DRIVEN: 1972 Europa Lotus Special, The Oddest Looking Lotus - But One Of The Best
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2021
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This week I'm driving the incredible Lotus Europa Special. Courtesy of a very kind owner, I finally get to experience one of the strangest looking sports cars of all time. With breadvan styling, and a small 1.5L Lotus engine - how good can this car possibly be?
#Lotus #Europa #JPS
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One of the beauties of driving/riding older cars & motorbikes is that you can actually enjoy pushing them on normal roads without going at ‘hyper’ speeds. Modern performance cars/bikes have so much performance they can only be pushed hard (safely) on the track. Therefore they can rarely be given their head without risking either yourself or your licence! Personally, as others have said, I don’t mind the looks of the Europa, I think it’s aged well 👍
When i first saw a Europa, i was a kid, and it was in the 70s. I found the looks to be sharp, distinctive, a breath of fresh air. ..and that first impression has stuck with me ever since. Because so many comment on how horrible they think it looks now a days, i have adjusted my eye sight to be able to see that one could argue that it is weird looking. ..but to me it's still the same cool looking car i fell in love with around 45 years ago. Very cool to see one on your channel.
agreed :) I was smitten - a local guy professionally extended the arches on a JPS - have loads of pics somewhere (Northampton)
Yep me too. It’s the first car I can remember really loving the look of, it was just so different to everything else around. George Best being an owner just added that level of coolness that can’t be bought. Used to see a few on the roads in the 70s, I bet I’ve not seen one in the flesh for about 20 years now though.
Thanks. You've wrote what I was about to. Lovely car.
...same here...I still have a sweet spot for them in my heart.......
@@elainericketts8820 :)
My cousin sold his Firebird 400 prior to his tour in the Army in Vietnam. He ordered a Europa (red on black), which was delivered to my Aunt's house near where I grew up was he was still overseas. I was so thrilled when the someone from the dealership turned onto my Aunt's street and then into the driveway.
For months I would grab the keys and go sit in it. As the weather warmed, the trim around the visor started falling off as the glue let go in the heat.
I only got one ride in it. Loved the low to the ground experience and feel as it went through turns. The motor was low on vitamins and really detracted from the experience. The car was not up to crappy MA roads and I believe the body started cracking after a few months on the road, then the car was stolen.
The joy of "driving". No ten minute segment on infotainment and how big the wheels are. The things that modern life demand of vehicles too often detract or distract from the experience. Certainly not the prettiest Lotus, but in that colour scheme and on those wheels, it's spot on.
I completely agree although getting 10 minutes out of the infotainment on that would be a challenge! 😂
@@pjay3028 the info is the tachometer and the entertainment are the controls😊
@@petersimpson5859 well said
FYI, the rear tires are larger than the front.
Peter Simpson: Yer dead right... I bought the most modern car I have ever owned a couple of years ago. After it had tugged the wheel, vibrated, bonged, beeped, and screeched at me every time I drove it, I finally worked out what it was trying to tell me: "I'm not the right car for you!" So I sold it! :o)
Now this Lotus has the original pop and bang, love that vintage raw engine sound devoid of modern day synthetic engine sound. Nice one Jay
u should drive a well tuned Elan Sprint convertible - Better still, a pre-cat Griff :)
Hate to burst your bubble, but that "original pop and bang" is just the result of timing adjustments.
@@frankhoward7645 That, plus an aftermarket exhaust that uses oversized pipe combined with the whole system being too short for that application. The bane of rear and mid-engine cars. Poor timing, air leaks and a short exhaust result in unnecessary pops and bangs. Cars leaving the factory did not do that. Mine still doesn't over 50 years later.
I had the pleasure of owning a Lotus Europa Special in JPS livery in 1975, when it was two years old. Registration number was KKP 575L. What a absolute joy to own. I’ve never forgotten that experience. If the current owner of my car is reading this I’d love to hear from you.
I drove one of these back in 1968, it was brand new with the Renault engine. It didn’t matter that some of the head lining had come unstuck or the bonnet lifted up over 80mph because of the pressure buildup in the plenum, it handled like nothing I’d ever driven before. At the time I owned a 1963 3.8 E- type roadster and seriously thought about swapping to the Lotus. I now own an Evora.
