Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: LotusEuropa on Sunday,May 26, 2024, 03:16:02 AM
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Hi together, I am working on a rolling restoration, bringing back a car to 'as original as possible' condition. This means the plan is not to disassemble the whole car but to do what's needed whilst trying to get it back to the road asap. The car is an early S1.
Current condition:
The car basically works, the engine, transmission, brakes, chassis and suspension are generally in good condition. The body needs some attention, but I'm not going to completely repaint it. Most attention is needed to the interior, the electrics and the rear end (body). Apart from this, some parts (mirrors, indicators, interior parts etc.) need to get changed or undone (e.g. replace cosmic wheels to original steel wheels)
I will need to ask some detail questions which I will do here to not open a new topic every time. Hope you will help me with your expertise. I will post pictures at a later stage.
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Looking forward to pics as you fix things!
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Welcome!! Photos please !! Always excited to see another S1. How is the chassis? Have you poked around inside the chassis with an ice pick?
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:ttiwwp:
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Welcome. This is the best place for Europa information and advice. What is the chassis number of you S1? Pictures woukld be most welcome.
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Thank you all.
Welcome!! Photos please !! Always excited to see another S1. How is the chassis? Have you poked around inside the chassis with an ice pick?
I tried my best searching for any weaknesses, especially on the chassis. I haven't found the front section to be rotten or any other highly concerning faults apart from the obvious and hope I am right with this. My conclusion was it is to good for a full restoration and so it will be a running restoration.
Welcome. This is the best place for Europa information and advice. What is the chassis number of you S1? Pictures woukld be most welcome.
The car is known in the community, it's 460008, there was a post from a previous owner in September last year. https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=6188.msg66796#msg66796 (https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=6188.msg66796#msg66796)
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Says the chassis was replaced. Probably rear-ended judging by current rear body and rear fittings. That serial number plate has me a bit jumpy. Never seen one like that before.
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That serial number plate has me a bit jumpy. Never seen one like that before.
I think that's something added by a previous owner for a couple of reasons. Firstly, even though the initial production run was exported to Europe, I'd have expected the chassis plate to have been in English. Using German doesn't sound as likely as English or even French but of course with Lotus you never know for sure.
But even if Lotus had decided to stamp chassis plates in the country of export, I very much doubt they would have spelled "Norwich" like that.....
Of course the plate doesn't detract from the car, it's still a usable S1. But whoever fitted that plate would have been better to have contacted Lotus and obtained a genuine replacement considering the historic importance of the S1's. There's every chance the true history is even more interesting, a rebuilt racer for example ?
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Concerning the VIN plate I also believe the current one isn't the original one. I think it was added sometime later, probably during the repaint some 20 years ago. I will reverse it to the original plate as soon as I have found a correct one for sale.
Unfortunately some information, e.g. if it really got rear ended, is missing as the car stood for several years now and most of the work was performed before. I cannot find anyone who did repairs or respray and therefore I cannot say what exactly happened in the past 57 year.
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If you haven't already done so, it would be worth contacting Andy Graham at Lotus to see if he's got anything to add. An early chassis such as that might have ended up either as a demonstrator for car magazines or as a racer.
My first view of a Europa was around that time when someone came in a yellow one to the school I was attending and gave a talk to the 6th form students. I remember them saying it had been racing the previous weekend at Oulton Park (local circuit) even though it looked like a space-age road car to us !
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If you haven't already done so, it would be worth contacting Andy Graham at Lotus to see if he's got anything to add. An early chassis such as that might have ended up either as a demonstrator for car magazines or as a racer.
The previous owner, a young man who had gotten it from his neighbour, was in contact with him. Andy was unfortunately only able to give the basic information as usual (I think there was this fire in the archives or something like that). Given what you've said, it might be worth digging a little deeper. It would be great to find this in an article.
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I want to add the first questions:
- Washing the car, I experienced loads of water collecting in the spare wheel compartment. I assume somewhere must be a drain hole or even a drain valve, but it is missing on my car (no spare wheel, holes are shut). Can you give me the position and a suitable solution? Do you have some further recommendations to keep the water out of the car as good as possible?
