I have always wanted a Lotus Europa from the first time I saw one. This classic lightweight car is great fun to drive. The Twin Cam Special edition is, IMHO the best of the Europas to own and drive.
Пікірлер: 97
@ukupunkrock39817 ай бұрын
One of the best cars ever made! Thanks for sharing your treasure with us, LotusBob!!
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
Couldn't agree more. From the first time I saw one, I knew I'd own one some day. Thank you for watching. Please subscribe, I will be posting more videos
@michaelj70696 ай бұрын
Absolutely beautiful. I had a car buyers guide from 1973 when I was a kid that I'd thumb through religiously. I'd always end up on the Europa. This was my dream since. Glad yours worked out for you.😍
@lotusbobsgarage5 ай бұрын
I appreciate your comments. Thank you
@SKYSAW595 ай бұрын
One of THE most important Lotus's ever built.. And SO underrated! And looks like nothing else. I had a Special when I was 20.. Now Im rebuilding another one, in my 60s! 😅
@lotusbobsgarage5 ай бұрын
Truly in a class by itself. Good luck on your current project
@papabash6 ай бұрын
Beautiful car Bob thank you for sharing your passion. I was 20 in 74 and my brother's best friend got married and spent all his wedding money on a brand new Lotus Europa ! Ill never forget going for a ride in it, the sound of the engine and the rear window right at the back of my head what a thrill ! Needless to say the car lasted a lot longer than the marriage !
@lotusbobsgarage6 ай бұрын
I am so happy that you have shared this memory. Thank you, please subscribe. I'll be making more videos.
@lebrown-gs9vm4 ай бұрын
Bob, You ARE THE “MR LOTUS”. 10:34 I’ve been in love with these crazy cool little cars since I was a teenager(I’m 67 these days:) You’ve probably forgotten more about Europas than I’ve ever known. Thanks so much for sharing these SUPER videos and please feel free to keep them coming.
@lotusbobsgarage3 ай бұрын
Wow, thanks!
@Indy_at_the_beach6 ай бұрын
A car that captured my heart as a kid in '74
@lotusbobsgarage6 ай бұрын
You and me both
@garymaxwell25282 ай бұрын
Bob, I just came across your video and enjoyed it. In a previous life, like 45 years ago, I had a 74. Lost it when someone drove over the front. I walked away but had to get another 74. They were the most fun I've had on the road.
@lotusbobsgarage2 ай бұрын
I wanted a TC Special from the first time I saw one.
@LooseNut0997 ай бұрын
I’ve always wanted of these gems. They are difficult to find in good condition. Thanks for the video, LotusBob.
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
Thank you, I am very glad you enjoyed it. I'll be making more videos so please subscribe.
@hoytwood49372 ай бұрын
Nice Job I have a 73 Twin Cam Special, I'm in SC but lived in NY most of my life, I have been to Rinbeck many times (Airdrome)
@lotusbobsgarage2 ай бұрын
Very cool!
@mreuropa885 ай бұрын
Great video Bob! I have no.88 of the original 1972 run of 100 cars in the uk. The oatmeal interior was standard on these cars. I'm just converting my TC to Fuel injection with Weber look a like Throttle bodies...Love these cars!
@lotusbobsgarage5 ай бұрын
Fuel injection, very interesting. I did mikunis and have an upcoming video. I would like to know more about your project
@mreuropa885 ай бұрын
@@lotusbobsgarage I will do a blog at some point Bob, but for now I'm stuck for time. I'm on most of the Europa forums as europa88 so watch out for pictures.
@stevenclarke560621 күн бұрын
My child hood favourite car , it looked futuristic as a 13 year old. I really loved the rear window, I don’t know how practical this would be
@lotusbobsgarage2 күн бұрын
It was my earliest dream car. No practical use at all
@C64SX7 ай бұрын
Lovely car, always loved the Europa. An uncle of mine used one for drag racing in the late 70's - early 80's. His brother also got one, in the mid-80's I think, and he still owns it. Cheers!
