Lotus barn find This 1976 Lotus Eclat is claimed to be a barn find, but we are not quite sure what the seller defines as "barn find". Some Europas came with a Renault engine. This 1970 Cortina Mk II 1600E could be a more affordable alternative. May 8, 2023 · Research the seller. A new Jan 4, 2022 · 27k Barn Find: 1983 Lotus Esprit Turbo The angular lines and sharp edges leave you with no doubt that what we are looking at here is a Lotus Esprit. Such has been the case with the Lotus Europa. This particular Europa was used Jun 16, 2016 · When it comes to affordable and fun sport cars, the Lotus Europa is absolutely packed with value. This 1969 Lotus Europa is a perfect example of that thinking, with an almost total fixation on extracting the maximum from a drivetrain that started life Aug 12, 2023 · In the roughly 17 months that I have been writing for Barn Finds, one rare car shows up quite often in the "sell this thing NOW" category: the Lotus Europa. Still, this isn't exactly unusual for basketcase Lotus projects, and this one at least has the benefit of having a decent interior and Feb 21, 2016 · This 1966 Lotus Cortina was owned by my friend Kevin Corcoran for almost 40 years. The romance began brewing in the 1950s: Colin Chapman used Ford's 105E engine to develop his twin-cam, and the Lotus Elan and its variants were designed by an ex-Ford man, Ron Hickman (anyone know what Black & Decker product Hickman Jul 1, 2025 · If you’ve ever dreamed of building your own featherweight sports car with mid-engine balance and true vintage flair, this 1971 Lotus Europa might be calling your name. Then I chose to own another obscure 80s coupe known as a Subaru Apr 17, 2024 · Garage Find: 1970 Lotus Europa S2 Hiding in this garage is a 1970 Lotus Europa with a story to tell. The project has since stalled out and Jul 1, 2025 · Colin Chapman’s legendary lightweight sports car formula is alive and well in this 1968 Lotus Elan SE. Being a California car, this Lotus looks like a good Colin Chapman's obsession with minimizing vehicle weight didn't just bring him considerable motorsport success. No vice is free in life. Three of the most prominent cars in the collection are a 1986 Porsche 930 Turbo May 31, 2024 · However, a particular British sports car seems to find its way onto these pages far more often than its initial sales would suggest. for calling it to our attention! The seller is asking $28,000, but how Jan 9, 2024 · Viable project candidate or yard art? That is the question facing the new owner of this 1973 Lotus Europa. The Lotus Elan would seemingly check most of those boxes, save for the performance Feb 14, 2024 · It is fascinating how we sometimes go for months without seeing a particular classic at Barn Finds, and then several will appear in quick succession. Find out when & where he bought it and how many days before you came did he moved it in the barn. However, advancing years have seen him admit that he will never see the project to completion. Oct 21, 2024 · Owning a road-going Lotus can be described as an ethereal handling experience with a gravy ladle full of aggravation poured on top of it. I’m not new to repairing cars, but I am a 90’s baby so even though I know what it is, I am new to a Carlton. But not every lotus had that wonderful twin cam engine. This 1978 Lotus Esprit S1, listed here on eBay, is a partially disassembled restoration project that the seller notes is largely complete, Sep 16, 2021 · That Lotus Cortina is a real find! Given all the other cars are included in the sale 100K sounds reasonable for the avid collector. May 4, 2025 · JPS Barn Find - Part 2Congratulations on purchasing genuine JPS Europa! It’s too bad that you’re swamped with another project. While many people want an Elan like this 1969 Lotus Elan for sale on craigslist in Raleigh, North Carolina May 22, 2023 · The potential for a car to become a future collectible depends on many factors, but some of the common triggers include limited production numbers; exceptional performance; lineage of the brand; and a history of the marque showing a potential for appreciating. Kevin drove the car daily for years, but after the Northridge earthquake in 1994 he parked the car to focus on rebuilding his home. market had to be “federalized” to meet DOT standards, such as adjusting the suspension to make the front end of the car taller. According to the