1973 Lotus Europa Special S2
Chassis no. 3366R
Engine no. S29692
Transmission no. 1799
Alt Unit no. Type 74
1,600cc, DOHC 4-Cylinder Inline Engine
Twin Stromberg Carburetors-126bhp at 6,500rpm
5-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
Front Disc, Rear Drum Brakes

*Offered from The Chapel House Collection
*Period color scheme
*Freshly serviced in current ownership

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

'If you've just bought an ordinary sports car, we're sorry. Every Lotus is designed to give a man one thing above all - the greatest driving satisfaction the world can offer. Nothing hugs the road so closely, nothing corners so fast and true, nothing so happily combines performance, styling, comfort and pure handling pleasure.' - Lotus Europa advertisement, 1971.

Launched at the 1967 Brussels Show, the Lotus Type 46 - the Europa - was the marque's first mid-engined road car, and was powered by a 1,470cc Renault 16 engine mounted in an Elan-type backbone frame. Its specification also included all-round independent coil-sprung suspension and disc brakes on the front wheels (subsequently on the rear, too). Unusual styling provided ample luggage space while rearward visibility through the narrow, full-width back window was surprisingly good.

Having been manufactured exclusively for export for its first two years, the Europa made its UK debut in 1969 in improved S2 form. Renault-engined like its S1 predecessor, the S2 reverted to a conventional body/chassis attachment, the S1 'shell having been bonded in place - a move that greatly simplified, and cheapened, accident repairs - while electric windows and adjustable seats were welcome additions to the previously somewhat penny-pinching specification.

Presented in the appropriately named colorway of Tawny Brown, with a black interior, this is an authentic period Europa S2. Its original ownership history is uncharted at this point, but in more recent years it spent time on the West Coast. According to information on file, in previous ownership the car received a repaint in its original color, as well as mechanical servicing and attention to the brakes to assist usability.

The current owner acquired the Lotus from a California dealer a couple of years ago bringing it to Connecticut to join his burgeoning collection of primarily British sportscars. There it has been enjoyed and cared for, with recent work including a full service by Griffin Motorsports of Stratford, Connecticut in March 2021.
Lot to be sold without reserve.

Note about Buyer's Premium for this lot:
The final bid (hammer) price of each lot will be subject to a buyer's premium. For MOTOR CAR lots the premium is 12% on the first $250,000 of the bid price and 10% on any amount of the bid price exceeding $250,000.