TOP＞Stock List＞1970 model yearLotus Europa S 2 Type54
1970 model year S2 Type54
Lotus Europa
The detailed condition of the vehicle is described in each photo.
On the top slide, there are 50 attractive photos of the vehicle.
Click on a photo to see it with a description.
What it's like to drive a vintage Lotus Europe...
In the 1960’s, while big companies like Mercedes-Benz systematically raced and promoted their production cars, Lotus, a small formula constructor, produced very few road cars from a completely opposite perspective, occasionally building production cars to capitalize on its impressive racing success. Lotus produced a very small number of road cars from a completely opposite point of view, using its great success in racing to occasionally produce production cars, providing a superb driving experience to the limited number of enthusiasts who were able to obtain a Lotus that could actually be driven on public roads.
With such a rare birth story behind it, every time I see a vintage Lotus Europe today, I can’t help but think, “How could 9,230 of these cars have been built back then?
The Europe, which had a special shape derived from the formula car and had an aura of uniqueness, is now an endangered species. Half a century has already passed since its release, and the number of existing individuals has decreased drastically….
Of course, to touch a vintage Lotus that has been carefully crafted and finished just as it was back then, is a different experience from touching other production cars, and you can go back in time and experience the aesthetics of a bygone era like a time machine. This most obvious way to experience the aesthetics of a bygone era is to drive a vintage Lotus Europe…. .
Simplify, add lightness... This is a car that touches on Chapman's philosophy...
Development code “Type 46″… The Lotus Europa, launched in December 1966, is a truly unique car designed and built according to Colin Chapman’s “simplify and add lightness” philosophy of automotive design. In the mid-1960s, the mid-ship was introduced.
In the mid-1960s, the midship engine configuration had been established as the best layout for formula cars, but it was still rarely used for cars on public roads. The midship layout was the perfect project for Chapman, who wanted to create a mid-engined sports car using the formula that had made Lotus so successful: simplify and add lightness. Chapman wanted to create a car that would fit his philosophy of “simplify and add lightness.
Initially, Chapman wanted to name the new sports car he planned to launch for the European market “Lotus Elfin”, which means “fairy” in English, but when he learned that “Elfin” means “end” in Spanish, he decided against it and went straight to “Europe”. The name “Europe” was adopted.
Like the Ferrari 250 GTO, the virtual long-tailed coda tronca shape unique to Europe, which has been derided as a “bread van” (bakery delivery van), was created by Lotus engineering director Ron Hickman in 1963. In 1963, Lotus’ engineering director, Ron Hickman, drew up a design for Lotus’ order for the Ford GT40 race car to be built by Ford…. Unfortunately, when the contract was lost to Lola Cars, Chapman adopted Hickman’s highly efficient aerodynamic design, with a drag coefficient of only 0.29, as the design for a new mid-engined European car he was planning…
This first mid-engined Lotus road car was powered by a modified Renault 16 engine with a four-speed gearbox, and, in keeping with Lotus practice, was built on a steel backbone chassis with fiberglass panels and an ingenious ” The car was equipped with a four-wheel independent suspension called “Chapman struts”, and was given the qualities of being “really supple, agile and light”….
The feeling of the car is that of a “road-going formula” that goes beyond the realm of sports cars…!
The ride is very flexible and supple, and the moment you turn the steering wheel, you will realize that you are driving a vehicle from another dimension.
When you drive a Lotus Europa... You leave the city without realizing it. You leave the city without realizing it, and head for a mountain pass with many curves...
If cornering with a Super Seven is like dynamically chopping down with an axe, the European version is like delicately cutting down to the millimeter with a sharp knife. The transition to oversteer is so gradual that you feel as if you are in slow motion…. Racing drivers say that they have time to think while cornering, and I can see why… There is such a feeling in Europe…!
With a chassis that utilizes torsion and an FRP body that can be lifted by two adults, the handling of the European cars is of a different dimension. Even if you are not used to driving on mountain passes, it will give you the feeling of wanting to aim at the edge of the curb, and it will tolerate everyone who drives it….
The light weight of the body and the balance of the vehicle weight front and rear give the brakes plenty of stopping power, even with rear-wheel drum brakes, and provide a really crisp drivability.
The center console is at elbow level, and the shift lever is in an ideal location. The shifter, which is unique to Europe, uses a long linkage to control the gearbox at the rear of the car. Once you understand the movement of the linkage, you can shift quickly and easily.
Once you get used to the S2’s characteristic fins blocking your view to the rear left, you will be able to see from the driver’s seat if you stretch a little.
The exact opposite of modern cars where the car adapts to the person…! Once you realize the fun of “people adapting to cars”, you will become a great classic European driver who can’t get away from its charm…!
