1971 Lotus Europa Series Two S2 in Blue & Engine Sounds on My Car Story with Lou Costabile

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On “My Car Story” we're in Amelia Island FL at the “The Amelia” The Amelia Island Concours D’Elegance on 3-5-22.
We’re looking at a 1971 Lotus Europa Series Two S2 in Blue Paint. The car features a 4 cylinder engine.
The car's Owner is Tom Bungay. Tom’s had this car since 1982, sold it, and bought it back in 2020. Tom shares he always enjoyed the drivers and performance of Lotus in there racing days, and purchased this one, sold it, and found the car again! I guess this car ended up with the right Care Taker after all.
To see details on the Amelia Concourse D’Elegance show, go to www.ameliaconcours.com
ENJOY!

[@loucostabile]

*Hi, If you like this video, please click on the 🤍 THANKS button under the video title" Thank you! Lou*

[@MAGronemeyer]

I had a Matchbox car that was a Lotus Europa. This has to be the very first real example of an actual Lotus. I've never seen a real, running Lotus until this video. I had this toy Lotus as a kid whenever I collected Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars. Leave it to Lou to run across one of these unusual classics.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Michael, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Matchbox car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

I may have had one too...

[@chuckselvage3157]

Same lol

[@Robinallenyukon]

I still have mine ... dark green with a yellow trunk lid (that opens) and silver bottom !

[@Robinallenyukon]

mine was made by Corgi not matchbox

[@JeffKing310]

Very nice Europa! The Lotuses (Loti?) of the period are very cool and peak Colin Chapman if you ask me. This is a great example of “the breadbox”. A real unappreciated piece of history. Thanks as always Lou for bringing this to us!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jeff, Happy to read you enjoy this "breadbox" :-) My pleasure sharing this one with you. You're welcome, Lou

[@davidkastin4240]

Well I happen to love it! 💙😁 I feel lucky to have seen only 1 in the past 50 yrs. Thank you Mr. Bungay and Lou 👍

[@loucostabile]

My pleasure sharing this one with you David :-)

[@TheGunfighter45acp]

Another great day and another great car at The Amelia. This Lotus looks & sounds ready to race. It was nice to hear Mr. Bungay got it back again, too. Thanks, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi TheGunfighter45acp, I agree, a nice story that the car is with a Happy Care Taker :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@davidmacesr5672]

Not a huge Lotus fan but love this owners story like a good wife some cars meant to be owned by certain people. Glad your color coordinating your wardrobe with these stories nice touch. Lol

[@loucostabile]

Hi David, Happy to read you're enjoying the story even if you're not so interested in the car :-) Enjoy reading your comment, Lou

[@TripReviews]

Years and years ago I used to help out my fathers buddy that was in the used car business by going to the dealer auction with him to deliver cars and bring back cars he had purchased to his lot. One day there was a mustard yellow Europa sitting there in the waiting area to go up to the line, all the cars had the keys in them. I thought great! Here’s my chance to try to drive a Lotus Europa! I got behind the wheel, we’ll sort of squeezed in and ok, great, now try to get my size 12 4E feet in the well for the pedals. Nope! Wouldn’t happen! I couldn’t get both feet on that cramped little space to operate the clutch and gas pedals! My big feet stopped me in my tracks and probably from getting kicked off the auction property! Glad to see this owner get his car back and he has the fun of driving it. Lou, I didn’t see you in the car?

[@loucostabile]

Hi Trip Reviews, You have a great story on your Lotus Europa moment :-) This one was small enough for me to video from the open door, Lou

[@RubOneOutRosie]

First time I saw a Europa I was 17 and had no idea what it was. But thought it was the coolest car I had ever seen

[@loucostabile]

Hi rub one out rosie, Happy to read this car brings back memories of the car you remember at 17 :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

A miracle he was able to buy it back!!

[@loucostabile]

You're right!

