Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Classifieds Forums => eBay - Craigslist Ads - Other Listings => Topic started by: Nockenwelle on Saturday,August 01, 2020, 02:22:43 AM
-
Another Europa S1A popped up on craigslist in New Hampshire:
https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/d/candia-1967-lotus-europa-s1a/7167385109.html (https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/d/candia-1967-lotus-europa-s1a/7167385109.html)
Chassis 460379, missing engine and gearbox, needs full restoration, asking price $2500.
Could it be the same seller as the other S1A being sold a few days ago?
-
For me not having an engine and box is a big negative on this car.The S1 was at the bottom of my list on europa models to buy but now they are little different to S2 and TC's in desirability, each with positives and negatives. How do S1's compare price rise to a S2 and twin cam.
-
I believe it's the same car
-
... How do S1's compare price rise to a S2 and twin cam.
Long time the S1 was the least sought after Europa variant because of the chassis problematic and it's impracticability (fixed windows and seats, etc.). But this has changed in recent years and the S1 is now considered as the most collectible one because of it's radicality and purity of the design.
-
Number 379 of only 350 produced. (?)
-
The unit numbers were continuously numbered by Lotus starting with the first S1 and even continued with the introduction of the type 54 S2.
I think he is referencing to the number of S1As that were built:
S1: about 300 units
S1A: about 250 units (starting with 460300)
S1B: about 100 units
-
As Nockenwelle mentioned, it is number 379 of approximately 640 S1 Europas built (which included the S1, S1A & S1B)
I hope that it is saved and becomes a project for someone....
-
For me not having an engine and box is a big negative on this car.The S1 was at the bottom of my list on europa models to buy but now they are little different to S2 and TC's in desirability, each with positives and negatives. How do S1's compare price rise to a S2 and twin cam.
An original (used) replacement engine and gearbox shouldn't be too expensive to buy? (maybe costly to rebuild?) or perhaps fit something modern if originality isn't important to a potential buyer?)
In the past, classic car magazine features of the Europa and any accompanying 'buyer's guide' always described the S1 cars as being unworthy of consideration. They would feature each model of Europa and the summary advice was, essentially, to "steer clear" of the S1 cars.
Interest has shifted, with the earlier cars now finally becoming valued more than the younger models. The S1 values may have increased because of hikes in earlier classic Lotus road cars which has pulled the Europa S1 values up? I do wonder if it's also due to the fact that the early cars are now seen as ground-breaking with the F1 inspired engine/gearbox layout?
These cars are, in my opinion, the epitome of a contemporary Lotus road car: Clever minimalist design, exceptionally lightweight construction and a tad bonkers.