I bought a 1969 Black badge (type 54) in 1973 and still own it, (now on a new chassis) but there are very few original cars left now I think. I saw my first one in Scarborough in 1970 and instantly fell in love with the car. I don't see anything odd in the shape as it was similar to the Ford GT40.
It took me a little while to save up to find one and buy it. They are a lovely car.
I owned an S2. At the time the press were still going on about the E-type, so I thought I'd try one. The E-type was a real disappointment - much,much faster of course, but the Europa's chassis was so much better. Never fancied an E-type after that. Subsequently had an Elise S1 - great car, but so basic inside compared with the Europa as the video shows.
Love hearing this. Great story 😎👍👍
Nothing odd about that car, it's still stunning today, just as it was 50 years ago.
Dude the backend looks odd
And the upper part of the doors
WEIRD
100%
@@alphatrion100 ...u had to be there...... :)
@@davidstuart4915 i guess so 🙂
Totally agree
“The visibility is pretty good, as long as you’re looking straight ahead.” Said without irony. LOL
Dear God, I'm a teenager again! At about 08:40 when you shout "come ON!" you got exactly the right sound of the intake roar on twin DCOEs: that's a proper blokey party trick.
Exactly What modern cars don't have...
FEEL
The elise series of cars continued that until the end
Good Video 👍
I had a matchbox toy one of these, same colour. When I was about seven I saw a real one parked on the street; I was gobsmacked as I hadn't realised it was a real car. Even aged seven I couldn't believe how low it was
What a privilege! I grew up about 300 yards from a Lotus Europa and was always amazed with the car. Now I am approaching 60 it still remains one of my favourite cars of all time. You are a very lucky man, James...
Yes, yes I am
My first experience in a Lotus was a test drive with my brother-in-law to be in a 1973 Europa Special, red with gold pin striping. I was 13 years old, at the time, but that ride still is still an automotive high point in my life. There is a descending 270° cloverleaf freeway off ramp in my home town that is marked 25mph. We went in a 55mph and came out at the bottom doing 70 mph! The tires had begun to moan a little, but the car just stuck to the road. We braked for the signal light on the other side of the overpass and the Europa simply hunkered down into the road and stopped. No rebound. It was all uncanny.
I've always loved the unique styling, especially the Twin Cam body. To my eyes, it and the original Elan are the essential Lotus ethos. Yes, I love the Esprit, the Elise and even the mid 70s Elite, but the Europa is the one that most clearly IS Lotus.
The JPS lotus europe of 1973 or 74 was awesome in black and gold. As a teenager I thought it was awesome as it came out. Never drove one. Thanks Jay
Nothing like a big value engine as we used to call it. Rog.
A couple of weeks ago I was out and about in my local area and saw a McLaren 570, a Mercedes AMG GT, a Lamborghini Huracan Evo, a Ferrari 458 and a Europa. Of all those it was the Europa that I wanted which was by far the rarest and most interesting. In the 1970's I had a Matchbox Europa and I have loved them since.
Mate of mine just got rid of his 570. Reckons it was costing him £1000 a month for minimal miles. I also had the matchbox Europa. Red I think but was a long time ago...
I had a 1972 Europa Twin Cam in yellow for several years in the late 1970s.
Wonderful car to drive on winding roads.
Acceleration and handling were phenomenal.
Cars have become so fast and so techy, that the fun has been designed out of them. We all want safer cars, but if you’re a petrol head and you really enjoy driving, it’s tough to beat cars from the 70s, 80s and early 90s. Another great video, keep them coming.
The Elise/Exige 100% have that old school rawness.
I remember seeing Jacques Cousteau (the oceanographer) driving one of these in Los Angeles (where they made his television series). His offices were down the hall from mine, and his staff always referred to him as The Captain.
Had a friend in Aberdeen had a Europa Special in 1973 which had been breathed on by a company called Norvic. The engine had been bored and stroked to 1760cc and he had the bills the previous owner had provided to verify the work done. If I remember correctly some £600 had been spent on the engine but I can’t remember the power output from the dyno bench test. He gave me a run in it once on the back roads around Cults and don’t think I’ve ever been in a car since that sat on the road like that Europa. Was like being on rails.
