Lotus Europa: GT40-proposal to Lotus 7 successor
Posted on 04-04-2016 at 10:56 by Dizono – 26 Comments”
Actually, the Ford GT40 so should look like, but the history given otherwise.
Lotus was great with the 7 (you know, the one with the disassembly guide) and although Caterham still builds, it took Colin Chapman to the early ’60’s already time for a successor. This was slightly less spartan than the roller skate on wheels that the Lotus 7, but had just as smooth to drive, affordable and with every garage, and maintenance. A damn good recipe that is now unfortunately not more use it seems to be.
For the Lotus Elan developed in Hethel, the Lotus-Ford Twin Cam, a potent 1.5 (and later 1.6) with 100 hp or more. In terms of the performance a perfect block for Europe, but expensive in production and therefore too expensive for the affordable sports car. The solution came from France, where the Renault 16 was presented. This block was backwards in the back of the Europe spooned and opgepept from 52 to 82 hp.
Not impressive? Think again! The Lotus Europa was when he 1966 was released, namely the lowest production car ever and weighed only 610 kg. The top speed was 192 km per hour, the hundred was in little more than nine seconds. Nuttigde you in the morning for a classic English breakfast, then noticed you this right on the acceleratiecijfers of your Lotus Europa. The design was a custom design that Lotus made for the Ford GT40 project. Ford eventually chose the design of competitor Lola Cars and so decided Chapman design something to adapt and use for their own product.
The original Lotus Europa, Series 1 with Renault engine, was in 1968, replaced by the Series 2. This got a little bit more luxury allocated, such as electrical windows, wood on the dash and reclining chairs. Appearance, this type is recognizable by the turn signals out from under the bumper to a more prominent spot next to the headlights moved.
In 1972, introduces Lotus the best Europe, the Twin Cam. This will still the fine Lotus-Ford-block-allocated, that at that time 1557cc measure and is good for 105 hp. Later on, by the adjustment of other Dell’orto carburettors, the ability even to rise to 126 hp, al was this Europe Special with 740 pounds of also a bit heavier than the original. Although the top speed barely increased, the 200 km/h was still just not taken, you sat in 6.6 seconds on the hundred.
A Europe with Twin-Cam is easy to recognize. Where a Series 1 and 2, the roof line is almost fluent runs in two raised edges on the engine compartment, that borders on the Twin Cam and Special is gone. The car, however, remained a striking appearance, that is not to everyone’s taste. Personally, I find a Series 1 is magnificent, with the information based on Type 47 racer as well-liked. These cars were even lighter than the production models, and soon had 165 hp at their disposal. There is even a Type 47 with a 300 hp souped-up Rover V8 built to a terrifying top speed of 290 km/h.
Gallery: Lotus Europa
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Gallery: Lotus Type 47
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