seller, however, this Lotus is a stillborn restoration, having been finished to a respectable level before getting parked Dec 11, 2024 · Dust-covered and partially buried, this classic epitomizes the barn-find allure. Though not a genuine Lotus, this copy was built by a Michigan shop and famously appeared in the Paul Newman film Winning. Lotus constructed the Europa with a fiberglass body mounted to a steel backbone chassis. These British sports cars were mostly fiberglass with mostly useful engines producing almost enough power. Therefore, the Lotus May 21, 2020 · We appreciate Robert Thomas bringing this lightweight 1967 Lotus Elan to our attention. I remember Jeremy Clarkson drove one in one of the Top Gear shows. We've seen quite a few of these in barn find and project form, but there is always one issue with taking one of these cars on and that's the expense of restoration. Lotus created several compelling cars, nearly all of which - when in good fettle - are exciting to own and drive. Introduced in 1966, the low-slung Europa was Britain’s first mid-engine sports car, and its unique design and The Lotus Europa was a mid-engine, GT sports car built by Lotus Cars between 1966-75. At 10:06 on the morning of the 5th of September, 2001, as it rested among the townhouses on Spencer Road in southwest London-- just around the corner from the Roundhouse Nov 27, 2021 · The Lotus Europa was a mid-engine GT sports car that was built between 1966-75. The Lotus was discovered with an original nose and an 80’s type aero nose. Jan 9, 2024 · Viable project candidate or yard art? That is the question facing the new owner of this 1973 Lotus Europa. If there's a fly in the ointment, it's the dastardly condition of so many examples today. This Lotus Eclat is the first one up, and it's one of two that he has. market but lost some of their aerodynamic characteristics in the process. Our feature car is a 1983 Esprit Turbo, and the seller discovered it hidden away in a… more» May 15, 2021 · This is a 1973 Lotus Elan +2S 130/5, proudly wearing the original black and metal flake gold that marks it as a John Player Special. Dec 17, 2021 · Ready For Track Day: 1967 Lotus Elan For a marque that is considered a limited volume producer, Lotus cars grace the web pages of Barn Finds with decided regularity. Jul 24, 2025 · While this Lotus Elan +2 is narrowly tucked into a garage, it's not exactly a barn find. Oliver Winterbottom designed both models, hewing to the new angular design idiom so Jul 25, 2013 · Our email provider automatically added the line, “The post 1966 Lotus Cortina Survivor appeared first on Barn Finds. After watching that drive if you don’t come away with the want for one of these cars I don’t know what Nov 15, 2025 · LOTUS EUROPA GARAGE/BARN FIND COMPLETE RESTORATION PROJECTS WANTED ALL CLASSIC LOTUS CARS WANTED INCLUDING LOTUS ELAN S1 S2 S3 S4 ELAN SPRINT ELAN+2 & LOTUS EUROPA MODELS IN ANY CONDITION FROM FULLY RESTORED IMMACULATE CONCOURS CARS, USEABLE RUNNING/ DRIVING CARS WANTING T. This is a 1987 H&S Engineering Sabre Seven, produced for a short Jul 15, 2016 · When thinking of a classic Lotus, we all want and imagine that Lotus having the DOHC Lotus engine that is all too familiar. The quality of a Lotus on the showroom floor was barely adequate; the cars were not designed to Nov 15, 2025 · LOTUS EUROPA GARAGE/BARN FIND COMPLETE RESTORATION PROJECTS WANTED ALL CLASSIC LOTUS CARS WANTED INCLUDING LOTUS ELAN S1 S2 S3 S4 ELAN SPRINT ELAN+2 & LOTUS EUROPA MODELS IN ANY CONDITION FROM FULLY RESTORED IMMACULATE CONCOURS CARS, USEABLE RUNNING/ DRIVING CARS WANTING T. Finished in classic British Racing Green over black, this example has been extensively rebuilt and upgraded for reliable use without sacrificing its raw, analog charm. Purchased in the mid 1970's from the original owner 73,000 original mile Lotus was parked in 1982 in a basement garage never to be driven again. Aug 16, 2025 · Lotus Alternative: 1970 Ford Cortina Mk II 1600E When Ford collaborated with Lotus, the result was a Cortina that enjoyed success on the track and in the showroom. Living with a standard car on a daily basis can be a challenge because they are hard-core and quite basic. They just aren't worth enough in May 8, 2021 · Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious. Power Aug 16, 2025 · When Ford collaborated with Lotus, the result was a Cortina that