[@clintonturner5545]

I went on my Suzuki 500T, from 75234, in the hottest part of the summer all the way to the West side of Fort Worth, Texas to see the same-colored car. I was in love with it. It was a long ride.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Clinton, Happy to read your story of the car you're in love with. Thanks for sharing, Lou

[@smudgetherealmc]

I have a similar story - bought and sold in the 80s, found again about 10 years ago but I haven’t been able to buy it back. Like that it has remained pretty original. 👍👍

[@loucostabile]

Hi smudgetherealmc, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@chriscadillac8448]

I used to have 2 Matchboxes of this car... dark blue and purple/pink... I think this is the first real one I've ever seen.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Chris, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Matchbox cars :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@taylorjs2534]

I have a 1970 S2. It's also a Type 64 (Federal) and in original condition (with the 'banjo' air filter housing and steel wheels with chrome hub-caps... you don't see those options very often). So nice to see another in such good shape.

[@loucostabile]

Hi sam, Happy to read this car reminds you of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@rogernorth1605]

Yes, lovely car in an unusual light blue. I also have a 1970 series two owned it now for over 40years here in the U K. But it needs work and money. I have NOT seen another one on the road or in shows in my area for oh so many years. Proving how rare they are. Personally, this is my favourite model, I just preferer this shape best. Thanks for showing. 😃❤❤❤😀

[@bertram256]

@@rogernorth1605 I can do the work and Ive got the money, do you want to sell it.

[@rogernorth1605]

@@bertram256 Hi, Sorry Bertram not for sale, but thanks for asking.

[@Funsho97]

The Lotus Europa is such a unique car, a bit unusual looking but cool nonetheless. My parents had a real estate company in Niceville, Florida back in the 80's and there was a lady who was a realtor there and her husband had a Europa. I remember seeing it in their garage and it looked so tiny. He also had a 1970 LT-1 Corvette sitting next to it. I've been a fan of Lotus cars ever since seeing that white Esprit in the James Bond movie, "The Spy Who Loved Me", and the Europa is pretty cool!!! "Add Lightness", the Lotus way!!!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Hobiemarty, Happy to read this car brings back memories of the Husband of the Lady Realtor's car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@bruceh92]

That is a cool car. The exhaust note suggests something extra back there but even better not tampered with. Thanks for video guys, really interesting 👍

[@loucostabile]

Hi Bruce H., Happy to read you enjoy this "cool car" :-) Thank you for sharing the details you heard. You're welcome, Lou

[@user-vu4zb9kg8j]

I was at this same West Coast Lotus meet in 1988 with my 73 Europa. I was also asked if I wanted to sell and since I had received 1st place for Europa I asked double what I thought the car was worth. The buyers were two Japanese fellows and was offered the $12K asking price there and then. They had the cash neatly packaged in 1K bundles stored in a workout bag. I said I couldn't take the cash right then because I needed to get back to Los Gatos and told them they could call me if they still wanted the car. Figured they would never call once they knew the price was double the going rate. But they did call and took the car for the agreed price. I was told that the car was already sold to a buyer in Japan for $25K. They drove away with the car I bought new for around $6.5K and had 125K miles. I never saw or heard anything about the car after that. I recently bought a 1970 S2 (#331R) from the original owner in Sacramento Ca. The original owner purchased it from BMC in San Francisco and when I received it there were still stickers in the door jams form the oil changes on Howard St. in Frisco. It is currently restored, repainted "Hugger Orange" and running great, just love it. It's a perfect fit for a person like me at 5'7". On a twisty road it handles even better than the Esprit.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Van, Thank you for viewing and sharing your car stories. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@stevekovacs6250]

I owned a 1970 series 2 with a Gordini powered engine. Lovely car here!

