The abridged saga of my Europa lunacy

PostPost by: Chuck Nukem » Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:37 pm

cliveyboy wrote:A car guy I know has just done a great article on the Europa.
He absolutely loved it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMBerb7l3pM

He did drive a Plus 2 and hated it as the owner had jacked the drivers seat up and messed around with it. I have told him not to judge the Plus 2 by that particular car and that he should borrow my Sprint.

Clive


JayEmm did a great job on the Europa video. As someone who has not yet driven a Europa I live vicariously through it.

I have no ill feelings toward the +2 and I agree he drove the wrong car. That Europa was very well sorted where the +2 was modified in a way that would really affect his enjoyment of it.
User avatar
Chuck Nukem
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 57
Joined: 29 Mar 2021

PostPost by: TBG » Mon Oct 18, 2021 2:00 pm

Good video, and very interesting how much trouble he had with the 5 speed box. What is fitted to those cars? D
TBG
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 697
Joined: 21 Apr 2020

PostPost by: Chuck Nukem » Mon Oct 18, 2021 3:15 pm

On the twin cams the 5 speed is a Renault 365 box with a special 5th gear from Hewland. 4 speed is a Renault 352 box. The 5 speeds have issues with parts availability, so it has become common to use the more modern Renault NG series. The downside of those is that they are not designed to use the driveshafts as stressed suspension links, so one must fabricate brackets to have an additional arm to support the rear wheels.

The shifting problem is the heavy steel multi piece shaft that articulates the gear change. It twists and pushes/pulls. There is a small u-joint, a bushing which wears, and several other adjustments which cause for an incredibly vague shifting experience. Some owners have changed to cable and report of a much improved shifting experience. I am going to do a hybrid shaft and cable design to keep the length of the cable as short as possible.
User avatar
Chuck Nukem
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 57
Joined: 29 Mar 2021

PostPost by: andyelan » Tue Oct 19, 2021 10:17 am

Hi Guys

I'll admit it it takes some time and effort but once it's properly set up and adjusted the shift on the 5 speed Europa should work just fine.

I agree with comments made here about JayEmm's Plus 2 road test. It's a pity he didn't find a properly sorted one like mine to drive.

Andy
andyelan
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 618
Joined: 28 Feb 2008

PostPost by: Chuck Nukem » Sun Oct 24, 2021 2:02 am

The gold leaf is down! Final layers of clear go down tomorrow!
Attachments
20211023_114621.jpg and
20211023_133734.jpg and
20211023_133736.jpg and
20211023_152840.jpg and
20211023_185929.jpg and
20211023_185948.jpg and
20211023_185954.jpg and
20211023_190419.jpg and
20211023_190435.jpg and
User avatar
Chuck Nukem
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 57
Joined: 29 Mar 2021

PostPost by: Mazzini » Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:19 am

Superb job!
User avatar
Mazzini
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2061
Joined: 11 Dec 2010

PostPost by: Chuck Nukem » Sun Oct 24, 2021 11:12 pm

Here she is!
Attachments
20211024_172747.jpg and
User avatar
Chuck Nukem
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 57
Joined: 29 Mar 2021

PostPost by: SENC » Mon Oct 25, 2021 1:59 am

WOW! Looks fantastic!!!
Henry
69 Elan S4
65 Seven S2
SENC
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1018
Joined: 30 Dec 2015

PostPost by: Chuck Nukem » Mon Oct 25, 2021 9:11 pm

Finally basking in the sun!!!
Attachments
20211025_144711.jpg and
20211025_145045.jpg and
User avatar
Chuck Nukem
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 57
Joined: 29 Mar 2021

PostPost by: SENC » Mon Oct 25, 2021 10:14 pm

Spectacular!
Henry
69 Elan S4
65 Seven S2
SENC
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1018
Joined: 30 Dec 2015

PostPost by: Chuck Nukem » Mon Oct 25, 2021 10:20 pm

Thank you!!
User avatar
Chuck Nukem
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 57
Joined: 29 Mar 2021

PostPost by: TBG » Mon Oct 25, 2021 10:24 pm

Blooooming amaaaazing!! D
TBG
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 697
Joined: 21 Apr 2020

PostPost by: Mazzini » Tue Oct 26, 2021 6:21 am

+1! Can I send you my Sprint to paint? :lol: :lol: :lol:
User avatar
Mazzini
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2061
Joined: 11 Dec 2010

PostPost by: mbell » Tue Oct 26, 2021 8:48 pm

Mazzini wrote:+1! Can I send you my Sprint to paint? :lol: :lol: :lol:


He keeps telling me we should do my car and I keep not taking him up on it... the more I see this progress the more foolish I realize I am! There again I know how much work has been put in to get it to its current state, so I know I am more lazy than foolish!
'73 +2 130/5 RHD, now on the road and very slowly rolling though a "restoration"
mbell
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2643
Joined: 07 Jun 2013

PostPost by: The Veg » Mon Nov 01, 2021 4:55 pm

WOW!!!

If I lived close-by I'd volunteer my car for his paintwork skills!
1970 Elan Plus 2 (not S) 50/2036
2012 BMW R1200GS
"It just wouldn't be a complete day if I didn't forget something!" -Me
User avatar
The Veg
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2188
Joined: 16 Nov 2015
PreviousNext

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 42 guests