The recent thread about Europas reminded me why they're forever a bad idea. Light - Yes. Neat - Yes. Pretty - not so much.
Then I stumbled on one and things escalated quickly. I present, for your viewing pleasure, Igor.
1971 Lotus Europa Series 2. Unfortunately, it doesn't have the twin cam motor - but then again, if it did, it wouldn't have been only a few hundred bucks and I wouldn't have it.
It's passed through a few owners since it was last registered in 2006 - looks like it blew a hole in cylinder #1. Interior is intact, relatively speaking. Carpet needs to come out, seats recovered, new dash, but hey, it's got cool buttons and crap.
Now for the answer to the question my wife asked - "What are you going to do with this thing, you're already building a Lotus?" - see 7 build log here: Andy's 7 Build Log
Plan, starting at the front:
- Convert 4x3.75 hubs to 4x100 for better wheel choice.
- Strip interior, maybe new carpet, definitely new dash
- Recover or replace seats. I hear Kirkey makes replacement Europa seats, but then again, that could be a fun TIG project.
- Might/probably will build a roll cage.
- Convert brakes to a dual master cylinder setup and add hydraulic clutch.
- Engine/Transmission- Replace w/VW 1.8T & Passat/A4 transaxle. Megasquirt. Boost. Tears. Smiles.
- Custom rear suspension, double A arm. I'll post up some interesting ideas that I've come across. The stock rear end uses the axles as a control arm, which doesn't cooperate well w/CVs. I also want the rear to be 4x100, so it'll either be a custom upright, or likely something from the VW parts bin.
- Paint: Keeping with the hump theme, I'm thinking Lotus Camel colors.
The end goal is to have something unique and wierd, and get it on track for next year. I'll likely skip the paint and interior gussying in the interest of driving it at first.
-Andy