When Lotus launched the mid-engine Europa in 1966, it was the embodiment the company’s design expressed by Colin Chapman, its founder, as: “Simplify, then add lightness.” To that end, the Europa was outfitted with the chassis of the Lotus Elan—which inspired the Mazda MX-5 Miata—and a fiberglass molded body. The combination of “Lotus” and “vintage” doesn’t automatically equate to an outrageous price: this Europa S2, bid to $6,800 with three days left in the auction, proves that owning a track-ready classic Lotus can be accessible.
The Europa S2, or Type 54, made landfall in spring 1968 and it brought with a number of enhancements over the original model. Along with luxury refinements like electric windows and fully adjustable seats, the model developed in 1969 specifically for export to the US—dubbed the “Type 65”— featured a larger 1565cc engine with modifications made to comply with federal emissions standards.
Although the front suspension was altered to raise the front end of the car slightly (for headlight regulations in the US), the S2 maintained the four-wheel independent configuration of the S1. That design allowed the Europa to post lateral acceleration numbers in excess of .9 g—a level of grip and balance that’s remarkable even by today’s standards. It’s made even more impressive when you consider how much tire technology has evolved in the past four-plus decades.
You might expect a restored vintage Europa to be used in a leisurely fashion, but this S2 was built to run and restored for road-course duties. The original motor was rebuilt with 40mm twin Webber carbs using K&N filters, a custom aluminum intake manifold, lightweight aluminum flywheel, big bore pistons, an uprated camshaft and performance-tuned exhaust. It’s a combination good for 120 horsepower—an increase of 50 percent from its original 80-hp configuration. While that doesn’t sound like a lot of grunt, consider this: the car weighs about a half-ton less than the original Mazda Miata.
Even more important for track duty, it’s been customized to handle the rigors of the race course. A custom oil cooler with a high capacity remote oil filter setup and a high capacity oil pump keeps the motor lubricated during high G maneuvering. Its electric fuel-pump upgrade with a competition-style external battery cut-off switch keeps the juice flowing properly while complying with competition safety rules.
This S2 is not merely a track day special. The seller points out that it’s configured to be comfortable on long drives as well, with a fully appointed interior, functional heating and ventilation systems, and full instrumentation.
At its current level of bidding, this vintage Lotus sports car is a lot of enjoyment for the money. And it’s ready to hit the road or autocross from the moment the keys are handed over.
