The Europa is an extraordinary car

[Benjy]

Ahoy All,

My S2 is back on the road after probably a good twenty years in pieces. 18 months ago it was a just pile of bits, now it is a fully functioning (no, really) car which I can actually drive and not just work on!

In just a couple of days I have done about 250 kms and now have a good idea of what a Europa is. It's an extraordinary car, the fact that its design is nearly 60 years old makes it even more impressive. Before this car I had never even owned a Lotus but was obviously aware of the brand and its reputation. In fact my own designs (woodenwidget.com) have been much inspired by Colin Chapman. His simplify and add lightness has been my own mantra for twenty years. But until now I had not even sat in a Lotus, let alone drive one. I am far from a rich man, at least not financially, so I had to rebuild a wreck if I wanted a Lotus of my own.

Apart from fitting the glass I have enjoyed every aspect of the restoration and have learned a lot. When you are familiar with every single aspect of a car you can really appreciate the design more fully. It astonishes me that the Europa even exists really, it's so mad a concept. So to get to drive the car after looking at it and working on it for so long was awaited with much excitement. I have been absolutely amazed at this tiny car. I am small myself so for me it's perfect. I have now had a chance to drive the car (not at 100% because I am still trying to run in the engine) in a spirited fashion and down some of my favourite roads and have found myself grinning from ear to ear and basically being amazed at the competence and speed this thing can go round corners. I have never experienced anything quite like it.

You lot already know this but for me it's all new. I knew I would not be disappointed in the car and the way it drove but I was under no illusions, it's an almost hand made fibreglass British car that is nearly 60 years old after all. However I did not expect to be so amazed and impressed by it. I absolutely love the car and intend to keep it for as long as I can still get in and out of it!

So now I am looking forward to adventures in the car and meeting other fellow obsessed owners and waxing lyrical about our vehicles with them, driving down windy roads and just generally having a laugh!

For me LOTUS stands for Lots Of Time Usually Smiling!

Cheers

Benjy 54/0949 France

[BDA]

I'm glad you've been able to finally experience the thrill of the Europa!!! You are absolutely right! There is NOTHING like a Europa! Now, your job is to enjoy your handiwork! 
 

[My S1]

Benjy, so happy to enjoy your enthusiasm with you.  My S1 arrived from Germany 2-1/2 years ago and I too, just got to enjoy my maiden voyage this week after having it up on jack stands and restoring the interior, belly pan/wheel tubs, rear end , rockers, boot and engine compartment...etc.  When I first got the car, after fifty years of yearning for one, I was flabbergasted by the seemingly crazy way that Lotus put it together but like you, my angst evolved into adulation.  I'm sure the whole team and especially the sculptors and stylist were under a great time crunch (financials?) but what they produced is nothing short of remarkable.  All those questionable aspects had allot of brilliant thought behind them and as you express, it is a joy to drive.  Congratulations!

[Bryan Boyle]

Ahoy All,

My S2 is back on the road after probably a good twenty years in pieces. 18 months ago it was a just pile of bits, now it is a fully functioning (no, really) car which I can actually drive and not just work on!

In just a couple of days I have done about 250 kms and now have a good idea of what a Europa is. It's an extraordinary car, the fact that its design is nearly 60 years old makes it even more impressive. Before this car I had never even owned a Lotus but was obviously aware of the brand and its reputation. In fact my own designs (woodenwidget.com) have been much inspired by Colin Chapman. His simplify and add lightness has been my own mantra for twenty years. But until now I had not even sat in a Lotus, let alone drive one. I am far from a rich man, at least not financially, so I had to rebuild a wreck if I wanted a Lotus of my own.

Apart from fitting the glass I have enjoyed every aspect of the restoration and have learned a lot. When you are familiar with every single aspect of a car you can really appreciate the design more fully. It astonishes me that the Europa even exists really, it's so mad a concept. So to get to drive the car after looking at it and working on it for so long was awaited with much excitement. I have been absolutely amazed at this tiny car. I am small myself so for me it's perfect. I have now had a chance to drive the car (not at 100% because I am still trying to run in the engine) in a spirited fashion and down some of my favourite roads and have found myself grinning from ear to ear and basically being amazed at the competence and speed this thing can go round corners. I have never experienced anything quite like it.

You lot already know this but for me it's all new. I knew I would not be disappointed in the car and the way it drove but I was under no illusions, it's an almost hand made fibreglass British car that is nearly 60 years old after all. However I did not expect to be so amazed and impressed by it. I absolutely love the car and intend to keep it for as long as I can still get in and out of it!

So now I am looking forward to adventures in the car and meeting other fellow obsessed owners and waxing lyrical about our vehicles with them, driving down windy roads and just generally having a laugh!

For me LOTUS stands for Lots Of Time Usually Smiling!

Cheers

Benjy 54/0949 France

People always ask why a Lotus Europa.  I got the jeers from "sports car experts" and various and sundry others when I started back in the 80s.

You get it.  There is no other.  Even 60 years since Hickman put pencil to paper...there are few that can match it for what it is.  Yeah, there are faster, more expensive (my Jag XF will blow the doors off it), 'sexier' rust buckets out there.  But the Europa stands alone.

Congrats on the maiden voyage under your purview.  You've taken on the care and preservation for the next owner, be careful, be precise, and she'll reward you with a smile you can't get rid of!

 

[gideon]

Benjy, you're a boat builder and boat designer.  You sell boat plans on your website, and you have restored a Lotus Europa.  By that description you could be Dudley Dix.  There's only one small difference - the exterior finish on your Europa is flawless.  I'm in awe.

Are those chrome finish Vitaloni Californians?

[Benjy]

Ahoy Gideon

Thanks but Dudley Dix is somewhat more prolific than me as a designer but I do appreciate the compliment!

Yes, they are chrome Vitaloni Californian mirrors which you can actually see out of as I angled their mounting positions accordingly unlike many Europas I see where the mirrors appear to be fitted to look good, not to be able to actually see out of. I don't know what all the fuss is about with rear visibility anyway. I have three mirrors and I can see out of the car behind just fine! And in any case I subscribe to the first rule of Italian driving: What's behind me is not important!

Cheers

Benjy 54/0949 France

[Bryan Boyle]

***DELETIA***


Are those chrome finish Vitaloni Californians?

I found repop black Californian mirrors and put them on in place of the originals.  They work better, but you have to move the mounting foot so you can get the right angle.  I also added a convex mirror to the RHS so I can see down the side better.  Not the best, but it works well.

My S2 had talbot bullets.  Now, those were the bee's knees.  But I do like the californians.  Wish I had done them in chrome, but they work on the black body of the TCS.

[Bainford]

A few things:
First; congrats on your successful first drives, and welcome to the club of the enlightened.

Second; at 250 kms in I thought I was getting 'it' too, and I was starting to, but a couple years on I realised I was still discovering subtleties of the brilliance that is the Lotus Europa with every long road-trip I undertook.

Third; I can assure you, the grinning doesn't stop. After 15 years and 25,000 miles, my Europa will still paste a grin on my face every time I drive it.

Also, regarding a comment in your second post; I don't get all the fuss over rear visibility either. I find the Europa is actually quite good in this regard. I drove a '69 Mustang for many years and that car had blind spots. The Europa is a breeze by comparison.

[SwiftDB4]

What a beautiful paint job and attention to detail!