Classic Lotus, death sentence?
Discussion
Hello all,
I have recently become slightly obsessed with classic lotus cars!
The two that I most like are the Europa(s) and the late model Excel's.
My question is in regards to safety. How well will these cars hold up during an accident?
What is the side impact protection like?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
I have also been looking at the Banks Europa cars, which I love. Anyone out there got one?
Any video clips or pics of Banks Europa cars would be great!!!
I have recently become slightly obsessed with classic lotus cars!
The two that I most like are the Europa(s) and the late model Excel's.
My question is in regards to safety. How well will these cars hold up during an accident?
What is the side impact protection like?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
I have also been looking at the Banks Europa cars, which I love. Anyone out there got one?
Any video clips or pics of Banks Europa cars would be great!!!
Dramatic title! Slightly obssesed, well, welcome to the club, its a fairly common diesase around these parts, very expensive to treat and one which is not easily cured.
Classic Lotus's are a particular love of mine, the bank account can bear witness to this, although the strain of the diesase which infests my brain is mostly to do with the Elite and Eclat, both of which are the predicesors of the Excel.
Back to your questiion, the Elite and Eclat both had huge side impact protection bars fitted inside each door, this along with the impact absorbtion foam filled bumpers front and rear were what added to the weight that Mr Chapman was not so keen on, but were required for safety standards insisted on by the good old USA. But as foe the Excel, I do not have that information. However I assume that as the Excel was originally named the Eclat/Excel, to avoid the expense both in time and money, of type approval, that the later car would have carried on the safety standards. Having said that, the Excel was not imported to the states, so who knows. Best off speaking to Mike Causer on the Yahoo groups Lotus 4 seaters forum, he's the kiddie when it comes to Excel's.
As for the Europa, big side impact = Dead I would think, but hey, lifes too short not to!
Banks Europa? Sub Zero! but Mucho Peso's
Classic Lotus's are a particular love of mine, the bank account can bear witness to this, although the strain of the diesase which infests my brain is mostly to do with the Elite and Eclat, both of which are the predicesors of the Excel.
Back to your questiion, the Elite and Eclat both had huge side impact protection bars fitted inside each door, this along with the impact absorbtion foam filled bumpers front and rear were what added to the weight that Mr Chapman was not so keen on, but were required for safety standards insisted on by the good old USA. But as foe the Excel, I do not have that information. However I assume that as the Excel was originally named the Eclat/Excel, to avoid the expense both in time and money, of type approval, that the later car would have carried on the safety standards. Having said that, the Excel was not imported to the states, so who knows. Best off speaking to Mike Causer on the Yahoo groups Lotus 4 seaters forum, he's the kiddie when it comes to Excel's.
As for the Europa, big side impact = Dead I would think, but hey, lifes too short not to!
Banks Europa? Sub Zero! but Mucho Peso's
Thanks for the quick reply Simon, much appreciated.
I will take a look at the yahoo groups today.
I know what you mean in regards to the cost of a Banks car, but they seem to know what they are doing.
How reliable have you found your Elite and Eclat in the past?
I saw a note on one of the Excel owners write ups saying that he had stupidly purchased the car as a daily driver but after three months she had to go because she never went, which I found amusing.
There is an article about the Banks Europa's in the current issue of Retro Cars if anyone is interested.
Cheers
I will take a look at the yahoo groups today.
I know what you mean in regards to the cost of a Banks car, but they seem to know what they are doing.
How reliable have you found your Elite and Eclat in the past?
I saw a note on one of the Excel owners write ups saying that he had stupidly purchased the car as a daily driver but after three months she had to go because she never went, which I found amusing.
There is an article about the Banks Europa's in the current issue of Retro Cars if anyone is interested.
Cheers
This will give you a reliability guide 
www.pistonheads.com/members/showCar.asp?carId=891
>> Edited by Simonelite501 on Tuesday 7th December 17:43
www.pistonheads.com/members/showCar.asp?carId=891 >> Edited by Simonelite501 on Tuesday 7th December 17:43
Hi, regarding side protection for Europa's there isn't any. I own a S2. The sills are just thin fibre glass as are the doors and on a sunny day I can see through the fibre glass in places!!!! I would say that my brothers Caterham had more side protection, at least there is protection from the space frame chassis on those cars. That being said I have no plans selling it, I love the looks the handling and the performance isn't to bad either. Best speak to Richard Winter at Banks whoose enthusiasm and love for these cars is amazing.
