Distinguished Pedigree: 1971 Lotus Europa S2 Type 65

I don't like posting cars that are on the expensive end of the typical DT price range ($1-$20,000) but occasionally a car comes through that could be offed for $50k...if not today, then in a few years.  If this next car was a similar condition Porsche 911, Austin-Healey 3000, or Fastback Mustang it would certainly demand more money...but this car has all the class and is half the price.  Find this 1971 Lotus Europa S2 Type 65 offered for $19,500 near Santa Cruz, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Dig Those Mirrors: 1970 Lotus Europa S2 RaceCar

This next car comes from Erik202 who writes: I know this one is slightly above the DT budget but maybe there are some readers who've been saving that Christmas money from grandma up for the last i dunno, 30-40 years and can to afford stretch a little for something cool. Find this 1970 Lotus Europa S2 offered for $25000 in Westside Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.

Mid Engine Project: 1970 Lotus Europa S2

The Lotus Europa has always been a favorite car over around these here parts -- we DT writers love its lightweight composite chassis, mid engine high revving powerplant and cheap entry price.  Time has driven the nicer examples to higher prices, but you can still get nice cheap Europa for the price of a 911 rear bumper mounting flange and we think the Europa is sweet. Find this 1970 Lotus Europa S2 offered for $7450 in Long Beach, CA via craigslist. Tip from Hugh.

Will Only Get More Expensive...Probably: 1969 Lotus Europa

A wise man once told me: A cheap exotic might just be the most expensive car you ever buy.  It may have been the cheap wine, the altitude, or the way his beard moved when he said it...but those words have stuck with me, and are particularly poignant in the context of this next feature.  And, unfortunately (or fortunately?), I share the same opinion as tipper Erik202 who writes: File this one under cars i should buy but won't but will probably wish i had in about 2 years. Anyway, instead of sitting on this  I'll share it with the DT faithful!  Find this 1969 Lotus Europa offered for $9500 CAD ($7162 USD at time of printing) located in Edmonton, AB via Kijiji.ca.

Needs Fixin: 1969 Lotus Europa S2

The Europa was a sporty two seater built by Colin Chapman's Lotus Cars in Norfolk, UK.  Only 9300 of these high-butted gems were built between 1966-1975 and in today's world of overpriced junk (see Porsche 912 prices...ahem) the Europa is still surprisingly affordable as long as you avoid over priced examples for sale on various interweb auction sites. Find this 1969 Lotus Europa S2 offered for $12,500 CAD ($9,431 USD or 649,440 Indian Rupees) via Kijiji.ca. Tip from Erik202.

Sports Car: 1971 Lotus Europa

This next car comes as a tip from Carter who writes: Personally it looks like an offspring of a VW Doka meets a Triumph Spitfire, but being a Lotus, I am sure it has a following. Find this 1971 Lotus Europa offered for $6,000 in Maine via craigslist.

Money Pit: 1970 Lotus Europa S2

Let's get something out in the open.  This next car is going to be a money pit. A get caught cheating on your divorce atty spouse level of money shredder.  A cocaine addict with an unlimited line of credit at the local Goons R Us loan shark.  Like owning a classic boat.  A LOT like owning a classic boat, because you'll spend all of your time dealing with fiberglass and if the weather is bad you are gonna get wet.  But when the skys are clear and Poseidon smiles in your favor....oooooeeeEEE...life will be sweet.  Find this 1970 Lotus Europa S2 offered for $6,500 in Marina del Rey, CA via craigslist.

Turbocharged Chopped-Top: 1970 Lotus Europa S2 Roadster

A custom Lotus Europa roadster sounds like a terrible idea.  The structural rigidity likely isn't changed much because the Europa used a fiberglass body glued to a boxed-steel backbone chassis, but aesthetically, there are many ways to fail miserably. Somehow, the builder of this thing managed to pull it off and build a good looking custom. Find this 1970 Lotus Europa S2 Roadster here on eBay bidding for $7,300 reserve-not-met located in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.  Tip from Hugh.

