-
Once again ,
:Welcome:
What is your data plate numbers and date of mfg? Color code ?
What engine is installed? Original? Do you plan to keep it near original?
Dakazman
-
Thanks for the questions. My Europa SN is 359, it has the Renault engine and is red. How can I determine the date of manufacture? Is the date stamped on the chassis somewhere? In looking at the registry, I’m guessing it was sold sometime late December 1967.
-
Look for the data plate in the front boot area, next to blower . See pic.
I checked the registry and 0349 was also listed as red L05 , invoiced around 12/67 in the registry but noticed color and build date not on it.
Perhaps it’s on the plate on rear of door by latch assembly.
Dakazman
-
This is an S1. The serial number plate has no build date, and no colour code. There is no door plate. All that6 came later. Serial number is also stamped on the right chassis y-section in the rear. Factory records don't list the colour code either.
-
That’s what I observed from pics on registry, however members there have paint codes listed. Probably just to check off the proverbial box. Good to know JB!
Dakazman
-
Other than needing a good scrubbing, my data tag only indicates a chassis and engine number. There is no date or color code.
-
Yes, that is the S1 VIN plate.
-
Hello Scott,
:Welcome:
I also have an S1A 460384 late 1967 build,
PS it's good to see another S1 appear which wasn't previously listed on the registry!
Mark