[@loucostabile]

HI Steve, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@richardelson3261]

Wow. Had a model car of these as a kid in the early 70s. I’ve only seen a couple in person and I’m from the UK. I love this guy buying it back. My wife thought I was mad has to be the most commonly heard phrase of the passionate man. Fair play sir.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Richard, Happy to read this bring back memories of the model car you had :-) Lou

[@johnhenrymcmahon6878]

Hey Lou! Oh man, this is one helluva cool and beautiful car, man. Raw, even-with that staccato burble from out back. I certainly have heard of the Lotus Europa but never actually seen one! LOVE this baby blue English/French lil' cutie chick. I just put on my tubesocks with baby blue stripes on top and my light blue Amos Otis KC Royals tee (Otis is totally one of my tubesocked, stocking feet baseball dads) in homage.....lovely car and awesome story with this older gent. Synchronicity ;). Thanks big brother Lou! :) JV Johnny

[@loucostabile]

Hey JV Johnny, Happy to read you enjoy the looks and sounds from this car :-) Glad to read Amos Otis would like this car. You're welcome, Lou

[@mr.blackhawk142]

Thanx Lou! My little Lotus flower! :P

[@loucostabile]

Nice :-) You're welcome Mr. BLACKHAWK

[@wesleyalan9179]

Very cool car! Thanks for sharing guys! 👍 Thanks Lou, love your channel and i always look forward to the videos!🤟

[@loucostabile]

Hi Wesley, Happy to read you enjoy this "Very cool car!" :-) My pleasure sharing with you. You're welcome, Lou

[@wesleyalan9179]

@@loucostabile 🤟

[@jerrywarren2007]

That was fun. My cousin ordered one while he was serving in Viet Nam. I used to sit in it and dream of driving before he came back from his tour of duty. I only got one drive as a kid, my understanding is the underside cracked and then it got stolen.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jerry, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Cousins car :-) Sorry to read what happened to the car :-( Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@robertvance1873]

I was hoping you were going to go for a ride with him Lou but I figured you probably wouldn't fit you are a tall fella lol 🤣 thanks Lou.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Robert, I would have liked to take a ride, however I had limited time that day, so I did a review to learn as much as I could in the time we had. You're welcome, Lou

[@amgguy4319]

Great story... great car... in a great color...

[@loucostabile]

Hi AMG Guy, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@joekurtz8303]

Had seen one in my neighborhood for years in white. Didn't know the Renault connection whose 4cyl QC bore tolerances are legendary, thought it was a Ford based block. Loved it in Gran Tourismo as this was the Only way to Sim drive one with minor handling mods of course.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Joe, Happy to read this car brings back memories of the one in your neighborhood :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@drcandor]

Mid-engine and light weight must add up to a descent handling country road very enjoyable Sunday afternoon drive, thnx Lou & the owner. . . :>/

[@loucostabile]

Hi Dr Candor, Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou

[@uxb2001]

back in the 60s, 70s there was a Lotus dealer in the Oak Lawn area on Cicero ave.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Bob, Thank you for sharing, Lou

[@sabba_dabba8649]

Love the unique, nifty styling and the way it sounds. Very cool

[@loucostabile]

Hi Sabba_Dabba, Happy to read you enjoy this "Very cool" car :-) Lou

[@JaimeSalcedoA_72]

Hermoso este Lotus Europa de 1971 con ese elegante color celeste! Además de tener una muy curiosa historia por parte de su propietario! Me llamó la atención, en el minuto 7:15, lo de la plaquita en la parte posterior izquierda del vehículo que evoca a viejas glorias de la construcción de Lotus en las competencias de 1963, 65 y 68! ¡Excelente vídeo, y saludos!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jaime, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car, and glad to read you enjoy the details of the badge too :-) Lou

[@chuckselvage3157]

Very cool 😎 always liked the early Lotus

[@loucostabile]

HI Chuck, Happy to read you enjoy this car :-) Lou

[@chuckselvage3157]

@@loucostabile Thanks Lou keep up the good work.

[@leightonfarms4962]

amazing car!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read this car is "amazing" :-)

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

Definitely very unique styling... Almost looks like a Lotus version of a Chevy Nomad....

[@loucostabile]

Hi Thomas, You're right, not really another car styled like this one. Lou

[@slicksnewonenow]

Those are beautiful cars... From the tip of the front bumper, to the back edge of the doors. Otherwise, it looks like a committee designed it... The sober ones got the front half, and at 5:00 they left and the drunks clocked in to design the rear end.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Slick, "looks like a committee designed it... The sober ones got the front half, and at 5:00 they left and the drunks clocked in to design the rear end." NICE! Lou

[@cmdrdarwin3682]

Very cool!😎

[@loucostabile]

Nice :-)

[@godsowndrunk1118]

I've always been fifty fifty on the looks, but love the midengine ....I owned a 9-14/4 for a few years and would love to try out a Europa to compare the two...

