Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

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.

Good video, and very interesting how much trouble he had with the 5 speed box. What is fitted to those cars? D

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.

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

The gold leaf is down! Final layers of clear go down tomorrow!

Superb job!

Here she is!

WOW! Looks fantastic!!!

Finally basking in the sun!!!

Spectacular!

Thank you!!

Blooooming amaaaazing!! D

+1! Can I send you my Sprint to paint?

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

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!

WOW!!!

If I lived close-by I'd volunteer my car for his paintwork skills!