One Of The Best Handling Cars Of All Time Is Ignored, Why? Lotus Europa

The Lotus Europa has always lived in the shadow of its prettier cousin, the Lotus Elan.. but could it be that all this time we were celebrating the wrong car? This was Lotus' first mid engined car and one of the first mass produced mid engine cars in the world.
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[@Number27]

Patreon Supporters get advance viewings before official release and also a monthly exclusive roundup video of what I've been getting up to. If you want to support the channel please go to: www.patreon.com/number27

[@argo1argo1]

Drove a Europa Special in JPS colours out of Hethel 50 years ago in 1973. Still have it in original paint and it still puts a smile on my face whenever I drive it.

[@fortijr]

I had a 1969 Renault powered one. Everything you said about the handling is 100% spot on, but being 30 years old I put good rubber on it and literally freaked out my car guy friends. Mine had a wonderful gearbox feel once I changed to very good gear oil. I had a Renault specialist build a copy Gordini engine for significantly more power. 2 coolest memories; you can literally pick up the engine or transmission in your arms and it was so low I could drive under parking garage gates … again great reactions from my buddies.

[@Snarge22]

I live in the US and own a Alfa Romeo GTV6. Once on a club drive two fellas in a Europa joined us. When the car was ahead of me I could cleanly see over the roof while sitting in my car. The Europa is seriously low! 😀

[@philipethier9136]

@@Snarge22 When I was standing next to my Lotus 65 Europa, the top of the roof was the level of my belt buckle.

[@john1703]

@@Snarge22 42.5" - only a bit more (2") than a GT40

[@vernonbennettiii3646]

I grew up in a very modest working class neighborhood on the East Side of Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. Back in 1969/1970, one of my neighbors up the street had a red Lotus Europa, that I thought was the coolest thing that I had ever seen. That is until I saw, 2 blocks away, another neighbor's TVR. WOW! In hindsight, I cannot imagine how either of those guys could have afforded either of those cars, at least living in my neighborhood. But, man, Those vehicles had a huge impact on my taste in automobiles.

[@johnmatthews1095]

brilliant

[@andyelliott8027]

That steering,handling and control on the bumps is Colin Chapman's influence, the man was a genius. It took other (super) car makers decades to get to his level.

[@richardsellers8671]

The Lotus/Ford engine variants look vastly better to my eyes, particularly in dark colours, the JPS Black and Gold scheme is particularly nice.

[@brianweekes1]

Agree 100%!!

[@roberthill2219]

What was that movie with a wild car chase staring a JPS Europa?

[@jimestall413]

@@roberthill2219 11 Harrowhouse.

[@bobmcl2406]

I think the substitution of better wheels (just wider, or maybe more offset too?) did a lot for the looks of the Specials.

[@jimestall413]

@@bobmcl2406 Along with the chrome trim strip and panel trim under the doors and pin stripes.

[@Telssa1]

I had a 1970 S2 for about 15 years of madness. Handling was unbelievable. I came off a (then) murky roundabout at nearly 50, but (mistakenly) into a 90 degree turn with a stone wall straight in front of me, instead of the gentle main road exit I was expecting. Hardly any other car in the world would have taken that turn, though I was on two wheels, at about 30 degrees until it banged down back to earth.

[@parrotraiser6541]

It was actually a tough little beast. A drunken acquaintce of a friend lost it at speed and demolished a substantial length of a low decorative wall. Though the passenger was unconscious for some time, they both survived. The chassis had taken the brunt of the wall, while the body essentially exploded to absorb much of the energy. (Glass-fibre bodies tend to sacrifice themselves in that way, to the benefit of the riders.)

[@mJC2521]

Not if you have a side impact.

[@andrewpreston4127]

Quite a surprise to me. Colin Chapman was famed for ‘building in lightness’, and as I recall was blamed for taking it too far after Jim Clark was killed in a Lotus in 1968.

[@mrdainase]

@@andrewpreston4127 No, he wasn't. Clark's accident was put down to a deflating rear tyre. But Chapman was certainly guilty of walking a fine line with lightening components with more regard to winning races than driver safety.

[@dissol1306]

@@andrewpreston4127 no, Chapman was not blamed for Clark’s death, although many drivers (including Moss) eventually walked away from Lotus, because of the focus on lightness, which in turn had a negative impact (pardon the pun) on driver safety. Famously, Moss was given a cake in the shape of his Lotus for a birthday at a race meeting, and he immediately cut off a wheel and offered it to Chapman as he felt a 3 wheeled car was more apt. Chapman was reportedly unimpressed.

[@terryjacob8169]

@@dissol1306 'Chunky' was distinctly unimpressed with the wheel-shaped piece of cake Stirling handed him at the party after the 1960 US GP at Riverside, California ( race won by Moss ). Earlier in the year Stirling had spent several weeks in hospital after a rear wheel came off his Lotus 18 at high speed during practice for the 1960 Belgian GP at Spa.

[@fmhb1]

From Malcolm Bell, my father after watching your video: So I didn’t waste my time sorting out the handling of this little beast. In original twin cam form it was a nightmare but Roger Becker and I eventually sorted it out. The picture on the banking at MIRA flat out shows its serious understeer and a backend losing interest. On the bumpy Norfolk roads it was lethal over about seventy and we spent a lot of time making it ride properly as this man discovered. I was always disappointed with the Press reports, we thought it was brilliant and all the journalists did was knock its appearance and said it wasn’t as good as an Elan. This was in my view much better. As this man says, a good long distance car. I ran one with a half race big valve engine which would do an indicated 130mph and Mum went to sleep in it on the old A1 at something over 100 from Scotch Corner to Stamford!

[@MrMairu555]

Always cool to have an insight from one of the engineers involved withf the project.

[@PiefacePete46]

@Frederick Bell : Are you sure Mum hadn't fainted?! 😵 🥴

[@georgecronin3592]

Loved these cars when doing my apprenticeship on cars. Helped build a lotus elan to save purchase tax in 1970. The man you spoke about was Ron Hickman, I worked on his house in Jersey in 1985. A true eccentric genius, and lovely gentleman.

