Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Members Cars => Topic started by: LotusEuropa on Sunday,May 15, 2022, 08:17:33 AM
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Hello together,
Maybe it was not the most reasonable decision I made the last couple of years, but at least I am happy with it ;D ::).
I bought a 1967 S1A (46/0320) as a project from a French enthusiast. The car soon joins my Elise S1 here in Germany.
I have always dreamed about owning a Europa, especially as an S1 or S1A and now one is mine... in need of a full restoration.
As I have posted here before it's not the condition I was originally looking for, but as a trained car mechanic and close to finishing another project, I'm happy to have the car now.
I plan to start the restoration maybe next year.
Currently I am gathering all the information I can get for this particular car and in fact I was able to track its history down approximately to the late 70s and I am hoping to get more information out of the COP I have already ordered.
As soon as I have took it to Germany I will be starting to source the parts needed.
Hope this forum will provide me some help where needed regarding the whole process.
I will keep you updated!
Regards
Raphael
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Congratulations!
Love my, albeit much modified, S1b. Any idea of the condition of the chassis?
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Thank you.
Of course, I have taken a look underneath the car.
At a first glance, I haven't found any holes or heavily corroded spots, but I believe it will become a frame-off restoration.
I am aware of the difficulties it might bring (especially the bonded chassis), but I look forward to seeing the progress.
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Looking forward to pictures and updates on your progress!
There are a few of us here who have been where you are now and I’m sure you will be able to get just about any question you’ll have answered here.
Another potential source of information for you is the video series on his restoration of his S1 by our own Serge Sleurs (https://www.youtube.com/user/sleursmotorsport/videos). Serge hasn’t posted videos recently because he has been busy getting married, having a daughter, and starting a business (whew!) but when time permits, I imagine he’ll start them up again.
Best of luck with your journey!
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Congratulations
I am excited to see pictures.
If the chassis shows no obvious rust, it is at least a lot better than mine was ;D
Regards
Rainer
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Congratulations Raphael! :trophy:
I'm looking forward to seeing some photographs of you collecting the S1A, the journey to Germany and the car's arrival!
I also have a 1967 S1A which requires total restoration...
Mark
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Thank you Rainer and Marc,
Actually I have found a post from you, Marc, in which you can find an ad for it out of September 2019 with some description of the condition. I think the condition hasn't changed much since then.
http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=3320.msg34278#msg34278 (http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=3320.msg34278#msg34278)
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1160458 (https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1160458)
However, the final price was far below the asking price at the time. Pretty much in line with the price Nero has mentioned in reply #5 and with some spare parts like new Lancia tail lights and a rear replacement panel.
Unfortunately there seems no way to see the files.
Given the statement ...the chassis and suspension presents in very good general condition with just some surface rust around the front cross member...
I am looking forward to take a look at it more closely on the lift. Expect the worst and hope the best.
Regards
Raphael
P.S. The picture shows its current status. The missing pieces (windshield and rear window, interior, etc) are with the car. What I already know is that I need the correct doors for it. The original side windows are there though.
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Not sure if you are aware, but the person you bought the car from Philippe Adams, is an Ex-F1 driver!
Very nice car you bought! It will need quite a bit of work, but good when finished! I highly recommend taking the chassis out.
You might be able to get some help from my video's. http://www.youtube.com/sleursmotorsport
Kind regards,
Serge (Based in Belgium)
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Yes, I'm aware of that, Serge. He even drove for Team Lotus in their last year in 1994. He also has a very nice early S2 in BRG with yellow stripes.
Thanks for linking your videos here, I will definitely use them to help with the restoration.
Regards
Raphael
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Yesterday I finally got the car to Germany!
I am totally happy with it, but I guess it will be a big amount of work for me.
It's now in Essen, Germany, and will be stored there until I finish my Master's degree (part-time) next spring. I'm looking forward to taking all these little steps along the way of its restoration.
Wish me luck!
In the meantime, I'll buy some parts I'll need, and I'll post some questions and WTBs in this community, I think.
Regards
Raphael
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Great! Now the fun begins 8)
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Congratulations on getting your baby!! :beerchug:
Good luck on your masters and keep us up to date on your progress when you get started!
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:pirate:
Yesterday I finally got the car to Germany!
I am totally happy with it, but I guess it will be a big amount of work for me.
It's now in Essen, Germany, and will be stored there until I finish my Master's degree (part-time) next spring. I'm looking forward to taking all these little steps along the way of its restoration.
Wish me luck!
In the meantime, I'll buy some parts I'll need, and I'll post some questions and WTBs in this community, I think.
Regards
Raphael
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Congratulations! :beerchug:
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Yes Master. Education should be first on your "to do" list. She looks like a great restoration project. If you can find the time, I know we all would love more pictures. If you resize to thumbnail size you can post more pictures.
Sandy
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Congratulation.
I too have an S1. I loved the years of refit. Serge's videos are good sources of inspiration. And now every weekend I always take as much pleasure driving on the roads of the south west of France, at the foot of the Pyrenees.
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Congratulation from me too. I wish you a good start with the new project. Finding some original push button doors can be difficult.
Beste Grüße aus der Nähe von Köln,
Klaus
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Thanks to all of you.
On my shopping list, the doors are already pretty high up. But at least I got the windows for them with the car and I saw the door shells at lotus-supplies.