With a recent full restoration history. Just recently finished the exterior finish... First owner's receipt from London is included. 1970 Lotus Europa S2 Type-54
This is a 1970 S2 Type-54, left hand drive car, purchased by the first owner on August 14, 1970 from Lotus Car Sales in Norwich, Norfolk, East of England, for the then new price of £1430.5 with options. There is a record of the receipt, which shows that the car was released in the UK…. Unit No. 0238Q, engine number 2571, and transmission number 1187 are matching units….
There is no record of its early history, but there is a history file that includes receipts up to the most recent date. Also, it was fully restored overseas a few years ago (photo record available) and then imported to Japan.
In addition to the basic maintenance items, coil springs (F100kg, R150kg), adjustable height dampers (AVO), universal joints, suspension bushings, fuel pump, brake servo, master cylinder, and four-wheel alignment have all been replaced. In addition, all the cracks caused by the aging of the FRP exterior have been repaired and repainted in the original color L07.
The large rear clip opens to reveal the overhauled engine compartment. The rear luggage tabs behind the engine have been removed and are now in storage, preserving the original and allowing for easy maintenance. Under the front clip has also been restored to a good condition, making it easy to maintain the radiator and brake master. The spare wheel and original tools are of course included, but are currently stored separately for ease of maintenance.
Also included with this car is a history file, parts manual, workshop manual, parts interchange/cross reference guide, original sales brochure, etc.
The original bucket seats have been reupholstered with original materials, the rare and delicate original steering wheel is in good condition, and all switches and gauges are in working order. The original bucket seats have been reupholstered with the original material, the rare and delicate original steering wheel is in good condition, and all the switches and gauges are in working order. All the interior and ceiling materials have been reupholstered for a clean atmosphere.
Getting into the cockpit of the Lotus Europa is easy once you master it, but it requires the same skill as the Super Seven…. There it is….
The space is wide but very tight like a racing car, as if squeezed from the top, a space that car lovers would love…! The position in which the car lies like a formula car is just right, and the forward visibility is amazingly good, so the feeling of “I want to drive like this…! The forward visibility is amazingly good, so the feeling of “I want to drive like this…” is inevitably heightened…!
Reaching out with my right hand and turning the key in front of the passenger seat activates the fuel pump and starts priming the French Solex carburetor…. Listen to the soothing sound of the fuel pump, turn the throttle to partial, and turn the key again…! The 1570cc four-cylinder engine wakes up easily with a sound that is very un-Renault like….
At Chapman’s request, Renault made all the modifications to this engine and supplied Lotus with a complete engine… As a result, the feeling and exhaust note is completely un-Renault-like…
This is exactly what we mean when we say “100% original and clean”, and it is only with this early Renault unit that you can taste the European style of the time it was developed. Even though the catalog value is only 82ps, it is not to be underestimated at all.
Whether it’s because of the very low ride height, or the mind speed, this eccentric road-going formula goes so fast that the eye can’t catch up with it in no time at all.
“Is this what Chapman had in mind? “Is this what Chapman had in mind?” You can’t help but feel that way… There is indeed a deep flavor here…!
This is the taste of vintage Lotus.
postscript
“This is what I felt through my experience with the Classic Lotus…….
With the AVO height-adjustable dampers and classic looking Yokohama A539s, the car currently has a very cool low profile look, but it can be easily changed back to the original look with the included original wheels, hubcaps, and high height tires. You can enjoy it as it is, or you can adjust the height to make it look completely original…….
You can touch Chapman’s philosophy of “simplify and add lightness…” …!
He would spend his nights in the garage pondering, and then pull it out of the garage early in the morning on weekends, and drive the Lotus as he wished with an extraordinary feeling.
Isn’t it quite a tasteful life….
“To drive a vintage Lotus Europe…”
Please feel free to come and take a look.
This very nice 1970 Lotus Europa S2 Type-54 is currently located in Gunma Prefecture.
As this is a private sale, there will be no consumption tax or other fees, but you will be responsible for monthly car tax and recycling deposits. Please make your own arrangements for land transportation.
The vehicles listed here are privately owned, and are listed as FOR SALE after being interviewed at the request of the owner.
The content of the article is based on the owner’s comments and what the author saw and heard during the interview time of about 3 hours, so it may not be 100% accurate description of the actual condition of the car, and the content of the article is not all backed up by this site. Please note that comments on the condition of the car are based on the conditions at the time of the interview and the subjective view of the person in charge of the interview, and may differ from the photos and articles after a period of time has passed.
Please contact us if you have any questions about the vehicle or if you would like to check the vehicle. If you have any questions about the vehicle, please contact us from the bottom of this page. Please note that this is a private transaction, so in order to prevent people from getting cold feet, we only allow people who are considering buying to check out the vehicle.
The content of this article is based on the owner’s comments. The content of the above article is based on the owner’s comments and has not been verified by this website regarding maintenance history, restoration history, etc.
SPEC
Mileage
52498 Mile
Indicated at the time of acquisition (unknown)
Steering
Left-Hand Drive
Length
3980mm
Width
1630mm
Height
1060mm
Weight
660kg
Displacement
1560cc
Location
Gunma,Japan