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Lotus Europa Forums => Classifieds Forums => FS / WTB: Cars and Rollers => Topic started by: berni29 on Tuesday,March 12, 2024, 03:34:36 PM

Title: Project wanted!
Post by: berni29 on Tuesday,March 12, 2024, 03:34:36 PM
Hi

I am in the UK and after a Europa Twincam project. I do know about 70's Lotuses so am not a virgin in that respect, but have never even sat in a Europa.

I do know I am not a fan of the earlier "breadvan" cars, but never say never.

Price (value) is very important. I know I will never get my money back, but it needs to be at a certain level to get buy in from the wife. I am exiting a Porsche Boxster and ugly +2 project to make the man (and in this case woman) math work.

I am prepared to import the right car (hello America), and will consider cars without engines. The car does not have to be "original" but if it is then I would keep it that way.

I do not expect to get many replies to this, but do not ask, do not get as they say.

All the best!

Berni
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: SilverBeast on Tuesday,March 12, 2024, 04:26:43 PM
Where about in the UK are you?
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: Clifton on Tuesday,March 12, 2024, 09:41:32 PM
If you find something for sale privately, I would ask if a member on here could take a look in person. I would be willing to drive in Az to help. FWIW, I saw many pics of the one I got before driving 1,500 mile round trip. The price was right but not what the pics made it seem to be. I still got it but if it was more I would have walked away.
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: berni29 on Wednesday,March 13, 2024, 10:59:13 AM
Hello

I am in Beckenham Kent, but do drive around.

Wow a 1500 mile round trip! That is amazing. More than about 150 miles and I am starting to wilt! Good suggestion about enlisting the help of a forum member. Happy to cover expenses + beer money!

Tks again

Berni
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: Clifton on Wednesday,March 13, 2024, 12:45:18 PM
Hello

I am in Beckenham Kent, but do drive around.

Wow a 1500 mile round trip! That is amazing. More than about 150 miles and I am starting to wilt! Good suggestion about enlisting the help of a forum member. Happy to cover expenses + beer money!

Tks again

Berni

It was brutal with no sleep. Left Friday after work, got home at 3am Sunday. Slow going on a tow dolly that had all the issues but I wanted a type 54 project and searched the West of the US for a year. I used a Craigslist search engine to search states I selected, checked everyday.  California, Nevada, Arizona would be the best options.
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: berni29 on Wednesday,March 13, 2024, 03:44:26 PM
Hi

It sounds like it! I hope the car turned out well! I am surprised it took so long to find. I thought that in the USA they were relatively plentiful.

What did you want a Type 54 in particular?

Tks

Berni
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: Clifton on Wednesday,March 13, 2024, 05:14:54 PM
Hi

It sounds like it! I hope the car turned out well! I am surprised it took so long to find. I thought that in the USA they were relatively plentiful.

What did you want a Type 54 in particular?

Tks

Berni

65's and TC's are more common here.
I like the lower headlights of the 54 and I prefer the breadvan sides of the S2's. From a rear angle, they look better IMO.
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: lotusfanatic on Wednesday,March 13, 2024, 10:48:20 PM
I also prefer the lower headlights and the breadvan sides of the earlier cars, not so keen on the later, 'notched' sides.
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: berni29 on Thursday,March 14, 2024, 04:40:48 PM
Hi

Thank you for pointing out the headlight difference, I did not know that.

All the best

Berni

Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: TurboFource on Thursday,March 14, 2024, 05:41:09 PM
Here are both on the same car for an easy comparison….
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: berni29 on Friday,March 15, 2024, 02:55:19 AM
Hello

That is crazy, I would have never noticed, but side by side its very obvious. The lower light is prettier for sure. Judging by the number of +2's driving around with noses from earlier/later cars then there must be Twincam Europas with the moses from early cars grafted on, or is the whole wing line different?

By the way, how come both types on one car or is that photoshop?

All the best

Berni
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: TurboFource on Friday,March 15, 2024, 03:25:55 AM
I think someone messed up on a crash repair  :confused: not sure
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: TurboFource on Friday,March 15, 2024, 03:28:31 AM
Side view
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: Sparkrite on Friday,March 15, 2024, 05:39:40 AM
Hi Berni. There are a number of cars on the market here in the UK. Which ones are you considering and which have you discounted.
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: berni29 on Friday,March 15, 2024, 12:30:47 PM
Hi There

The only cars that I have heard of are the two widely advertised ones, the Black Twincam (originally pistachio) for £9995 and the red engineless one with the Spyder chassis (now sold) for £7500.

Both cars are/were Vincent Haydon cars.

I have not seen any other project cars. Please point me in the right direction!

Thanks

Berni

Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: Sparkrite on Sunday,March 17, 2024, 02:00:28 AM
I've seen those two, what's your thoughts on them. He also has another https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1679067
Also seen this
http://www.banks-europa.co.uk/pinboard/pinboard.htm
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: berni29 on Sunday,March 17, 2024, 02:26:34 PM
Hi There

Thank you for the links. The one on the Banks site looks interesting, but I think the trail may have gone cold on that. Its interesting how much more Europas cost as projects VS Plus 2's while restored examples are similar. Or so it seems to me.

Thanks again

Berni
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: berni29 on Thursday,March 21, 2024, 08:58:53 AM
Hi Guys

I may have found a car, fingers crossed, will post more information soon........

Thanks again for the assistance.

Berni
Title: Re: Project wanted!
Post by: BDA on Thursday,March 21, 2024, 09:34:10 AM
Good luck! Post some pictures when you can.