Damn you Jayemm, you've made me feel totally inadequate. Having owned three Elans in the 70's and 80's I set my ambition on one of these and fully expected to get one, "one day". Now in my 70's and a relatively poor pensioner I have to finally accept this won't be happening. I'll have to settle for second prize, my trusty old MX5.
Can you please run the review again, and pan it this time. You'll make an old man very happy.
I'll do my best
Don't give up. I'm 75 and just bought an S2 Europa project car to replace my S2 Elan that I sold a few years ago, causing serious withdrawal symptoms. Like Elan's, Europa's are easy to work on and most parts are available 9if you avoid the US rip off artists that charge outrageous prices. I get my parts for less from Britain, even allowing for shipping charges. Most of the whining from unknowing 'mechanics' is just that. Compared to a Corvette 'cleaver' a Lotus is an 'Epee'. Treat them as such and you'll always be rewarded.
@@philipgrice1026 My post was all true, but a little tongue in cheek. I never give up, lifes too short for that, and I won't completely give up until I hear the earth landing on top of my coffin. Well done having the courage to take on the Europa build, I wish you every success.
Get a 3rd generation Toyota MR2....thank me later.
@@fortheloveofnoise9298 Only if you like driving boring appliances. The MR2 is not as attractive, has little character (no one will ever stop and ask you what it is), and might as well be a Nissan Sentra for all the appeal it has. The MR2s are dull little cars but if that's your taste in life, fine.
I'm particularly attached to the Europa Twin Cam. Back in the day (in my early 20s) there were a few about where I worked in Westminster as Len Street, Lotus dealers were down the road in Chelsea. What with Lotus winning the F1 car constructors in 1972 and 73, the Twin Cam and Special was the car to have and this left Lotus struggling to sell the front engined Elan Sprint. I had to wait until the early 80s to add a 1975 Europa Special to my Lotus stable and it was well worth the wait. Definitely a rung up the ladder after the Sprint with more rubber on the road, delicious handling and that twin cam engine sounds no better than in a Europa. Glad you JayEmm liked the test drive. I thought you would.
do u still have it Jim?
im really missing my lotus escort !
@@rhett7716 Yes Rhett, it's a keeper this one. It's a rare unmolested Special which I have kept in mint condition right down to the oatmeal interior.
You guys need to look up a 1970’s film , 11 Harrowhouse, starring Charles Grodin, Candice Bergen , James Mason and Sir John Guilgood amongst others. The car chase sequence involving Ferrari Dino ( sounding far sweeter than Tony Curtis’s oil burning example in The Persuaders , and a Lotus Europa same spec as this model , jumping over hedges and going through huge pipes no less , great stuff!
Have the film on DVD. Great shots of this car. Rog.
YES! At last, a Europa on test. Brilliant. OK, there are a few bits that look odd, don't care. If ever a car deserved the description "greater than the sum of it's parts", this is that car. It was my first poster car in the late sixties and could still be if my wife allowed such a thing as car posters. Good man Barry, thank you for making this possible. So glad you enjoyed it James. excellent video.
I saw my first europa when I was in high school in the 80's at a tiny little used car dealership. My buddy and I turned around and had a good look at a burgundy '72. The staff, quite correctly, didn't let us drive it but I have always remembered how different it looked than everything else on the road.
Its great that you are getting to the point in your career that people are giving you cars to film with without reservations.
Cheers man.
What a beautiful machine. Thank you to Barry and yourself for sharing this with us. I would much prefer a drive of this over the latest mclaren or Lambo 😎
100%
I agree, it is beautiful. I don't understand why someone wouldn't like how they look. Form follows function.
Yes, what a fantastic little car. My dad owned one when my sister and I were little, four of us traveled 350 miles to Cornwall in it, before health and safety obviously. Great memories.
I remember seeing Europas racing at Oulton Park in the late 60's and being amazed by their awesome roadholding at Old Hall corner! Nothing could match their cornering ability!
I remember Chris Meek racing a green Europa which prompted me to buy one after I had owned a ex-racer Mini Marcos. They both cornered like they were on rails. I still have the Europa after 48 years a type 54 and very standard.
