Overhaulin' Europa

bludroptop wrote: Probably would fail state safety inspection here. Not saying that's logical or justified, just saying. "INSPECT DOORS AT THE RIGHT & LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER’S SEAT FOR: Handle or opening device which will permit opening the door from the outside and inside of the vehicle. Latching system which will hold door in its proper closed position."

Funny you should mention this..I took the bugeye in for a safety inspectoin on thursday and the mechanic doing the work got all hung up on this item!

And here in Ontario, the remote does not qualify as an outside release since it is unlikely that the Emergemcy Rescue Staff is going to have the remote for your door. They would probably make an example of you by removing the roof with the jaws of life even if it were not required!

Then try telling a young person that a car did not have seat belts!

Well, if you go on the Overhaulin' website there are a couple of outake previews of the show... For better or worse, it looks like it'll be a restomod with emphasis on the "mod" part. It'll be different, that's for sure...

ArthurDent wrote: Morris Marina is similar

Bringin' it back to Lotus, those are the same door handles on a Giugiaro era Esprit:

I'm not sure I'd want any part on my car that was shared with a Marina.

After having been on a rally team, I can say there are two things important to a car that people take for granted: 1. Having door windows big enough to extract your ass from. 2. Door handles that wil help get someone in to help you. Paddle type does not work.

ddavidv wrote: I'm not sure I'd want any part on my car that was shared with a Marina.

The Cobra Daytona shares bonnet latches with a Spitfire... I fail to see your point.

Ian F wrote: Well, if you go on the Overhaulin' website there are a couple of outake previews of the show... For better or worse, it looks like it'll be a restomod with emphasis on the "mod" part. It'll be different, that's for sure...

Looked like in the promo they put a Ecotec in it.

mblommel wrote:

ArthurDent wrote: Morris Marina is similar

Bringin' it back to Lotus, those are the same door handles on a Giugiaro era Esprit:

Like so many LBC parts, they got put on everything. I think the Range Rover won the hot potato contest and was the last to sport those handles.

First episode thoughts...

The new Lotus engine rearranged from transverse to longitudinal with an adapter plate and a Porsche Boxter transaxle sounds pretty GRM to me. Plus I like the way Chip worked out the rear suspension geometry and admitted to being distracted while on the computer looking for car parts. Sounds a bit like some of us. I'm not sure how I feel about the 4" he took out of the nose but I do like the redesigned doors, rear scoops for engine ducting and the hood redesign/radiator ducting.

The quick view of the red with white racing stripes (who called the stripes?) paint scheme is meh but may be ok with a better look. No clue what wheels they will use but I think the originals would look just fine. Can't wait to see the conclusion on this one.

Any pictures of this thing floating around?

Here is the "before". I couldn't find any of the "after" yet.

I'm actually OK with the nose. It's similar enough to one of the old works cars, and truthfully, the nose is a bit long in stock form. Other than that, it has a distinct GRM vibe to it.

The owner was a 7-up delivery man who ended up volunteering at Leno's shop. The colors are the same colors as the bottle.

I watched the episode and I like what they have done so far. I wasn't expecting moving the nose back, but I like it. The 996 headlights will look custom yet tasteful, i.e. it won't take away from the Lotus's looks. I like that they kept the Lotus engine in it.

I'm looking forward to the next episode to see it completed.

Ian F wrote:

ddavidv wrote: I'm not sure I'd want any part on my car that was shared with a Marina.

The Cobra Daytona shares bonnet latches with a Spitfire... I fail to see your point.

Shoot, Jensen Healy taillights are shared with some Humber or other, Reliant Scimitars and... wait for it... some Aston Martins.

The US spec Noble M400 had Hyundai Sonata Taillights.

I imagine you can figure out which car they looked better on.

In reply to hobiercr:

Btw, the engine in an Europa is longitudinal. Dr Hess is going through great effort to install a transverse drivetrain.

Everything I've read from those who have met Chip Goose in casual circumstances have all said he is an incredibly nice and down to earth guy.

I was really ready to be appalled before watching yesterday's episode, but I actually like what they're doing with the car so far. I really appreciate the things they did to reinforce the body and frame. The 993 headlights even look pretty cool. The only thing I don't really like so far is the 996 gauge cluster, while it'll probably work decently well I think it's too trademark Porsche, and something smaller and simpler would have suited the car better.

There's a cool YouTube of Chip Foose talking about his first car which was a MKII Golf; he seems to be a real, honest, cool guy.

I like what they did. It's tasteful and the little details make it. I dig the shorter nose and the Elise taillights. The green stripes do not stand out as much as I thought it would. Even all the mechanicals are done very well.

hobiercr wrote: Here is the "before". I couldn't find any of the "after" yet.

I know it's the before photo, but that car is surprisingly good looking for an S2.

The second episode was on tonight and the car is amazing. Yap the wheels are too big but the workmanship is was crazy. Funny to see the guy get in the car. I am not saying he has a high BMI score but he is like me, we just got ahead of our eating....

It came out pretty decently, I think.

The only issues I have are with the usual Foose wheels, and the fact that while it's supposed to be a track car, there's no cage and they got rid of the old kill switch without providing for any replacement, as far as I saw. Of course, with the mods there's just about no class this thing qualifies for, and for trackdays I guess you don't need either.

I saw part of the second episode last night. A lot of work went into that car. I think almost all the wheels they do are too big for what they are going on.

The complexity of this project was above and beyond anything I've seen on Overhaulin before. Custom CV axles, custom chassis modifications, custom suspension, all of the glass work, and on and on.

I'm impressed - but I'm also curious why they took on this project. It obviously cost a lot of money and took a long time - why would they take on a project like that for a double episode show? Is it Foose flexing his muscles or are they bringing in a wider audience?