1970 lotus europa s2 1.6l, 39-year ownership by an engineer

1970 Lotus Europa

1970 Lotus Europa S2 for sale

1970 Europa S2 type 65, number 76R (Federal spec, March 1970 build). Mileage is unknown. 40-year ownership by an engineer with other British and concurrent Lotus automobile experience (purchased in 1983 from a Renault dealer in NJ). This long-term owner passed away in 2022 and the selling party/current owner, a friend of the prior owner, and a Lotus owner himself, has limited knowledge of this car’s details beyond what is externally visible.

Car can be started but engine does not run well in present state(car hasn't been driven since the prior owners death Jan 2022). While battery holds a charge and gas does not smell “bad,” it has not been test-driven beyond driving out of the garage and reversing back in under its own power, so no statements can be made regarding roadworthiness or other mechanical needs. Assume that a thorough check-out should be accomplished before being put into use, and fluids changed as a best practice.

The car should be able to be re-commissioned well enough to further evaluate its state over the course of several weekends, but driving the car away from its current location would be at the risk of a new owner and not recommended given the “unknowns.”

Exterior paint has aged but is still presentable. Need for a repaint is dependent on next owner’s tolerance, preference, or purpose.

Best fit buyers might be those with Lotus experience or automotive skills looking for a significant resto-mod or full vintage Lotus restoration, or, those wanting a driver Europa without regard to originality or appearance.

Body & chassis-

Older repaint/color change from Bahama Yellow (LO10) to black is the only known respray. Contemporary progress pictures (circa 1985) of the strip and prep indicated some fairing/filler on the nose panel, and left fender behind the headlight bucket, and top of the right sail—no fiberglass damage evident in available pics. Color of the filler suggest spot putty work rather than any significant amount of Bondo filler used. Quality of the pictures and the original car color make it hard to tell if the prep was done over the original gel coat, or if the gel coat was completely removed, but it is suspected that the gel coat was not fully stripped. Expect to do so during next color application to avoid typical crack-through.

At time of repaint, federal side lights and badges were shaved and the chrome and aluminum bright work was blacked out, which accounts for some of filler visible in the following pain prep photographs. Also, the front luggage/plenum was coated with a bed liner type product.

Chassis not fully examined but appears as original with no obvious damage visible in various pictures.

Dashboard replaced with owner-built replacement and layout (no binnacle/instrument pod and glove box door), alternate switchgear and harness. Center console ashtray removed with hole remaining from removed o2 A/F meter(?). Switches are not labeled, so some investigation may be needed to verify functions.

Suspension, Wheels, and Brakes

Front suspension modified to accommodate larger anti-sway bar (installed). Shocks and springs replaced with unknown valving/rates.

Condition of axles, bearings and drive shafts not assessed, but they do not exhibit discernable axial play when wheels are rocked in/out. A receipt indicates purchase of bearings, u-joints and rear brake shoes 1/2009.

Brakes appear stock and a receipt for a .70 master cylinder exists indicating replacement at some point.

British Leyland Spitfire alloy wheels installed.

Engine & Transmission-

Matching original engine block, per Lotus ID plate numbers; transmission ID plate missing--336 type transaxle may be original to the car.

Original wedge type head has been replaced with crossflow type, likely a North American emissions R17 FI unit. When the head was swapped is not known and the original head is no longer with car.

As-built displacement, piston type/compression and cam profile unknown. Any head shaving, porting, or valve gear modifications unknown. Any block casting machine work for alternate sleeve diameters also undocumented. Receipts or build notes not available—build and assembly is presumed to have been done by long term owner based on anecdotal information.

It would be wise to pull the head and investigate these components to determine specifications and assess condition before reassembling.

Exhaust is custom 4-2-1 header (rather than more common 4-1 configuration) plumbed to a muffler that is mounted under rear trunk, with the exhaust exiting under the rear valance. Header manufacturer is not identified and workmanship does not suggest any source. Tune and construction quality are unknown. Note the added bung with an O2 sensor still in place—attaching/replacing this for a A/F meter would be helpful for carb tuning purposes!

At one time owner attempted to develop a Fuel Injection solution with a custom plenum and airflow solution (O2 sensor still in exhaust header bung—one was purchased in 2007, but unknown if it was for this application or an Esprit), but this was abandoned in favor of more common Weber DCOE solution.