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
There is a big presence of the Europa in the autocross world as well.
@paulrobilotti92945 ай бұрын
Love it, back in the day at my friends garage in the 70s (had a New 73 Europa Spl (JPS on of the numbered ones #021) I was known there as Lotus Paul. LOL Also back then I found a add in AUTOWEEK for a mounting plate that you put in the distributor which made you able to adjust the points with the engine running like on the GM cars of that time, it was really cool setup.
@lotusbobsgarage5 ай бұрын
Great story and memories. Thank you for sharing.
@doctorcountersteer65806 ай бұрын
One of my favorite European cars of all time. I would love to stuff a huge Offy 4 cylinder in one of those!!! Hopefully your Mikunies got properly dialed-in on the install because those Strombergs really sounded like they were needful of a skilled ear.
@lotusbobsgarage6 ай бұрын
Yes it would be something to have a very powerful engine. I would love to have Weber carbs, but you need an entirely different head. Good luck finding one. I was never pleased with the Strombergs, hard starting, only one had a choke. The Mikuni's need a little more fine tuning, but all in all run better and stronger. Thanks for subscribing. I'll be making more videos.
@jessebaldwin26617 ай бұрын
I dated a girl who bought a new 1969 Bahama Yellow Lotus Europa. Everywhere we went the car got lots of attention. Just going to the mall or anywhere there would be people surrounding it in the parking lot to get a good look. Back then there were very few of these on the road and people didn't know what to think about them.
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
If it was any other car, I'd ask if it was the girl that drew the attention ;) Thank you for watching, please subscribe. I'll be posting more videos.
@michaellarimer27757 ай бұрын
I had a similar car and spec which I brought back from Puerto Rico in 1982. It had the gold stripes, oatmeal interior, rocker covers but not one of the JPS official models. The major difference was mine had a weber head with DCOE45s. I had it repainted the same black but in lacquer. I lived in Atlanta at the time and there was a large group of Lotus owners and Lotus headquarters was there also. I sold/traded the car for an Esprit shortly thereafter and lost track of it. I had to overhaul one of the brake boosters as I recall. My recollection was the previous owner told me it came from the Buffalo area originally. A fun and fast car to drive.
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
I always wanted to have the Weber head, but couldn't find one. This is why I did the Mikuni conversion. I have the silver rocker panels, but opted to leave them off. The previous owner removed the brake boosters, so my only experience is as is. Thanks for your comments and subscription. I'll be making more videos.
@kevinwirga60212 ай бұрын
Hi, Bob, all Lotus Europa Specials had the gold pin strips so even though your car may not be of the limited run JPS cars, it would still be correct to have the gold pin strips.
@lotusbobsgarage2 ай бұрын
I saw a 72 TC Special on Sunday that had a perfect striping job. I agree that it makes the car look great!
@jeremyrichards83277 ай бұрын
You have done a good subtle job. The car looks much better now.
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
I appreciate your comments. Thank you for watching and subscribing. I'll be making more videos.
@davidmorse56907 ай бұрын
I grew up around these wonderful cars! There was a guy in Cerritos, CA that had a business Lotus prepared by Claudius. I met up with him a couple years back and he and his son still have a business in Cerritos.
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
That is a great story. The Europa is such an iconic car, many people have great memories. Thanks for watching, please subscribe. I'll be making more videos.
@edwarddemas56857 ай бұрын
Nice 74 TCS Bob! Noted the NY plate. Where are you located? I'm over in Stratford CT. Maybe you might want to join our Lotus chapter?
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
I'm interested
@frankhoward76457 ай бұрын
6:45. It wasn't under carburated. That's for sure. While the carbs on the TR-6 were feeding 2.5 liters, the same carbs on your car were feeding 1.6 liters! I've got a regency red (maroon) '74 Twin Cam Special. Came from the factory with gold pinstriping. 11:12. The pedals are a problem. Did you simply bend the clutch and brake pedals to the left? Very nice video.