The “hearse meets Elan” looks, were never appealing to me, but everything else is sublime - the pedal box looks like it was lifted directly from a period racing car.
The steering is so quick, it’s as if you don’t have to move your hands at all, you just “think” opposite lock, and the correction occurs - blissful!
I own an S1 slightly uprated. It is so much fun to drive like you noticed and it is an absolute magnet for attention. Park next to a million pound car and that fades into obscurity next to the little Lotus.
Nostalgia. I’m 45, I remember occasionally seeing them outside the pub in my village on the East Yorkshire coast in the summer in the 80’s.
All the coast traffic passed through and we used to sit on the bench in the village looking for cool cars, the Lotus Excel, Eclat and Espirt you’d see often. I loved these though.
Such a cool and striking car.
As a child I remember seeing George Best in Manchester in his europa. Great memories!
That has really brightened my day. So glad you enjoyed it as much as you did.
Always look forward to seeing you back in a Lotus.
I can see Harry asking you for Barry's number so he can make him an offer. A nice one for the garage.
I love the Breadvan styling!
I had a Kermit green Europa Twin Cam in the late 70's for a while. Great fun and quick enough but you always had to go home the same way you came to pick up the bits that fell off! I didn't mind as it was all part of being a Lotus owner. LOTUS, Lots Of Time Using Spanners! or Loads Of Trouble Usually Serious.!
The Europa was and will always be my absolute favorite Lotus.
It may not be beautiful, but it's sure is damn cool looking. And that's fine with me.
I grew up in a little village in Warwickshire and a guy in the village had 2 of these in the 80s
I was transfixed on them as a kid as it was the only sports car I’d ever seen close.
Still think they look cool!
The most sporty looking Hearse ever produced!
I always thought of it more as a British El Camino (which, according to Kelso on "That 70s Show," is Spanish for "The Camino").
Similar body shape to Lamborghini Miura and Ford GT40.
Totally gorgeous car.....probably my first mechanical crush as a young lad in the 70's & still looks stunning! Fantastic review J!!!!
Yes, the lines are very strange. But in person they look much better, if for no other reason than it's size - it is TINY. I first saw one with my brother in the parking lot of our elementary school in Merritt Island, Florida, in the early 70s, and it blew our minds. Now there's someone right around the corner from me in Raleigh, NC with a red one. So great to see.
When I was a kid my neighbor had a black Corvette Stingray and the Lotus ES, in orange (obviously not factory, now that I’ve watched your superb video, but a repaint) I really loved it; such an eccentric car!
just Awsome!!...... I remember seeing one of these cars as a 15 year old in the mid 1970s and it was mind blowing.... Still is in 2021.... Just gorgeous I envy the guy who owns this beauty...
Originally Ford approached Lotus back when ford were looking for someone to help design the GT project. Lotus showed ford a rear engined design which looked a lot like a prototype europa with a v8 engine in the back. Lotus insisted on the new car being called the Lotus Ford GT. Sadly the car was never built and Ford settled with Lola. A V8 Europa was built called the GKN Europa. Would love to see someone build a Lotus Ford GT based on the concept art the lotus originally displayed to Ford.
I've loved the Europa since I had one as a Matchbox from age 8. I never knew Lotus was considered for design and build of the GT40. Though I think Peter Wright had his first job at Lola back then. Lotus had two Europa based sports-racers. The type 47, which was very similar to the road going Europa and the type 62, which was a pure racer. It had a four cylinder engine, and made 240 BHP. You might fall in love with it's 2021 updated tribute - ua-cam.com/video/Q_uK2-na0WE/v-deo.html - Enjoy!
Sadly? If Ford went with Lotus, it would have resulted in the 24 minutes of Lemans.
@@truantray i dont see why it would, Lotus by that point had many class wins at lemans. For example the Lotus Elite won its class 6 times in a row which is an incredible achievement. How many times had Lola won its class at lemans by this point? Also Ford had little success in that first year with the gt40. To say Lotus would have been a bad choice is ridiculous. Lotus had experience beating ferrari in F1. I mean we just had a Lotus 30 win the Goodwood Revival race against both Lolas and Ford GT40s.
