1973 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special

Make

Lotus

Model

Europa Twin Cam Special

Year

1973

Listed price

$12,000

Location

Stratford

Transmission

Automatic

Mileage

0 miles

Conceived by Colin Chapman as Lotus's first mid-engined road car, the Europa debuted in 1966, bringing race-derived handling to the street. Its distinctive low-slung, backbone-chassis design and lightweight fiberglass body made it a revelation, offering a driving experience unlike anything else. The ultimate evolution of the Europa arrived with the Twin Cam Special, introduced in 1972. This model finally received the legendary Lotus Twin Cam engine, a 1558cc unit renowned for its free-revving character and sporting pedigree, often featuring "Big Valve" heads for enhanced performance. Paired with a robust Renault 4-speed transaxle, the Twin Cam Special cemented the Europa’s reputation as a pure driver's car, delivering exhilarating performance and telepathic steering feedback that few contemporaries could match. This 1973 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special, identified by its factory ID plate as chassis number 3669R with a June 1973 build date, presents an exciting opportunity for restoration. Showing 28,565 miles on the odometer (unverified), this example appears largely complete, featuring the desirable "Big Valve" Lotus Twin Cam engine with twin Stromberg 175 CD carburetors. The drivetrain appears to be original specification, including the Renault 352 4-speed manual transaxle and factory-style exhaust manifold. The car sits on what appear to be the correct Special alloy wheels, and an aluminum radiator is present. While it currently does not run and has not been started in years, its structural integrity appears sound, offering a solid foundation for a discerning enthusiast to bring this iconic British sportscar back to its former glory. This is a chance to acquire a significant piece of Lotus history, ripe for a dedicated revival.