Classic Cars / Lotus / Car for sale

1967 Lotus Europa Series 1B RARE classic vintage sports car

Sale price: $8,230.00 make an offer

Pending offers

Date: 2017-03-09

Max Venegoni offered 5,000.00 usd

Date: 2018-02-05

Ian Colligan (from Boston) offered usd

Price trends for this listing:
04.08.2013: $8,544.00

Car location: Stratford, Connecticut, United States

Sale type: Fixed price listing

Technical specifications, photos and description:

Year:
1967
Mileage:
55,928
Engine:
1470cc aluminum renault r16
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1967 Lotus Europa Series 1B RARE classic vintage sports car for sale

Current customer rating: current rating for this car(2.15) based on 623 votes

Lotus Europa Series 1B. 1967

 

Rare example of Lotus' first mid-engined road car

Type 46. chassis # 0417

 

 

I bought this car from a fellow I know in South Carolina who bought it from the estate of the deceased last owner.   It just passed through his hands…I bought it as I have owned Lotus cars for 35 years and had fond memories of an early Series 1 Europa I had owned many years ago.

Unfortunately. change of plans (improving my two Lotus Elans) brings me to sell this car.   Knowing that most cars sold on eBay are sold ‘sight unseen. I will do my best to describe it accurately.

 

As the body of Series 1s are bonded to the chassis for added strength. hard to see the metal (covered with fiberglass).   BUT there is no damage underneath. the underside appears to be all original. and it is hard to imagine fragile fiberglass being left intact while the metal underneath is damaged.   In fact. it must be virtually impossible.

 

Engine:  the original 1470cc all aluminum Renault R16 unit. in this car somewhat modified with a 45 DCOE Weber carb. tubular headers. and really surprising performance.   I would guess it is comparable to a Lotus twin cam.   Did a compression test:  175-180 psi in every cylinder which leads me to believe this engine is running a higher than stock compression.   Oil pressure is 45-50psi when warm. no smoke on start up. running. or when at full operating temperature.   I really don't think it ‘gets better than that. '

 

Transaxle works very well and the shift linkage is far better than most of the Europas I have owned or driven.   No problem whatsoever to get into reverse.

 

Brakes. steering. suspension all feel like in good working order.

 

Underneath I can see one new front lower control arm. rear lower links have rod ends and are fully adjustable. and Spax adjustable shocks with adjustable spring perches to adjust ride height and set up corner weights on all four corners.   Clearly this car was ‘set up' for fast road or track use.

 

Inside the cockpit. carpets are very good as is headliner and original seats.   All of the original gauges work (amazing!). has its original radio. fire extinguisher and racing belts.

 

Wheels are Cosmic alloy. 5. 5” wide. tires are 185/60 front and 205/60 rear Yokohama A008R DOT legal racing tires.   A LOT OF RUBBER for a car that weighs around 1. 00 pounds.   Actually. the same size tires I had on a late 1980s Porsche 911 Carrera…with double the weight.

 

The wiper works as do all of the lights and heater blower.   In the front compartment is the original spare wheel/tire and a jack.   In the engine bay. a past owner has added a supplemental radiator for extra cooling reserve.   Since there is also a racing style ‘catch bottle' I guess there is a good chance this car was raced ‘in its day. ' 

 

Did a ‘wiggle and shake' at each of the corners and the suspension felt tight and in good condition.   

 

Body:  some crazing in the paint. a few small cracks. nothing dreadful and (in my opinion and as can be seen in the photos) exterior looks quite presentable.   Certainly for a racing car (granted. one that can be driven on the road) its hardly embarrassing.   After all. older Lotus cars were more or less thrown together at the factory and ‘door gap and fine finish' might be associated with a Porsche Speedster but NOT an old Lotus.

 

What I love about the car (and all early Lotus cars) is the pure feeling of excitement in driving.   Engine is strong. revs very quickly. steering and handling are closer to a Formula race car than any road car. and perhaps the best of all is that you sense you are going far faster than you are…a great way to drive an exotic car and not worry about a BIG TICKET or landing in jail for reckless endangerment.   Easy to do in a Porsche. Jaguar. Ferrari or other heavier. more insulated exotic.

 

I suppose as a racing car. it might need a roll bar and fuel cell for some historic racing groups.   And as a road car. I might consider narrower tires. a better radio. and some odds and ends sorting out.   But the ‘basics' seem to be very good AND it is not very much money.   In an age of 30 million dollar Ferraris. this is one genuine piece of Lotus racing history at a price more associated with an MGB.   Not sure if S1 chassis numbers started with 001 but one book I have shows the last being 0644.   So. a VERY rare car.

 

As this Lotus is 46 years old. is not something I rebuilt or restored. there is no warranty or guarantee whatsoever.   Sold ‘as is and where is. '  I have a transport broker who can arrange shipping anywhere in the country or overseas and if it takes time to accept delivery. I can store if for no charge.   Have done my best. even to doing a compression test. to describe this car as accurately as I can.   It is simple. easy to maintain and parts are readily available.   On the ‘fun to dollar' ratio. I can't imagine it can be beat.    

On Aug-05-13 at 10:47:34 PDT. seller added the following information:

Update:Have just added 1 picture of the tail lights and 2 of the interior. as per request.

Also published at eBay.com

Want to buy this car?

Comments and questions to the seller:

from John S, dated 03 may 2021
Is this car still for sale? Thank you

from Ryutaro Tsunemoto, dated 25 december 2014
Dear Sir, Is it still available in your for sale Europa S1? Regards. Ryu

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