enjoyed success on the track and in the showroom. The clamshell hood, the loose affiliation with the classic VW Scirocco, handling by Lotus, available turbo power - yes, it had quite a few boxes checked. It allowed his company to produce cars offering surprising performance from relatively modest drivetrain configurations. Our seller gets a "man of May 11, 2023 · And now for an installment of "When enough is just right, too much is perfect!". A tip from Richard Ray, this 1971 Lotus Europe: The Anti-Project Europas pop up on Barn Finds a fair amount, and usually in project car form. Feb 20, 2024 · Hiding in this garage is a 1970 Lotus Europa with a story to tell. L. I drive past it every now and then, debating to knock on the door and find out more info, possibly make an offer. However, advancing years… more» Jan 11, 2023 · Lotus cars are coming out of the woodwork these days, as Barn Finds has featured several lately. S. Explore our models, find the nearest Lotus Centers and join the Lotus community. It’s been fully restored to “daily driver status” and apparently only needs new gas and oil before leaping into life. With a new frame you’ll have great project that will become a great car! If you have to sell it, I hope and expect you’ll find a great new owner! Please keep us up to date regardless! Jul 1, 2020 · If there's ever been a car that could transform you into a fan of track days and autocross events overnight, I don't know of a better option than a Lotus Super Seven or Caterham kit. While the most valuable cars are always the original formula examples, there’s a lot to be said for buying a more affordable replica that provides 90 percent of the magic at a 25 percent discount (or better). Following the success of the legendary Elan, Nov 23, 2024 · The Ford Lotus Cortina was a 1960s collaboration between Ford and Lotus Cars to build a performance-oriented small sedan. The owner believes that the twin cam motor may not have been run since being built. Oct 10, 2025 · In the roughly 17 months that I have been writing for Barn Finds, one rare car shows up quite often in the “sell this thing NOW” category: the Lotus Europa. This modern classic roadster epitomized the lightweight recipe Colin Chapman made a priority on the earliest Lotus road cars, but with a few different ingredients mixed in. These cars were the epitome of Colin Chapman's design philosophy, and even with a modest powerplant under the hood, could FORZA HORIZON 4 - [BARN FIND] Lotus Elise GT1 LOCATION HSG Automotive 123K subscribers 121 The Lotus Seven is one of the most well-loved sports cars in existence; it’s also one of the most frequently cloned. A tip from Richard Ray, this Feb 12, 2024 · This 1979 Lotus Esprit listed here on craigslist is a Series 2 model, which accounts for just over 1,000 models produced between 1979 and 1982, and the seller is asking $30,000. If it runs and isn’t eaten by rust, what sort of issues would a ‘barn find’ Carlton typically have? The nimble handling Lotus Europa was certainly an automobile well ahead of its time. Perhaps its slow start to market was a harbinger of this longevity: the car was designed in 1971 and shown in 1972, but the first driveable prototype wasn't available until 1974, and the first sale didn't occur Apr 5, 2012 · It may be the most ungainly sibling in the Lotus family, but the Eclat still offered cheap thrills with enough room in the back for small children and cargo. It Tom finds a barn full of iconic cars spanning from the early 1940s to the early 1990s and all have low-mileage. After watching that drive if you don’t come away with the want for one of these cars I don’t know what May 2, 2020 · This 1980 Lotus Esprit is a half-finished project offered but what appears to be a restoration shop specializing in British vehicles. This. Although now this Europa has something Aug 20, 2024 · Colin Chapman was a lateral thinker whose innovative ideas forever changed the world of motorsport. The cars are beautiful, the handling is sublime, and the build quality is often as questionable as the car's reliability. This marriage of two different materials produces one of the car’s known weaknesses. Aug 30, 2025 · Among the most recognizable wedge-shaped sports cars of the 1970s, the Lotus Esprit S1 has earned lasting fame for both its Giugiaro-penned styling and its on-screen appearance in The Spy Who Loved Me. When I