1974 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special |

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1974 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special

Sold Price

£25,441

Mileage~68,756
TransmissionManual
Engine1.6L
LocationBillericay

SOLD

1974 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Dom Ginn

Professional Consigner

A race-inspired design by Colin Chapman saw the Lotus Europa become the closest road-going car you could get to a Formula car.

Launched in 1966, the Lotus Europa is a mid-engined coupé designed by Lotus founder Colin Chapman. The original design was penned for Ford in a bid to be chosen for the car, which would later become the Ford GT40. Colin Chapman’s design was based on his philosophy of “simplify, then add lightness”. Using a steel backbone chassis similar to the one used in the Elan, the fibreglass moulded body added strength, which kept the car lightweight. The independent suspension was similar to the design used in Formula racing cars of the time and was perfect for Chapman to create a road-going lightweight sports car.

The original Europa was available with ~105bhp engine, but it was in 1972 that the Europa Twin Cam Special was launched with the Lotus-Ford Big Valve engine producing ~126bhp. This original Twin Cam Special comes to market from ~1.5 year ownership. The car was fully restored in 2010 by Banks / Europa Engineering with a new galvanised Lotus chassis, with an engine rebuild in 2011, the bills coming to ~£39,000, and the car has covered just ~4,000 miles since then. It presents in excellent condition, the current enthusiast owner has had the car set-up to really get the most out of this car, with poly bushes and Avo sock absorbers, it's a car that will give you confidence when driven.

This listing was written from information supplied by Dom after meeting Graeme the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

Without doubt, for me, the Lotus was as close to a 60s/70s F1 car as I could get.

Graeme is passionate about classic cars, and the Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special is one of those. In the time it's been with Graeme, he has covered around ~2,000 miles, all of which have been an absolute pleasure. Visits to Silverstone Classic and Goodwood Revival, show the Lotus is easily capable of long journeys, which were ~250 miles each.

In his ownership, the car has had an oil and filter service, as well as replacing the sump and rocker cover gaskets, as well as a brakes service with a new front caliper, and a new fuel pump fitted too. Graeme welcomes any viewings for serious bidders, where the car can be put on a ramp, but this would only be available during weekdays. Please feel free to ask Graeme any questions about the car in the comments below.

Graeme

Vehicle Owner

Graeme saved £4,500* when they
sold their Lotus with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

The unusual shape of the Europa just adds to the 70s charm - it’s low, sleek and looks like a race car - just as intended.

Wheels and Tyres

Fitted with a classic set of Minilite wheels, these are in excellent condition. They have been finished with a set of Lotus centre caps also in good order.

The tyres on the car don’t look to have covered a significant number of miles, and so show in good condition with plenty of tread. Please see the image gallery to take a closer look at the wheels.

Bodywork

The body of the Lotus is in excellent shape. The doors look to align well, as do the engine cover and bonnet. Even though the restoration was completed in 2010, the car is in great shape having previously been in a private collection before Graeme purchased it. A common question with Lotus of this era is what condition is the chassis, well this car had a replacement as part of the restoration and has clearly been well cared for since.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our hi-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

Finished in a lovely bright metallic blue, the paintwork presents extremely well. It was painted ~13 years ago as part of the major renovation, and due to the quality of the work and the ownership since, there isn't the usual crazing you often seen on these cars. There is an odd chip in places, and some small areas where the paint has a crack as pictured, but generally, it is excellent.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these hi-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The windows look to be in good condition, with no noticeable scratches spotted on our visit, and a top-tinted windscreen has been fitted. The chrome window trims and seals are in excellent order.

The headlights and indicators have no signs of any chips or cracks, and the rear lights are also free from damage. All of the chrome work is in excellent order with no signs of tarnishing, bullet wing mirrors completing the look.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Fully retrimmed in leather, inside the Lotus is a comfortable and pleasant place to be with a true sporting feel.

Seats and Carpets

Retrimmed in cream leather and finished with blue piping to compliment the exterior, the seats are in superb condition. The door cards are trimmed to match and are in good order.

The carpets were also replaced at the same time, which are excellent. There are some dirty marks on the driver's side, but with a good shampoo, these could easily be removed or reduced. The front and rear storage areas are also clean and tidy; a fire extinguisher is located in the front, with a matching spare wheel in excellent condition. Please see the interior gallery for more detailed images.