[@AB-dx9hd]

Many thanks Jack for a well prepared and engaging video review. The Europa was designed by Ron Hickman (Black and Decker Workmate inventor) as a Grand Prix based mid-engined road car with a backbone chassis, but the aerodynamic (Cd 0.29) body was styled by John Frayling. The S1 (type 46) with 78bhp 1470cc Renault 16 engine and four speed transaxle first went on sale in France in 1967. It had no opening windows, push button door releases, and an integral chassis. The S2 (type 54) introduced in 1968 had electric windows, Jaguar XJ6 door handles, and a removable chassis. The Federal S2 (type 65) went on sale in America in 1969 with 82bhp 1565cc Renault 16TS engine. The twin-cam (type 74) with 105bhp Elan engine replaced the S2 in 1971. The big valve 126bhp Elan Sprint engine and five speed Renault 17TS transaxle were fitted in 1972. There are no Chapman (McPherson) struts on a Europa; rear suspension is trailing arms with lower links, upper links (the driveshafts), and coil over dampers. Although there is less roll in a Europa, a 2-seater Elan is just as fast from A to B. A Europa is the same width as an Elan+2, ride is a little better than a 2-seater Elan (longer wheelbase), and on a motorway there is less interior noise at speed.

[@SuperLuckyCat7]

Are YOU in the knowledge or... 🤣 Way impressive Anorak facts though - thx 4 sharing 👨‍💻❤

[@MrSpanks]

I can't even tell the difference between Chapman and McPherson struts!!

[@dummie4guitars]

12:40 With black rims and chromed hubcaps, this yellow body looks great! So charmingly unsophisticated and fun!

[@jimbojunior6595]

In the early 80s at an scca solo event a Lotus Europa was the only car to finish clean on a very tricky section. Every thing else took out the last cone or had to slow to such an extent as to be be not competetive.. Very impressive.

[@DavidSmith-qg9ho]

I have been a 1971 Europa S2 owner since 1986, The car you were driving is a early S3 version, so it is a 1972. The car body was designed by Mike Costin, who was a former Aerodynamics with De Havilland Aircraft Company. Mike also went on to join with Mechanical Engineer named Keith Duckworth and started "Cosworth" designing and researching racing engines was we know still to this day.

[@martinda7446]

Amazing people. Amazing history. I adore the Europa and think in the right colours it looks magnificent.

[@ism671]

I think Frank Costin is the Aerodynamacist. There is a book about him called flying on four wheels...

[@mreuropa88]

The car body was designed by John Frayling after Ron Hickmans' design was deemed too complex. Mike Costin may have had an input too. The type 74 (series 3) was launched in October 1971 so it could have been a very early 71 registration.

[@nuttycommuter3718]

Mike Costin was also half of Marcos

[@TimBentley]

Nice summary of a great car. I've had an early Renault car (but upgraded to the crossflow unit from a 16TS) for about 7 years. I'm biased, but I reckon an early car with a crossflow transplant is the one to have - similar power to a Twin Cam, but lighter. The Twink is a great engine (love it in my Elan), but it's installed backwards in a Europa and everything is hard to get at. The gearshift does take some getting used to, but it makes an enormous difference if all the linkages (there are multiple heim joints and pivots) have been renewed and the original rubber socket for the gear lever replaced with a heim joint. The footwell is very narrow - I wear racing boots to drive it and that makes a big difference. The steering is unbeatable - there is literally nothing on the road that can come close. You can also bolt some modern sticky tyres on and get incredible road holding - easily the equal of any modern sports car - but at the cost of ride quality and steering feel. I prefer to drive it with period style tyres, keep the great ride, and have fun at road legal speeds. And even on period tyres my car has kept up with Exiges and 911s on a twisty road - an important factor is the small size, which even on a narrow road lets you place the car on an ideal line in corners.

[@zogzoogler]

My Dad always looked upon the Europa fondly, as he worked for racing driver Chris Meek and his then girlfriend Valli Stack who raced very successfully in a black and silver BIBA boutique livery Europa.

[@beowulf5982]

A Pin-up car in the 70's especially in the JPS colours. Back in the day you would write and post a letter to all your favourite car manufacturers and get back these wonderful glossy prints of the cars you loved. We were all dreamers back then.

[@robertcole8311]

I had the Renault R16 version in my possession for about a year in the mid-1970s. Chrome yellow like your test car. Jack, I agree with everything you said about it, except the gear change. That was fine on my example, yes a bit stiff and notchy, but no issue finding the desired gear. The steering, handling and ride were exactly as you described and left me similarly tongue-tied. Brilliant fun to drive, though the low height and absence of rear 3/4 visibility made it a bit terrifying in traffic on congested US six lane streets. I simply learned to not change lanes in the city. A thrill to drive in every sense. Also learned not to drive it in mid summer sunny afternoons. That big raked windscreen, black vinyl interior, and 90+ degree Fahrenheit temps on the US Great Plains made a dandy oven. Jack, thanks for the test and bringing back fond memories.

[@peterbonnez]

Renault in Yellow here too. There was a long high speed left hander on my way to work. 100 mph & I'd just think it round the bend, my hands didn't move. Uncanny. Drove it to Spain & back UK, rallied it, sprinted it & I had Bee Gees in the 8 track. The most comfy car I've ever owned, slept in it many times. I loved that car.

[@andrewnorris5415]

@@peterbonnez wow, two awesome stories of satisfied owners who got the most from their cars. The soft suspension on Lotus models did make them up for longer adventures!

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@peterbonnez i had the 16TS , what a great car ,but metalized blue paint

[@robertcole8311]

@@andrewnorris5415 I didn’t actually own it. Belonged to a friend who moved 400 miles away and had no place to keep it so he left it in my care for a year with instructions to drive it and repair whatever needed fixing. I was happy to do so and felt fortunate, plus the car was reliable then other than various fasteners coming adrift.

