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Lotus Europa Forums => Classifieds Forums => eBay - Craigslist Ads - Other Listings => Topic started by: Vegantune on Tuesday,December 05, 2023, 10:03:43 AM

Title: 1974 Mint Green Stromberg TCS 5-Spd on Bat
Post by: Vegantune on Tuesday,December 05, 2023, 10:03:43 AM
#4620R, would have been built 4/74 invoiced 6/74. Mostly original other than Panasport wheels, Moto-Lita steering wheel, ignition system, no brake boosters. Has 22252 showing on the clock. Ad says five original alloys wheels also included - but painted same "Mint Green" as car....

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-lotus-europa-twin-cam-16/ (https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-lotus-europa-twin-cam-16/)
Title: Re: 1974 Mint Green Stromberg TCS 5-Spd on Bat
Post by: Bainford on Tuesday,December 05, 2023, 12:36:00 PM
Good looking Europa. I really like the green. I understand it is the original colour, but no mention if it has been painted at some point. I am guessing it has been.
Title: Re: 1974 Mint Green Stromberg TCS 5-Spd on Bat
Post by: BDA on Tuesday,December 05, 2023, 01:14:24 PM
Very nice car. I got a chuckle when the description said, " Further exterior details include headlight grilles, a front lip spoiler, and a vented engine cover..." and when it said, "Sections of a garden hose are clamped to the rear sway bar outboard of the end links..."

This car seemed a bit hard to start. Presumably, the starting procedure spelled out in the printed docs in the gallery were followed so the chokes would have been used. My first Europa would start as soon as I hit the ignition and when my current car had a twin cam engine, it would only crank a turn or two before it started. Admittedly, that was in warm, New Orleans weather but I never used the choke on either of my Europas. Maybe my cars were just exceedingly easy to start? Since there is very little you can do with Strombergs, I couldn't venture a guess to why this car was a little difficult to start unless the timing was off a bit...

I do think the printed documentation is a VERY nice touch! I think it shows a bit of extra care and thought about the car.

I think/hope the estate that is selling the car gets a very good price!
Title: Re: 1974 Mint Green Stromberg TCS 5-Spd on Bat
Post by: TurboFource on Tuesday,December 05, 2023, 01:47:57 PM
It looks like a front sway bar mounted in the rear ….
Title: Re: 1974 Mint Green Stromberg TCS 5-Spd on Bat
Post by: Vegantune on Tuesday,December 05, 2023, 02:15:38 PM
Documentation states front sway bar is on rear, and front now has thicker bar. It also goes on to say you should disconnect the rear bar for track days, as it may make the car spin prone.
Title: Re: 1974 Mint Green Stromberg TCS 5-Spd on Bat
Post by: cazman on Tuesday,December 05, 2023, 03:11:47 PM
Snap over-stear makes sense. By my calcs, the oem front sway bar is too much for the rear, unless he used a very large bar in the front.
Title: Re: 1974 Mint Green Stromberg TCS 5-Spd on Bat
Post by: BDA on Tuesday,December 12, 2023, 01:35:22 PM
Went for $23,250. I thought it was nicer than that. It was a little hard to start and there was no driving video. I think the buyer got a great deal!
Title: Re: 1974 Mint Green Stromberg TCS 5-Spd on Bat
Post by: Vegantune on Tuesday,December 12, 2023, 03:06:15 PM
I agree, BDA. I expected more than $23,250 for a complete running car in what I'd call above average condition. A few quirks, but fixable. The hard starting shouldn't be that hard to sort out. Yes, someone got themselves a bargain there.
Title: Re: 1974 Mint Green Stromberg TCS 5-Spd on Bat
Post by: jbcollier on Tuesday,December 12, 2023, 03:59:41 PM
It had stated issues which always raises the thoughts: Why aren't they fixing it first?  What are they not telling us?
Title: Re: 1974 Mint Green Stromberg TCS 5-Spd on Bat
Post by: BDA on Tuesday,December 12, 2023, 05:40:09 PM
Yeah, I know what you mean, JB, but I discounted that since it was sort of an estate sale and I think they were just looking to get rid of it quick. It appeared to me that they couldn't get things together enough to do more than start it much less a driving video. But your probably right that those rough edges could have led people to wonder how much more work it was going to require...

Vegantune, I agree that sorting out the starting issue is probably not a huge thing. It could have merely been some bad fuel or the timing was out and the buyer did really well for himself.