Intro and soon-to-be owner
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2025 21:58
Thanks to the admins for the approval...but, in the realm of introducing myself...
Long time (since 1980) Lotus owner here in the 'colonies' Cut my teeth on renovating and returning to the road a 1971 S2 Europa (serial 444R, currently stripped down by its current owner after going through a flood during a hurricane), winding through a '60 Elite, '74 Elite, '86 Turbo, multiple Europas to get enough parts to build a regional best of show S2 (693R) currently residing in the US Midwest.
Anyway, picked up a patina'd JPS Europa a few years ago, but with the number of years advancing, it's getting a bit of a chore getting in and out...so, put the feelers out, and a reasonable condition (I've been underneath; some surface rust, but poking all the areas with a long screwdriver didn't go through anywhere...) 74' Elite popped up. Some common bushings and such need refreshing. Body/paint is in decent condition (IOW nothing serious that a good mopping and wax won't be wasted on), seats centers front and rear need refreshing (vinyl sides are in good condition, so it's just replace the seat portion), headliner was done recently, dash binacles are not warped, and has the original spare Dunlop (which I know is not road worthy). Car was owned by the Wood Brothers (who were ACBC's pit crew at the Indy races), so it does have a history.
Current owner is willing to swap titles. Yeah, the Elite needs the carbs redone (the cam belt and tensioner has been replaced with a gates blue belt), and probably the rear brakes (shoot me now if the cylinders are toast) will need attention. Also, the nose seal of the diff seems to be weeping...but not dripping.
Oh, and windshield was replaced without destroying the (unobtainable?) trim pieces. That's something, right?
I know I'm on the other side of "the pond" here, and will probably mostly lurk and learn from your experiences...but thought I'd say hello (if you've been active in the Europa forums, you probably know me...) and make my presence known!
Bryan
Fall River MA
Longs SC
Too many Lotuses owned to list...:)
Long time (since 1980) Lotus owner here in the 'colonies' Cut my teeth on renovating and returning to the road a 1971 S2 Europa (serial 444R, currently stripped down by its current owner after going through a flood during a hurricane), winding through a '60 Elite, '74 Elite, '86 Turbo, multiple Europas to get enough parts to build a regional best of show S2 (693R) currently residing in the US Midwest.
Anyway, picked up a patina'd JPS Europa a few years ago, but with the number of years advancing, it's getting a bit of a chore getting in and out...so, put the feelers out, and a reasonable condition (I've been underneath; some surface rust, but poking all the areas with a long screwdriver didn't go through anywhere...) 74' Elite popped up. Some common bushings and such need refreshing. Body/paint is in decent condition (IOW nothing serious that a good mopping and wax won't be wasted on), seats centers front and rear need refreshing (vinyl sides are in good condition, so it's just replace the seat portion), headliner was done recently, dash binacles are not warped, and has the original spare Dunlop (which I know is not road worthy). Car was owned by the Wood Brothers (who were ACBC's pit crew at the Indy races), so it does have a history.
Current owner is willing to swap titles. Yeah, the Elite needs the carbs redone (the cam belt and tensioner has been replaced with a gates blue belt), and probably the rear brakes (shoot me now if the cylinders are toast) will need attention. Also, the nose seal of the diff seems to be weeping...but not dripping.
Oh, and windshield was replaced without destroying the (unobtainable?) trim pieces. That's something, right?
I know I'm on the other side of "the pond" here, and will probably mostly lurk and learn from your experiences...but thought I'd say hello (if you've been active in the Europa forums, you probably know me...) and make my presence known!
Bryan
Fall River MA
Longs SC
Too many Lotuses owned to list...:)
If it isn't a fellow X250 owner from the Jaguar forums.
). Current owner of the Elite did, however, offer to let me take the carbs (CDs) so I can rebuild. I believe he put in a new fuel pump, but says that when he turns the car on, gas spills out of the carbs, so, thinking that 1) the floats may be stuck, or 2) (more likely) the pressure on the pump is more than the 2-3 lbs that it should be. 