I have never really felt vunerable in the car except on Motorways in the rain. The only time the car let me down is when I picked it up, the petrol tank split, I got an aluminium from SJ sports cars who are very good spares wise. The car is original although it has the 1565cc engine instead of the 1470cc. It is having a new chassis at the moment along with a better cooling system which I got from Bank's I have also fitted an oilcooler. Fingers crossed it will be on the road next year.
I too have a Europa, a Twin Cam Special, in my case. The side impact protection is the window frame, a couple layers of fibreglass, and the seat frame, so, not much at all!
However, with the car being so small and light, I have heard stories of people being broadsided by much larger cars, and simply sliding along infront of them. Also, there isn't much room between the wheels to stuff a car nose into, so you would have to be pretty damn unlucky to get squished big time.
If you're worried, Banks do a bolt in roll cage.
They're dead simple to work on, and parts aren't that expensive. That said, it'll be cheaper to go to Richard at Banks and buy one of his complete ones, as opposed to buying a basket case and putting it together yourself.
In any case, talk to Richard at Banks, great guy, who knows more about Europas than anyone else I've talked to.
Oh, and just do it! Come on, it'll be fun!
Gary
However, with the car being so small and light, I have heard stories of people being broadsided by much larger cars, and simply sliding along infront of them. Also, there isn't much room between the wheels to stuff a car nose into, so you would have to be pretty damn unlucky to get squished big time.
If you're worried, Banks do a bolt in roll cage.
They're dead simple to work on, and parts aren't that expensive. That said, it'll be cheaper to go to Richard at Banks and buy one of his complete ones, as opposed to buying a basket case and putting it together yourself.
In any case, talk to Richard at Banks, great guy, who knows more about Europas than anyone else I've talked to.
Oh, and just do it! Come on, it'll be fun!
Gary
Not a clue... I didn't take my own advice, and bought one in a bunch of baskets (6 actually), and am nearly finished 3 years later. 
I figure I'm running somewhere around the 10K pounds mark now, but the majority of that is paint and engine.
www.banks.europa.co.uk
I'd suggest calling, Richard isn't the best with email, and just chatting a bit about what you want. He'll have something for you.
Gary
I figure I'm running somewhere around the 10K pounds mark now, but the majority of that is paint and engine. www.banks.europa.co.uk
I'd suggest calling, Richard isn't the best with email, and just chatting a bit about what you want. He'll have something for you.
Gary
I've got an early-to-late Excel (i.e. wide body and different interior) a bit of a stop gap
1985 non-SE with only 32k miles and I'm the 3rd owner.
It didn't cost me anything to buy, but then cost about £2k to have the engine looked at and serviced, new tyres all round, new pads and discs, exhaust.
It's been running fine for the past 18 months, in which I've done about 7k miles including a few long trips (500 miles in a day). Only the fuel pump has packed up and that was expected.
Spent 2 weeks as a daily driver after my Scooby went, there are loads out there that are only cars.
From personal preference, non/half leather is the best interior as it doesn't show it's age.
Take a look at www.lotusexcel.co.uk for more info.
Richard
1985 non-SE with only 32k miles and I'm the 3rd owner.
It didn't cost me anything to buy, but then cost about £2k to have the engine looked at and serviced, new tyres all round, new pads and discs, exhaust.
It's been running fine for the past 18 months, in which I've done about 7k miles including a few long trips (500 miles in a day). Only the fuel pump has packed up and that was expected.
Spent 2 weeks as a daily driver after my Scooby went, there are loads out there that are only cars.
From personal preference, non/half leather is the best interior as it doesn't show it's age.
Take a look at www.lotusexcel.co.uk for more info.
Richard
I've had two Europa's and was never worried about accidents, I'd have another if I had the space. I need a double garage minimum, but then couldn't afford the cars to put in it!!
This is the Banks' site for all those cars and parts for sale, and wanted. www.banks-europa.co.uk/pinboard/
Mark
This is the Banks' site for all those cars and parts for sale, and wanted. www.banks-europa.co.uk/pinboard/
Mark
How about this little beauty on Ebay?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31359&item=4515831256&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31359&item=4515831256&rd=1
bobfrance said:
How about this little beauty on Ebay?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31359&item=4515831256&rd=1
Well, if it had the stock engine, I'd say it looks great. It's hard to say how well the turbo install would have been done, but the other bits look good. CV joints on the halfshafts is a nice touch, and the bodywork looks good. If you were able to test drive it thoroughly, it may be a fine car.
Gary
Gassing Station | General Lotus Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff