I did not want April 2024 to pass without recognition that this month marks 50 years since Europa Specials stopped being exported to the USA, with I believe 74044700R being the last exported to the USA, and I believe 74044701R-74044710R being the last exported to Japan.
I understand the first S1 is dated around 27th February 1967, so after just over 7 years, the Europa evolved from the S1 to the TCS with very many substantial changes.
The very fact that so many Europas are still running and still have such appeal is a great testimony to those who were brave enough to think that a mid-engined sports car could be made economically, and have sufficient appeal, to warrant putting it into mass production.
I believe the Europa is the first mass production mid-engined car, with the legendary Lamborghini Muira holding the title of the first ever mid-engined sports car, but this was not put into mass production with only 762 being made, against apparently 9230 Europas from the S1 through to the TCS.
So here is to 50 years since production of Federal cars stopped. Well done Chunky !
After 74044710R was produced, production still continued in very limited quantities, with 74062373P to 75032434P (just 61 cars) being manufactured to use up the bodyshells that they had left. I know 75032429P has a federal bodyshell as I owned it in 1978.
Please correct me if I am wrong in the above statistics, but I think this is all correct.
