Classic Cars in UK / Lotus / Car for sale

Lotus Europa

Sale price: £17,995.00 make an offer

Car location: Brighton, United Kingdom

Sale type: Fixed price listing

Technical specifications, photos and description:

Doors:
2
Mileage:
63000
Engine:
1600
Power:
102
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Lotus Europa for sale

Current customer rating: current rating for this car(2.15) based on 405 votes
The Europa used Lotus founder Colin Chapman's minimalist Steel Backbone Chassis that was first used in the Lotus Elan while also relying on its fibreglass moulded body for structural strength. The Europa was based on a design sketch by Ron Hickman to compete for Henry Ford's contract to build a Le Mans race car in the early 1960s.
The Europa was designed and built to be an embodiment of Chapman's oft-stated philosophy of automotive design: “Simplify. then add lightness. ”
The four-wheel independent suspension was typical of Chapman's thinking. The rear suspension was a modified Chapman Strut. as used for Chapman's earlier Formula Racing car designs.
Owing to the rubber suspension bushes used to isolate engine vibration from the car body. the true Chapman strut's use of the drive shaft as the lower locating link could not be followed whilst still giving the precise track and handling desired.
The forward radius arms were increased in size and rigidity. to act as a semi-wishbone. A careful compromise between engine mounting bush isolation and handling was required. culminating eventually in a sandwich bush that was flexible against shear but stiff in compression and tension.
The car's handling prompted automotive writers to describe the Europa as the nearest thing to a Formula car for the road. Aside from the doors. bonnet (hood). and boot (trunk). the body was moulded as a single unit of fibreglass.
Having read this description you will understand that this little car is incredibly well designed with technology taken from the race proven cars Colin Chapman designed during the 60's.
We found this wonderfully sound 68. 00 mile example in Lake Havasu AZ. the Arizonan equivalent of the French Riviera. and were delighted to own the car with its original untouched chassis and really well preserved running gear. Prices are rising very fast on these until now. overlooked examples of Colin Chapman's genius.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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