[@philipkozloff3832]

Like you, Robert, I had a Chrome Yellow R16 S2 Europa that I privately imported from the factory in late 1970. Maybe yours was mine. I absolutely adored it. I fixed the problem of high-speed steering lightness in the first few months I owned it. Over 100 MPH, it felt like the front wheels were barely touching the ground. I mounted a sheet metal inverted wing under the air intake opening in front of the cross-member ahead of the wheels and that cured the front-end lift. The engine was quite robust but strangled by the stock Solex carbueretor and cast-iron single piece combination intake and exhaust manifold. I replaced that with a dual barrel Weber carb, longer intake manifold and long big bore exhaust pipes. 0-60 in 6 seconds. Those two modest changes transformed the car. After a few minor adjustments to the shifter linkage, the gear box was nothing but sweet! I only sold the car when I had to move to New York City six years later where it would have lasted about three days. But I sold it for 120% of its new, shipped cost so it that softened the blow somewhat. If you look at modern mid-engine sports cars, they all look like my Europa with some cosmetic surgery and massive injections of steroids. For instance, the rear window looked like a letter slot to some people. They all come like that now. And why not? The rear visibility was terrific.

[@jimestall413]

I've owned my Europa Special virtually from new. I'd say it has the edge over it's peer, the Elan Sprint which I also own. More rubber on the road giving slightly more grip. Acceleration identical. Steering even better. At 5ft 8in I have to move the seat forward. Mike Kimberly redesigned the Europa with the Twin Cam so that he could fit in it. Mike is well over 6ft plus.

[@PiefacePete46]

A friend had a very early Renault powered car. It had a Weber carb, mild cam regrind, and extractor exhaust workover by Hermes Cars. The power was not earth-shattering, but enough to put the gearbox internals at risk. It did make the motor feel, and sound, much more "sporty". Just after he got it, we were sitting near the car enjoying a beer, and when the sun dropped lower, we could clearly read "Hermes Cars" and a phone number printing through the red paint... it must have been their demonstrator, before coming to New Zealand. Those rear buttresses were an advertiser's dream! He let me drive it once... he had to threaten me with violence to get me out! I fell in love! 😍

[@jono.pom-downunder]

Always loved the Europa. There used to be a black JPS at the end of my street when I was a school kid, and a red And white Gold leaf twin near work, thought they looked magnificent. My wall poster cars (keep ya Countach and F40s) Europa and Dino were my dream cars

[@missogyny4921]

It’s a Lotus Europa, which you appreciate if you understand Lotus and its history, particularly if like me you remember them coming out and drooled over them when your Dad’s car was a Vauxhall Victor or something similar. Any criticism of the styling is of little interest to those who know - ‘nuff said…!

[@okephoto2]

Thanks for the video. You describe the experience well. The one car I will never sell is my 1970 Europa S2. Just fabulous to drive for whatever reason.

[@pmapilotmooney]

My all time favorite car, had 3 of them, 2 Esprits, 2 Cr4 corvettes and a 308GTSI Ferrari. Handling was GREAT it responded to thought, you thought about turning and it turned. The seats are the most comfortable I have ever sat in . Also it had a tremendous amount of luggage space in the boot. Other cars were faster but none better. My Ferrari mechanic told me about an autocross in New York the Europa beat all other contestants including Porsches and Ferraris.

[@leroyybrown]

I don’t understand how some don’t like it’s looks.

[@Laz_Arus]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane Jack. I had an S1 with the Renault 16TS engine here in OZ for about 18 months back in the early 70's and enjoyed it immensely. Many a time my passenger would go white with fear thanks to the car's legendary handling. As you discovered the steering is "telepathic" and I haven't experienced anything close to it since. In hindsight, I should have held onto it, but the fragility of it on our roads meant it wasn't suitable for a daily driver, and I was forever tightening bolts that had loosened.

[@RUfromthe40s]

the BMW´s 02 from the 70´s were also driven like this but with enough room for two people ,not equal but similar ,also have to add that i install on a 1,6 L engine (one carburator)1502 (only in Portugal) a pair of professional shock absorvents on the front for the 2002, and it turned perfect .One drives almost sitting on the floor and one feels like the wheels are above your body level , the most similar to europa type of driving

[@martinclapton2724]

During the late 1960s /very early 1970s, I remember one of the motoring magazines , I think it was Motorsport , judged 2 small cars to be the fastest cars A-B, in the UK. Remembering motorways were no where near so prevalent as they are today. You would think they would say a Ferrari , Aston Martin or other highly expensive exotic, but no , on A and B rated roads the two cars were the Mini Cooper 1275S and Lotus Europa .

[@ChristianRThomas]

They are great handling cars but if the Lotus is spartan and noisy, try the Cooper S. It's like sitting in a biscuit tin with an engine in front of your left knee. 😂😂

[@sandymcvicar2325]

As an owner of a 1970 1500cc Renault powered Europa I agree with your review. A minor adjustment to the suspension cures the dartieness of straight driving. Not an Autobahn speeder but a blast on twisty roads. It would be a challenge to find another car that is this much fun to drive for the price they are selling for.

[@yavorkaloyanov4483]

I was just starting to unbox my Tamiya Lotus Europa model kit, when I saw this pop up. Haha , nice one !

[@stephencharles1398]

I had a 4 year old yellow K reg twin cam and loved it. It was basic but the performance more than made up for it. I knew a guy who had the Renault version that sadly died in it. From what I remember the petrol balancing pipe between the 2 fuel tanks failed or became detached and the car turned into a fireball. I sold mine shortly after that and bought a Triumph Dolomite Sprint, a car which I also have fond memories of.

[@seantetarenko4334]

I am biased because I own one, however yours is on of the best reviews I’ve seen of a Europa. Very fair and balanced in your opinions as always. Thanks Jack

[@playbackamusicloversjourne8620]

I owned a '73 twin cam for 5 years. Great car to drive. Enjoy yours!

[@smudgetherealmc]

Also biased. Owned a S2 in the 1980s and would love to get behind the wheel of one again some day

[@savage22bolt32]

I've wanted one since I first saw one in 1970 (+/- a yr). In 2022, I had the chance to sit in one. I still love them, but no longer have the desire to own one. I feel better in a larger automobile.

[@jozsefizsak]

My good friend bought a Renault engined one in the 60s when it was the current model. I've loved those cars ever since and I don't need to tell you why!

[@savage22bolt32]

@@jozsefizsak your friend owned a bakery that made quick deliveries?!?!

[@ExUSSailor]

I owned a '72 Twin Cam. What a FUN little car to drive. I used to do track days, and, it was enormous fun watching most of the other drivers stare as they tried to figure out what it was.

