71 Europa Project acquired via feeBay.Just bought what HAS to be my final purchased car.
1971 Lotus Europa with an 11-1, 8K+ RPM (Claimed), 1.6 Gordini Cross-flow head conversion, and twin Weber's engine.
Body is only slightly modified for stability at high speed.
I've been trying to get a Europa since the JPS's and first Fiat X19's came out in 1972!
Actually had one, briefly, a few years ago but had to sell before I ever got to drive it. Similar to this one but with Cosmic's. Got something like $1,500 for it including the uninstalled five speed and genuine Ray-Dot mirrors. 
Now that I'm "Retired" so have a certain basic income the plan is to complete all my projects and not sell any that are "Mine" until I die.
Some projects are in fact intended for sale, but NOT this Lotus!
Seems it's already been repainted several times. This time it's going to be the Silver/Blue metallic that Jag XKE's used, or possibly the original Lotus blue.
I have a set of recently acquired Cosmic rims that may replace what is currently on it.
I will be going to Helena MT to get it as soon as I get my truck back together.
If anyone needs parts or a small car transported from the Reno/No. Nevada area to some place along the way let me know.
I'm already scrounging up parts for it, going to get the "Lotus" valve cover as soon as I scare up some more cash.
Learning a bit more about these.
Fiero five-speed can be fit but requires frame mods. Gear ratio's match but internals are different. Some internal parts do interchange.
Gordini cross-flow heads are no longer easy to source, and expensive. So I scored there.
Actually, without the Gordini TS head and Webers I would not have paid the price for such a project.
Good thing I am in rural Nevada as this car would not do well in heavy traffic with it's claimed to be a pretty much race spec ex-Hillclimb engine.
I will fit the rear disc brake conversion that comes with it.
Located a couple of good sources for mechanical parts, but original bumpers and seat upholstery kits appear not so easy.
Fortunate that it seems my door panels are fairly good, hope the seats can be repaired.
But what I most want is to get it into my shop and running.
Paint after mechanical and test drive.
Looking around it seems a pretty high percentage of the Renault powered cars have the Gordini cross-flow heads and Webers.
From what I am able to discern the Gordini should outperform the (Stock) twin-cam's as it is lighter, makes more power*, and revs higher*.
With this high-strung engine my Europa will NOT be happy in city traffic.
Fortunate that I am in a very rural area but I'm going to need a really good radar detector.
I think I may have found a "Loop" for fun driving but will need to add some additional lights for night flying.
Hope to be able to add driving lights to the air-dam.
The most dangerous road obstacles in Nevada are gawking tourist, drunks, wild horses, cattle, and deer. So lots of light is a must.
*Of course there is always some guy with really deep pockets who spent insane money for bragging rights. But dollar to dollar I'm confident the Gordini is the better engine and it is the one I've always wanted. (Yah, OK, donning a flame suit now).
My Christmas wish list consist of only one item. A Lotus finned aluminum valve cover to fit my engine. Available but expensive, maybe I can scare up a used one from one of the Electric
conversions?
I've been studying up on the Europa as best I may while waiting for Forum admin approval.
Have decided that this one does meet my definition of an "Exotic Car". Fairly limited production, performance outweighs comfort, special specification engine (Gordini cross-flow), parts a PITA to get, and knowledge base limited.
Tires are as new but twenty years old. So the last exotic item will be replacements. Not seeing much in the way of current performance rubber in 175/70-13. Toyo R888 minimum is 185/60. Any suggestions I may have missed?
I see a lot of discussion that infers all Europa owners are pretty wealthy, "Just buy the Spyder chassis and wheels" for one common statement.
I see a lot of altered rear suspensions too, is it still a Europa when the modifications go that extreme?
Admittedly my Europa already has some mods, Gordini head, Webers, front air dam, and parts to add rear disc brakes.
But I really do want to keep it "Day 2", not radically modified.
It is to be the car I was snubbed out of buying at 17 YOA back in '72.
It seems I do not see any steel bumpers with the car, so now I have to research putting chrome on fiberglass replacements. Probably via a "Chrome" wrap? There is rumor of a good "Chrome" paint system but I have not seen samples.
As to tires, it seems some cars tolerate the 185/60's OK and others do not. I absolutely do not want to modify the wheel wells!
Enough yammering for an intro.