Dashboard

The dashboard in the Europa is free from any splits or cracks, and the fascia is in good condition with no noticeable cracking to the lacquered finish.

The Smith's instruments have been restored and are working as they should. However, some bezels have a small amount of tarnishing, and the odometer reads ~68,756 miles.

Please see the interior gallery for more hi-resolution images.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The three-spoke Moto-Lita black leather steering wheel is in good condition with minimal signs of any wear to the rim.

A Lotus wooden gear knob is fitted, which has a small amount of discolouration to the wood, in keeping with the age and mileage. Take a look through the interior gallery for more detailed images.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Lotus, Ford Twin Cam Big Valve, if you were going to produce a lightweight sports car in the 70s, this was the engine to use.

Engine and Gearbox

The 1550 twin cam big valve is a wonderful revvy engine. This particular one was rebuilt in 2011 and has covered around ~4,000 miles since then. There have been some upgrades along the way, with a Burton electric water pump conversion, electronic ignition, a new manual fuel pump, alloy header tank and an alloy fuel tank with braided fuel pipes. Before Graeme purchased the car, the Dellorto carbs has been rebuilt, helping to ensure you can get the most out of the car.

The engine fires up without hesitation and runs like a dream. It is reported to rev up to ~6,500rpm easily and pushes out around ~125bhp. The close-ratio five-speed gearbox is from a Renault Gordini, which is what was fitted to the Twin Cam Special models. The change is precise, as you would expect, and with the ratios being so close, it makes for fun driving, especially around the mid-range.

Suspension and Brakes

When the Lotus was restored, a new Lotus galvanised chassis was fitted, which is still in superb condition thanks to the low mileage covered. In addition, AVO adjustable dampers have recently been fitted as the choice of suspension for the Europa. These give a firm ride, and coupled with the polyurethane bushes, the car handles like it’s on rails with virtually no body roll.

The brakes are excellent, bringing the car to a halt in a straight line. New front calipers were fitted around two years ago, and the Europa also benefits from a hydraulic handbrake.

The Drive

Out on the road, the Lotus is just like you would imagine from the British manufacturer. The Europa handles with precision without being too harsh. The twin-cam engine sounds fantastic, especially when your right foot goes down, allowing the twin Dellorto carburettors to open fully, and the Europa comes alive. So rewarding to drive and so pleasing to look at with its low-slung stance; it's the absolute 70s dream.

Electrics and Other

The Lotus is reported to have been fully rewired, ensuring everything works correctly. Additional electric washers and, as mentioned earlier, an electric water pump have been fitted. The switchgear is all in good order with no apparent signs of any wear.

Please see the interior gallery for more detailed images.

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History and Paperwork

Restored in 2010/11 - this 1974 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special has only been subject to approximately ~4,000 miles since then, certainly worth a considered bid if you want a sorted example.

Restored by Banks / Europa Engineering in 2010, the bills for this work and the engine rebuild come to ~£39,000. After the restoration, the Lotus was used for just a few hundred miles each year until it was sold to Graeme. Upon getting the car, he had new sump and rocker cover gaskets fitted, and the mechanic also inspected the timing chain, where no faults were reported. This was around ~2,000 miles ago. Just before Graeme purchased the car, the previous keeper had the twin Dellorto carburettors rebuilt; now the car runs smoothly and accelerates through the rev range.

There is a nice selection of invoices showing various components purchased during the restoration and a large number of owner-supplied images showing the underside when it was completed. Even though not needed, the car has been taken for regular MOT tests to ensure everything is in order; the current test is due to expire on 10.08.2023.

A superb British two-seater sports car from one of the most well know British sports car manufacturers ever. The car was restored in 2010 and has covered around ~4,000 miles since then, making this 1974 Lotus Europa Twin cam Special a very sought-after and desirable car to own. What are you waiting for?

