Originally a 1970 Europa, Now a WTF on BaT

[Vegantune]

I won't even try to explain. I have no words. Here is the link:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-lotus-europa-12/

[Richard48Y]

Parts car?

[BDA]

Wouldn't think of buying it if I had money to burn but what a labor of love from somebody and what skill to produce it! I think it's an amazing car. It's going to require a particular person to want something like that!

[Bainford]

The styling and finish are not at all to my liking, but 'hats-off' for the craftsmanship. Kudos, too, for retaining a reasonable tire sidewall profile, though I do question the use of 13" wheels on a full custom build. I originally suspected it would be heavier and not as slippery as a Europa, but the seller claims it is only 1050 lbs.  In the end, I find it equally interesting and unattractive.

[TurboFource]

Well....that's interesting .... wouldn't call it a Europa though.

[Richard48Y]

BAT has been accepting things lately I never would have expected.
I guess a listing there there transforms "Junk" into "Treasure"?

[Vegantune]

I honestly think if Antoni Gaudí had redesigned a Europa, it would still look a whole lot better than this thing.

[cannonsami]

Kinda looks like a corvette rear window is being used as the windshield, certainly a lot of interesting choices here

[SilverBeast]

  cannonsami

[BDA]

  indeed, cannonsami!!!

[Richard48Y]

I have the fix for this one.
Remove the body and graft it to a Toyota MR2.
Salvage the Lotus parts.

[BDA]

It went for $55,750.

[Richard48Y]

Ugh, some people mistake Van Gough for an artist, others recognize him as just a mental patient. 

[BDA]

As people modify their cars, other people apparently view them as something else. Personally, I'm accepting of a lot of mods, but even to me, calling this a Europa is stretching the definition of "Europa" way beyond the breaking point! This is not meant as a criticism of the car but rather the amount (or lack) of "Europaness." Yet that's what BaT did. Not only was the car listed as a "custom-bodied Europa" but they included it in their price comparison graph! It's not clear to me that the buyer cared one whit about Europas and so I don't believe it belongs in a comparison with other Europas.

[Rosco5000]

As people modify their cars, other people apparently view them as something else. Personally, I'm accepting of a lot of mods, but even to me, calling this a Europa is stretching the definition of "Europa" way beyond the breaking point! This is not meant as a criticism of the car but rather the amount (or lack) of "Europaness." Yet that's what BaT did. Not only was the car listed as a "custom-bodied Europa" but they included it in their price comparison graph! It's not clear to me that the buyer cared one whit about Europas and so I don't believe it belongs in a comparison with other Europas.

I agree with you on the valuation piece this shouldn't be in with Europas.  I think BAT probably gets their hands tied as the car is most likely legally registered as a Lotus Europa though it is that in spirit only. 

As for the body.  My 2 cents is that it isn't half bad, the skill required to build a car that is polished is phenomenal.  Even if it isn't every bodies taste it is an amazing piece of craftsmanship.