Overhaulin 2012 Lotus Europa

Here you can natter about anything and everything!

Moderator: The Midas Forum Staff

Overhaulin 2012 Lotus Europa

Postby Hans Efde » Thu Sep 19, 2013 10:11 pm

Just watched an amazing episode of Overhaulin' on discovery. Usually it's about big American muscle cars,but this time it's about a Lotus Europa. It's amazing what they do with this car (with an unlimited budget, very crafted team and well equipped garage) and may inspire others on this forum for future Midas projects. Actually it's a 2 part episode. There is a rerun tomorrow at 09.00 hours CET for part 1, so set that DVD recorder (or find it on internet). I am hooked!
Funny that they are installing Porsche headlights on this car. Ed actually has the same idea for his Midas and has the Porsche lights waiting in his garage.
User avatar
Hans Efde
 
Posts: 1731
Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 10:11 pm
Location: IJlst, Netherlands

Re: Overhaulin 2012 Lotus Europa

Postby kelvink » Fri Sep 20, 2013 3:45 am

That'll be this one then....

http://velocity.discovery.com/tv-shows/ ... reveal.htm

The Europa is one of my favourites. And yes hopefully people might be inspired to restore their Midas
User avatar
kelvink
 
Posts: 636
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:12 am
Location: Dorset

Re: Overhaulin 2012 Lotus Europa

Postby Hans Efde » Fri Sep 20, 2013 7:56 am

This is part 2 of the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NvRn1h3ITU
I'll have a look for part 1, since it is very interesting. Chip Foose designs a suspension just with a few templates. also the fibreglass work is amazing (although nothing woven). Yeah this nose is too long, chop 4 inches out! Obviously many purists have cursed this rebuild, but I like it. It is actually a nice looking car now.
User avatar
Hans Efde
 
Posts: 1731
Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 10:11 pm
Location: IJlst, Netherlands

Re: Overhaulin 2012 Lotus Europa

Postby Hans Efde » Fri Sep 20, 2013 8:19 am

This is the drawing Foose made of the Europa. A sort of Bronze with a slim nose:

Image

Nose changed, GT40 type bonnet cooling, shoulder line softened, door upper edge lengtened, Porsche lights and many other details. Needless to say spotless paintwork.

Finished car:
Image
Wheels are too big, but for the rest it looks cool. According the Lotus forum it wasn't finished when they presented it, electrics not ready and lots of detailing. Also the wheels chafed (what a surprise).

Interior:
Image
The way they did this really opened my eyes, although I didn't see the heater, heater controls, switches etc. Still I am going to keep this video for when I am going to attack my own dash.

Rear:
Image
User avatar
Hans Efde
 
Posts: 1731
Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 10:11 pm
Location: IJlst, Netherlands

Re: Overhaulin 2012 Lotus Europa

Postby Alan D. » Fri Sep 20, 2013 10:34 pm

I love the rear lights! I wonder where they are from?

Alan
User avatar
Alan D.
 
Posts: 945
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 10:34 pm
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Re: Overhaulin 2012 Lotus Europa

Postby Hans Efde » Fri Sep 20, 2013 10:40 pm

Alan D. wrote:I love the rear lights! I wonder where they are from?

Alan


According to the Lotustalk forum where I found these pics they are from the Lotus Elise. also the dash is from the Elise, although first they wanted to install a Porsche cluster. I suppose they ran into too many problems with getting the dash to hook up with the rest (engine is also from an Elise, the 1.8 toyota lump). Lots of interesting inside stuff on that forum. On the Europa in the show they didn't get the engine to run because the flywheel chafed and some other electrical issues. So they soundrecorded another elise and edited it in the show. So the start up they do in part 2 is fake. Nonetheless I suppose after the program all issues where sorted and the car should be on the road now (if the owner is able to fit now, he was way to fat to fit properly!). Must be bonkers 300bhp in a 600kg car!
User avatar
Hans Efde
 
Posts: 1731
Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 10:11 pm
Location: IJlst, Netherlands

Re: Overhaulin 2012 Lotus Europa

Postby Stuart » Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:02 am

Nicely done, as said not too keen on the wheels.

Those lights work out quite expensive Alan. http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show ... ight-unit/

they do some aftermarket ones that work out a bit cheaper, here are their videos http://www.youtube.com/user/ElisePartsltd/videos
User avatar
Stuart
 
Posts: 1719
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:29 pm
Location: Derbyshire

Re: Overhaulin 2012 Lotus Europa

Postby DavidL » Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:03 pm

Alan D. wrote:I love the rear lights! I wonder where they are from?

Alan

Might be something suitable here:
http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/category/Lighting,b.html
User avatar
DavidL
 
Posts: 858
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 10:15 pm
Location: Tayport, Fife

Re: Overhaulin 2012 Lotus Europa

Postby Alan D. » Sat Sep 21, 2013 7:29 pm

DavidL wrote:
Alan D. wrote:I love the rear lights! I wonder where they are from?

Alan

Might be something suitable here:
http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/category/Lighting,b.html


Thanks David,

A good selection there. But my immediate priority is to replace the front- side and indicators on the Mk 3, as mine are getting a bit tired. But don't seem to be able to find an LED front side light and separate indicator, says he throwing down the challenge to all and sundry.

The main problems I seem to be having these days is from the 27 year old electrics!

Alan
User avatar
Alan D.
 
Posts: 945
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 10:34 pm
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Re: Overhaulin 2012 Lotus Europa

Postby Alan D. » Sat Sep 21, 2013 10:17 pm

You could try the kit car version of the Europa: http://www.banks-europa.co.uk/cars_home_new.htm

Alan
User avatar
Alan D.
 
Posts: 945
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 10:34 pm
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Next

Return to General Chat

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 13 guests