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
11.08.2022	MOT	67,805
30.03.2021	MOT	67,377
14.02.2020	MOT	67,343
04.08.2017	MOT	67,272
31.07.2015	MOT	67,159
07.08.2014	MOT	66,884
09.08.2013	MOT	66,454
03.08.2012	MOT	66,222
08.08.2011	MOT	65,687
30.07.2010	MOT	65,028
29.10.2009	MOT	64,604

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Key Details

ModelEuropa Twin Cam Special
TransmissionManual
Reg. Date01.11.1974
CC1558
Mileage~68,756
ColourBlue
Interior ColourCream
Interior TrimLeather
Chassis #74012359P
Engine #R31704
MOTExp: 10.08.2023
MOT ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes
Former Keepers8
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~1.5 years
Key FeatureFull restoration in 2010 with new galvanised chassis
Auction ID1241

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Ask Questions

Seller : GraemeB Sale Date 06.04.2023

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

Admin

Kulraj Salh

Auction Update – RESERVE MET – This car will sell to the highest bidder. Best, Kulraj – Trade Classics

Member

lottex

Hi Graeme, I’d guess were not going to make reserve! In the event that the car doesn’t sell and you’d prefer a set of original equipment Dunlop Spyder alloy wheels , pls call me on 07854 oh four eight oh two nine.
Thanks, Peter

Admin

Kulraj Salh

All post auction deals are though Trade Classics and still liable to the 6% buyers premium, still 14 mins to go, so if you’re interested in bidding, time to bid. Best, Kulraj – Trade Classics

Author

GraemeB

Sorry .just done a viewing.
And mate has closed for Easter.
Need a bit more notice.

Member

Hi Graeme,,,Fair comment, can you text/ring me for a chat about car, thanks, might be willing/able to meet reserve thanks. Terry.

Member

Hi Graeme, would it be possible to view the car today ? I am local, do you have a contact number or email ? My mobile is… 07831 eight two eight eight three six….Terry. Please let me know ASAP, sorry about the late response.Thanks.

Member

lottex

Hi again Graeme, apologies-further to my last comment, I did spot an invoice from Paul Matty dated Feb 2019 that details some servicing and crash damage body repairs. Can you enlighten me re the nature of the body damage?
There are clearly lots of invoices from Europa Engineering/ Bank Europa. Just trying to establish re who actually rebuilt the car? Thanks, Peter

Admin

Kulraj Salh

Hi, we’ve made an update to the listing, the car wasn’t restored by Paul Matty, it was sold by them, the following document creating the confusion; https://www.tradeclassics.com/auctions/lotus/1974-lotus-europa-twin-cam-special-2/#gallery4-98

Best, Kulraj – Trade Classics

Author

GraemeB

Banks rebuilt it.
Body repair was a long time ago. No issues with body now

Author

GraemeB

I have a advert from Paul Matty from which the previous owner brought it from. Trade classic have a copy of it. If you ask them
Car is pretty much the same as it was then. Due to the low mileage

Member

lottex

Hi Graeme, thanks for the link but sadly I won’t be able to get to view the car ahead of the end of the auction. I looked through the bills and I can see an invoice for buying the car from Paul Matty, can’t see any Paul Matty invoices detailing the rebuild mentioned in the description. Can you advise. Thanks, Peter

Author

GraemeB

I have a original Paul M
atty add from 2010.
When they sold it will send it to trade and classic. They can send it to you

Admin

Kulraj Salh

Best, Kulraj – Trade Classics

Member

steve99ben

Hi Graeme. The photos you provided of the underside of the car how long ago were these taken? Do you have a printout of the wheel alignment/tracking when you fitted the the new shocks? Many thanks

Author

GraemeB

No print out. just set up the same as it was, same settings, under side photos take few weeks ago.
Will trade classic best way to send you copies.
They do have them, they might beable to send them to you.
Not sure how much details i can send on hear.
wil find out.

Member

steve99ben

Thanks for your reply no need to send the photos was just interested to know they were resent and not from several years ago.

Member

SKYSAW

Hi! Im new to this site.. Is there a reserve on the car?
What was original colour?
Cheers!

Author

GraemeB

YES, RED.

Member

SKYSAW

Thanks..
can you give me an idea of the reserve?

Member

lottex

Hi Graeme, I couldn’t see from the photos, is it the original engine ? Do you happen to have the original factory spec for the car? ie what as the original colour? Do you oer chance have the original wheels somewhere? Where can the car be viewed?
Thanks , Peter

Author

GraemeB

Yes the original engine, just the wheels you can see, GB mini lites. Mates garage 2 miles from Blackmore Essex. Get in touch to arrange to view.
Will give actual address if want to arrange a veiwing

Member

lottex

Thanks Graeme, whats the best number and or address to contact yr friend to arrange viewing?
Thanks again, Pete

Author

GraemeB

I will get a few days that he is free. Just need to ask him

Author

GraemeB

I can any day next week. After Monday. Let me know when you what to come

Author

GraemeB

Can do Thursday this week

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