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Lotus Europa Forums => Classifieds Forums => eBay - Craigslist Ads - Other Listings => Topic started by: dakazman on Tuesday,November 19, 2019, 05:30:40 AM

Title: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: dakazman on Tuesday,November 19, 2019, 05:30:40 AM
Just passing it On:

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/europa/2326555.html

Dakazman
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: BDA on Tuesday,November 19, 2019, 06:14:36 AM
Nice car. There are a few minor issues with the interior but a very nice original car! I hope he gets his price.
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: Bainford on Tuesday,November 19, 2019, 08:45:03 AM
I don't know how much people are getting for their Europas lately, but the ask has sure gone up in the last several years.
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: BDA on Tuesday,November 19, 2019, 09:01:40 AM
I used to visit Hemmings pretty regularly to see what was for sale and what people were asking. The unfortunate thing is you never know how much of what they asked, they got so I don't visit as frequently. Bring a Trailer (https://bringatrailer.com) does keep track of that sort of thing so it's more useful in that regard. Here's the report on Europas: https://bringatrailer.com/lotus/europa/. You can see the general trend and range of prices from the graph and the postings are available by clicking on the dots in the graph so you can see what the car looked like. Judging from that, $30,000 is pretty much in the nosebleed price range but we can hope that in spite of the few interior issues I saw the seller gets his price and possibly turn the trend further up! But then we're not likely to find out.
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: Certified Lotus on Tuesday,November 19, 2019, 02:28:24 PM
Nice example of a well maintained Europa. I think $30K is fair. There were two Europa’s sold this year for $35K and mine is at the nose bleed asking price of $40K.  I’m patient.  I just sold two Elan’s that people told me I wouldn’t get my asking price. I did.

I still believe the Europa is way undervalued for what it is. Nicely restored versions should be going for much more money. One day in the near Future they will.
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: BDA on Tuesday,November 19, 2019, 03:28:28 PM
I hope the seller gets his price but I see a big difference between yours and his. Yours is essentially a new 1972 Europa - in fact better than new given your motor. The other car is very nice but there are some problems with the interior (the padded trim at the bottom of the dash and a tear in the steering column/signal stalk surround. Then he has a 54,000 mile old Stromberg engine while you have a fresh Quicksilver Weber motor. I'd say both of your cars are in the nosebleed price range but given the money, I'd buy yours without thinking.
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: 4129R on Wednesday,November 20, 2019, 08:46:46 AM
Invoiced 22nd November 1973, built October 1973.

A little optimistic advertising it as a 1974 car.

Only got a 4 speed gearbox too, which is strange for a late TCS.

It does have the original gas struts to hold the engine cover up, and the map box between the seats, which I thought came in a few months later.
 
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: surfguitar58 on Wednesday,November 20, 2019, 08:53:48 AM
Invoiced 22nd November 1973, built October 1973.

A little optimistic advertising it as a 1974 car.

Only got a 4 speed gearbox too, which is strange for a late TCS.

It does have the original gas struts to hold the engine cover up, and the map box between the seats, which I thought came in a few months later.

Mine is 4043R, also built in October of 1973, also documented as a 1974 model, also has the map pouch, and also has a 352 4-speed. (But not for long!)
Tom
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: BDA on Wednesday,November 20, 2019, 09:02:47 AM
I thought the 4-speed was a bit of a downer but I have heard from people who felt they had no use for a 5-speed (365). My first Europa was a 4-speed and was glad when my next (current) Europa had a 5-speed. In fact, that was one of the reasons I got it.
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: surfguitar58 on Wednesday,November 20, 2019, 09:05:01 AM
Oddly, in the Europa Registry it is listed as having a 5-speed. Also says "Frame-on restoration completed in 2002".
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: BDA on Wednesday,November 20, 2019, 09:11:26 AM
I wonder if he (or the PO) swapped the 365 for a 352...
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: jbcollier on Wednesday,November 20, 2019, 10:44:50 AM
365 + "BANG" + no parts = 352
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: Bainford on Wednesday,November 20, 2019, 10:46:31 AM
Invoiced 22nd November 1973, built October 1973.

A little optimistic advertising it as a 1974 car.

Only got a 4 speed gearbox too, which is strange for a late TCS.

It does have the original gas struts to hold the engine cover up, and the map box between the seats, which I thought came in a few months later.

Mine is 4043R, also built in October of 1973, also documented as a 1974 model, also has the map pouch, and also has a 352 4-speed. (But not for long!)
Tom
Mine is 3682R, built in July '73 but registered as a '74. It does not have the gas struts or the map pocket, so I always refer to it as a '73.
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: BDA on Wednesday,November 20, 2019, 11:01:07 AM
365 + "BANG" + no parts = 352
Well said!
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: literarymadness on Wednesday,November 20, 2019, 11:25:47 AM
According to this bulletin, 5 speeds were still optional through the 1974 1/2 models, which certainly implies that there were late (1974 1/2) 4 speeds.
Title: Re: 74 yellow twin cam FS- Hemmings 29,999 or bo
Post by: BDA on Wednesday,November 20, 2019, 12:11:02 PM
I believe you're right, 'madness, that the 5-speeds were optional even in '74 models. The Lotus Central registry claims the car was invoiced with a 5-speed and a fellow named Jeff Hertz was the owner in '04 so according to the text of his listing, he is the one selling it.