Last year I took a ride in my friends 1971 or 1972 Lotus Europa. It looked like this just not in as good shape :



It was a neat little car. A british body and chassis powered by a french Renault engine. I'm not sure what the HP/TRQ specs are on them anyone know?

This car could handle the road like you wouldn't believe But it was cramped and a pain in the rear to get in and out of. You literally have to crawl out basically

Just thought I'd share

Andy

 

never ever ever heard of it....must be rare

 

To a degree yes. Lotus makes the Elise, Espirit (out of production now), Elan (also out of production I think) and a few other cars. They're high end vehicles and very unique. They are currently owned by Stratton Motor Company. Heres some more info for you:
http://www.strattonmotorcompany.com/...me-Welcome.htm

 

They were great cars, but very, very cramped inside. I remember getting into an Elan for the first time (it was Mazda's inspiration for the Miata, btw) and when I closed the driver side door it hit my shoulder!

When I got back from Vietnam in 1973 I was stationed at the sub base At Bangor, WA. A guy who worked there had one (Europa). He used to pass me on the way to work, always going hellaciously fast. One wet morning I saw his car near the road. He had hit a tree sideways and it literally broke the car in two. The driver didn't survive.

It's been a few years since I last saw a Europa. They were neat cars.

 

Amen to that I had to crawl on my hands to get out, but the ride was worth it

 

DOn't forget the Exige.......

 

Darn my oh so small memory :bang:

I've heard of the Exige, but never seen one. What does it look like?

Also do you happen to know any specs on the Europa, James?

 

Only 2 seats?

 

I have one on Gran Turismo 4!

 

The Exige :




Europa Specs :

1972 Lotus Europa
Year 1972
Make Lotus
Model Europa
Engine Location Mid
Drive Type Rear Wheel
Price $5,300.00

Performance
0-60 mph 6.6 seconds.
Top Speed 125 mph | 201.1 km/h

Engine
Engine Configuration Inline
Cylinder 4
Aspiration/Induction Normal
Displacement 1.60 L | 97.6 cu in. | 1599.7 cc.
Valves 8 Valves
2 valves per cylinder.
Valvetrain OHV
Power 126.0 BHP @ 6,500.0 RPM
Torque 113.0 Ft-Lbs @ 5,500.0 RPM
Bore 3.25 in | 82.6 mm.
Stroke 2.86 in | 72.6 mm.
Compression Ratio 10.3:1
HP to Weight Ratio 12.3
HP / Liter 78.8

Standard Transmission
Gears 5
Transmission Manual
Final Drive 3.77:1

Dimensions
Weight 1555 lbs | 705.3 kg
Length 157.20 in | 3992.9 mm.
Width 64.50 in | 1638.3 mm.
Height 42.00 in | 1066.8 mm.
Wheelbase 94.00 in | 2387.6 mm.
Front Track 53.50 in | 1358.9 mm.
Rear Track 53.50 in | 1358.9 mm.
Ground Clearance 6.00 in | 152.4 mm.
Seating Capacity 2
Doors 2

 

Thanks James!

Thats not too bad perfromance wise for a little car like that. I believe the body was completely fiberglass so that must make for such a light car.


That Exige is nice! I really like the looks of the back end

 

My favourite Exige is the one off the Chief engineer at Lotus made. 400hp from a 3.0 V6, in a car that weighs only 1874lbs!!!!

 

Unbelievable God that has to be fast!!!

Now that HAS to be an amazing drive

That black paint job just makes it look so sinister too

 

The 1.8L version with 243hp and weighing 2050lbs does the 0-60 in 3.9 seconds......so I reckon the one off will be 2.x

 

Well thats certainly enough to have some fun in. I was looking at a site www.fast-autos.net and they had info on the Hennesey Viper 1000TT. While I am not a viper fan, that thing was estimated at a 2 second flat 0-60 time and somewhere in the 8's for the 1/4 mile. Thats some power!

 

woa!

 

Forgot another one:



The Lotus/Caterham Super 7.

Believe me, even with a 150 hp engine, this one hauls hiney. With a road handling that splits your face in two from smiling every time.

As for the Europa, yes it is rare but they are around, at least on this continent. Saw one in mint condition just last weekend.