I have now owned my 1969 S2 Europa for 50 years. It is absolutely original with matching numbers. The only change was a new Down draught weber carburettor and a new chassis which has not really seen the road . The rear hubs can be a problem, although Banks Europa do make a bolt on, twin link rear suspension conversion, which I am told takes the load of the rear hubs, drive shaft joints and hub bearings, is rose joint adjustable and I was told by Richard Winter (of Banks) solves the rear hub issue. I am now retired and maybe will get the car out of storage for one last summer, then I must reduce my collection of sports cars. Thanks for a very good video.
Thanks, this was a very informative video. I've wanted a Europa since I became fascinated by the shape of a Matchbox one that I still have. That was about 55 years ago. In a strange happenstance, I was gifted two series 2 Europa projects by two different people last year. I assume they think I am the guy to actually get at least one back on the road, probably because I daily drive an MGB-GT and have a Westfield Super 7 as a "weekend" car. I have a couple of other projects to do first, but I'm looking forward to actually getting my butt in a properly sorted Europa and finding out for myself what the mystique is all about. Thanks for the additional inspiration. Cheers from the right coast of Canada!
Very good informative video, thanks for sharing 👍I’m looking at buying a Europa to sit along side my Elise type23 and Lotus 7 Series 4. You’ve help me decide it’s the car for me 🤞
As a relatively new S2 owner, I enjoyed that! Yes, I’ve seen and am aware of most of what you mentioned in the short time I’ve owned the car I use it everyday, such a great car to drive
I own a twin cam special and concur with every point mentioned about handling. Stick some modern sticky track tyres on it and the road holding is astounding, but all the little foibles happen at a much higher speed. High speed stability is much improved on the twin cam but backing off instantly at high speed can unsettle the car (and the driver) especially in a high speed curve!
Ha ha, it gets a bit hot inside! I recall in mine back in the day having the heater on in summer in slow moving traffic as the radiator wasn’t up to the job.
Brilliant podcast. I’ve dreamed of owning one of these cars and I would like it to be my next project, but I know it wouldn’t work because i am 6’3” (1.9m) and wear size 13 shoes. I wonder if there is some way to fabricate a pedal box farther away by pushing the footwell forwards. I’m already surprisingly quite comfortable driving in small cars, but this car would be smaller than anything I’ve ever sat in. Until I actually see one in person and attempt to sit in one, I will keep dreaming.
@@martinih5825 I would absolutely love to, I just don't know if there any Classic Lotus Dealerships nearby. I'm located in Southern California and even with the huge car culture, the Europa is still very rare. I've only seen one in person. It's good to know the twin-cams are bigger inside than the S2, I appreciate that. I still want this car more than any other car on the road!
I have now owned my 1969 S2 Europa for 50 years. It is absolutely original with matching numbers. The only change was a new Down draught weber carburettor and a new chassis which has not really seen the road . The rear hubs can be a problem, although Banks Europa do make a bolt on, twin link rear suspension conversion, which I am told takes the load of the rear hubs, drive shaft joints and hub bearings, is rose joint adjustable and I was told by Richard Winter (of Banks) solves the rear hub issue. I am now retired and maybe will get the car out of storage for one last summer, then I must reduce my collection of sports cars. Thanks for a very good video.
Loved this podcast. I own a Europa Special and there really is nothing like it. In the 70s it was the car to yearn for.
Thanks, this was a very informative video. I've wanted a Europa since I became fascinated by the shape of a Matchbox one that I still have. That was about 55 years ago. In a strange happenstance, I was gifted two series 2 Europa projects by two different people last year. I assume they think I am the guy to actually get at least one back on the road, probably because I daily drive an MGB-GT and have a Westfield Super 7 as a "weekend" car. I have a couple of other projects to do first, but I'm looking forward to actually getting my butt in a properly sorted Europa and finding out for myself what the mystique is all about. Thanks for the additional inspiration. Cheers from the right coast of Canada!
I have never heard a bad review of the Europa or the Elan. Ever.
Very good informative video, thanks for sharing 👍I’m looking at buying a Europa to sit along side my Elise type23 and Lotus 7 Series 4. You’ve help me decide it’s the car for me 🤞
As a relatively new S2 owner, I enjoyed that!
Yes, I’ve seen and am aware of most of what you mentioned in the short time I’ve owned the car
I use it everyday, such a great car to drive
I own a twin cam special and concur with every point mentioned about handling. Stick some modern sticky track tyres on it and the road holding is astounding, but all the little foibles happen at a much higher speed. High speed stability is much improved on the twin cam but backing off instantly at high speed can unsettle the car (and the driver) especially in a high speed curve!
Ha ha, it gets a bit hot inside! I recall in mine back in the day having the heater on in summer in slow moving traffic as the radiator wasn’t up to the job.
Great podcast, relaxed and informative. I have a twin cam special, is there anyone around N.Devon, UK who has one of these to chat to...
Brilliant podcast. I’ve dreamed of owning one of these cars and I would like it to be my next project, but I know it wouldn’t work because i am 6’3” (1.9m) and wear size 13 shoes. I wonder if there is some way to fabricate a pedal box farther away by pushing the footwell forwards. I’m already surprisingly quite comfortable driving in small cars, but this car would be smaller than anything I’ve ever sat in. Until I actually see one in person and attempt to sit in one, I will keep dreaming.
The twin-cams are bigger inside than the S2, you should fit in one ok, try one for size at a Classic Lotus dealership.
@@martinih5825 I would absolutely love to, I just don't know if there any Classic Lotus Dealerships nearby. I'm located in Southern California and even with the huge car culture, the Europa is still very rare. I've only seen one in person. It's good to know the twin-cams are bigger inside than the S2, I appreciate that. I still want this car more than any other car on the road!