Idiosyncratic endearing British sportscars - Lotus Europa

Lotus continues as a boutique sportscar manufacturer of repute in the UK - fueled by the success of the new Elise. While the Elise is admirable in adhering to Lotus' philosophy of 'speed through lightness', it is all curves and scoops in appearance, something that's been described as insectoid in looks, lacking perhaps only in mandibles (!). Perhaps a more palatable alternative may be found in design cues from a venerable predecessor of the Elise, the original Europa. I had the good fortune of spotting one at church. The owner was mighty pleased to meet someone who could actually identify what it was (it's a bit rare to see one of these in the US). He's been restoring it painstakingly and the results are remarkable. Of course, being an IEBS (idiosyncratic endearing Brit sportscar) there a number of compromises in ownership - for instance he can't use the pedals with his shoes on!



From Wikipedia:

The Lotus Europa or Lotus Europe, a two door mid-engined GT coupé built by Lotus Cars from 1966 to 1975. (In 2006 Lotus began production of a totally new, Lotus Elise-derived design, a mid-engined GT coupé named Europa S.)

The original Europa used Lotus founder Colin Chapman's minimalist steel backbone chassis, while also relying on its fibreglass moulded body for structural strength. The Europa was the first mass production, mid-engine road car and was based on a prototype built to compete for Henry Ford II's contract to build a Le Mans race car in the early 1960s. (See GT40.)

The Europa was designed and built to be an embodiment of Chapman's oft-stated philosophy of automotive design: "Simplify, then add lightness."

For more on this brilliant little sportscar, do visit Lotus Europa Central