was a kid, we had a computer shop down the street where I bought all kinds of car racing games for the old Commodore, including one called Test Drive, which required you to drive one of five then-current sports cars Sep 17, 2019 · This 1974 Lotus Europa underwent a full restoration a few years ago, and it has survived quite nicely through the intervening years. Jan 3, 2018 · This is the third interesting Lotus I've written up over the last few weeks, preceded by an Eclat and an Excel. He was also told that it was built by Brian Hart, but does not have further evidence of this. In this video I review the interior, bodywork and engine and what Aug 8, 2023 · The Lotus Europa, with its tiny, ultra-low “bread wagon” body, has always been an oddball on the American market. At one point in time I actually considered applying to be a Dutton distributor, so if you happen to purchase this kit Oct 1, 2024 · This Lotus Europa S2 is a highly original examples with a fantastic history file attached to its Bahama Yellow fiberglass body. The Europa is a memorable driving experience reserved for those of modest height and low curb weights, one of the few times being short and light actually pays off. He purchased just Oct 31, 2020 · The Lotus Elise is a car designed using the Chapman philosophy, and in standard form, it is a track-day car intended to be driven on public roads. We've covered fourteen of them since April of '22. Even if Apr 1, 2019 · When you look at this 1970 Lotus Europa, you might think that this is a freshly restored car and counter to what we propose to feature in terms of project cars and barn finds. Offered here on eBay as an unfinished project, this classic British coupe includes a fiberglass body, the original frame, a Ford Zetec 4-cylinder engine, and a full set Sep 30, 2025 · The seller of this Lotus Eclat claims to have 50 project cars in his collection and that lost storage is forcing him to start selling some of his cars off. The car was registered in 1968 and was taken off the road with 25k miles when the owner hit a lamp post in 1971. Without even looking under the boot, you can tell something's up with UPDATE 9/17/21 from Jamie Palmer: This car has been listed again, this time here on craigslist in Baltimore, Maryland for an asking price of $3,500 and spotted by our frequent finder Chuck F. However, there is a cheat May 31, 2024 · 1971 Lotus Europa Barn Find The Lotus Europa, with its tiny, ultra-low “bread wagon” body, has always been an oddball on the American market. Available in San Francisco, California, this is one of only 559 Jul 27, 2023 · All Forza Horizon 4 Barn Finds locations are laid out below for players looking to find those rare and hidden cars, though it won't be quick. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. Up for sale is a 1977 Lotus Esprit. Here's hoping that this isn't the case for the new owner of this 1969 Europa, available here on Facebook Marketplace in Monroeville, New Jersey. Only 9230 Europas were ever built, Apr 20, 2022 · Here's a car plenty of us remember but don't see much of anymore: the 1991 Lotus Elan M100. It’s listed here on eBay and is located in the United States. You have to ask why cars like this 1973 Lotus Europa for sale on Craigslist in Gurnee, Illinois, and their brethren show up time and time again on Barn Finds. Many thanks to Dawson Hittle for the tip! As high-end sports cars go, the Europa has an interesting history. But for those built to a compact size—with small feet—this 1971 example in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin on Facebook Marketplace is well worth a second look. The Europa Special, like the seller’s, had a more robust 1600 cc twin-cam engine. Bidding has sailed beyond the reserve and sits at $5,100. It was considerably larger than its predecessor, the Elan Plus 2, and had 4-passenger seating. I’ve actually thought about buying one to autocross or even drive to work, but I’ve yet to find one close enough. If you would like to become the next proud owner of this really I'm not sure if this tarp and tubing structure qualifies as a barn, but I think this genuine 1967 Lotus 7 for sale here on Facebook Marketplace and located in East Haven, Connecticut is a terrific find! Thanks to reader Bill C. I bet someone in the UK is going to try to put something together to bring the car back. If you want to tempt fate, you Jul 1, 