This is expensive!

[MAK]

On UK eBay, here it is on dealer's website, converting lbs. to dollars it's all yours for $62,898.     
https://www.uksportscars.com/view/lotus-europa-twin-cam-special-5-speed-1973-stunning-jps-black-with-gold-stripes/

[4129R]

I think that car will be available for a while.

[BDA]

Beautiful car!!! I wish it were worth $62,000.

[Bud]

This car is so impressive with the upgrades etc. and it will go for good money but not what they are asking. Only wish I could afford it

[Dreamer]

This Black TCS has been for sale by UK Sports Cars for some time now. I swear the first time I saw it the price was only £42,995. You have to go through all the documents to see that NO WHERE does it state this is a Factory JPS Europa. The truth is this was a kit car! Yes, the painted body and chassis where shipped first and the engine/transmission later for the owner to assemble.
We all understand the cost of restoration but at the end of the day this is just a black TCS with a good record of its history and restoration BUT NOT a JPS.
Of interest is that Andy Graham goes out of his way to NOT claim this as a JPS but states quite emphatically that ALL colours were available from the beginning of production. (As some books state the the first 100 were all black JPS.)

[SwiftDB4]

Why does it have a gasketed windscreen ? Have never seen a TC without a bonded windscreen.

[4129R]

You have to go through all the documents to see that NO WHERE does it state this is a Factory JPS Europa. The truth is this was a kit car! Yes, the painted body and chassis where shipped first and the engine/transmission later for the owner to assemble.

Firstly all black TCS sold in the UK were known as JPS cars after the John Player Speccial cigarette F1 sponsors paint scheme, and none were numbered that were sold in the UK.

Secondly, a lot of Lotus cars at that time were sold as "kit cars", to avoid paying purchase tax as payable on a complete car.

Thirdly, if you knew the right contacts, that "kit car" was delivered to a lock up garage close to the factory, and a friendly Lotus mechanic would assemble it for you in a few hours for a modest cash price.

[BDA]

Interesting! In the States, a real JPS is known by the plastic badge that was stuck to the dash. As I'm sure you know, other than that plastic badge, they were no different from any other black/gold 5-speed Special.
I thought the kit Europas were only S1 or S2s. I didn't realize that TCs or TCSs were sold as kits.
I am impressed with Lotus' customer service where they assemble (away from the prying eyes of the govt. of course) your car for you!

[GavinT]

The car in the OP is a UK vehicle, by the looks – gasketed windscreen, single wiper, different plenum fan, different dash etc.

As 4129R says, the UK views JPS cars differently than the US.
Mario Andretti had a "JPS Commemorative Esprit", for instance. (link below)

https://www.thelotusforums.com/jpsregister/jps.htm

Lotus also produced Gold Leaf, Camel, Essex paint jobs. Porsche went with Gulf livery, too.
I think Colin also had his plane in JPS black at some point.

[Dreamer]

4129R:
Firstly, it is the same over here too. All TCS’s came with the same gold pin striping but the black ones got the moniker John Players Special. However it has been written that a specific number were designated JPS from the factory and there were no options as it came with everything already. Furthermore some have mentioned that this specific production run were delivered with some special extras like JPS decals a matching jacket and perhaps a little piece of paper to mark the occasion. I know the JPS Espirts were well documented and came with “gifts” of one kind or another.
Secondly, I think we all know about the British tax laws and how Lotus got around them. I find it odd that some authors claim the first run of Europa TCS’s were all black JPS but never mention that they may not all have been factory assembled.
GavinT:
Correct, as the link in the OP shows this car is for sale in the UK by the independent Lotus & Caterham specialists shop “UK Sports Cars.” If you read the documentation it lists it as “P” for the Home Market.
And yes, the Brits view things very differently to the rest of the world. I gave up trying to explain to the diehard Caterham faithful’s that I own a C20xe powered Caterham HPC. Why? Because most say it’s not a HPC. Only factory built with an “H” for chassis type in the VIN is a true HPC. Everything else is a near worthless clone.

[4129R]

An interesting discussion on the subject:-

https://forums.autosport.com/topic/98159-purchase-tax-on-specials-kit-cars/

Can you access this link in the USA/Canada, as it is worth reading?

[Triton]

Would have thought if you want top money for a car you would spend an hour to tidy the wiring up. So many cars let down with untidy bunches of wires.

[dakazman]

  Well for the Europa community and all the Specials out there, I hope he gets close to his asking price. It truly is a stunning car.
   The only flaw I saw is the badly stained sun visor on the driver's side, and didn't like the clock either.
Dakazman