Green Cars- Lotus Europa Special

"NeedForSwede" (needforswede) 03/17/2014 at 21:57 • Filed to: James Joyce Would Have Driven A Lotus

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The tale of the Lotus Europa is an interesting one. It was originally conceived by Colin Chapman as a cheaper successor to the Lotus Seven, but during the designing phases it became larger and mid engined and a bit stranger. It was designed with flying buttresses that still look polarizing today, but it was very much a Lotus. It weighed under a ton, performed decently and was powered by a Renault engine until they backed out due to Jean Redele from Renault-Alpine explaining to them that supplying cheap engines to a manufacturer in competition was not the best of ideas. Finally, in 1972, the Europa was given a redesign as the Special. It was longer, taller, stiffer, and the flying buttresses had been removed, meaning for the first time you could see out the back. It also had a 105 BHP Elan engine, propelling it from 0-60 in 6 and a half seconds. This performance was aided by a new 5-speed Renault gearbox, responding to demands for a replacement for Lotus's somewhat antiquated 4-speed. It's a beautiful and unique car and remains my favorite Lotus.

gmctavish needs more space > NeedForSwede 03/17/2014 at 22:42

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I live near a guy who has a red and white Europa, and a pale yellow Elan. As near as I can tell they share daily driver duties. He's my hero.

NeedForSwede > gmctavish needs more space 03/17/2014 at 22:50

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There's a house just a block down from me with a Saab wagon and a beautiful red Elan. I have the same respect for them.

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > NeedForSwede 03/17/2014 at 23:03

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That picture makes it look like it's black with gold pinstripes, JPS style... many wants.

NeedForSwede > wbizarre - OEM fetishist 03/17/2014 at 23:14

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It actually probably is; most of the Specials were done in Lotus racing livery. That would also make this post sort of irrelevant to green cars but...just pretend it's racing green.

Hooperdink > NeedForSwede 03/17/2014 at 23:25

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One of my favorite cars overall! I owned one of the early Renault-powered ones. New England back roads were not always the best choice for this car; I remember having to re-weld some suspension bits. Unfortunately the car was easy to hot wire; it was stolen and totaled. Someday I will find another one to rebuild.

NeedForSwede > Hooperdink 03/17/2014 at 23:43

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How was the engine on those old ones? I always thought a Renault engine would be a strange fit.

Hooperdink > NeedForSwede 03/18/2014 at 08:32

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I had a 1970 S2 Europa that was a Federalized US import, so it had a bigger Renault engine (1.5L IIRC) probably to combat the losses from the emissions controls. At the time engine parts were pretty easy to get, and I don't remember them being exorbitantly priced.

It wasn't as fast as the Twin Cam (I got to ride in one of those years later and it felt much quicker off the line than the S2), but it was still pretty quick for the time. For me the handling was the big thing, and the Europa was a fun car to throw through the turns. In that respect the engine didn't matter as much.

At least the later cars didn't have as much of the "bread van" look as the early ones like mine - those rear buttresses made it look like a tiny tunnel through the rear window!