- There is no seatbelt installed to the car, is it possible that there was none for some of the S1s? For example in Germany there was no obligation to install them to new cars until 1974.
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There should be drain holes just in front of the chassis. Mine had three but I can't say if this was original or not as my car had been mildly molested during some chassis repair bodging (subsequently replaced).
The car had/has seatbelt anchors stock.
- upper anchor is just above your outside shoulder between the seat back and the head rest. it is a metal tube in the fibreglass and uses a brace in the engine compartment from the chassis to the same point.
- lower outer anchor is part of the jacking point. Unlike in later cars, it is a massive fabrication. You access it by removing the seat base and the access hole cover against the sill.
- lower inner anchor point is opposite this and goes into a captive nut in the chassis itself.
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That serial number plate has me a bit jumpy. Never seen one like that before.
I think that's something added by a previous owner for a couple of reasons. Firstly, even though the initial production run was exported to Europe, I'd have expected the chassis plate to have been in English. Using German doesn't sound as likely as English or even French but of course with Lotus you never know for sure.
But even if Lotus had decided to stamp chassis plates in the country of export, I very much doubt they would have spelled "Norwich" like that.....
Of course the plate doesn't detract from the car, it's still a usable S1. But whoever fitted that plate would have been better to have contacted Lotus and obtained a genuine replacement considering the historic importance of the S1's. There's every chance the true history is even more interesting, a rebuilt racer for example ?
Good morning,
The car that followed on the assembly line was delivered to France.
The original plates are different
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There should be drain holes just in front of the chassis. Mine had three but I can't say if this was original or not as my car had been mildly molested during some chassis repair bodging (subsequently replaced).
The car had/has seatbelt anchors stock.
- upper anchor is just above your outside shoulder between the seat back and the head rest. it is a metal tube in the fibreglass and uses a brace in the engine compartment from the chassis to the same point.
- lower outer anchor is part of the jacking point. Unlike in later cars, it is a massive fabrication. You access it by removing the seat base and the access hole cover against the sill.
- lower inner anchor point is opposite this and goes into a captive nut in the chassis itself.
Thank you, will check this on my car. The mentioned tube is definitely missing at the moment, so I have to reinstall them.
That serial number plate has me a bit jumpy. Never seen one like that before.
I think that's something added by a previous owner for a couple of reasons. Firstly, even though the initial production run was exported to Europe, I'd have expected the chassis plate to have been in English. Using German doesn't sound as likely as English or even French but of course with Lotus you never know for sure.
But even if Lotus had decided to stamp chassis plates in the country of export, I very much doubt they would have spelled "Norwich" like that.....
Of course the plate doesn't detract from the car, it's still a usable S1. But whoever fitted that plate would have been better to have contacted Lotus and obtained a genuine replacement considering the historic importance of the S1's. There's every chance the true history is even more interesting, a rebuilt racer for example ?
Good morning,
The car that followed on the assembly line was delivered to France.
The original plates are different
Your VIN plate is stating 'Cheshunt', is this because of the old stock of plates or might there be a transition phase? I assume the pre production cars were assembled in Cheshunt, but did Hethel start with chassis # 1?
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Good morning,
The car that followed on the assembly line was delivered to France.
The original plates are different
That's interesting. The top plate is engraved rather than stamped, which is the same as my '68 Elan whereas my '72 Europa plate is stamped. Neither state the model name, just the "Type" identification number.
My guess from those two plates is that the top one is the original Lotus plate and the lower one added by the importing dealership ? Interesting that the lower plate says "EUROPE" rather than Europa, does that car have the rare "EUROPE" badge on it ?
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Good morning,
The car that followed on the assembly line was delivered to France.
The original plates are different
Hello Europa TC,
That's interesting. The top plate is engraved rather than stamped, which is the same as my '68 Elan whereas my '72 Europa plate is stamped. Neither state the model name, just the "Type" identification number.