[@robertamoyaw1979]

This was my first Matchbox car. I have always kept a special place in my heart for it . I am happy to see it drives like a Go Kart . I hope one day soon I can buy a nicely restored 1 🤓

[@richardtomlinson7405]

I had one of these Twin Cam's. To fit my 6'7" frame in I had to remove the seat runners and bolt the seat direct to the floor, once in though, I was remarkably comfortable. To exit the car I had to rotate my body and pull myself out with both hands on the tarmac. They were very quick compared to other cars on the road at the time, I loved it.

[@christianparsons6050]

😂

[@seany8787]

Im almost a foot shorter than you and I feel sorry for you. All the struggles with great sports cars not to mention planes, cinemas, trains etc.

[@joejopling3295]

Had one for a short while, I did not find the seat as comfortable as you did, mind I never had a padded coat on…roadholding in the wet was unbelievable…but I had a few engine issues, so when it was fixed, it was sold on

[@philipethier9136]

@Richardtomlinson7405 I know I guy two inches taller than you. Said he could never fit in a TR6, but did fine in a Spitfire.

[@susansinclair4914]

I'd love to see you take on the Marcos 3 Ltr V6. I had one in the late 1980's and it was amazing. I actually tossed up between the Europa and the Marcos but the Marcos was just so much better looking. A beautiful design.

[@philtucker1224]

Hi Susan, I thoroughly agree! (My boss in Ramsgate had a few and did buy and sell some back in the early seventies) he took me out in a 1600 version. Quite fabulous and yes, very beautiful. Funnily enough in a later life around the mid nineties, one of my work colleagues down in Trowbridge Wiltshire, Bob Walder, had a Rover V8 hill climbing version. Unique cars well ahead of their time styling wise. HNY! 🙏

[@philtucker1224]

Back in the early seventies I did my apprenticeship in the race/rally engine development department at Piper Cams (in Ashford Kent in those days)..One popular conversion was to fit the larger Europe’s S valves to the Lotus Ford Twin-cam small valve heads. If I remember rightly we often also upgraded the Weber’s from the standard 40DCOEs to 45s (but happy to be corrected on that). Often with a slightly longer overlap on the cams I think we used to see a reasonable extra 20 horses on our dyno bed. Happy days!

[@philipethier9136]

The reason there is no place for your left foot is because Chapman never intended for the car to be sold in England. The original design was all LHD for cars to be sold in Europe. LHD Europa cars have a acre of space for your left foot. The wheel arch makes a great dead-pedal.

[@tenners3258]

Sometime in the late sixties, As a young lad, my Dad took me to The Racing Car Show @Olympia (I think). Dad was the Sales Director @Norton Villiers. They'd rented out their test beds to Lotus to develop that Cortina engine(used to go into the factory on Sat mornings to listen!). Anyhow Dad and CC were friends, and I was invited onto the stand to meet him, ogle the scantily clad models, and sit in the Europa on the stand... Happy days..

[@catjudo1]

Seeing you ensconce yourself into this lovely car gives me hope. I'm 5'5" but a bit, um, larger around and have never been sure if I would fit. I've long loved these cars and think that it's one of the top three rod cars that look best in John Player Special trim. And unlike the A310, the Bond Bug and even the Reliant Kitten, it's available here in good ol' America. Wonderful review!

[@nova-oy4qy]

so proud of you Jack. You have really grown as a reviewer and your reviews have improved a great deal. Keep it up.

[@The80shilling]

I always lusted after the Lotus Europa Twin-Cam JPS (John Player Special) version; black and gold, lovely wheels, looked amazing.

[@skelejp9982]

I always loved the design of this model. It is so low, n sleek, mid engine, definitely the key for the best handling. I would like to see Lotus do a remake..

[@gazzafloss]

The "wooden spoon in a bowl of porridge" feel of the gearshift mechanism is very fixable on a Europa. A mate had a '69 model in about 1970, he was able with a bit of clever "retro engineering" to both shorten the gear stick throw and eliminate the sloppy feeling, gear changing became superb and "bolt in hole" positive. Nice review again Jack.

[@johnsmith1474]

What did he do? Big secret?

[@PiefacePete46]

@GnP BF : I too had a mate who modified his gearshift... It worked as you described, but it rattled over bumps, and buzzed at high revs. Not as well executed as your mates?

[@gazzafloss]

@@PiefacePete46 well he was an Engineer at a brewery all those years back, knew his stuff, I really don't know how he actually did it exactly. I know it improved the shifting out of sight from what it was when I first drove it, probably changed the spongy rubber bushings to solid nylon in all the remote mechanism and improved the leverage ratios, maybe reinforced the relay rod from shift to the gear selector shaft, all stuff we had talked about, everything was so lightly built and flexed a lot. That little Lotus "buzzed" a lot anyway just ripping down the road as I remember it, lots of clunking on uneven surfaces Can't ask the guy as that was over 50 years ago and he's been gone from this mortal coil a while now.

[@PiefacePete46]

@@gazzafloss : That would explain a lot!... looking back, the last thing I would call my friend was "Engineer"! 🥴

[@awalk5177]

The rose joints need to be without wear and set up to the correct dimensions, then the gear change is precise. I haven't had any problems with mine in the type 54, I have owned for almost 50 years. One of the few original type 54's left in UK.

[@ManinaGarage]

You are one of the few people with the automotive experience to give the Europa a convincing review, awesome to see what it’s like. Nice one, thank you 🙌

[@shahnawazvlog6266]

Lotus are the Best a car every youngman should own one time in his life! I glass I did long ago but it is a life time memoried of fun and joy. Looking back nowday, the best car that I have ever own.. Lotus Esprit that was...

[@newarkmidgeley]

The ride that you describe sounds like the happy situation where the suspension is mounted on the sweet spot of the chassis. Just like the sweet spot on a cricket bat where the ball flies of the bat without any sensation of jarring - unlike when it hits either too far up the bat or too close to the end where it can send a sharp shock through the handle. If this is the case then ripples and ridges on the road will seem to be ironed out!

[@terryhand]

I was really looking forward to this video, and it didn't disapoint. The looks were vastly improved when they lowered the "butresses" on the later cars. I can remember a road test of a very early model in which the reviewer complained about the non-opening windows - obviously not a problem on this car. I loved the Workmate reference, which in its way was also a great piece of design!

