At $14,969, Could You Top This Custom 1969 Lotus Europa S2 Targa?
Today’s Nice Price or No Dice Europa is notable for being one of the first mid-engine production cars to hit the market. This one has been massaged and modded but still embodies the model’s original intent. Let’s see if its price will make someone intent on buying it.
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In today’s market, any car under three grand that’s running and driving and isn’t full of rabid raccoons is quite the find. Make that car something cool like the manual-equipped 1982 BMW 735i we looked at yesterday, and well… we might just need to have a little lie-down. Admittedly, our big Bimmer did need a lot of work, but that seemed reasonable given its $2,950 price tag. It was so reasonable, in fact, that it took the car to a solid 78 percent Nice Price win.
Colin Chapman’s mantra for his cars was simple: Simplify, then add lightness. It’s slightly different for many buyers of Chapman’s Lotus cars, who describe the ownership experience as “Lots of Trouble, Usually Serious.”
Looking at today’s 1969 Lotus Europa S2, the first thing you’re likely to notice is that it doesn’t have its original fixed roof. That’s something that may complicate matters should the weather intrude, but it certainly does lighten the car’s load.
Described as a “stalled father-son project,” this custom Europa is also said to have been owned by one family since new, having been purchased in England and then brought to the U.S. in 1971. Since then, it has received a “ground-up” restoration and the custom bodywork you see now.
Lotus introduced the Europa as the company’s first foray into mid-engine production cars in 1966. That initial edition was compromised by an uncompromising design that saw the fiberglass body bonded to the folded steel backbone frame and door windows that had to be popped out and stored in pockets below the openings.
For power, Lotus chose the four-cylinder engine and four-speed transaxle from the Renault 16, although flipped 180 degrees and with the gearbox modified to work with the engine in front of it rather than behind as in the Renault.
With the S2 model, Lotus made a number of changes to the model, including roll-up windows and a bolted-on body, making repairs and future restorations much easier. This car has the later, cut-down rear panels which trades the original breadvan look for that of a small ungainly pickup. Beneath that is a fully rebuilt 1.6-liter Gordini Hemi Four sporting a pair of Weber DCOE carbs and tubular exhaust. Sitting aft of that is the rod-actuated four-speed transaxle.
According to the ad, the car comes with a clean title and an accurate 43,000-mile reading on the odometer. The custom bodywork has been painted British Racing Green, although that needs attention in numerous places. Period-correct alloy wheels are wrapped in fresh Toyo rubber at each corner. Notably, one rear wheel seems to have a broken stud.
The cabin is complete, and with new upholstery and carpet, it looks to be in better shape than the body. Snaps traverse both the windshield header and body panel behind the seats, facilitating the mounting of a vinyl top, but none is shown fitted. Overall, the car is clean, especially underneath, showing a laudable amount of care that was taken in the restoration.
This is an oddball car that has been made even more unique by its customizations. Is it everyone’s cup of early-morning Earl Grey? Probably not. Is it cool as heck and a guaranteed eye-grabber at every car meet and fuel stop? Yeah, I’d say it likely is. The big question, though, is whether it’s worth the $14,969 asking price as it sits.
What do you say, is this semi-restored Europa worth that kind of cash? Or is that too much to take on the family business?
You decide!
Los Angeles, California, Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.
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