But if someone has used doors for me I wouldn't say no ;)
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Few months past now since I posted for the first time here.
Now it's winter, the car is still sitting and waiting, I am still studying... no update so far.
What is new is that I am currently thinking of replacing my Elise by an early Elan next year.
I feel I am in love with the Lotuses out of the 50s and 60s and not that much with the newer ones (and new cars in general) anymore.
In my opinion, the Europa and the Elan would complement each other perfectly in the garage once the Europa is finished.
How do you think about that? The Elise is great fun to drive, but I'm looking for a more classic car and the Elan is undoubtedly a legend.
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I hear a lot of people love their Elise. I've never driven or even ridden in one but I have no trouble believing they are a blast. I have gotten in one with the hard top on and it was much more difficult to get in than my Europa. It took me a while to warm up to the styling of the Elise but to me, it is the last of the Chapman ("Simplify and add lightness") inspired cars.
For that boy-racer experience, there is nothing like a Europa anywhere near that price range. It also makes a very good platform for modifications.
When I bought my Europa, Elans bored me. I heard they had great handling but the Europa had that so why would I want such a pedestrian appearing car? I was also not a big fan of convertibles. As I got older, I came to appreciate Elans more (partially the ease of getting in and out!). I would love to have a good Elan now! I would also want a convertible as I would get a better view of everything. The local MG club does a tour in the Appalachian Mountains every fall. An Elan would be a much better car for that.
I think if you have to pick only two, I would agree that the Elan and Europa would be the two.
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Getting in and out of the Elise isn't easy, especially with the roof on, you are right.
I understand your point, compared to an Europa, the Elan is styled differently (/"boring"). But that's something I also like about the Elan.
What I want to add here is that even though the Elise is a convertible you are pretty much covered all around. The doors are reaching high up, there is a roll bar and a glass behind your head and the windshield is almost covering half the interior. Despite having a convertible with great handling I am not not feeling like "being out there".
I am not sure, but the longer I think about it, the more I like the tiny Elan ;)
And above that I would have the TC engine in it :D
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I should have said that the Elan's "boring" appearance was a thought long ago but I've come to really appreciate it now! It really is classic in its simplicity!
The Elise is certainly safer than the Elan or Europa!
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An Elan would make an excellent companion for the Europa. I like the Elise, especially the S1, but having said that, there really are very few cars made in the last 30 years or so that deeply interest me. Especially true of the big horsepower, wide tire, modern exotica, which always leaves me a bit cold. I've always liked the Elan, and since I've been a Lotus owner for the last 13 years, I've become more keenly aware of them, and developed a deeper appreciation of them. I like coupes, so my Elan would probably have a roof, but that's just me. Either way, there is something about the Europa and the Elan that makes them a perfect pairing. Like two gorgeous sisters; quite different from each other, but difficult to choose which one you are going to ask to the prom.
If I am ever so fortunate as to park a second Lotus in the garage, I think it would be a Seven. Another sister, not quite as beautiful as the other two, but if you take her to the prom, she'll go skinny dipping with you out at the lake afterwards.
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... Another sister, not quite as beautiful as the other two, but if you take her to the prom, she'll go skinny dipping with you out at the lake afterwards.
Well said! I like the imagery! They are worthless for anything but driving fun and for that, they are in a world of their own!
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Note to self, watch Trevor around my sisters!
I agree about the fat tire, fat power cars. They are indeed faster but they are plain boring to drive on the street and highways. Give me a slow car with skinny tires and I can drive flat out and still stay (almost) legal. Just bought tires for my, new-to-me, '69 Seven; 165/80R13s. Should be a hoot.
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I've driven a buddy's Caterham. It has wider tires that that. I'm here to tell you that any tires on a Seven are a hoot! :)
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I remember well the first time I got a deeper insight into the history of Lotus. I was about 14 and got two books. One was about Lotus in general, the other about the Lotus (and Caterham) Seven. I read through both books several times.
Since then I've been interested in different cars, especially British cars, but also French and - as a German - Porsche. On the other hand, I have never been particularly interested in Italian or American cars. In the end I ended up with Lotus again ;)
If money were no object, my first choice would always be the Elite Mk14. What a stunning design - I saw one at the Autostadt in Wolfsburg - one of the most beautiful designs ever made. But right now a car like that is out of reach, and instead of just having an Elite, I'd love to have one to complement the others. ;D Besides a Mk6, Seven, Eleven, Elan, Europa, ... ::)
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Hi Rafael,
Picture of the day #46/320 was picked up. Both of the S1A, 74 Elite and 78 Esprit were ready journey to France on Sept. 2019.
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I can only assume that the Europa is a little jealous as it still needs a full restoration and cannot be driven on the road.
The Elise is now gone and has been replaced by a Mk VI. Loved to drive the Elise, but the Mk VI is such an important car in the companies history. Actually my Mk VI is most likely the oldest Lotus in Germany.
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You’ll need to get to work on the Europa so she won’t be lonely!
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If I am ever so fortunate as to park a second Lotus in the garage, I think it would be a Seven. Another sister, not quite as beautiful as the other two, but if you take her to the prom, she'll go skinny dipping with you out at the lake afterwards.
Bainford, LOL, Glad you found another conquest, .... but being a father to four girls , JUST CONCENTRATE.
46/0320
Glad you found your way here .
Dakazman