Europa on Craig's List (Los Angeles)

[PenP]

Hey everybody – I'm new to the Forum.  I own a 1973 Europa Special (4-speed), and used to own what I think is the Coolest Car In The World – a 1968 Lotus 51 Formula Ford that had a BDA twin cam engine.  Car was part of the Matsuda Museum Collection in Japan, on display for years in its original state before the billionaire (eccentric) owner had the car modified.  Just writing this makes me pained with regret that I sold it....  BUT...this is about Europas, right?

There is a rough – but, amazingly, running (!) – 1970 Europa for sale on Craigs List.  Seems like a pretty good deal for a fixer.  $4000.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/cto/4199891586.html

(I know nothing about this car, btw)

Regards,

Pen Pendleton
Los Angeles

[Grumblebuns]

I did go and take a look at this S2 earlier this week and talk to the seller. In short, this is a court repossession, and the seller is the court re-possessor. He has almost zero knowledge of Europas. The car itself is in fairly decent shape. The biggest flaw is two major hits to the drivers side panels, one fore and one aft of the door. The interior is OK. The seats appear to be non original, dash is non original, and the rear window is missing. After the past rains we've had, I hope the car got covered. If anyone is allergic to cats, a neighbor hood cat has been sleeping on the seats, cat hair everywhere. The car was suppose to be running according to the ad. Unfortunately, when the seller tried to start the car with a booster, the alternator started to smoke; another item to fix and it didn't start up.
All in all, a decent project for someone who doesn't care too much about originality (interior only, engine compartment looks pretty good).   

Joji Tokumoto
Fallbrook, Ca

[PenP]

This could make a vintage race platform. The factory Race Europa was actually based on the earlier Renault car body design – so it had the slab side rear, BUT...with the TC engine.  Any, this earlier body style looks great in a race car.  And the Renault car would be able to run in one of the best vintage racing groups in VARA/SVRA (very big group), while the TC powered car would have to go to a much more competitive groups, with the 911's, the 914/6's, the 240Z's.

It's one thing to restore something like this to original, another thing to do a race car – the latter can be much more cost effective.  And even less if it just a track day car (a lot less safety requirements).  BUT...you gotta do a roll bar whether its a full-on race car, or just a track car.  Gotta, gotta, gotta.

[Grumblebuns]

Here are a few more, these never made it on my first post.

Joji Tokumoto