GRM Europa?

So reading in the New magazine is the Europa project dead? What happened to it? I was second in line on that thing..

We decided to cut our losses on that one.

There was a Europa project? How did I not know about this? I thought I was the only one on this forum.

David, I hope you consider another Europa project. There are so many different directions to go with them.

The car got as far as being delivered

Do please provide a re-cap and post mortem. I was really looking forward to this since the Europa is at the top of my dreamlist of "Cars that I would kill to own but am too smart to buy"

There might even be enough meat to the descision process to create a small article for the mag.

That's an interesting point. No one ever writes about that side of the hobby - when do you evaluate and decide it's too much? Seems like a natural fit given the drag-it-home SOP of the readership.

Where did this come up? I haven't seen it.

ultraclyde wrote: That's an interesting point. No one ever writes about that side of the hobby - when do you evaluate and decide it's too much? Seems like a natural fit given the drag-it-home SOP of the readership.

Actually, that just happened to us, too. but it took a WHOLE lot longer.

While the transaction has not taken place, I'm working on a deal to sell 2 of my Alfas, one that I've had for 20 years as a project, the other over 10. While it took some soul searching, I have come to the realization that neither was going to get done. Whereas the cars are in demand to be seen and driven- as evidenced by the sale numbers that CM is posting.

So I felt it was better for the cars and the car culture to let them go.

That kind of article should be written, IMHO- it may help prevent hoarding that ruins cars over time.

Agreed. That would probably be a story for print in both magazines.

I want to know what literally happened to it. I seriously was going to buy it from the PO but GRM fame and becoming a magazine project car made a more convincing argument than me for becoming its new owner.

KazeSpec wrote: There was a Europa project? How did I not know about this? I thought I was the only one on this forum.

Only one what? There's several people with them here. I have 2. But then, all Europas are "projects."

alfadriver wrote: Actually, that just happened to us, too. but it took a WHOLE lot longer. While the transaction has not taken place, I'm working on a deal to sell 2 of my Alfas, one that I've had for 20 years as a project, the other over 10. While it took some soul searching, I have come to the realization that neither was going to get done. Whereas the cars are in demand to be seen and driven- as evidenced by the sale numbers that CM is posting. So I felt it was better for the cars and the car culture to let them go. That kind of article should be written, IMHO- it may help prevent hoarding that ruins cars over time.

PM sent

Dr. Hess wrote:

KazeSpec wrote: There was a Europa project? How did I not know about this? I thought I was the only one on this forum.

Only one what? There's several people with them here. I have 2. But then, all Europas are "projects."

Pete Gossett still has his "other" one as well

We planned on doing the handoff at the Mitty. We inspected the car and talked among ourselves. Between the two magazines, we have a lot of projects on the horizon.

At the same time, Hayes from wirewheel.com expressed some serious interest in the Europa. At the end of the day, the car went home on his trailer.

Dr. Hess wrote:

KazeSpec wrote: There was a Europa project? How did I not know about this? I thought I was the only one on this forum.

Only one what? There's several people with them here. I have 2. But then, all Europas are "projects."

Ah Dr. Hess, I know you from the Yahoo Group. I didn't know you were on GRM as well.

In reply to aussiesmg:

didn't know you had a GTV6. cool car.

The Europa almost seems like a cursed vehicle here. When the folks who built a full boogy Berkley say that a project is not feasible, you know it is a tough project.

slefain wrote: The Europa almost seems like a cursed vehicle here. When the folks who built a full boogy Berkley say that a project is not feasible, you know it is a tough project.

For what it's worth, that Europa was way more complete than expected. Honestly, we expected a shell. This one was something that deserved more of a real restoration.

In reply to KazeSpec: Yeah, been here a while. Longer than on the Europa list, actually.

David, if you want one that you can feel more free to do whatever you want to, we'll keep an eye out for you. They show up regularly. I call them "Free Range Europas," you know, as they are found in the wild: head is in the boot or front seat, last ran >25 years ago, been sitting in a field since.... They sell for between $500 and $1500, depending on how much is there.

my girlfriend's grandfather sold a complete running one for $800 back in the day

http://wirewheel.com/1973-Lotus-Europa-twin-cam-special.html

Was this it?

Yes, that's it. He's cleaned it up and added the transmission & wheels.

From talking with Tim afterward, after putting a tape measure to the Europa vs the LSX, he realized the project was going to require a much larger commitment than he'd anticipated.

petegossett wrote: Yes, that's it. He's cleaned it up and added the transmission & wheels. From talking with Tim afterward, after putting a tape measure to the Europa vs the LSX, he realized the project was going to require a much larger commitment than he'd anticipated.

I think the Berkley put the fear of God in Tim, and now he thinks like a mere mortal.

David S. Wallens wrote:

slefain wrote: The Europa almost seems like a cursed vehicle here. When the folks who built a full boogy Berkley say that a project is not feasible, you know it is a tough project.

For what it's worth, that Europa was way more complete than expected. Honestly, we expected a shell. This one was something that deserved more of a real restoration.

That's a very interesting reason. And a very good one.