Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: TurboFource on Monday,April 01, 2024, 04:36:23 AM
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At a family gathering this weekend, someone asked how the “Lotus” was doing?
During that conversation, my wife (SWMBO - she who must be obeyed) said that since I have been putting
all this time, money and energy into TCST she should be able to drive it too and I should put an automatic in it 8) , the group tended to agree ( the only other car enthusiast there was my oldest son and he’s not going to disagree with his mother…)
I searched to see if there was an automatic Renault one available from the ‘70s but no luck. Some later VW/Audi/Porsche units are available as are Subaru but I think all the stuff readily available is computer controlled and I am not that friendly with things with multiple wires coming out of it .
This could be a useful swap for someone with mobility issues possibly also, anyone ever heard of or seen a Europa with a slush box in it :confused: any non computer ones available?
Pics - Subaru and then VW/Audi/Porsche unit
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Yes there were automatic Renault R17s and others. Will really dull your engine's performance though. Pretty to easy to learn how to drive a manual.
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Maybe…..happy wife happy life?
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At least I wouldn’t have to worry about possible turbo lag after shifting gears ….
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There was a Renault 15 Auto and also a Renault 18 Auto (from the early 80's which might have a better box). Dunno how this would go behind a TC engine because I presume it'd be expecting to see a Renault torque converter.
I tend to think it's best to have a stern talk to your son. It'll teach him some valuable negotiating skills and there's no point in taking the blame yourself. :D
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First get it back on the road. Then start working on the automatic. And meanwhile, if swmbo is interested in driving it, maybe she’ll learn the stick…
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I think your best option is to copy this fine example and use a chevette drivetrain with a custom frame.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2LE8ZKeafA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2LE8ZKeafA)
(https://dailyturismo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4-11.jpg)
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Working under the dash today…. May have to be an automatic after crawling under here a few more times…
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This was my attempt at ……April Fools ::)
My wife can drive a standard and she wouldn’t ask me to change it (She’s great!)
Though an automatic could be useful for someone with mobility limits ….
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I had a Renault 15 with an automatic back in 1978. It was a dog, buy it was automatic.
That may work in a Europa.
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I know a guy who restored so many old Elites that he eventually did one with an automatic, just for variety.
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I know a guy who restored so many old Elites that he eventually did one with an automatic, just for variety.
I had a 504 with the slushbox, wasn't the worst in the world and performed ok. Elite was a different, more 'executive express' type of car (mine even had the cassette recorder and microphone combo...I guess to dictate letters you'd have your secretary transcribe when you arrived at your office...) than the sports versions that came before. TBH, I did enjoy the lack of having to row through the gears in NYC traffic.