OT: Lotus Europa, Someone gimme the skinny!!! |
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OT: Lotus Europa, Someone gimme the skinny!!! |
ninefourteener |
Jun 10 2005, 04:23 PM
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#1
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Perfectly Normal Guy :) Group: Members Posts: 1,216 Joined: 3-June 03 From: St. Louis, MO Member No.: 779 |
So I just got back from my vacation to Florida....... Had a blast (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)
On the way home, while stopping at one of those road-side "jams, jellies, and pecans" places.... I found a classic car dealership and peeked through the window. ........ where I found a car I've seen a thousand pictures of...... but never actually seen one in person...... a 1972 Lotus Europa. Same appeal as the 914.... tiny, nimble, rear engine, 2-seater, etc. Oh yea.... and it looks wild.. like nothing else out there....... much like the way I fell in love with 914s. Plus.... the cost is low.... gotta love that. So...... whats up with these cars? Are they fast? Handle well? reliable? piece of crap? expensive to buy parts? easy to modify? etc. I'd like to hear from anyone thats ever owned or driven one..... and their thoughts. Thanks!!! Matt here's a pic... for those that have no idea what one looks like (not the one I saw) Attached image(s) |
smg914 |
Jun 11 2005, 08:56 AM
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#2
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Sahara Beige Steve Group: Members Posts: 1,968 Joined: 22-February 04 From: Tampa, FL Member No.: 1,695 Region Association: None |
I've always been a big fan of the Europa. The town in New Jersey that I lived in had a Lotus dealership right up the street from the Porsche dealership and I used to stop by and look at the cars at least once a week. I wanted a Europa so bad I couldn't sleep at night. The big day finally arrived when my dad agreed to allow me to purchase a bran new, burgandy with tan interior 1973 twin cam Europa. I was freeking out as we walked inside to purchase the car. I was barely 19 years old. I had become friends with the owner because I was in the showroom more than anyone else. The three of us sat down and he proceeded to talk my dad out of allowing me to buy this car. He said, "I like your son and it would be wrong selling this car to a 19 year old kid to drive everyday". He said, "Theses cars are not made to be driven everyday. You are going to end up hating me and the car". I left the dealership devastated.
Soon all the car magazines (R&T, C&D, Road Test, Motor Trend, SCG, etc) were doing road tests on the new 2 Liter Porsche 914. Theses articles convinced me to order a 1973 914 2.0. Probably the smartest thing I ever did. But I still love the Europa. Someday I would like to have a John Player Special. Attached image(s) |
smg914 |
Aug 13 2006, 10:00 PM
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#3
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Sahara Beige Steve Group: Members Posts: 1,968 Joined: 22-February 04 From: Tampa, FL Member No.: 1,695 Region Association: None |
I've always been a big fan of the Europa. The town in New Jersey that I lived in had a Lotus dealership right up the street from the Porsche dealership and I used to stop by and look at the cars at least once a week. I wanted a Europa so bad I couldn't sleep at night. The big day finally arrived when my dad agreed to allow me to purchase a bran new, burgandy with tan interior 1973 twin cam Europa. I was freeking out as we walked inside to purchase the car. I was barely 19 years old. I had become friends with the owner because I was in the showroom more than anyone else. The three of us sat down and he proceeded to talk my dad out of allowing me to buy this car. He said, "I like your son and it would be wrong selling this car to a 19 year old kid to drive everyday". He said, "Theses cars are not made to be driven everyday. You are going to end up hating me and the car". I left the dealership devastated. Soon all the car magazines (R&T, C&D, Road Test, Motor Trend, SCG, etc) were doing road tests on the new 2 Liter Porsche 914. Theses articles convinced me to order a 1973 914 2.0. Probably the smartest thing I ever did. But I still love the Europa. Someday I would like to have a John Player Special. I guess you could say I'm a man of my word. I recently purchased this very nice 1974 Lotus Europa Special. The guy I bought it from has owned it for over 30 years. I've wanted one of these for a long, long time and I have to say that my wife and I are really enjoying it. Believe it or not, everything works. It's a real blast to drive. PS: I still love my 914's Attached thumbnail(s) |