We see a similar plate on number 30
http://lotus-europa.com/picview.asp?page=460030
My guess from those two plates is that the top one is the original Lotus plate and the lower one added by the importing dealership ?
https://www.autodiva.fr/forum/download/file.php?id=68455&sid=cef24dfcf185fe6fa3d43729b4697a38&mode=view
Interesting that the lower plate says "EUROPE" rather than Europa, does that car have the rare "EUROPE" badge on it ?
She does not have a Europe Badge :confused:
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This means the plan is not to disassemble the whole car but to do what's needed whilst trying to get it back to the road asap.
:FUNNY: We all tried that .....you'll end doing a full rebuild.. !! :FUNNY:
Good luck, welcome, and keep us posted on the journey.
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Thanks again to all.
Can someone tell me if SJ or Banks is selling the correct screws for the steering wheel assembly? I mean the 7 screws fixating the steering wheel to the hub.
If not, can you give me the correct specification? Have to replace the incorrect screws on a wheel I already have.
Thank you.
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There are no screws. Originally the steering wheel is riveted to the hub.
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There are no screws. Originally the steering wheel is riveted to the hub.
I didn't realize that, jb, thanks. I'm not sure about using cheap pop rivets for my steering wheel, would you trust them completely?
Back to the seat belts, does anyone here have a pair of the correct ones for the Europa for sale?
Regards
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The detail of those 2 engine cover vents look interesting - can you post some close up pictures of those please?
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The detail of those 2 engine cover vents look interesting - can you post some close up pictures of those please?
Sure, will be able to do so this evening.
But I plan to revert it to the original spec, including the oddie fasteners. If someone is interested in the current one feel free to contact me.
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100% not pop rivets! I would thread the holes and fit screws.
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There are no screws. Originally the steering wheel is riveted to the hub.
I didn't realize that, jb, thanks. I'm not sure about using cheap pop rivets for my steering wheel, would you trust them completely?
Back to the seat belts, does anyone here have a pair of the correct ones for the Europa for sale?
Regards
My original tiller on 693R was scraped up and the leather/vinyl around the circumference was splitting (not unusual). I realize NOT stock, but picked up a replacement wheel (OK< it was a a Grant) that looked cool.
Took apart, all the holes lined up (strangely enough) to swap the original Lotus hub over to the grant wheel. Tapped out the holes...used stainless cap screws to mount the wheel on the hub, snapped in a later-logo horn button...and that's how she rolled.
Think it didn't detract from the view from the driver seat...and the smaller diameter meant that my fingers weren't jammed up against the windshield either. Style fit the car (as you can see from the second photo...)
Think you can see all the photos here:
http://www.lotuseuropa.us/0693r/photos/index.php/2009/03-21-09-Steering_Wheel
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That's a really nice wheel Bryan.
I'll admit I'm not a great lover of modern wheel styles but that just looks as if it belongs there - even the later gold horn centre !
Brian
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That's a really nice wheel Bryan.
I'll admit I'm not a great lover of modern wheel styles but that just looks as if it belongs there - even the later gold horn centre !
Brian
Thanks! It turned out pretty nice back in the day.
The Wickens emblem horn center was from my '86 turbo; I put a regular black and grey original emblem in its place to start...but the crash pad on the original Turbo wheel was only contact cemented on and while nicer than the original esprit wheel...the damn pad kept coming loose in my lap while driving. So...updated it with a later (I recall) Excel wheel my mechanic had sourced for me.
I did a variation on the theme on my current ride; smaller diameter, the original center trim bit fit perfectly, just had to rearrange the turn flasher cancel pins as previously stated. Like the smaller diameter wheels; they fit the tiny nature of the car better....;)
The first photo is the current wheel I'm running in 3291R. 13" diameter, rim is nicely thick and padded. Just wish the seam at the top had a centering piece sewn in for that full boy racer look...lol
Second photo is a spare S1/S2 wheel I have...using it as wall art in the garage...some marking on the left aluminum spoke, but, cover is in good condition considering it age. Even the horn button (Original!) is uncrazed and still works! Keeping it for as long as I can. Don't even know what it's worth, but it is OEM and original. That counts for something.