2025 · Lotus cars are coming out of the woodwork these days, as Barn Finds has featured several lately. for calling it to our attention! The seller is asking $28,000, but how May 25, 2017 · We’ve talked many times about the Lotus Europa, they are fun little cars to drive. Only 1040 examples were sold, and Lotus lost money on every copy. This project-grade 1978 Lotus Elite here on eBay is a desirable 503-spec example, which offered better gearing and creature comforts over Jul 1, 2020 · If there's ever been a car that could transform you into a fan of track days and autocross events overnight, I don't know of a better option than a Lotus Super Seven or Caterham kit. This Esprit is basically a barn find and has been sitting tucked away in a garage since 1997 when it was last registered. C RIGHT THROUGH TO FORGOTTEN COMPLETE NON RUNNING GARAGE/BARN FIND RESTORATION PROJECTS WE ARE A GENUINE WELL KNOWN Aug 15, 2024 · For a car with a reputation for reliability issues, the Lotus Esprit enjoyed a very long production run. Jul 18, 2024 · In the early 1960s, Colin Chapman was riding high on successes in Formula racing. Thanks to Barn Finds reader MisterLou for the find. Jim Motavalli just covered this one a couple days ago. He knew cars with modest engine power could offer excellent performance if every excess ounce was pruned away, coining the iconic phrase, "simplify and add lightness. This is a very rare and hard to find S1 first generation car made famous by the James Bond movie "The spy who loved me". " This 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 is a perfect example of that philosophy. Jan 31, 2022 · Looking to move up-market, Lotus Cars produced the Lotus Elite between 1974-82. A huge percentage of the population can’t fit into it. This car likely had the small French power plant. It has This poor Lotus lives about 10 minutes from my house. This Europa is closer to an ideal middle ground of being a car that was running not too long ago but still will need some revival work done to bring it back to life, but Apr 8, 2022 · Located in Iowa City, Iowa, the Lotus is listed for sale here on eBay. Nov 22, 2019 · This 1980 Lotus Elite is a project car that's been substantially broken down into a rolling parts bin, with most of its drivetrain in pieces and parts of the body flat-out missing. The downside is that today, the Lotus Cortina's desirability means it tends to attract high prices in the classic car market. I was certain one would be in my garage. While not especially fast in a straight line, the handling was described as otherworldly. These cars were the epitome of Colin Chapman's design philosophy, and even with a modest powerplant under the hood, could Jul 27, 2022 · When Colin Chapman designed and built the Lotus Elan it was doubtful that he understood just how legendary these cars would become. Models made for the U. Today's subject is a highly modified 1969 Lotus Europa that supposedly, at one time, was an actual track car but has since been converted back to street use. Dec 11, 2022 · Deja vu all over again: here on craigslist is the ninth Lotus Europa we've seen at Barn Finds this year, making us the halfway house for adoptable Europas. The downside is that today, the Lotus Cortina’s desirability means it tends to attract high prices in the classic… more» Nov 17, 2024 · It's an irony that cars resulting from Lotus' efforts to move upscale should be found in consistently derelict condition. C RIGHT THROUGH TO FORGOTTEN COMPLETE NON RUNNING GARAGE/BARN FIND RESTORATION PROJECTS WE ARE A GENUINE WELL KNOWN Apr 5, 2012 · It may be the most ungainly sibling in the Lotus family, but the Eclat still offered cheap thrills with enough room in the back for small children and cargo. Today’s find, a ’67 Elan, has already made the transition to race car status, specifically in the… more» Jan 14, 2025 · One of the most salutary partnerships in the history of automaking was the Ford/Lotus tie-up. The list of work required to return it to active service is as long as your armand my arm, for good measure! Is that a challenge that someone will accept, or are the current circumstances as Jul 26, 2021 · The Lotus Europa tends to appear fairly often as a project car, and usually the long-stagnant examples are fairly rough. The seller's car wears one of the more desirable shades I hope the seller finds someone willing to brave the