"I feel like a playboy, i need some gold chains" ... what a top review on this forgotten classic. Looks like it was a cracking road drive. Thanks Jay and Barry..😃
Had mine since 1979 on the original chassis now with a twinlink rear suspension 150BHP and Toyo R888R's...Great vid on my 64th Birthday! Europa owners dont care about the back end looks as that view is for the cars they overtake!
This car was my poster boy car when I was younger, the look did it for me, and being a lotus knew handling would be great
Thanks for the video!!
I had one once...a 1973 JPS Europa. Absolutely fantastic car...never had any issues with it...very reliable and a blast to drive.
One of Chapman's imperatives for all the Lotus designs was making the suspension arms as long as possible, at the back they start literally each side of the diff, and that's what gave them their superb ride (and handling by dint of consistent camber angle). Take a look under contemporary Rolls and you'll find the same thing (at the front). Another designer who followed this philosophy is Lee Noble and again, ride quality completely unexpected from such light cars.
I love the sound of twin forties. Cracking car..lotus just flow with the road. I always fancied a europa
Had a 72 JPS. Out of all the cars I've had in 75 years this is the one I regret selling. Sold a 72 240z at wholesale to buy it in 73. Great car.
Lotus Europa's are very SPECIAL indeed. I've had a blue 73 & a purple 74 . Magical
I lusted after one of those in the 70s, ended up with an Elan plus two with the same twin cam engine. Both lovely cars.
I remember being in the back of my parents sedan as a child I the late sixties when we were passed by a very fast Lotus Europa. My impressionable little mind has never forgotten it.
These early lotus are really special as the genius that was Colin Chapman was so hands on with the design and development of these cars
With his mantra of ‘Build in Lightness’ he was the original Gordon Murray - not surprised it handles so well. Other lotus of the same era lotus seven and elan are legends too if they have not been messed with….
Great rear camra position, to be able to see the rear suspension working and the gear change oprating as well as the odd flame was lovely.
Yes I loved that as well. Just awesome!
And a coolant leak?
@@therealboofighter Looks a good leak too.
Saw one of these at a rally cross meet-up once, and I'm so, so envious right now!
Always thought it was a great design. Wanted one desperately when I was in college. Drove past showroom many times to see it displayed.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I had a Series 1 back in the mid to later 70's and your exploits mimicked mine when I first got it. I was always working on it to fix things but was always a joy when running properly. The steering feel was uncannily accurate. I also reckon I would still remember the sequence of contortions needed to get in and out of one now!
I worked at the Lotus factory in Hethel Norfolk from 1969 to 1971 on the P5 Europa assembly line.
Bodies were bolted to the steel chassis at that time. Great video.
Renault engines with bigger inlet valves. Low in height with the lowest drag coefficient in a production car at the time. My brother started there when Lotus first moved to Norfolk from Cheshunt. I am 76 now and drive a 2001 Corsa b.
Fond memories walking round to the Team Lotus Unit in my lunch break chatting to my brother.
I completely agree with Johnny! I fell in love with one nearby our house when I was a kid. Probably about 1980. I wouldn’t turn one down now 😍
My dad had one when I was born which although I don’t remember I was aware of growing up from photographs. I’ve always liked the look of it personally but seeing how much fun you had has really enlightened me as he had a bit of experience in formula Ford so would’ve appreciated its handling. Thank you!
Hey Jay . I worked on & drove countless Elans & Europe’s during my apprenticeship at Roger Clark Cars . My opinion is you drove a top notch Europa & a below par Elan plus 2 ( mostly because of the seat lift spacers ) . Try another Elan ( maybe Harry Metcalfs ) Sprint . I think you would change your view !
Top notch as always . Greetings from Perth , Western Australia.
That's either the best episode you've done James or, maybe, it just appeals to me.
Most likely both.
What a car. What scenery. What a soundtrack.
Dammit - I thought I was done with classic cars (I’ve had an E type, Espada and 70,s 911) but this really has me thinking about going back into those murky waters. Always loved the looks of the Europa - it was my favourite Matchbox car as a kid, lol and I’ve always known it had good handling but you really brought that out in this video JayEmm. Thank you!