[@awalk5177]

The Lotus 47 had non-opening widows it was classed as the Europa S1. The S2 (types 54 and 65 Federal) had electric windows.

[@philipethier9136]

@@awalk5177 The Series 1 Europa (Lotus 46) and the Lotus 47 were different cars that looked similar. Lotus 47 was a racing car. The frame and suspension aft of the cockpit was completely-different. The engine was a Lotus/Ford twin cam and the transaxle was a Hewland.

[@awalk5177]

@@philipethier9136The original Europa and its variants comprise the Lotus Types 46, 47 (series 1), 54, 65 (Series 2 Renault engine and transaxle) and 74 (Twin cam Ford), and were produced between 1966 and 1975. Quite rare cars now. I still have S2 after 50 years owning it. They are amazing to drive.

[@grahaminkpen5436]

I had one - a twin cam - never had so many smiles per mile. Terrible gear change due to the long linkage, it could wander on some road surfaces, but it was surprisingly reliable, two storage areas - so practical to do an away weekend. I loved it.

[@ultraslowhand]

This was the very first car I fell in love as a 14-year-old (1971). I went on to get my racing license in '78 and do F1600 racing in '79-'80. AS soon as I was able (about '86) I test drove a JPS Europa here in Toronto, hoping to recreate my FF1600 experience on the road. The handling was indeed brilliant. But the build quality was utter crap. The killer for me was the garage full of spare parts that the seller was proud to include in the deal. I'm a driver, but no mechanic; I ran in the other direction as fast as I could. Sad about it now, but I'm pretty sure I made the right decision. Have since owned two 911s (964 & 996 C2 coupes), and was very happy with both.

[@tlcode]

Just a plebe here, but I was granted the opportunity to drive one of these twice. The engine had a hand fabricated tube intake with a Webber on the end. It just RAN from 3 to 5.5. A scary care to drive in traffic, but a really sexy to experience

[@MyHumanWreckage]

If it says L O T U S at the back, it’s good enough for me. Brilliant cars.

[@hvh377]

Hi Jack, you have had a great run with the Lotuses recently. Loved them all. The Europa is very special and I like it very much. To me, it is beautiful, but I can see how opinions are divided on the styling. As a rather 'burly bloke' and standing 6'5" tall with size 13 feet, I'm never going to experience the pleasure of driving a car like this. You put the experience into words very well. Thanks again for bringing us this lovely Lotus. Great fan of the Workmate too!

[@zzhughesd]

It’s just not the one eyes enjoy

[@jimestall413]

@@zzhughesd it's distinctive styling is one of the factors that make it so unique.

[@TimBentley]

The Twin Cam body was redesigned for taller drivers - the 6'5" Mike Kimberley was the project lead and he could fit...

[@hvh377]

@@TimBentley I didn't know that. Thanks. So, there is hope for me yet. However, the excess is not necessarily limited to the vertical dimension only. Colin Chapman's famous ethos was not applied to me personally and that cockpit does look quite small to me.

[@dissol1306]

@@hvh377 you will have to take your shoes off, but I always found that driving Lotuses was benefited by driving them barefoot, as especially on the limit, it responds better to tiny inputs.

[@paulnicholasen4196]

A brilliant design for ultimate cornering and feel, but you left out it's major flaw: you probably are safer on a motorcycle. That Europa body is eggshell thin fiberglass, and I do mean eggshell thin. Between that and the backbone chassis, there is absolutely no protection from anything. Hit a squirrel and the squirrel will probably come out better.

[@marknielsen9762]

I had a '72 Twin Cam and now own a '74 Special. The gearbox is not actually that bad. If you go around to the rear and move the actuator by hand, it seems fairly precise. The long linkage is most of the issue. To start, you need to make sure none of the bushings are worn. If they are, it's hopeless.

[@rustybearden1800]

A friend's older brother had one of these when I was growing up in the 70s. It was a powder blue-ish with the same interior and was basically identical to this one. It looked like something from another planet, something of a backwards automotive "mullet" - party in the front and business in the back. I remember it being very light and somewhat fragile feeling, our baseline comparison being American Big Three muscle cars and giant sedan/coupes. Contemporary English sport cars felt heavier and beefier in comparison. Even as a child the interior felt very cramped and claustrophobic but it was an exciting car to ride in (when it ran - it suffered from the typical electrical gremlins common to most British cars of the era). It was freakishly different than anything else on the road at the time - an oddball elf in a sea of automotive monstrosities!

[@solsol1624]

Business at the back? The back would make a good workbench ☺ Sorry, could not resist!

[@rustybearden1800]

@@solsol1624 It's wonderful in person until you go back and get past the door - then it goes a little wonky to encase the engine and transmission/drivetrain. More than a little odd in the context of comtemporary cars from that era.

[@EuropaSman]

Another great video Jack 👍 . Oliver Winterbottom restyled the S2 version of the Europa. He was responsible for the cutout on the rear deck. The backbone chassis of the S1 was also bonded to the body, but the S2 went back to a more conventional setup like the Elan I believe. A Europa chassis was used to create Giugiaro's "silver car" concept that was to become the Esprit. There's also a great car chase involving a black Europa in the 1974 Charles Grodin movie 11 Harrowhouse. There's also a very nice Dino in that film too!👌

[@xg5zm]

About the ride quality We have forgotten about light cars an fatish tyres like 70 or 65% profile. A good tyre in the right chassis can do wonders. But today nobody will buy an sports car with less than 18inch wheels.

[@stephenconway2468]

When I was younger I had my dad's Motor Sport magazine (1968) where it had a great article on driving the early Europa in the south of France. I never forgot that. This motor is on my bucket list.

[@martinsaunders2942]

I had two back in the day..First a pistachio green twin cam, and then a JPS Big Valve. Wonderful cars! Now in an Evora SSr My 8th Lotus.

[@katywalker8322]

Out of interest, what was the registration of the pistachio green twin cam?

