Discussion
Hi,
Yep, got a '72 twink which I've owned since 1988. I'm familiar with most of the nuts and bolts on it, so anything I can help with, just ask. I've got a couple of other lotus's as well if it's a driving comparison you're after.
There's also a usenet group for the europa, the keenest posters seem to me to be in the USA, but they certainly know their stuff.
cheers
brian
Yep, got a '72 twink which I've owned since 1988. I'm familiar with most of the nuts and bolts on it, so anything I can help with, just ask. I've got a couple of other lotus's as well if it's a driving comparison you're after.
There's also a usenet group for the europa, the keenest posters seem to me to be in the USA, but they certainly know their stuff.
cheers
brian
Like mine then, it should be good fun. If you've not driven one before then the first thing that surprised me was the low wind noise, in fact it's an easy car to do 100+ miles in. Also the car feels very secure at speed and quite modern - compared with other 70s cars that is.
Because you're low it feels fast but I'm not sure it's really a 7sec 0-60 car (maybe just the road test ones) but it's plenty fast enough. Suspension is critical IMO, as with all Lotus's of the period, once the dampers or ball joints show wear the car quickly goes off. The drivetrain wears badly on a daily car, definitely high maintenance.
Be interesting to see what you think.
Because you're low it feels fast but I'm not sure it's really a 7sec 0-60 car (maybe just the road test ones) but it's plenty fast enough. Suspension is critical IMO, as with all Lotus's of the period, once the dampers or ball joints show wear the car quickly goes off. The drivetrain wears badly on a daily car, definitely high maintenance.
Be interesting to see what you think.
the europa looks pretty cool i think, i saw one in gulf colours in london a while ago looked like a gt40 at first glance very low car, perfornance varies the tc special is pretty quick i believe with 60 time of less than 7 secs, the normal tc is around 7.5 and the renaults 8 to 8.5 these are rough figures that i have seen from various sources.
being a old car maintenance costs will be higher as things will need replacing more often type lotus europa into google theres bound to be a few sites out there with plenty of info
being a old car maintenance costs will be higher as things will need replacing more often type lotus europa into google theres bound to be a few sites out there with plenty of info
b2hbm said:
. . . it should be good fun. . . . the low wind noise, . . . the car feels very secure at speed and quite modern . . .
Because you're low it feels fast but I'm not sure it's really a 7sec 0-60 car . . . definitely high maintenance.
Be interesting to see what you think.
Just batched the pics and there are some nice ones that'll post up early this week.
The owner didn't race it but passed 4k revs the 750 kgs plus two men did go FF. A good 8s will do nicely, gearchange without any rattle. The guy is chief garage at the Dutch Bentley's dealership so the interior was wrapped up in leftover Bentley leather! Very surprised to hear no sound other than the nice Dell Ortoed Ford Lotus 1.6TC and a bit of those 13 inch tires. When warm a few pops and bangs but a surprising civilised ride . . . This is the only rolling TC over here - believed only a 3000 were done in this form.
Hi,
Sounds like you approve of the Europa then ?
The trimming looks neat, it must have been quite hard on the compound curves of the dashboard tops. It looks like a replacement walnut dashboard as well ?
Personally I reckon the europa was well ahead of its' time. If you drive 100-200 miles in a well set-up Europa you'll get out ok. If you do the same in a modern Elise (well, the S1 anyway) you'll end up with a sore backside and ringing ears - although the Elise is faster there's no progress in the comfort department.
Brian
Sounds like you approve of the Europa then ?
The trimming looks neat, it must have been quite hard on the compound curves of the dashboard tops. It looks like a replacement walnut dashboard as well ?
Personally I reckon the europa was well ahead of its' time. If you drive 100-200 miles in a well set-up Europa you'll get out ok. If you do the same in a modern Elise (well, the S1 anyway) you'll end up with a sore backside and ringing ears - although the Elise is faster there's no progress in the comfort department.
Brian
A tres chique Europe indeed . . . all Bentley material and the smell of leather only. Banks makes racers but this TC is a decent cruiser. He wants a 50s-60s Bent for travelling distance because: " . . . in this Lotus you just can't travel to Suisse. About a few hours and I'm done . . ." Wel, I believe I would have no problem with that.
And another nice thing: he drove barefoot. One of my fav things to do.
Banks did a kind modification: in original form the rear axle is a bit supportive to the frame. Not a very smart thing from uncle Colin . . . so Banks built a bridge above the RA to release the rearwheeldrive and thus provides a smoother ride. The boot was a surprise. Lockheed iso Girling brake-support (what's the UK name?) cut off a bit of space but there's still enough to carry a sandwich and clothes for a fortnight.
Great car and I want one . . . off course.
And another nice thing: he drove barefoot. One of my fav things to do.
Banks did a kind modification: in original form the rear axle is a bit supportive to the frame. Not a very smart thing from uncle Colin . . . so Banks built a bridge above the RA to release the rearwheeldrive and thus provides a smoother ride. The boot was a surprise. Lockheed iso Girling brake-support (what's the UK name?) cut off a bit of space but there's still enough to carry a sandwich and clothes for a fortnight.
Great car and I want one . . . off course.
Hi,
"Lockheed iso Girling brake-support - British term ?"
Do you mean the servo assistance ? Mine has a Lockheed servo on now as well. Apparently the Girling ones are unavailable - I just saw a Lockeed one for sale new and bought it, didn't even bother to try to rebuild the Girling one.
One of the oddities about the Europa (to me)is the way the driveshafts form and upper link, with the lower links going to the transaxle casing. Effectively this means that all sideways loads will be resolved through the front engine mounts and the rear transaxle mounts.
It's the usual Chapman thing to make one item do two jobs, just like on a race car. It's lighter, cheaper but higher maintenance, The engine/transaxle mounts were probably designed just for vibration & engine/transmission weights, when you add in cornering loads then you must expect them to deteriorate faster.
cheers
Brian
"Lockheed iso Girling brake-support - British term ?"
Do you mean the servo assistance ? Mine has a Lockheed servo on now as well. Apparently the Girling ones are unavailable - I just saw a Lockeed one for sale new and bought it, didn't even bother to try to rebuild the Girling one.
One of the oddities about the Europa (to me)is the way the driveshafts form and upper link, with the lower links going to the transaxle casing. Effectively this means that all sideways loads will be resolved through the front engine mounts and the rear transaxle mounts.
It's the usual Chapman thing to make one item do two jobs, just like on a race car. It's lighter, cheaper but higher maintenance, The engine/transaxle mounts were probably designed just for vibration & engine/transmission weights, when you add in cornering loads then you must expect them to deteriorate faster.
cheers
Brian
b2hbm said:
Do you mean the servo assistance ?
That's it, thanx.
I'll finish the Dutch version 1st . . . so within next week I'll drop you a mail.
Cheers, Albert
Edit to say: Dutch version is near finish. Next weekend I'll translate / rewrite.
>> Edited by dinkel on Monday 31st October 10:10
Review is near finish . . .
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=2
Voila.
>> Edited by dinkel on Friday 11th November 21:57
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