Fuel injection manifold and components are not included with the car—shown as an illustration of prior configuration.

Car currently has a pair of older Italian DCOE 45s in place. A receipt indicates purchase of a set of idle jets (F8) in June 2009. Assume carbs need the usual attention (rebuild/floats/jetting adjustments and fuel line replacement). Expect to fine tune carbs, as 45DCOE – 13s may not be sized or suitable for this engine/tune and are known for their midrange flat spots if not modified to reduce the behavior. Intake manifold source/specs are unknown and linkage including choke cable may also need some attention.

Significant customization of the cooling system. All or portions of transfer piping replace with slip-joint plumping pieces (painted black—material undetermined). Factory radiator has been augmented with an additional aluminum radiator that is mounted in front of left wheel well (spare tire shifted more on center possibly restricting intake air flow) with electric fan (pull) assist and exhaust cut-out in front left wheel well. Screen installed to protect from stones. Some number of spin open bleed valves have been added at various locations in the new plumbing. Factory swirl pot in place on a modified bracket to raise the pot’s height, but some interference exists with exhaust headers for water pump hose intake (note makeshift heat shield). Swirl Pot cap outlet hose routed to overflow container added to compartment inner panel forward of the swirl pot (10lb cap purchase 2006).

Thermostat (temp range unknown), Water Pump (1-7/16ths), Thermo-switch, both WP and alternator belts and the coolant recovery tank were ordered 3/2006. Also, a receipt shows the radiator was rodded, cleaned, and repaired that same year by a local shop.

It is unknown if this purchase timing corresponded with the above system modifications or if they were a subsequent effort to increase engine cooling after replacement of those parts to overcome still too-hot water temps (car located in South and AZ climates at that time and successive years).

The entire cooling system should be evaluated and corrected as necessary, paying attention to dissimilar metals, corrosion, incorrect radiator baffling and well-located bleed valves, Airflow characteristics between fixed compartment inlet and exhaust venting, etc. The factory type configuration should be able to transfer enough heat to support a 1565 crossflow engine if properly setup and maintained. Depending on local climate conditions and any HP engine modifications beyond the head replacement, additional remediation may be required

Heater plumping for hoses in engine bay routed/modified; no knowledge of state of tubing within backbone (for either set of pipes).

Alternator bracket fabricated, either for clearance, or to accommodate replacement unit (or both). Battery relocated to well behind left rear wheel.

Engine and transmission rattle-can paint in red hue—paint and overspray deteriorated—should be removed. Original Renault stamped valve cover with deteriorated oil fill cap present.

Clutch appears operational based on seller reporting—engages/disengages—no other evaluation made.

Earlier style S2 336 shift linkage present (rather than later final style setup). Linkage reaction rod is mounted to the transmission in a non-stock manner—bolt hole on trans case flange should be inspected and setup corrected. Reverse light switch on linkage missing; wiring remains detached on rear body panel valance shelf. Right side of transaxle case appears to have unconnected reverse switch installed indicating it may have been transplanted from a later model year car (336/46? This and more of the linkage can be seen in the picture above showing the exhaust system—picture below shows the missing linkage-triggered switch and wire)

State of gears/syncros, bearings, axle seals/shimming, or shifting not evaluated. No indicative leaking based on inspection.

Electrical-

Wiring shows modification by prior owner: wire wrapping replaced with spiral plastic type, various wires replaced/added and many crimped-on spade connectors and eyes throughout the car. Under dash rewired with crimped pigtails and number labels, as well as some wire-nut type joints. No known schematic or description for the changes/updates. Circuits and functions have not been verified; however, external running lights appear operational in pictures. All external lights on the car have been tested and are in working order. (Headlights, turn signals, reverse lights, hazard lights, etc)

Over the years I've sold several vehicles on Ebay and I always try to give accurate details and an honest assessment of the cars condition. Check out my seller rating. Buyers have always given me good reviews.

• Make: Lotus
• Model: Europa
• Type: Coupe
• Year: 1970
• Mileage: 69000
• VIN: 650076R
• Color: Black
• Engine size: S2 type 65, number 76R
• Number of cylinders: 4
• Power options: Power Windows
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Manual
• Drive type: RWD
• Interior color: Black
• Drive side: Left-hand drive
• Vehicle Title: Clean
Want to buy? Contact seller!