[@loucostabile]

Hi Gods own Drunk, Happy to read you had a fun car, and yes, would be nice to compare. Did you see this video? Lou kzbin.info/www/bejne/rV7GZ3ebnJiZeLc

[@boson2916]

Silly offer !! He is smart to sell high buy low 👍. The black and gold racing color was well-known in those years, Lotus F1 Team.

[@loucostabile]

Hi boson, Happy to read you enjoy sales strategy with this car. Thank you for viewing and sharing the details on the racing colors, Lou

[@markgreiser464]

I always wanted one.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mark, Hope you're behind the wheel of the right one for you soon, Lou

[@markgreiser464]

@@loucostabile , wow, thank you so much! It really was a dream , for me. I did manage to acquire tons of nice 1960-1970's Muscle Cars over the years. But, the Europa held such magnificent lines.

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

Very cool exotic that are few and far between....

[@loucostabile]

Hi Thomas, Happy to read you appreciate the rarity of see one today :-) Lou

[@chonpiras2815]

chingon MR LOU

[@loucostabile]

Thank you MR CHON :-)

[@terrym5023]

Great looking ride....that ends at the doors. Thereafter it's looking like a delivery van. 🤔. But as always appreciate you bringing us interesting and unique vehicles. This one is very much both aforementioned adjectives

[@loucostabile]

Hi Terry M, Happy to deliver the Lotus "delivery van" to you :-) Glad you appreciate the uniqueness of this car. Lou

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

Interesting that it has a Renault engine too...

[@loucostabile]

That is interesting.

[@jessiebrader2926]

I saw one of these today on the Big Island, Hawaii. What transmission/transaxle does it have...Renault?

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jessie, Happy to read you saw one today. Not sure on the transmission / transaxle and hoping a Viewer with knowledge can help with your question, Lou

[@taylorjs2534]

The Renault 16 is front wheel drive, with he engine behind the front wheels (would be considered 'front mid-engine'). Lotus turned the engine and transaxle 180 degrees and placed it in the back of the Europa. So the half shafts that drive the rear wheels in the Lotus drive the front wheels in the Renault.

[@donaldhollums3278]

I don’t reckon we will see this Lotus clutter up street corners like, say, Toyota Corollas!

[@loucostabile]

You're right :-)

[@Johnnycdrums]

Is that what they used to call, "the bread truck?"

[@loucostabile]

I'm not sure, however it's the 2nd time I've heard that about this car.

[@dcanmore]

@@loucostabile 'Bread van' styling (in the UK) :)

[@steelassault262]

Interesting for sure, but it sounds more like an old tractor than a sports car :( I'm sure it goes faster than an old tractor :)

[@loucostabile]

Hi Steel Assault, Happy to read this car was interesting. Thanks for sharing what you heard. Lou

[@Johnnycdrums]

Why are they letting cars on the fairway of that golf course?

[@loucostabile]

It's just once a year.

[@KenanTurkiye]

Somehow some (subjectively) ugly cars are beautifull. :) Wonderfully kept example.👍

[@loucostabile]

Hi Kenan, Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@sprgodalming3337]

I have a twin cam - the seats are better in the S2 - feels like you are in bed...

[@loucostabile]

Hi SPR godalming, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou

[@milfordcivic6755]

That thing is as hideous as the Bricklin

[@loucostabile]

Hi Milford Civic, Clearly this one is not for you :-( Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you'll enjoy :-) Lou

[@davidkastin4240]

Well I happen to love it! 💙😁 I feel lucky to have seen only 1 in the past 50 yrs. Thank you Mr. Bungay and Lou 👍

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read "I happen to love it" David :-) You're welcome.

[@davidkastin4240]

Well I happen to love it! 💙😁 I feel lucky to have seen only 1 in the past 50 yrs. Thank you Mr. Bungay and Lou 👍

[@loucostabile]

You're welcome :-)