Lotus Europa Series 2, 1969
Lotus Europa
Lotus Europa•
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Chassis No.: 541932
Engine No.: 1728
Registration: LVG 262H
The Lotus Europa is a two door mid-engined GT coupé manufactured from 1966 to 1975. In 2006 Lotus began production of a totally new, Lotus Elise-derived design, a mid-engined GT coupé named Europa S. The original Europa used Lotus founder Colin Chapman's minimalist steel backbone chassis that was first used in the Lotus Elan whilst also relying on fibreglass moulded body for structural strength. The Europa was based on a prototype built to compete for Henry Ford II's contract to build a Le Mans racer in the early 1960's. The four-wheel independent suspension was typical of Chapman's thinking; the rear suspension was a modified Chapman strut as used for his early Formula racing car designs.
The forward radius arms were increased in size and rigidity to act as a semi-wishbone. The car's handling prompted automotive writers to describe the Europa as the nearest thing to a Formula car for the road.
This lovely example is presented in Lotus Yellow with black interior and as confirmed by Club Lotus in their 2017 report, it is complete and is in excellent and totally original condition, built to its original 1969 specification and is comprised of genuine, original and correct Lotus parts dating from 1969 including the original chassis plate which is present and correct. The history file contains many invoices from over the years including those from Calum Mackillop CM Road and Race who carried out a restoration on the vehicle in 2016.
Also, particularly endearing is that this iconic sports car from Colin Chapman’s factory comes with an original order form from Swanmore Garage to its second owner, Dr Andrew Clymo who purchased this Lotus for the grand sum of £1595 having given a deposit of £50 in 1970. Dr Clymo retained the car for 47 years! There is also the original Lotus Cars Limited warranty certificate included in this most comprehensive history for this lovely British sports car. These sports cars are a joy to drive and being so close to the ground and with its clever engine positioning, its roadholding puts more modern machinery to shame.
Very rarely do such cars come in this condition and with a superb history to accompany it.
