Lotus Europa Twin Cam

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Launched in 1966, the Lotus Europa was the first mass production, mid-engine road car and was based on a prototype built to compete for a Ford contract to build a Le Mans race car in the early 1960s.

Exemplifying Colin Chapman's design philosophy of "simplify, then add lightness," it used a minimalist steel backbone chassis while also relying on a low drag fibreglass body for structural strength. Developed in a wind tunnel, this gave the Europa a drag factor of just 0.29 with its long, low roofline and an abrupt rear end inspired by the Ferrari 'Bread Van' racer.

The four-wheel independent suspension was typical of Chapman's thinking, the rear suspension consisting of two relatively large trailing arms, one lower locating link per side, the axles being used as upper locating links, very similar to Formula racing car designs of that era. The resultant astonishing roadholding prompted road testers to describe the Europa as the nearest thing to a race car for the road.

The first Series 1 cars were fitted with a modified Renault 16 1,470cc 82bhp engine and a 4-speed gearbox. By 1971 this had given way to a 105bhp Lotus/Ford Twin Cam 1,558cc unit that was good for 0-60 in 7.0 seconds with a top speed of 125mph. From 1972 the Twin Cam also gained a ‘Big Valve’ head which raised the power to 126bhp and reduced the 0-60 dash to just 6.0 seconds, phenomenal performance for the period.

Just 9,882 Europas were built in total between 1966 and 1975, Twin Cams accounting for 4,950 of this number, although DVLA records show that only 474 Twin Cams are still UK registered today and survivors are increasingly sought after.

This lovely Twin Cam was first registered in January 1972 and has had just two owners from new, the first keeping it right up until 2013. Said to be in highly original condition throughout, we are told that it even retains its original Pistachio Green paintwork, original carpets and original seats (almost unheard of with these cars which have usually been restored at least once by now). It also benefits from the more potent ‘Big Valve’ head.

The car has covered some 72,000 miles from new and reportedly comes with a good history file and many old MOTs to warrant this total although, at the time of cataloguing, we had not had chance to examine this for ourselves. Said to drive as a Europa should and due to have a fresh MOT in time for the sale, it sounds like an exceptionally correct and well-preserved example of this increasingly desirable sportscar.