[@jo05dk]

I had a small toy Lotus Europa when i was a kid, and one appeared in my favourite deck of car cards. Back then i didn't notice the oddities, and just enjoyed how they look. I've taken that with me into adulthood. In one of the (for me) right colours, i still think they are nice to look at. ..and everyone keep banging on about how well they drive. Sadly i can't afford one, so i won't frustrate myself by trying one. Enjoyed you having the pleasure though. Cheers, and a hopefully happy new year to you :)

[@oldboy5001]

I had the Matchbox version as a child, it was a favorite of mine ;)

[@whitt1]

I've owned both a twin cam special and a renault powered car. The steering is quite quick and the lighter renault powered car can be steered using the throttle, it's very tail happy and the twin cam added a slight amount of understeer making it feel more like the handling of an Elon. The handling of the Europa is very dependent on the suspension's condition top notch on a well maintained cars are fantastic and very dangerous on cars with warn trailing arm bushings. Most older cars will need special attention to the rear rear suspension. The front suspension mostly uses Triumph spitfire hardware. I currently own a 1975 Europa special witch like all twin cam versions has a lowered floor pan making it possible for taller drivers to use, having a slightly bigger though still small peddle area. Both cars had truly outstanding for the 1970s era. I also currently own 1965 Elan which is the more practical daily driver.

[@clockdva20]

I have always loved the Europa I used to be taken to school in one , my uncle had one of the JPS specials with the black and Gold trim with all the F1 championship wins marked on the back I think the specials were 125 bhp. You have been taking me down memmory lane with the last few Videos . The Alfa . and now this all you need is a few different series Jags . Do not forget Lotus also helped Toyota to design the Mk1 MR2. Colin was a genius along with those who worked with we would not have had the likes of Cosworth and many others whos names escape me currently. Have you read the book on him for any Lotus fans it is must and written by one of his closes freinds it is also forwarded by Enzo Ferrari of all people who had nothing but the highest respect for Colin. Now here is a thought Enzo would have loved Colin to have worked at Ferrari has he put it in his own words Colins design genius with Ferrari's engines and money .now that would have been a prospect of course Colin was much to British centered to have done such a thing. But what lotus could have produced if they had had a unlimited budget would have been intresting as it was those production cars were only made to fun Colins Race program . You look at the Europa and I think what if Lotus had been contracted to design a Group B car Lotus had already designed two winning pure rally cars the Mk1 Escort twin cam and later the Talbot Sunbeam you could include the Lotus Cortina it won rallies too. I think if Colin had not suddenly passed away Ford would have gained something along the lines of a Lancia 0.37 mid engined Group B car or once 4WD took over something much better than the RS200 . Lotus will alway remain my favorite race and sport car brand during the 60's and 70's they came up new idea's on a seemingly never ending stream mamy failed but those that worked turned motorsport and car design on its head. There will never be another Colin Chapman his vision and drive were a one off. We will never know what is mind could have designed if he had not passed away before his time.

[@TheStobb50]

As I was growing up the Lotus Europa was my dream car, I had the corgi version and absolutely worshipped it. Never got round to getting one probably because I grew to 6”2 and would struggle to get in one and definitely would not get in one now, but when you look at most super sports cars they all look the same but the Europa is very different, thank you Great video

[@vmax4steve524]

Georgie Best had one, instant cool.

[@awc900]

I had the Matchbox Superfast version. Since then I've always loved the Europa but will probably never own one. I do have a mid engined MG TF160 which is quite fun though. I'm 6' 1.5" and fit okay in that.

[@derrickgreen9020]

In 1972, I bought a new orange 1300 Beetle and my mate had a JPS with Renault engine. I thought it looked fabulous until on a bumpy back road, the alternator broke off behind our seats and had to be welded back on before we could go any further.

[@zloychechen5150]

The extra weight of welding equipment wouldn't be beneficial for the car's handling.

[@martinsaunders2942]

The JPS Europas were all Lotus Ford Big valve twin cams .. The earlier R16 engined cars have the higher buttresses at the back.

[@derrickgreen9020]

@@zloychechen5150 😂

[@richardstiers9010]

Another comment about my '72 twin cam Special. Loads of storage space. I used to be a Scuba diving Assistant Instructor in Seattle. All My dive gear, drysuit, cylinders, etc fit nicely. With the front trunk unused. One of my favorite experiences....the cars were not blisteringly fast, but light, and handled like it was on rails. A Go Kart. Once when taking a friend for a ride, he was ranking on it, because he had recently been in a 70's Porsche Turbo. I was explaining to him that , true, it is not as quick accelerating as a Porsche, but the Lotus always came out ahead, when curves were an element. I said to him....what I like about the Europa......is....THIS......and mid sentence, I did a full lock 90° turn INSTANTLY, into a parking lot at 50mph!! Then stopped in a couple of car lengths! He nearly had his first 'brown'' pants day!! I laughed my head off! Great car! 🤣

[@ianbishop5651]

Hi Ian Bishop here, I just wanted to let you know that I think your channel is fantastic and more than that I'm able to sit down and watch with my younger daughter with no fear of bad language or crude behaviour your first class mate

[@jessebaldwin2661]

Back in 1969, I dated a girl who has just brought a new Europa. Whenever we used it people would gather around it in parking lots just to get a good look at it. It was truly unique and a revolutionary style at that time.

[@stephenricketts7764]

The Lotus Europa was always a good looking car for me. I think it made good sense to use the Ford engine in later models. It helped both Ford and Lotus. I have heard it said that Colin Chapman wanted the driver of a Lotus to have the controls as close to hand as possible which of course was part of his racing heritage. Nice review Jack, thank you. 👍👍

[@rudysimoens570]

The black John Player Special version with the golden striping was the most beautiful version in my opinion.

[@heiner71]

Nice, even the wheels look like from the late 60's Lesney Matchbox version I owned of this.

[@william-131]

I have the S1 with the bonded chassis and the Lancia rear lights. I very much prefer the breadvan look over the pick-up look of the later cars but as Jack so rightly put it, its marmite. My car is slowly starting to look like the racing version the type 47. Including centerlock wheels and two Monza fuel fillers on the sails. The Europa is an under appreciated classic which keeps the values down but also in many cases the money spend on restoration. This results in many poor examples. I’m happy Jack you sampled a sorted one for this again excellent video!