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
I pulled the pedal assembly out and bent the clutch pedal to the left. Gave more room, but still tight. I'll be making more videos, so please subscribe. Love to see your TCS. Thanks for the comment.
@frankhoward76452 ай бұрын
@@lotusbobsgarage The pedal assembly is welded together. In an effort to help the clutch pedal from binding, I ground off the welds, disassembled the assembly, and cleaned it including removing quite a bit of rust. Upon reassembly, I installed grease zerks so I could keep it lubricated. Unfortunately, the binding continued and the problem was traced to the clutch release cross shaft in the bell housing. It wears the the aluminum, causing the binding. It needs a brass bushing.
@2012listo7 ай бұрын
The crossover prevents head warpage in the cold
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
I suppose, and also may promote faster warm up. Thanks and please subscribe, I'll be making more videos
@2012listo7 ай бұрын
@@lotusbobsgarage you rock
@stephenharfield7814 ай бұрын
I had a 1973 Elan plus 2 with the same engine and that had Dellorto carburettors, the early ones had SUs. Perhaps the UK ones were different.
@lotusbobsgarage4 ай бұрын
I think that the US Europas had Strombergs, while the Elans had Webers. I've never seen one with Dellortos in real life. Thanks for your comment.
@guillermotowers86257 ай бұрын
In the US all of the Europas TC had the Big Valve engine fitted, plus there were some Specials with Oatmeal interiors...love Europas, keep the vids coming...subscribed...
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
Will do! Thanks
@frankhoward76457 ай бұрын
Sorry, but not all US Europa Twin Cams had the big valve engine.
@v1-vr-rotatev2-vy_vx317 ай бұрын
Did some fiberglass crash repair on one of these,, plenty of room to access the backside of the panels,, all went well....
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
For a small car, remarkably easy to work on. Thanks for your comments and subscription. I'll be making more videos.
@raymondo1627 ай бұрын
in england you could buy the europa as a kit which saved you purchase tax. in 1972 (??) i put one of the kits together for money. it was an easy weekend job: powertrain was one big lump; one-lump suspension on each corner; connect up stuff and away it went. the version i built had a Renault power plant. the bloke i built it for called it the 'lotus bread van' because of its crazy small rear window................ oh how we laughed. not.
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
Great story, thanks for sharing.
@psv16007 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing ! it's bring me back to my childhood where I knew everything about Chapman's cars and especially the Europa! But stupid me I always dreamt about this car but never own, shame on me !
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
It's never too late.
@raymondo1627 ай бұрын
did you know some Europas were also sold as a kit, to avoid purchase tax? b) some ?early? Europas had Renault powerplant??
@psv16007 ай бұрын
@@raymondo162 ah really I didn’t about the kit to avoid taxes. Maybe in some countries? Yes all the S1, S2 has a Renault gearbox and engine, based on the Renault 16.
@williamforsyth-ye4rc7 ай бұрын
My Mate's big brother had a Yellow Europa from new in the mid-70's and it was still his daily driver in 1990.........I had the honour of "riding shotgun" in it on a few occasions on some sublime Scottish B-Roads(just to the east of Edinburgh) it was the most fun I ever had as a passenger in my life! Always wanted to drive a Europa, but the driving god's were never quite in my favour.......I did own a V8 (Bond) Esprit for a couple of years, in the 90's.....great car, but didn't quite deliver the essence of those 60's/70's Lotus'............ maybe one day! Unfortunately I live on a small island now, with few roads, that I would be able to give a Europa it's head on..........
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
My friend, there really is nothing like driving a Europa. You have a great story and good memories. I truly hope that some day you can mash down the throttle.
@Sandstorm887 ай бұрын
Cool Cool Cool. Europa has always been one of my favorites.