Low Mile Classic & Brown: 1974 Lotus Europa

When did interesting colors on cars go out of style?   It seems that every other car you see on the road today is some boring shade of silver, white, or black.  Why don't people like Plum Crazy, Mint Green, or Copper anymore? I for one, would love to have a brand new Honda covered in something like this Sepia Brown...except that I'd much prefer a classic Lotus to a new Honda...so I think I answered my question.  Weirdos who like brown don't buy new cars, we just try and keep old junkers running.  Find 1974 Lotus Europa offered for $19,000 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Auction Watch: 1970 Lotus Europa S2

I like this 1970 Lotus Europa S2 with an assortment of upgrades here on eBay bidding for $6,800 reserve-not-met with auction ending on Sunday.

A Selection of Classics from the SF Bay Area Craigslist by Kaibeezy

DT's logo guru Kaibeezy has always claimed that the SF Bay area craigslist is by far the best place to search for an inexpensive classic car (your Daily Turismo) and at first the assertion seemed silly.  Unfortunately, my local craigslist (Los Angeles), despite its favorable weather, is filled with a disproportionately large percentage of cars that represent dashed dreams and shattered realities of the central Los Angeles life. For some reason the same blight that infects the LA craigslist does not infect the SF Bay Area craigslist in the same percentage, and inexpensive decent condition classics just fall off trees.  Check out these examples with descriptions by Kaibeezy.

Ending Soon: 1970 Lotus Europa S2

The Europa was a sporty two seater built by Lotus Cars in Norfolk, UK from 1966 through 1975.  The lightweight (1300-1500 lbs) Europa featured a mid mounted inline 4 and some of Colin Chapman's best designed suspension bits and only 9300 of these high-butted gems left the factory.  Find this 1970 Lotus Europa S2 here on eBay bidding for $7,499 with a few hours to go, located in Granite Falls, WA.

10k: Simplify, Then Add A V8: 1970 Lotus Europa, Buick 215 swap

Over time, all cars must be rendered unto forces outside of our control. Late-model Italian exotics must offer penance for their transgressions at the stake. General Motors G-bodies must be shod with wire wheels and parked on the wrong side of the tracks. And flimsy British sports cars must be mated to burly American iron. No English-bred car is exempt from this divine manifestation, and it's here that we have found ourselves staring at a Lotus Europa body with eight gleaming orifices where a tired overhead-valve Renault unit once sat. Find this 1970 Lotus Europa S2 project with a Buick 215 swap for sale in Newberg, OR for $9,500 via craigslist.

15k: Best of the Breed: 1972 Lotus Europa Big Valve Special

You'd have to live in a bubble to not notice the way prices have been heading on classic European sports cars, but you'd be shocked to see how inexpensive one of the better handling cars can be.  We're (wait a minute...what site is this...oh yeah...)  I'm talking about the Lotus Europa, a smorgasbord of Colin Chapman philosophy, El Camino styling, and Ford power.  What could possibly go wrong?  Find this 1972 Lotus Europa Special offered for $15,000 in Seattle, WA via craigslist.

2k: New Year's Project: 1969 Lotus Europa

If this next feature was a short-wheel-base 911 or a BMW 2002 Tii, the price would be easily an order of magnitude higher.  It is a dirt cheap price for a project and a mid-engined classic from one of Europe's premier super car builders. What a perfect way to kick off the New Year!  Find this 1968 Lotus Europa project offered here on craigslist for $2,500 in Harmony, PA. Tip from Hugh.

15k: Safety Cone Orange: 1972 Lotus Europa S2

The Lotus Europa was an oddly shaped sports car from Lotus, that combined mid-engined driving pleasure with an oddly high rear end that looks almost like a pickup bed or maybe a boat deck made from fiberglass.  The reason for the odd shape is because the driver sits so low that the inline mounted engine/transaxle is above and behind the seated driver's shoulders.  The resulting car, although oddly proportioned in the rear, is a absolute pleasure to drive.  Find this 1972 Lotus Europa S2 here on craigslist, offered for $16,000 in Bronxville, NY.  Tip from FuelTruck.

5k: Moldy Cone Killer: 1969 Lotus Europa S2

Barn finds may or may not be your thing, but the sight of an unrestored vintage racecar has a particularly strong pull. Don't let the Ferrari guys have all the fun. Find this 1969 Lotus Europa S2 barn find for $3,383 reserve not met with 2 days to go.  Words and tip from DT commenter & contributor  slowcarSLOW-MPGlol.