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Lotus Europa Forums => Classifieds Forums => eBay - Craigslist Ads - Other Listings => Topic started by: BDA on Monday,November 08, 2021, 10:03:49 AM

Title: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: BDA on Monday,November 08, 2021, 10:03:49 AM
I'm pretty sure one of our members is who owns the TCS on auction at BaT (https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-lotus-europa-twin-cam-special-2/). Excellent car. The paint scheme is a bit "unconventional" so you sort of have to like it but I think it presents well. There are a lot of nice added features like the bluetooth amp and the nicely done interior! I think it should do well.
Title: Re: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: jbcollier on Monday,November 08, 2021, 10:26:39 AM
I think it's the colours of the Welsh flag.
Title: Re: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: TurboFource on Monday,November 08, 2021, 12:36:12 PM
Nice car!
Title: Re: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: Rosco5000 on Tuesday,November 09, 2021, 06:51:34 AM
I have always liked what they did with this car.  There was a newspaper article posted about it as well.  Interesting though is the car has all the bits for a special but the body doesn’t have the molded indentation for the side sills.  I hope he gets strong money for it.  A nice tasteful resto mod IMHO.
Ross
Title: Re: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: 4129R on Tuesday,November 09, 2021, 07:30:41 AM
I think it's the colours of the Welsh flag.

or Algeria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Burundi, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Lebanon, Madagascar, Maldives, and Mexico apparently. 

My money is on Wales.
Title: Re: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: Europa73 on Tuesday,November 09, 2021, 09:41:22 AM
Hi all,

Many thanks for the above comments.

It was not an easy decision to put her up for sale as after all the work and time I put into her. She pulls like a freight train and is an absolute delight to drive. She will be missed.

Re the side sills and chrome stips, as they did not work with the new paint scheme I decided not to add them back on the car.

JB - you could be right with the Welsh flag :-) or as 4921R mentioned - Algeria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Burundi, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Lebanon, Madagascar, Maldives, and Mexico apparently

I would like to thank everyone in this forum, during the respiration the members here were a great source of knowledge, inspiration and support.

With that said, I will be looking for my next Europa project. Call me insane, but I love working on these cars.

Cheers
Title: Re: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: Rosco5000 on Tuesday,November 09, 2021, 09:50:27 AM
Well it good to see that you are not staying out of the Europa world.  You had a great story behind your build if I remember correctly.  I have an Elan+2 that was a project with my dad and I would have a very hard time selling it.
Good luck with the auction!
Ross
Title: Re: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: BDA on Sunday,November 14, 2021, 12:59:45 PM
Unfortunately, the bidding did not exceed the reserve so there was no sale.

It's impossible to tell what kept the bidding too low. It is a beautiful car but it wasn't original. Still, I didn't think any of the mods were such that they were offensive but then, I'm certainly not the person to make that kind of judgement (if you know about my car, you know why). Maybe the paint job was so personal that it didn't sufficiently appeal to buyers. No clue. Hopefully Europa73 will find another buyer who sees the value others do not (reminding me that that's what Certified Lotus was able to do).
Title: Re: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: Lou Drozdowski on Sunday,November 14, 2021, 01:15:59 PM
Agree with you BDA...this car has good bones, but the further it gets from original, the buyer field thins out. The paint, wheels and larger tires were the hurdles to overcome.

I still liked the example, and it should fetch a market demand amount at another time. 
Title: Re: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: jbcollier on Sunday,November 14, 2021, 02:08:19 PM
If you want top dollar, then it needs to be 100% stock, or quickly and easily converted that way.

Mine is a driver.  I love it.  When I sell it, it will sell for much less than I have in it.  That's just the way it is.
Title: Re: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: BDA on Sunday,November 14, 2021, 03:56:37 PM
As I’ve said, I’m not a car appraiser by any means, but the more I think about it, I think the paint job was the killer. It’s one thing to buy a yellow car when you prefer white, but I don’t think a paint job that is that unique, as nice as it is, is going to appeal enough to most people to spend a lot of money on the car.

Also as I’ve said, I hope Europa73 finds the right buyer.
Title: Re: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: TheKid#9 on Monday,November 15, 2021, 01:20:24 PM
Should've got at least $25K but I'll have to admit, if the car was painted all red in an original look, it would've went for more. Hope to seller can get what he wants for it, looks like a great example no doubt!
Title: Re: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: Bud on Tuesday,November 16, 2021, 08:19:18 AM
In order to get maximum value for a car that is based in Canada, you have to include broker fees and transportation to the US so that you eliminate all of the fears that may exist with an old car and potential VIN issues. I know because I am having great difficulty getting one into Canada. He would have got a really good selling price if he had been smart and offered a hassle free sale
Title: Re: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: Europa73 on Friday,March 18, 2022, 08:35:35 AM

--- SOLD ----

Hi all,

My Europa is sold and already at it's new home in the US.

BAT did not work out well but I was shocked at how many people searched me out after the auction closed wanting to buy the TSC.

BTH - I am already feeling a little sellers remorse - but - will be looking for a new Europa project this summer.

Many thanks to all for your support and advise during the restoration.

Will hopefully be back soon with a new project.

THX!
Title: Re: Very nice '73 TCS on BaT
Post by: BDA on Friday,March 18, 2022, 06:17:39 PM
I thought your car was nicer than the final selling price.

I’m curious, how did BaT not work out well? Was it the price or did BaT not not treat you like thought they should (if you feel you can say).