It was light, had it’s engine just behind the driver’s seats and looked if you squinted like a breadvan kit car from the future. But the original Lotus Europa holds a place close to our hearts because, rather than despite it’s eccentric looks.
The low drag factor and the svelte weight meant that despite it’s relatively small engine, it was apparently a joy to fling around.
Our favourite of course, is the pictured late ‘type 74’ Europe that came with a 1600 Lotus-Ford twin cam engine (the earlier editions had renault engines) and the natty John Player Special black and gold trim to honour F1 World titles in 72 and 73.
This baby came with a top end of over 120 MPH and a pullaway of around 7 seconds. That low to the ground and weighing only about three quarters of a metric tonne, it would have been a blast.
We’d love to hear from any proud owners out there.