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Login to post Forums » $2012 Classifieds » Buyer Beware on eBay

Aug. 10, 2010 3:10 p.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork

So, the casual Lotus shopper comes across: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Barn-Find-/320573513845?pt=US_Cars_Truc

A "barn find," according to the lister. Just been sittin' there all these years in the barn, huh? Isn't that what a "barn find" is? Well, Europa World is only so big, and we find from the Europa list:

For anyone considering this car, please take note. This is NOT a barn find. The car has been submerged at least 18" in water - long enough to leave a carefully removed [sometime last year] water line. Cracked windshield, black mold growing in the cockpit, no usable chrome, etc. I have dozens of pictures from 2 years ago, when the owner was firm at $1,800.00. He turned down my offer of a few hundred dollars.

Can't say whether or not the rear hubs and axles might be good for parts. But those are about the only items I would still consider to have any value.

Somehow or other, the "seller" neglects to "mention" that little bit about it being under water. Yeah, "sold as is." Note the freshly dried hay carefully scattered over the top of the car and over the cracked windshield, which despite the multitude of pictures, somehow doesn't show the crack, nor is it mentioned. Europa windshields are not unobtainium, but they will cost you.
Aug. 10, 2010 4:03 p.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork

It's a 40 year old lotus. What exactly is the big deal about it being submerged? So it might have rust and electrical problems. How is that different than every other 40 year old lotus?
Aug. 10, 2010 4:07 p.m. John Brown SuperDork

DILYSI Dave wrote:

It's a 40 year old lotus. What exactly is the big deal about it being submerged? So it might have rust and electrical problems. How is that different than every other 40 year old lotus?

Troof
Aug. 10, 2010 6:24 p.m. modernbeat HalfDork

DILYSI Dave wrote:

It's a 40 year old lotus. What exactly is the big deal about it being submerged? So it might have rust and electrical problems. How is that different than every other 40 year old lotus?

The cardboard in the firewall will completely fall out. Seriously.

And I sold a good used Europa windshield for $300.
Aug. 11, 2010 5:09 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

I don't think it's the submerged car you've described it to be. Scrubbing off a water line will result in a clean area, and that car doesn't have one. The damage that results from submersion just isn't there, and what is there doesn't reflect submersion. The lack of rot of the cloth, the way the mats are laying flat, the lack of slime on the seats, the fluffy dirt in the trunk, etc.

The hay tossed across the windshield does seem very staged.
Aug. 11, 2010 7:39 a.m. Woody SuperDork

Whats more flammable, the Lotus or all that hay?
Aug. 11, 2010 10:45 a.m. stan SuperDork

I iwondered about that hay too... Was the barn under water??

Relatively close to me if someone needs a closer look-see.

Stan
Aug. 11, 2010 10:54 a.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork

It wasn't in the barn. It wasn't a "barn find." It was rolled into the barn, some hay thrown about, pictures taken and listed as a "barn find." It was in 18" of water at some time more than 2 years ago. The posting is a sham.
Aug. 11, 2010 11:15 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

I just questioned the seller about the headlights, looks like they had water in them in the front shot.

Dan
Aug. 11, 2010 11:52 a.m. spitfirebill Dork

And look at the pic that shows the spare from above. Its rusty enough on the outer side to look like it was underwater.
Aug. 11, 2010 12:27 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork

There's a shot of the trunk with a bird's nest in it, next to the lug wrench. Birds don't do that.
Aug. 11, 2010 1:20 p.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

Aren't cars lost in barns usually tucked away in a corner somewhere? How did the barn owner not notice a Lotus blocking the main entrance for the past 40 years?
Aug. 11, 2010 2:10 p.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork

Maybe they found the barn, then pushed the ex-waterlogged Europa into it.
Aug. 11, 2010 2:49 p.m. sachilles HalfDork

Certain it is the same seller? Perhaps the dude that rescued it from it's watery slumber may be out of the picture and abandoned the car or croaked. New owner clueless. Or it could be a scumbag.
Aug. 12, 2010 6:03 a.m. fornetti14 Reader

Dr. Hess wrote:

Maybe they found the barn, then pushed the ex-waterlogged Europa into it.

LOL!!

Looks like the hay was stossed on it LOL! I would pass on this car. Seriously.
Aug. 12, 2010 6:23 a.m. Luke SuperDork

Despite that Europa looking like a total pile of waterlogged misery, requiring a full, spirit-crushing restoration...I still want it.
Aug. 12, 2010 12:01 p.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork
The condition of the car is really no worse than the last one I bought, if not better, actually. The issue is the seller lying about it.

eBay coorespondance with the seller by another Europa list person:
I asked seller about water damage and here is his reply...

Dear mccall5347,

Does not look like car spend life in the barn. Looks like it was under water for a while. You can see it from the delamination of the dash board and the water lines in the headlights. Probably Engine and Trans are totally shot. So... how deeply was the car submerged?

-#########

REPLY:

Dear #########,

I don't know the history of the Lotus. It is my obsertvation that the car has not been under water. If you have these concerns don't bid on the car. Thank you.
- mccall5347
The car was personally inspected two years ago by another list guy, quoted above.
Aug. 12, 2010 12:26 p.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork

I for one, examined this car in person two years ago. There was definitely a water line around all the bodywork. I have the pictures to prove it, and will forward them to Jerry Johnson (so) all interested parties can see them. BTW, the water line did not reach bumper height when I saw the car.

Best regards,

Steve 1970 S2 Europa - driver 1970 S2 Europa in pieces [dwindling in number]

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