Been staring at this all morning: Europa
such an incredible machine. I've never seen one In person, so I must ask "why does it have that ugly ass end hump???
Been staring at this all morning: Europa
such an incredible machine. I've never seen one In person, so I must ask "why does it have that ugly ass end hump???
On the one you linked, it's so that it can fit that giant gold muffler 
The stock ones have a pretty big trunk for what they are thanks to that "feature" and I think they look awesome in person, but I like weird E36 M3.
It looks like a combination spoiler and engine compartment vent.
They are much, much lower than they appear in pictures.
I love Europas.
I hate them. I can never have one.
Sat in a few, they dont even come up to my waist. At 6'2" I probably cant really comfortably drive one.
Also, this is what happens when they crash.
All the structure they have that isnt fiberglass.
and rather difficult to add any kind of effective rollcage to (might as well clean-sheet a tube chassis) from what I hear.
That said, always one of my favorites to play with on Gran Toursimo.
Good gawd... that's terrifying.
Mine was 42."
Trackmouse said:Good gawd... that's terrifying.
I know. Dat ass is J-Lo big.
because its a tiny, tiny car:
Actually, the design started from a concept Lotus put forth for the Ford GT40 and was massaged into the Europa after that failed to happen.
https://cnx.org/contents/vk2Z6NK8@1/The-Lotus-Europa
http://www.simoncars.co.uk/designers/frayling.html
If you look at the designs that John Frayling did for Lola in the early sixties, you'd see there is a theme of his that carried through.
For example, his 63 Lola MK6 GT:
I can't find any pictures or references to Ron Hickman's original concept, but this gives you an idea.
Seems like someone to could repro the fiberglass bodies and take out the odd body line. It would much better if the B pillar angled straight down to the rear bumper area. Giving it that testarossa look.
I've never been a fan of the Europa. But that one...that makes my pants tight
In reply to NEALSMO :
If not for the nice body work, then least for the 20b!
That's by far the coolest Europa I've ever seen. I like to think of the back area like a mini El Camino. That's your bed for hauling stuff around. But if I was buying I would rather have a Ginetta G12. They are much prettier.
I suspect, given the fact the early cars had bodies that were bonded to the chassis, that the flying buttresses could be to help add stiffness to the chassis/body. Especially the forces that could be applied to the car (it could pull .9G lateral on the stock tires).
No hump, blind spot generators!
My friend has a Lambo Guerrera and says "WTF do I care what I passed?"
Good enuf.
Woody said:They are much, much lower than they appear in pictures.
I can stand next to one and not be able to touch the roof without bending down.
They are VERY LOW CARS.
My hunch as to why the Europa has that general styling: They ran out of time/money/liquor and said "good enough".
Stefan said:I suspect, given the fact the early cars had bodies that were bonded to the chassis, that the flying buttresses could be to help add stiffness to the chassis/body. Especially the forces that could be applied to the car (it could pull .9G lateral on the stock tires).
that is my guess as well. 'glass is horribly flexible unless you make it thick and heavy, then it gets brittle. But with a few creases, it gains a LOT of strength
Colin Chapman and driver safety were hardly synonymous in the F1 paddock. Not much better on the A1 through the roundabout to the A2 either. 
Georgie Best, Peles choice as best soccer player ever drove one for what it's worth. 
I've only ever driven one, but it was awesome! Of course the one I drove I think it had only ran on that day, that one day, in the two years the guy owned it. But what a good day it was! 
In reply to racerdave600 :
Right there with you, Dave!
I test drove a used one with the hope a buying it and then selling my Sprite. As much fun as Spridgets can be, Europas are ten-fold more fun.
It broke down in midtown Atlanta when the fuel pump stopped pumping fuel. Too bad because I loved the seats and could tolerate the wavy windshield and the center console that was so tall it made shifting an awkward exercise. But, at the time there were no Lotus nor Renault dealers in Atlanta so parts and service were iffy propositions.
So, instead I bought a brand new Fiat 128SL which was surprisingly reliable for the ten years and 120,000 miles I drove it.
I looked at a Twin Cam Special back in 1989. I remember the owner telling me "If you're going to own a Lotus, be prepared to spend a lot of money to keep it going".
And this was from a guy who was trying to sell a car that had already been rolled once at Lime Rock and needed paint on the roof and a new rear window.
Have a friend that has had several Europa's over the years. Had one when I met him. He is 6'4"-6'5". Was interesting to see him get in and out of it. He also said the trick was to remove the seat mounting brackets and just sit on the seat in the car against the bulkhead, seatbelts hold you and the seat in. He's older now and gave up on Europa's, now drives a Morgan Aero8.
Needs a JPS image.
I have two of them. I had one that ran in the 80's, and I put >30K miles on it. It was fantastic.
Here's Dr.Linda's frame:
You'll need to log in to post.
