1972 Lotus Europa Project No Reserve

VIN US722255R

Miles 99999

The Lotus Europa is a two door mid-engined GT coupé built by Lotus Cars from 1966 to 1975.

The original Europa used Lotus founder Colin Chapman's minimalist steel backbone chassis that was first used in the Lotus Elan while also relying on its fiberglass molded body for structural strength. The Europa was based on a design sketch by Ron Hickman to compete for Henry Ford II's contract to build a Le Mans race car in the early 1960s.[citation needed]

The Europa was designed and built to be an embodiment of Chapman's oft-stated philosophy of automotive design: "Simplify then add lightness."

The four-wheel independent suspension was typical of Chapman's thinking. The rear suspension was a modified Chapman strut as used for Chapman's earlier Formula racing car designs. [2] Owing to the rubber suspension bushes used to isolate engine vibration from the car body the true Chapman strut's use of the drive shaft as the lower locating link could not be followed whilst still giving the precise track and handling desired. The forward radius arms were increased in size and rigidity to act as a semi-wishbone.[2] A careful compromise between engine mounting bush isolation and handling was required culminating eventually in a sandwich bush that was flexible against shear but stiff in compression and tension.[3] The car's handling prompted automotive writers to describe the Europa as the nearest thing to a Formula car for the road.[citation needed] Aside from the doors bonnet (hood) and boot (trunk) the body was molded as a single unit of fiberglass.

In all Lotus built about 9300 Europa’s

This 1972 Lotus Europa is a project. It is basically complete and ran when sold by us 20 years ago. Purchaser kept it in a garage but never pursued the project. He recently moved to deal with ailing relatives and sold us the same car we sold him decades ago.

This is the 3rd Lotus Europa we have had in the last year. The other two we did significant restoration to and we found the parts easy to get with helpful support groups. This car will need a windshield and perhaps some other minor parts but nothing that we are aware of. It is selling at no reserve so it presents a special opportunity.

Total miles unknown.

Please call with any questions 206-467-6531.