What a weird and wonderful car. Love it. Great review - gives a real sense of of the thrill and joy of driving a classic small Lotus. This is up there with Harry Metcalfe's review of his Elan Sprint. Well done - and thank you
I had one in around 1974. Very similar but it was the smaller version from matchbox. Loved it. This certainly sounds better than mine did.
I’ve seen these things being driven around before and wondered about their place in history, being so peculiar looking. Thanks for explaining that a bit. It’ll be cause for a new sense of appreciation the next time I spot one. Great presentation. Phenomenal channel as always. 👍
Thank you for this video. Since I first saw one of these unique looking sports cars back in the 70’s as a boy and even owning my own Matchbox version it has intrigued me. Great to see you having so much fun in one!
A mate of mine in Japan has a JPS ed Europa Special. He's owned it over 20 years and said he'll take it to tne grave. It's such a cool car. Drives like it's on rails. Such a cool experience.
One of my favourite cars! It's the perfect approach to a sports car, and the closest a common man can ever get to feeling like Jim Clark.
Unless you have a mk 1 lotus Cortina 1965 model which resides in my garage.rog.
@@rogbrown1458
All the best to you and your car, Sir!
@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X Many thanks and have a good rest of the day. Stay safe. Rog.
@@rogbrown1458
Thank you.
i had one of these but with age i had to sell it ,for no reason i gain extra weight and started to have dificultie in entering the car but i loved it . It had such a high-quality of driving not going to say it was the best but one of the best cars i had, it seems it glued it self to corners and when younger it felt confortable, today Lotus it´s seems to be not fashionable but still very nice cars if one like sport driving. Today it seems that cars are bought to show others not because one tried it and liked the way it drives
I also have a 1972 Europa, but mine is a Twin Cam/Special Frankenstein. Factory pinstripes and rocker panels (it was made in Sept, the final month for TC's). Special wiring but TC dash. Original paint! I love it to death.
Your HP figures on the TC and Special are fiction though lifted from original printed articles. The US version was actually 105 HP in US spec (Stromberg's, no Webbers in the US spec) but the factory advance of 5 degrees was for emissions. When you advance it to 12 degrees, it bumped to 116 HP. Also, electronic ignition etc. helps too. The "big valve" head only added 2-3 HP; it was a marketing scheme only. The sloppy shift linkage can be addressed; mine isn't akin to a fishing trip for gears. Lots of literature on what to do there.
Ah snap, now I miss my big valve special again. I had to sell it when I left active duty, needed the $$. Owned for 9 years. Drove it from Florida to Texas, to Arizona, to New Mexico, to Arizona to California then back through Arizona and on to North Dakota. A very liveable car and between the passenger side and the trunk, carried everything I needed.
This is one for which I've been waiting! Had a very good Europa model when I was 10 and despite my father telling me it looked like a truck, I was enamored with it.
Thanks Jay love the video your enjoyment and surprise at how good this car is to drive was great to watch. Love the sound of that engine, pure driving pleasure
Fun fact - bought our first house for almost the exact same price as a then-new Europa. Whilst we all need a roof over our heads, the Europa would have been a lot more fun along the way. Of course, that house (not ours anymore) is now worth 5x what the Europa is worth today, but personally, I’d take the Lotus.
Great car without question! It’s ‘bread van looks’ makes complete sense when you actually see it’s size & scale in real life. Epic machine.
Remember that Ferrari also made a 'breadvan ' racer, Chapman was trying to take on the Lola/ GT market and race at Le Mans (again, after the Elite type 14).
I tip my hat to Barry,for buying it in 1974 and keeping it for all these years.
While I don't fit in one (at 6ft 5" ) I always admired the shape and general design,and the JPS colours is just the cherry on the top 👍
Is that interior door lock/open handle an Allegro/Austin item?
Interior and exterior door handle is MGB I think or Austin Marina. Steering was Triumph Spitfire and bumpers were off Ford Anglia and Cortina.
Hi Jay, your impression on Europa was spot on and the best driving review I’ve ever watched !
Very kind, thankyou
Remember watching a pair of the works versions, painted white with a green stripe down the middle, racing at Mallory Park in the mid 60s. Seem to recall they were called the Type 47.