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
Love at first sight for me. Please subscribe, I'll be making more videos. Thanks
@AlsETypeResto7 ай бұрын
Definitely a car on my very short bucket list
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
I am glad it was on mine. Thanks for your comment and please subscribe, I'll be making more videos.
@ratman98027 ай бұрын
UK Lotus Twin Cams usually have twin Webers but require a different manifold which is part of the head. I haven't seen one with Twin Stombergs so I assume it is a US market fitment. I'm not sure it sounds completely happy on the Strombergs and might benefit from some setting up. I think I'd try that before fitting Mikunis. Great car though.
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
Mikunis already done. Much improved. I'm making a video soon.
@UberLummox7 ай бұрын
Killer car!!! Still have the Matchbox! 🚗
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
It's like no other. Thanks for watching and subscribing
@christophermorrison86327 ай бұрын
What a beaut.
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
Thanks, glad you like.
@finncarlbomholtsrensen11887 ай бұрын
A local Dealer in Denmark had an early Europa for sale in my town, in the seventies. A Director had given one to his wife but she claimed that entering ruined her stockings! I of course would have kept the car and divorced the wife! Sadly I couldn't afford to buy it then. I think it was intended for "Le Mans", with a huge American Engine, but that came to nothing and it was then given a French Renault Engine as a first, and then the Ford. But I do think that the body had problems with cracks? Finn. Denmark
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
I agree keep the car, get a woman that can get in without ripping her stockings. LOL. Of course there was the S1 and S2 body styles that had Renault engines. Thanks for your comment and if you haven't, please subscribe. I'll be making more videos.
@davidcooks52656 ай бұрын
I enjoyed the video 😁
@lotusbobsgarage6 ай бұрын
Thanks
@cosolote7 ай бұрын
Hi Bob, I m just finishing my 73 Twin cam. I just overrided the brake boosters using the original master cylinder ( I have not tested on the road yet) I 've being told that I should use the S1 master cylinder which has a smaller bore to improve braking. Can you confirm which master cylinder was fit on yours? Also what GM alternator model did you use? Thanks Great video!! very informative
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
My car has the original master cylinder and I have no issue with brakes at all. The pedal is very solid. I'll check my records for which alternator I used and get back to you. Thanks for your comment and subscription. I'll be making more videos.
@cosolote7 ай бұрын
@@lotusbobsgarage Thank you for your response Bob!!
@lotusbobsgarage6 ай бұрын
I took some pictures of the previous and current alternator. I'll make a little video to tell the story
@cosolote6 ай бұрын
@@lotusbobsgarage hi Bob, sounds great I will look into it Thank you!!
@lotusbobsgarage6 ай бұрын
kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnnSh3qppZKAicU Alternator
@davidcooks52656 ай бұрын
And very nice it is to👍🏴
@lotusbobsgarage6 ай бұрын
👍
@danielgil88377 ай бұрын
LotusBob!!!! 👏🏼
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
Yeah Baby!
@ianalderton66837 ай бұрын
sound is good and the car too ; )
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
Thanks!
@rogerhudson97327 ай бұрын
Where's the rear luggage tray?? This Europa is a GT car and can take weekend luggage , or shopping.
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
I have it. Just not bolted down. Luggage capacity 1 small gym bag. :) Thanks for your comment and subscribing.
@psv16007 ай бұрын
It’s true ❤
@lotusbobsgarage7 ай бұрын
Pursue your dreams.
@SKYSAW595 ай бұрын
Better and prettier than Esprit!
@lotusbobsgarage5 ай бұрын
I have always thought so.
@wcads6235 ай бұрын
Junk those crappy strombergs for twin DCOE webers as fitted in UK. Only problem your will need a weber head which is pretty much unobtanium these days🤣🤣
@lotusbobsgarage5 ай бұрын
Tell me about it. I did go with Mikunis. Video coming soon. Thank you for commenting.