I HAVE MID ENGINE FEVER!, I want one of these! Options

[Aaron Cox]

saw one drivin in hollywood- this thing has the most raced out engine-
the lotus europa, 1.6L 126 HP

[Lotus914]

GWN - I remember that, you're in Winnipeg right?. Well, don't tell the owner of that car, but you can get replacememt chasssis Made in Canada now for $2000Cdn a guy in Montreal - about half the previous rate, making restoration financially a little more sensible. Thanks for cheking out the site - I jut did it and it is a little rough, but I'll keep chipping away at it. I hve tons of detail pictures of my teener and T4 rebuild I want to get up there to return the favour to newbies in the 914 community.
I love Esprits, and the S1, S2, S3 still do evoke Europa in a lot of ways. As they evolved they really grew into the supercar league both in terms of refinement and restoration cost. Steve, what's it been like living with the S1? I've seen a tired ones around - cheap - but have been warned about restoration costs. I'd love to get a na S3, but I don't think they ever crossed the pond.
Regarding Europa models, they had a few iterations and power plants
S1 (Series 1) Lotus type 46 chassis bonded within body, seats molded into the body, non-operating windows. Started production in 1966 IIRC 1470cc Renault, all alloy engine and 4 speed transaxle.
S2 Type 54 Non-bonded, removable chassis (insurance issue as Mike points out - I know a guy who is replacing the chassis in a S1, a real pain) Adjustable seats, more conventional dash, same engine as S1.
S2 Type 65 Series 2 Federal. As above, designed to meet US crash and emissions requirements.
Twin Cam Type 74. a bit taller, heavier, different chassis, more upright driving position, 1565cc lotus Twincam engine, 'sail panels' cut down. The engine has a weber carbed variant (126hp?), and a US emissions version with sucky stromberg carbs and cast-in place siamesed intake runners. 105hp Steve, is this what you are referring to as the Cosworth? I think it was designed by Mike COStin, but he was a lotus employee at the time. The type 47 is the race car variant as you mention, and there was a custom one off rover V8 version that is written up a lot. Analogous to the 914/6GT, and the 914/8 respectively. I found it interesting that Lotus was selling the Cosworth BDA as an engine option at the time, and I think that may have been what went into the type 47, though it may have been the TC. The BDA was is pretty much copied and de-quirked by the Toyota 4age (corolla GTS, formula atlantic I think) and would be an awesome engine in a europa, though conversion is a bit involved.
There is less of a 'purist' sentiment in the Europa world, (the guy making them didn't much care about such things!) so lots of cars get engine transplants without offending the faithful, though unlike the wonderfully overengineered 914, the Europa is designed around 100hp and needs lots of re-engineering to tolerate much more. (per Chapman's thinking, everything is very flimsy) I will be putting a 120hp Renault Gordini engine and a 5-speed in mine - all alloy, very light, conversion about as complicated as putting a six in a 914/4. Guess what D-Jet EFI! The power to weight ratio will be around that of an early '70's 911 RSR.

Glad to see my 914 comments were received in the spirit in which they were delivered! I was out in my teener last night with tunes up the roof off and a greeat big grin on. I'll be grinding and glassing my Europa today.

Regards, Dave