1972 Lotus Europa

The Lotus Europa (1966-1975) was Lotus's first mid-engine road car. Designed for the European market (hence the name), the backbone chassis and aerodynamic body delivered superb handling. Renault or Lotus Twin Cam engines. Around 9,200 built. The template for mid-engine Lotus cars to follow.

Chassis: Steel backbone - rust critical. Mid-engine layout means chassis rot can be hidden. Engine: Renault - reliable but underpowered. Suspension: Check all bushes. Body: Fibreglass - check stress cracks around suspension mounts. Very low seating position - check floor. Visibility: Notoriously poor rearward due to buttresses.

Twin Cam engine conversion, good chassis, documented history