I've driven one Europa and was really great to drive but I will confess I do not have the heart to take one on. The main issue is I envision a tube frame track day vintage racer affair that frankly it would just be cheaper to buy an Elise.
Tom
I've driven one Europa and was really great to drive but I will confess I do not have the heart to take one on. The main issue is I envision a tube frame track day vintage racer affair that frankly it would just be cheaper to buy an Elise.
Tom
For years, there was a guy in my town who had one powered by a GM V6 turbo. I'm not sure exactly how he got everything to work together. The body was heavily modified too. He also had one of the prettiest S1 Elans that I've ever seen. His driveway was kind of steep and he had to back in or the front spoilers would bottom out.
My brother has the Euro head with the twin webers on his Europa. I believe he had this shipped over from the U.K. You can't just swap the webers on to the N.A. version because the manifold is cast on to the head. It really is a cool car. Quirky, but cool.
I know someone who converts Stromberg heads to Weber heads on Twin Cams. It isn't inexpensive. My las +2 was converted to weber head when new. I've got the Stromberg head from that. John McCoy at Omnitech does that. http://omnitech-engineering.com/
Zetec conversions are popular in Europas. Zetech has the same bolt pattern on the bell housing as the Ford Kent based Twin Cam. I'm not sure if the Duratech has that same bolt pattern or not.
The original questioner wanted to know about problems with a Europa. I've had many British cars, though never a Europa. (I ordered a JPS Special once, complete with a deposit. But the dealer sold it out from under me!) However I know people who have owned them for years. In fact I have a bud who is the original owner of his twincam.
The Europa is a British car! With all the good and bad that entails. Based on my friends' experiences, if you can enjoy and live with any British car more complicated than a TR-3, you'll probably be fine with a Europa. And I'd be shocked assuming you're under 6'2" or so and 200 pounds, if you didn't fit just fine!
But no, I wouldn't drive one cross country or on freeways! But that also apples to TDs, TR-3s and lots of other British cars and bikes as well.
850Combat wrote: I'm not sure if the Duratech has that same bolt pattern or not.
It does not. The Europa guy next to my TR6 restoration made an adapter plate for a Duratec to Renault Fuego Turbo transaxle. The engine/transaxle are in the frame, and it fits (barely).
JoeTR6 wrote:850Combat wrote: I'm not sure if the Duratech has that same bolt pattern or not.It does not. The Europa guy next to my TR6 restoration made an adapter plate for a Duratec to Renault Fuego Turbo transaxle. The engine/transaxle are in the frame, and it fits (barely).
Wow That sounds awesome. Cosworth gets an impressice amo0unt of non-turbo streetable power out of them. I want one for my Cortina, but it will never happen.
I enjoy mine for what it is. I have the original Renault engine but I have a Toyota 4AGE in it for the time being.
In reply to Wayslow:
That seems like the perfect car!
In case anyone was interested in seeing one get re-engineered:
http://www.dpcars.net/d47/
In reply to Rupert:
Where have you been? Long time no hear!
In reply to Rupert:
"The original questioner wanted to know about problems with a Europa."
Fair enough. I don't think my brother has ever had any major problems with his. He drives it fairly regularly in the season. He's taken it to the vintage events at Watkins Glen and Lime Rock which are about four hours and five and a half hours away. He drove his TR6 all the way from the CDN province of Ontario to southern California one year but I doubt if he'd be that brave with the Europa. 
In reply to Gary:Hey Guy! Sorry other priorities for a while. Then you get to the,not being in the habit thing. 
This getting old isn't for the weak.
In reply to Rupert: Glad you're back!
Looks like my VAG 1.8t drivetrain idea has been done:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/301777404700?clk_rvr_id=922542581053&rmvSB=true (via BaT)
In reply to Ian F: I just went to that link then did some currency exchange math. OMG!! US$51,014 for a Europa! Hope it's a nice one!
In reply to Rupert:
Yeah. I didn't dwell much on the price. More on the build. It would definitely have to be nice to justify that price.
Bringing back an ancient thread, but who has the shell currently?
In reply to Docwemple :
Maschinenbau. Expected to make an appearance at the GRM $2000 Challenge this Spring.
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