Third photo is the original TCS wheel from the factory. The center trim cup is from the current wheel in photo 1; the original center trim cup from the factory on this wheel fit the replacement wheel in photo 1 exactly. How lucky can you get, right?
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The detail of those 2 engine cover vents look interesting - can you post some close up pictures of those please?
Sure, will be able to do so this evening.
But I plan to revert it to the original spec, including the oddie fasteners. If someone is interested in the current one feel free to contact me.
Here are the pictures. This doesn't look as efficient as the original 4-hole layout. I think it was done for looks, but I'm not sure.
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Those are interesting photo's..!!!
Making gauze covers for the engine vents is well documented on this forum but I have never seen the opening edges finished like that.
Are those vents into the engine compartment close to the hinges of the engine cover lid? The lid appears to be have been substantially re-worked.
A lot of work has gone into that car from a P.O.
We will all look forward to more pictures of what (hopefully) will be pleasant surprises of what that car holds underneath. :)
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It is time for a brief update:
After continuously working on the car and getting most of the parts, I have decided to professionally repaint the car and not just partially paint it. The main reasons for this are the many places where this became necessary and the poor and non-original metallic paint that is on the car. Therefore, a painter friend of mine has agreed to help with the preparations and do the main work. The car will remain yellow (L07 Lotus Yellow) and get black inside. Apart from the visual aspect, the car is in good order. The chassis is in good condition.
I'm really looking forward to it.
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Just wanted to share another update as my car is now painted and I'm already in the process of reassembling it. This should be the fun part now.
It's painted in lotus yellow which is a lighter colour than before. If you compare the attached pics to the previous ones you'll see.
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Nice! 8)
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What Turbo said! :beerchug:
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Another small update as I made some progress in the last couple of months:
Since last time after having it repainted this happened:
- I've installed all the exterior parts (apart from the mirrors)
- I've installed the windscreen and rear screen (PITA first, but worked out well after buying another window seal
- I've installed the side screens
- I've installed a new Spal fan
- Bought the Kangol seatbelt parts which I need to get restored / rewebbed now
- Painted the engine and front compartment in black
- Restored the steering wheel
- Did 80% of the electrical work
- Almost finished the Dashboard
- Bought the correct interior fan on Ebay
I assume it will still need a couple of weeks, but the end gets nearer finally. Unfortunately it has not been the "rolling restoration" I have intended first.
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... and I've worked on the Mk VI again which is ready now for the season!
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Congratulations on your progress with the S1! Your first drive can't be far off!
Love the Mk VI! What a classic!
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Congratulations on your progress with the S1! Your first drive can't be far off!
Love the Mk VI! What a classic!
Thank you, I am curious how it will handle and drive as I have never driven one for more than a few meters.
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I have zero experience with S1s (or S2s for that matter) but from what I've read, they were lots of fun given what they were. Presuming you have the stock motor, you're not going to go really fast or get there really quickly but I suspect you'll be able to do fast enough and quick enough to have fun. The turns should be a blast! I think you'll be happy with the result!
:lotus:
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I have the cross flow engine installed, BDA.
I think this should be enough to have fun with it, as you said.
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Nice progress. Coming along very nicely, and the proper Lotus yellow looks great.
I'm digging the Mark VI.
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Lotus Europa,
I just started following this thread, thanks for posting.
I'm a newbie to these S1's but have some experience with S2's. They are different animals. I only hope I can rebuild mine to look as good as yours.
Love your MKVI
Dakazman
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Please fuss with the alignment and get it right before that first drive. Early cars had their rear radius arm mount attached outside the chassis. This can lead to the rear suspension having a small amount of uncorrectable toe-out. The factory issued a bulletin on the matter advising that the mounts be mounted inside the chassis to avoid this problem. Driving a Europa at speed with toe out at the rear makes for an interesting, sphincter-constricting, experience.
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Thank you for this, jb. I will have this checked asap!