1974 Lotus Other

Coupe

1600 cc Twin cam

5 speed

Clear

This unrestored 5 speed is a rare find. To find any 40 year old car (let alone a Lotus) in this condition is a rare thing. People think it was restored. This amazingly well preserved example has had 3 previous owners. I bought it last year, having wanted one since I was a teenager. It sat in a garage for 20 years, but was started every now and then. It has great oil pressure and drives beautifully. Here is a list of what I did to it. I'm probably forgetting some things. I have most of the parts I removed and can give them to the new owner. This car would be a contender in any preservation class car show. I replaced the brake master cylinder, rear slave cylinders, front calipers and flex hoses. I removed the boosters (they had corroded inside), flushed and bled the system. I fitted new Greenstuff front brake pads. It has good pedal feel and you can lock the front wheels with moderate foot pressure.I flushed the fuel system and replaced the rubber fuel line in the engine bay, fitted a new fuel filter and cleaned and rebuilt the Strombergs with new gaskets.I replaced the spark plugs, wires, cap & rotor and fitted a Petronix electronic ignition module and coil.I went through the shifter linkage and replaced worn or dubious looking parts. I polished and rebushed the bottom of the gearlever and cleaned and adjusted the detent at the rear of the gearbox. Gears are easy to find, no accidental reverse or 5th gear shifts. New battery and alternator belt. I replaced the old fan motor with a modern unit. I replaced the old heater valve with a new one, the original leaked once I opened it.I gave it a tune up. A few relevant observations: The water hoses look to be in great condition, I think they were replaced by a previous owner. The front floor mats were replaced with Coco mats by a previous owner.The body is in great shape but not as nice as restored cars I have seen, I believe they came from the factory with paint jobs that would not pass muster today. It has a few scrapes at the rear wheel arch, some crazing in the hood and rear fender and a blemish on the front fender. I tried to photograph them.There is a small crack in the laquer on the dashboard as can be seen in the photo.There is a fogging in the upper left part part of the windscreen (delamination??) as in the photos.The rev counter does not work. I believe it has to do with the electronic ignition, but I do not know enough about these cars to confirm or deny this. I have the wheel caps, drivers handbook and service manuals.The tires are old and if I was keeping the car I would replace them with modern rubber but they are "period correct" as best I know so I kept them. Modern new tires will improve the cornering. I am selling it for the following reasons: I am 6'3" with size 13 shoes and while I fit in the car I have to drive it barefoot. I have got plantar fascitis and that makes it difficult. The passenger seat does not suit my wife. If I were to keep it I would have to modify the car and it is too nice a vehicle to mess with. I have no problem modifying an old car but I am not that big a heathen. I am not rich enough or young enough to own all the cars on my "bucket list" and a Jaguar MKII is the next one I want (unless another shiney bauble crosses my path). I think my days of miniscule sports cars are behind me. Whether one buys my car or not if you like true pure sports cars you owe it yourself to have a Europa. They are all they are reputed to be on a twisty road. They must have been a revelation 40 years ago and we will never see their like in a new car showroom again. This car has never let me down or failed to start. There are better restored cars out there (the blue one currently advertised looks very nice) but I think you would be hard pressed to find a nicer original Europa. I am not a professional mechanic and I would urge the new owner to get it checked out by a qualified technician to ensure its safety and reliability. The car is for sale locally and may not be available by the time this auction ends. I will do what I can to help with shipping (at new owners expense) and require a $2,000.00 deposit at the end of the auction.