lotus europa special jps
Discussion
hi was wondering if anybody could help me. my father who died a couple of years ago was half way through restoring a lotus europa special, jps.
it is ready for sraying and has the undercoat already on it. the interior needs to be restored still but we have the seats and some other parts for it. would anybody please be able to give me any help or advise as to how to sell this car and info as to how much it is worth. my dad worked really hard on this car and would like it to go to someone equally as enthusiastic
it is ready for sraying and has the undercoat already on it. the interior needs to be restored still but we have the seats and some other parts for it. would anybody please be able to give me any help or advise as to how to sell this car and info as to how much it is worth. my dad worked really hard on this car and would like it to go to someone equally as enthusiastic
Value will obviously depend on condition, but the Europa is also a bit of an acquired taste, even by Lotus standards. As a result the market is quite limited and how much it will sell for, and/or how quickly it will sell, will depend on your luck in finding the right buyer at the right time.
However, the JPS Special is the most desirable of the Europa variants and a good, fully restored car should certainly fetch in excess of £10,000 and a top-notch restoration in mint condition could well realise £17,000 or more if you can find the right buyer. The Japanese love them, so a lot of the better cars have now been exported to the land of the Rising Sun.
In the part-restored condition you describe, unfortunately it is a 'project' for someone and is therefore worth substantially less. I'm guessing, because I don't know the quality or extent of work done so far, but I'd hazard something in the region of £5,000 - £7,000 would be realistic. A lot will depend on the precise specification of the work done and the names on the receipts, too - an engine rebuild by QED and paint by Robin Alabaster, for example, would add several thousand to the value in comparison with a home engine rebuild and a paint job by the local spray shop.
Your profile indicates that you are in Kent? Try contacting Paul Clugston at UK Sportscars for a valuation (but remember that as a dealer he will be looking to make a profit).
Failing that, contact me via my profile with more detailed information and pictures and I may be able to give you better advice.
However, the JPS Special is the most desirable of the Europa variants and a good, fully restored car should certainly fetch in excess of £10,000 and a top-notch restoration in mint condition could well realise £17,000 or more if you can find the right buyer. The Japanese love them, so a lot of the better cars have now been exported to the land of the Rising Sun.
In the part-restored condition you describe, unfortunately it is a 'project' for someone and is therefore worth substantially less. I'm guessing, because I don't know the quality or extent of work done so far, but I'd hazard something in the region of £5,000 - £7,000 would be realistic. A lot will depend on the precise specification of the work done and the names on the receipts, too - an engine rebuild by QED and paint by Robin Alabaster, for example, would add several thousand to the value in comparison with a home engine rebuild and a paint job by the local spray shop.
Your profile indicates that you are in Kent? Try contacting Paul Clugston at UK Sportscars for a valuation (but remember that as a dealer he will be looking to make a profit).
Failing that, contact me via my profile with more detailed information and pictures and I may be able to give you better advice.
Also in Kent (Headcorn) are Maidstone Sports Cars - www.maidstonesportscars.co.uk - Lotus specialist amongst others and do restoration work. They might be able to help you out as they may know a few collectors.
Also worth contacting Club Lotus
>> Edited by kevin ritson on Sunday 8th January 18:19
Also worth contacting Club Lotus
>> Edited by kevin ritson on Sunday 8th January 18:19
Avoid uksportscars
Why?
www.southrun.co.uk/dealerreviews.php?dealer=UKSportscars
In fact avoid all dealers and just about all so called specialists as they WILL want to rip you off. A Club Lotus insurance valuation (based on photos and submitted vehicle history) will be your best bet at getting an accurate valuation.
Why?
www.southrun.co.uk/dealerreviews.php?dealer=UKSportscars
In fact avoid all dealers and just about all so called specialists as they WILL want to rip you off. A Club Lotus insurance valuation (based on photos and submitted vehicle history) will be your best bet at getting an accurate valuation.
I don't disagree with M100 - as I said in my first post, dealers are always out to make a profit.
However, my expoerience of Club Lotus (and, indeed, most car club) valuations is that they are dreadfully optomistic. They are ok as 'insurance' valuations (ie. what is the most you are likely to have to pay to find and replace your cherished car if it is stolen or written off), but are't realistic as private sale figures.
Also, unless things have changed since Graham Arnold was in charge, any approach to Club Lotus is likely to meet the response that you need to be a member before they will arrange a valuation for you...even for members there was a £5 charge, IIRC.
However, my expoerience of Club Lotus (and, indeed, most car club) valuations is that they are dreadfully optomistic. They are ok as 'insurance' valuations (ie. what is the most you are likely to have to pay to find and replace your cherished car if it is stolen or written off), but are't realistic as private sale figures.
Also, unless things have changed since Graham Arnold was in charge, any approach to Club Lotus is likely to meet the response that you need to be a member before they will arrange a valuation for you...even for members there was a £5 charge, IIRC.
Hi Nicola, can I be of any help? I'm restoring a Twincam myself so know them quite well. I'm also in Kent, Tonbridge area so will gladly come and have a look over what you have, and no, I'm not in the market for another so will be quite honest. One thing you don't specify is whether it is just a Black and Gold Special or an Actual JPS (one of a Hundred such cars) - the latter will be worth that little bit more.
Tony
Tony
Nicola,
sorry to hear of your loss, I'm in a similar situation, but I'm finishing the project. Half done cars are hard to value but seem to make strange money!! If you have some decent photos of the car as the restoration progressed to prove the work done along with recipts, then the value would be enhanced, but by how much? who knows!
Asuming the chassis has been changed (galvanised Lotus or Spyder/Banks spaceframe), the engine rebuilt(recipts for parts and machining needed to prove) and the body has been prepared using the correct techniques and materials then £5-7K sounds realistic.
Ebay could be a good place to sell it or if you want it to go to a genuine enthusiast, then contact Club Lotus and advertise it with them.
Good luck with your sale
Mark
sorry to hear of your loss, I'm in a similar situation, but I'm finishing the project. Half done cars are hard to value but seem to make strange money!! If you have some decent photos of the car as the restoration progressed to prove the work done along with recipts, then the value would be enhanced, but by how much? who knows!
Asuming the chassis has been changed (galvanised Lotus or Spyder/Banks spaceframe), the engine rebuilt(recipts for parts and machining needed to prove) and the body has been prepared using the correct techniques and materials then £5-7K sounds realistic.
Ebay could be a good place to sell it or if you want it to go to a genuine enthusiast, then contact Club Lotus and advertise it with them.
Good luck with your sale
Mark
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