[@cliveclapham6451]

I had a breadvan one back in the late seventies great little car put a rose joint on the gear-lever made it a lot bette🎯🎯🎯🎯

[@tgxperience]

@@cliveclapham6451 Did the same thing to mine. A lot of people don't get the styling or know that it was a prototype GT40 design. The original 'breadvan' design was taking advantage of the popular Kamm back trend in the 60's for doing warp speed at LeMans. I love the design and seeing one in person is quite a different experience than looking at it in pictures. It makes sense when you see it in person.

[@funkyfurballs1078]

I also own a '67 S1 and think it looks cleaner than the later models. It's been garaged for many years but plan to get it running again. I bought the Pels adapter plate for a 4AGE swap but might have the R16 rebuilt instead.

[@mrjaffa5072]

I also have a 1967 S1A and I much prefer the full 'sails' over the notched back on the later cars. I'm intending to keep it looking completely standard but I'm happy to try to squeeze a little more power from the engine...

[@funkyfurballs1078]

@@mrjaffa5072 Where are you located? I'm in San Diego... When I get my Datsun 510 on the road, the Europa's next!

[@amgguy4319]

I've got the big valve version, and it makes a big difference. These are so highly underrated, and that's been good price-wise for those in the know. The shift linkage is probably what you encountered. As it slowly wears, us owners barely realize it, until it needs attention. But for someone driving it a first time it might seem as if were - as you observed - not in harmony with the rest of the car. The linkage goes all the way to the farthest back of the trans at the most rear part of the car. It's easily visible just below the bumper. These cars rear portion was dedigned for aero and it's top speed was higher than the Elan. I love mine.

[@PiefacePete46]

@AMG Guy : Do the Twin-Cam and Big-Valve models still use the Renault gearbox? In the back of my mind I thought they went to something more "durable"!

[@amgguy4319]

Mine is the 4 sp. Everyone thinks the 5 sp is so great but it's weaker.

[@grayfool]

I first saw the Europa in JPS colours when I was about 12 back in the seventies and fell in love. I've never even sat in one but would love to have a go. Amazing car. Thanks Jack, this brought back some great memories.

[@glynluff2595]

My recollection of theses that the cotton reels that fastened the body on, they were small metal fitments in that shape, would detach from time to time with age and hard use. They were attached to the body in lay up with a quick twist of wet grp. They also leaked abominably the show car sat on the Hethel runway for several months until a client wished for that particular vehicle. It had to be stripped an rebuilt as it was a big patch of mould! A good and iconic design in its day which suffered from assembly difficulties.

[@philipdubuque9596]

Your positive comparison of the Europa with the Elan was surprising but a good illustration of the merits of this unique, not to say quirky little machine. I suspect that the sheer lightness of the car is at least one factor in the superior road feel you're enthusing about in this video. Thanks for another entertaining and instructive outing!

[@nickjames9555]

You may enjoy Frederick Bell's comment, placed soon after yours. It sounds like his father was directly involved with the road feel you mentioned - not always so good!

[@awalk5177]

Mid engine makes a big difference to the handling as the Elan and Europa share the same front suspension design and steering rack.

[@neilpiper9889]

I worked on the Europa assembly line in 1969 1970. The Renault engines came in from France with the bigger valves. Lots of the special pastel colour versions went to Japan, right hand drive.

[@johnfalkenstine8377]

There was no chapman strut at the back and the add-on 5th gear on the Renault box was instantly destroyed when you backed up into a curb.

[@JoeyJoJoJuniorShabbadoo]

“The looks are a bit marmite.” Absolutely perfect, Jack. Well done.

[@crhvideo]

Hi Jack, I always admired the Europa when I was a boy. As an adult I grew too tall to fit, but I am glad to hear it really is as good as I imagined it to be. Thanks for the review! Also, the yellow looks great on it!

[@larrykay6606]

Totally agree about the steering. I inherited a non running '73 JPS Europa from my dad back in the early 2000's and got it running after several years. I would have kept it forever but I just never fell in love with the styling. Too quirky for my taste. Great video and brings back memories!

[@LooseNut099]

I have so many memories with the Lotus Europa, I scarcely know where to begin. Thanks for the great review, Jack, and trip down memory lane. I am fond of the black JPS special livery for these cars, the yellow car reviewed does highlight some of the ungainly design shortcomings, which are all forgotten once behind the wheel.

[@GordonHudson]

One of these passed me on a slip road once. A few miles later I came across it on the hard shoulder with flames coming out of it. The owner was trying to put it out. I stopped at the next motorway phone and asked for the fire brigade. The car melted. For many ears there was a scorch mark there. Was only resurfaced recently.

[@darbbively3406]

I had an S2 USA model for a few years in the early '80s as a daily driver, what a wonderful car. Put me down as another who liked the models with buttresses rather than the later cut-down model you drove here. I don't know about the twin-cams, but the Renault-engined models also got spectacular fuel economy for the day. I easily got mileage in the 40+ mpg (U.S. gallons, that is) range. I miss that car, but at my current age I'm not sure I would be able to make the contortions needed to get in it! 😀

[@syedmustafa3145]

Always had a fascination with the Europa since I first saw it in Gran Turismo 4. I always wondered how it drove and felt. An under appreciated vehicle for sure. Thank you Jack for this treat of a video and for satisfying my years long questions!

[@johnferguson4869]

I only saw it in GT2 & it wasn’t really worth driving, however in SegaGT 2002 on XBox it was unbelievable: glued to the track

[@hoobaguy4311]

My grandfather had a red one of these with the big valve engine. I discovered it once summer when I was about 17 or 18. It was under a ratty tarp, also under a tree. I offered to buy it from him and make payments. It was in decent shape. Interior was ok, body had a few small rotten spots but wouldn't have been too difficult to fix the glass. Engine was in really good condition. He told me "no, it's a death trap". The car sat under that tree for years and ended up on a trailer that went to the junk yard. I held that against my grandfather until he died and I still think about it every now and then. Just one of plenty examples of how my family let really nice things turn to shit.

[@mrkiplingreallywasanexceed8311]

Fascinating - you won't hear about one of these in such a personal, personable way as on this channel...

