Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Random Europa Sightings => Topic started by: GavinT on Monday,March 13, 2023, 12:38:14 PM
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Barry De Groot shared this photo on a Facebook group so I asked if it was OK to share it and he agreed.
As time whistles by, I reckon it's good to read the experience of those who were there at the time.
The pic below shows the early stages of the Europa production line, with Barry leaning on the front fender.
Below is a copy/paste outlining his story.
I joined Lotus in 1966 aged 23. Initially I was on the Elan assembly line, but later when I saw a model of the proposed Europa, I asked my boss Ted Elliot if I could somehow be involved in the project.
Initially 4 of us were set up in the Vehicle Engineering Department to build the first 2 prototypes. When completed, they were sent to the Lotus Dealership in Paris to be unveiled to the motoring press at a lavish cocktail party. I was the only one of the 4 who held a passport, so I had to accompany the cars on a transporter to Paris. I was required to attend the cocktail party with the motoring press, and afterwards joined other employees involved in the project, at a restaurant in Paris as guests of Mr. Chapman.
On my return I was involved with the initial setting up of the Europa assembly line, that is when this photo was taken.
Link to the Facebook "Lotus Europa" group - you'll need to become a member.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/95292140870
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Thanks for sharing!
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Baby Europas lining up to be born!
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Very cool history snippet. Thanks for sharing.
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Baby Europas lining up to be born!
With suits standing there watching.
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Wow that pic is a VERY COOL snippet of history!!
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With suits standing there watching.
They're the accountants who's job it is to make sure Colin doesn't spend too much money on rear axles. :D
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??? Good one Gavin
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With suits standing there watching.
They're the accountants who's job it is to make sure Colin doesn't spend too much money on rear axles. :D
Or ensuring that lotus bought the Hillman Imp ones that didn't pass THEIR inspection standards?
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Or ensuring that lotus bought the Hillman Imp ones that didn't pass THEIR inspection standards?
Tut, tut, Bryan.
It's well known that an axle designed for a 37HP car will serve adequately in an 80HP car and also for the later 105HP and 126HP cars as well.
And if there are any problems during the warranty period, we'll issue a service note mandating that they be glued together . . . :D
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All good jokes aside guys, who is Derek Stealth?
Dakazman
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I've no idea, D'man.
Is there someone on the other side of the car that Barry is talking to?
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I see him now, zooming in on my iPhone 😂😂
Dman
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With suits standing there watching.
They're the accountants who's job it is to make sure Colin doesn't spend too much money on rear axles. :D
Beware the 3 x MIB.
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Or ensuring that lotus bought the Hillman Imp ones that didn't pass THEIR inspection standards?
Tut, tut, Bryan.
It's well known that an axle designed for a 37HP car will serve adequately in an 80HP car and also for the later 105HP and 126HP cars as well.
And if there are any problems during the warranty period, we'll issue a service note mandating that they be glued together . . . :D
Value engineering at its finest.
(another example is early Piper Cherokees used the interior door handles from VW beetles for the door latch. Didn't even buff off the VWAG part number when they installed them. Cessna used, at least in my 172K, the vent window latch from a '49 Chevy for the latch for the door window. Of course the price from Cessna for the part versus from a repop manufacturer is a factor of 100 different.)
And somehow...we just smile knowingly when we discover these cross-polinated bits and bobs, right?
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Of course the price from Cessna for the part versus from a repop manufacturer is a factor of 100 different.)
And somehow...we just smile knowingly when we discover these cross-polinated bits and bobs, right?
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Just like the post 72 Europa rear lights for the UK market also fit the Jaguar E Type XJ12, and I believe the Smiths heater motor is also fitted to an exotic Italian car (Ferrari I believe).
I am sure Chunky paid bargain basement prices !!!
Incidentally I understand the new Emira production line is experiencing parts supply problems. It seem Lotus are still not paying their parts suppliers on time.
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Just like the post 72 Europa rear lights for the UK market also fit the Jaguar E Type XJ12, and I believe the Smiths heater motor is also fitted to an exotic Italian car (Ferrari I believe).
I am sure Chunky paid bargain basement prices !!
Incidentally I understand the new Emira production line is experiencing parts supply problems. It seem Lotus are still not paying their parts suppliers on time.
And they just announced a big bump in MSRP for future delivery...and delay in the Merc-engined models of the Emira. The lowest spec will come in at a little over 100K in the US.
They have moved upmarket, no?
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Who is Derek Sleath, keeps going through my mind , turns out he was put in charge of the P5 project by Chapman back in the day. I found this interesting article about him and Lotus here :
https://themotorhood.com/themotorhood/2007/7/17/articles-a-lotus-for-europe-europa-s2s-with-new-europa-s-194
He may have been an artist also, pictured here driving an imp. Don’t know for sure yet if it’s the same Derek , so history buffs, please be kind.
Supply chain and shortages of parts shut down GMs corvette assembly line this month. I guess it’s just part of the beast.
Dman