Having driven one of the Europa's the good report is no surprise. As a drivers car it is up there and surprisingly tractable and comfortable.
I know the owner the car and the road a gentleman, great car and a fantastic road. Cheers Jim
I always liked the looks of the Lotus Europa and I still have two Matchbox Europas to prove it.
When I was a teenager in the early seventies, I used to regularly see a bright yellow Europa on a road not far from where we lived. Even then it was a pretty rare sight but such a striking little car whether you liked it or not! Colin Chapman was one of the greatest designers ever, very sad when he passed away quite young in 1982.
The first time I saw one of these was at a car show, and was a Big Valve in these same colours and I remember walking past and just stopping to stare for at least a few minutes to try and work out what it was before walking around and meeting the owner
It's a big thumbs up from me too James.
The Europe really is the gentleman racer. I presume you were in Scotland but you could have just as easily been driving through the Alps in a Miura but for a fraction of the cost. As someone who loves the opening sequence of the Italian Job the idea of a 60's/70's mid engined car driving through mountain roads is pretty much the dream.
Great to see this! One of my boyhood favourites. I remember checking one of these out in a showroom when I was about 10. Couldn’t convince my dad to buy one though! 🤣
Back in the 70s as a 20 year old one of these was on my shopping list. I looked at 3 and they all disappointed, not least the looks! I settled on a +2 130S in green with a silver roof that used the same 'Big Valve' engine. It was a far better car to look at and drive. It was also attractive to the female species of the planet, something that was important to 20 something year old lads 😁 - Nice review Jay
Oh my god My favourite journalist driving my dream car ! The 1/64 tomica model car of this is what got me into cars. There’s less than 5 of them here in Thailand but if I’m lucky, maybe one day, when I’m older, I can convince one of the owner I’m worthy of owning their lovely car.
Love your channel, great cars, great content, great stories. Thank you James Martin.
good luck in your quest :)
@@davidstuart4915 Thank you!
No James it’s not the oddest looking Lotus, there are plenty of other ones which take that mantle, eg the Elan from
the mid 1990s and the Eclat and Elite from the 1970-1980s. The Europa on the other hand is seriously cool looking.
And my personal favourite, before Bill Gates and Microsoft, the Lotus Excel.
Had one of these brand new in my village when I was growing up. Just about the coolest car on the road that year. Super low was cool, mid-engined was race tech and the Lotus brand was riding mega high due to all of the F1 success. The black JPS special with the gold pinstripes was the coolest of the cool. A car spotters wet dream.
Among my S2K, Exige and Europa, I would pick my Europa for the most delicate precise and exquisite handling for the sheer enjoyment and probably you would agree on it. Thanks very much for the video again and look forward to more of your videos ! Cheers from Jay in US
You can't beat JPS colours on an old lotus.
I mainly remember the one that appeared - and won regularly - on the rallycross segments on World of Sport on ITV an a Saturday afternoon in the early 1970s! It seemed so bizarre to me that a sports car designed purely for the road, could compete so effectively WITHOUT serious mods for that event such as a lifted suspension!!
Great vis really enjoyable and an interesting car. Its a lot better than I ever suspected (by the sounds of it). Good - love old Lotus's.
Pure driving enjoyment. Superb sound system provided by remote gas pedal via exhaust. The pops out of the back could rival the finest disco ball from the 70's. Thanks for the drive!!
Back in the day, it was advertised as the closest thing to experience driving a Formula 1 car. A little far fetched but not by much. I was driving a friend's 1974 TC Special in the mid 70's. He paid $5k USD for it. I loved it then and love it even more today. Well done JMM, thanks for the video.
I had to watch this video again. What a wonderous sports car!
Years ago I was on a club drive in my 1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 and an owner and his pal joined us in his Europa. Those cars are so low that when the car was just ahead of me I could cleanly see over the top of the Europa's roof to the cars and road in front. That is seriously low!
"I'm larger than this car's owner." Dude, you're almost bigger than the car. I would have loved to have video of him getting in and out of it.
Dad had both the Renault and Lotus engined Europas at different times when I was young. Interestingly, while loving both, he always preferred the Renault engined one. Many fond memories of when I missed the school bus haring after it in the Europa.