Description
15th Feb, 2025 11:00
The February 2025 Auction
1969 Lotus Europa S2
Lightweight classic subject to a comprehensive Wheeler Dealer restoration
Estimate
£22, 000 - £24, 000
Buyer's premium: 15. 00%
Lot details
Registration: DNP242H
Chassis: 54/ 2161
Odometer: 1, 847
Transmission: Manual
MOT: Exempt
Featured in Season 17 Episode 18 of Wheeler Dealers
Corner weight set up by ex-Formula One mechanic
Upgraded “Spyder” replacement chassis
Removable sports steering wheel
New wheels and tyres
We are delighted to offer this 1969 Lotus Europa S2 in British Racing Green with black interior. The paperwork is a little confusing but, piecing it together, it would appear that chassis number 54/ 2161 was a red Europa S2 and left the Lotus factory on 29th September 1969 when it was sent to a dealer in Famagusta, Cyprus (as confirmed by a letter from Lotus Cars Ltd). A collection of old registration documents suggests that in 1975 the car was back in the UK and registered to a Mrs Hill under the registration number 'VEU962P'. It then passed through a number of owners before arriving with a Mr Pearson in August 2010. The new owner then embarked upon a restoration, spending a lots of money on parts from renowned specialists such as Paul Matty and Europa Engineering and a £5, 000 colour change from red to the current green. He seems to have spent some time researching the history and went on to approach the DVLA asking why the car had been given a 1975 P-plate when it left the factory in 1969, supported by the letter from Lotus. The DVLA weren’t able to assist, so the fastidious owner bought a correct age-related plate that it now wears.
Last year, well known TV restoration show, Wheeler Dealers bought the car for the programme. By this stage, the owner had become disillusioned by its wayward handling and was keen to let it go. The show’s current mechanical expert, Marc “Elvis” Priestley, a former Formula One race engineer for McLaren, eagerly investigated the handling issues diagnosing a plethora of worn suspension and drivetrain components. He removed the body from the chassis and set about refreshing the worn components. The chassis was painted before being reunited with the body, which received a yellow stripe as a nod to the Lotus Type 47 race cars which competed successfully in the Sixties. The rear engine lid was repaired and modified to return it to its original four-vent design. New wheels were sourced and shod with a matching set of quality Yokohama tyres. The engine had received a substantial service and tune in 2021 and was serviced again by the WD team. The climax of the show was an appearance at the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, where Elvis took the opportunity to drive the little Lotus at full tilt up the hill. In preparation, he spent some time using his F1 skills to corner weight the car and set it properly so that it handled like a true Lotus. The full programme is available on Discovery + but a cut down version can be viewed for free here - details above.
Since last being purchased in December 2023, it has formed part of an extensive collection of high end classics.
It comes with V5C, copies of old registration documents, old purchase receipts, huge bundle of invoices, correspondence with the DVLA, Lotus Driver’s Club stickers, restoration photographs and a Europa S2 wiring diagram.
The little Europa was a trailblazer amongst sports cars, being one of the first road-going sports cars with a mid-engine and truly adhering to Colin Chapman’s adage of “simplify, then add lightness”. Very few were made, less remain and even less can boast a set up from an ex-Formula One race mechanic. This could possibly be the best sorted Lotus Europa on the market and you’d kick yourself if you missed it.