[@Number27]

Thank you, that’s a really nice thing to say! Happy new year,

[@markchip1]

I remember falling in love with the Europa - specifically the one that competed in rallycross on ITV's World Of Sport in the beginning of the '70s! The sight of such a car hurtling sideways around a half-muddy, half-tarmac circuit was spectacular!! And it was surprisingly competetive, even against fully off-road prepped Escorts, etc and even the occasional Hillman Imp!!!

[@andyw0340]

Ah man , those were the days !

[@onecookieboy]

Fantastic review of a ground breaking 50 year old car. It reminds me of how far we have come in terms of comfort and safety, this car, like so many made in the 60's and 70's, would be a death trap if it came to a sudden stop, the cost of improved safety is of course more weight, which has a big impact on handling and performance. Modern cars are better and worse in equal parts from a driving experience perspective, but overall, I think I would prefer to walk away from a crash than be taken to hospital or the morgue.

[@benfagen4324]

A pity for you really. Our generation survived by assessing and managing risk, not by being fearful. The cars of the 60's and 70's are such a joy. You only live once, so try one, and use your usual quota of skill and caution. Enjoy!

[@onecookieboy]

@@benfagen4324 Mate, I'm in my early 60's and have driven a lot of cars, most of them fairly crappy TBH. I have also lost quite a few people to motor vehicle related injuries and accidents and have been in one or two myself, some things are beyond your control on a public road, it doesn't take much and a car like the Lotus, if it came into contact with something larger and heavier than it is, which means almost anything bigger than a bicycle, is going to come off second best. Three friends of mine were killed in a Triumph Vitesse, they weren't even going very fast at the time but hit a cow which had wandered onto the road, then crashed into a ditch, the car was unrecognisable from the accident and you would easily walk away from in a modern car.

[@bernhardtsuballa5341]

I am absolutely with you! At those old days I drove a VW-Porsche 914 and my dream was to own a Lotus Europa. Because the 914 is a low car, I thought the Europa will not be very different. But when I start to take a test ride my feeling was to sit directly on the street. Ok I drove a small curvy street with crash barriers on the side. There was no other car on the street up to the point a car was suddenly there. In fact the barriers have had exactly the same hight the Europa had. Because of that scary moment I did'nt bought the Europa what perhaps saved my live.. Today I am old and savety, comfort and price are more important than the look of the car. But I never forget my big love into this car!

[@bernhardtsuballa5341]

@@onecookieboy Same to me! I have a few friends who are paramedics or firefighters in accident rescue. They all agree that the older the car, the greater the risk. Both active and passive safety are just bad on old cars. What happens if we drive under a truck with a flat sports car???

[@terrypickering3997]

I agree with all that was said. I built my John Player Special in 1972, and I think it's number was 28. I had it for about 10 years and was undoubtedly the best handling car I have ever owned.

[@deseast1267]

I loved my 1972 Lotus Twincam in the dry great, but the only thing was it was tricky in the wet, with virtually no weight ovet the front wheels it would plough on even at a low speeds in horrific understeer, you could try to do a fast start but if the front wheels were on any lock it would drive straight on forward without any steering coming from the front wheels at all and braking in the wet was a lottery.

[@oohmeconkers1968]

Definitely marmite. As one comment says here they are very colour dependent and the JPS livery really suits it. I think the back end is just so unresolved, we need an engine cover… that’ll do! Still a lovely little car and you really don’t see a lot of them around. Good test Jack 🏆

[@andyelliott8027]

Yes, as I always say about Marmite you either love it or you hate it................Or you think it's not too bad !

[@oohmeconkers1968]

@@andyelliott8027 to be honest I’ve never tried it 🤣🤣🤣 The lotus i suspect is all about the drive and not the looks. And like a marmite pot I don’t think I’d fit in one! 👍🏼

[@andyelliott8027]

@@oohmeconkers1968 I think that gearbox trouble Jack's having is probably more due to the age of the gearbox than anything else.

[@buggs9950]

@@oohmeconkers1968 Never tried Marmite?! You haven't lived! Personally I prefer Bovril, it's like beef jam.. Yeah the Europa does look like they got back to the B pillar and gave up.

[@oohmeconkers1968]

@@buggs9950 beef jam ain’t selling it to me Buggs 🤣🤣

[@mattronk9343]

Had one in 1977 when I graduated from high school, I was a football player and was just to big had to sell it but it was fun to drive!!!

[@carlosoruna7174]

Fondly remember an Europa in downtown Montreal in the early 70s. So low. So small so nice.

[@lotusladdie9132]

Always wanted one! I straddle the Europa by having a contemporary front engined Elan +2S and a later mid-engined Turbo Esprit. The designer of the Black and Decker Workmate, as well as various Lotuses, was Ron Hickman. Genius!! Great review - thanks very much.

[@roadie3124]

I wonder what a Lotus Europa would have been like with a high spec twin cam Lotus Ford engine. I remember visiting Ian Walker Racing in London with a cousin who had a very special engine in his Lotus Cortina and being taken for a drive in an Elan with the same engine. Fast! They were getting 165bhp on the dyno.

[@acegikmoii]

Wow! This car put an extra wide smile on your face!

[@pauljacobs772]

I owned a 1974 Europa Special for over 20 years. I loved this car! Closest thing to an F1 you could drive on the streets.

[@taylorjs2534]

Great review Jack. What you noticed in just a couple of days matches with my experience over 3 years.

[@rd-ve8db]

Excellent review, pleased to see someone, who like me, enjoys the car even with the occasional foible. I have had a Europa since the early 70's and my current one since '85. Back in '85 I had to fettle the gearchange due to some different body mods and even though one always has to 'place' gears in a Europa, the change is absolutely fine. (and having owned a Lotus 7 since 1968 I have no problem hovering my left foot over the clutch pedal!)

[@simondavis697]

Always loved the look of the Europa, it’s probably the only car I would ever trade my Caterham in for. Great to see that they provide plenty of smiles for the miles. Sadly, there’s not enough quality reviews online such as this. Great work Jack.

[@stevenhoman2253]

In my story below, I was seeing the later model, in black, which you showed an image of. The ersatz luggage rack, was what came straight to mind for me. I want one now, I don't mind sitting low on the road surface, scrapping by bum along. And the steering feel you describe, or at least the directness, cuts into my story as well, go-karts are so remarkable in that regard. Thank you, my friend, some happiness to start 23 off, 27.