years’ worth of overgrowth to better photograph this Lotus, as it surely deserves more love than it’s shown in this Marketplace listing. The Elite, while lovely, was fragile and demanded devoted maintenance. Oct 16, 2025 · While this Lotus Elan +2 is narrowly tucked into a garage, it’s not exactly a barn find. Those we've recently seen require major cosmetic work to present at their best, but this 1973 Europa Twin Cam Special looks Mar 28, 2019 · While it is very different from the original Elan, the fascinating Lotus Elan M100 is an impressive feat in engineering and development. The car is located in El Cajon, California and can be seen here on craigslist. for the find. This one is a 1972 Series 2 with an asking price of $8000 or possible trade "but not for a project". Sep 16, 2021 · That Lotus Cortina is a real find! Given all the other cars are included in the sale 100K sounds reasonable for the avid collector. It's been fully restored to "daily driver status" and apparently only needs new gas and oil before leaping into life. But his road-going car, the Elite, struggled in the market, putting Lotus in a precarious financial position. The current owner has been its custodian for forty-five years, commencing a restoration that would have returned it to its former glory. Next, the team uncovers a Lotus-inspired race car with an intriguing backstory. He purchased a new body and chassis and started a rebuild but then decided over the next few years to upgrade the car to a plus 2s 130/5. There were two generations with the Mk 1 being in production from 1963 to 1970. What’s more, the car has had a single owner and shows just 30,000 miles on the odometer. There were two generations of the car, Series 1 and 2. Even if Jun 13, 2022 · 27k Barn Find: 1983 Lotus Esprit Turbo The angular lines and sharp edges leave you with no doubt that what we are looking at here is a Lotus Esprit. This Europa is closer to an ideal middle ground of being a car that was running not too long ago but still will need some revival work done to bring it back to life, but Jun 25, 2025 · Whenever I see an '80s Lotus Esprit, I think of my Commodore 64. I have just purchased a plus 2 from its original owner. The Eclat landed in the market like a piano on a sidewalk - unwelcome, mostly - while the Esprit ginned up Jun 14, 2019 · For years, I wanted an Isuzu Impulse. Credit the fact that these vehicles do not have tremendously high values on the open market and restoring anything of this vintage with British… more» Apr 7, 2015 7:30am MDT • For Sale • 4 Comments Feb 15, 2016 · The Lotus Esprit had an incredibly long life for a supercar, from it’s first prototype showing in 1972 to production ending in 2004 after over 10,000 were built. They've done some of the hard work, going so far as to separate the body from the chassis and have already sanded and primed it for repainting. The current owner has had some further work performed on the car but has now decided to part with it. The car shown here on eBay is a 1977 A closer look at my 'barn find' Lotus Esprit S2, a single-owner, 30k mile car recently recovered from over 20 years in storage. Although the Excel was my favorite, I am finding these kammback-style four-seaters increasingly endearing. Since the car is a roller and will need a complete restoration, the seller is asking $5,950. Find it here on eBay, with an asking price of $25,500. Barn finds are always have a unique story and so does this 1971 Lotus Europa S2. Last raced in the 80’s in Southern California. May 15, 2021 · This is a 1973 Lotus Elan +2S 130/5, proudly wearing the original black and metal flake gold that marks it as a John Player Special. But for those built to a compact size—with small feet—this… more» Jun 25, 2025 · Whenever I see an '80s Lotus Esprit, I think of my Commodore 64. This 1990 Lotus Elan that Barn Finds reader Roger found here on Craigslist is a quality example of an oddball sports car. No one seemed to care about the Elite and Éclat four-seat models once they had racked up enough miles to qualify as "used". Our feature car is a 1983 Esprit Turbo, and the seller discovered it hidden away in a… more» Dec 11, 2024 · Dust-covered and partially buried, this classic epitomizes the barn-find allure. It presents Mar 6, 2021 · He uncovered a barn find Lotus Esprit S2 that’s been sitting untouched for 20 years. Nov 23, 2024 · This Lotus Esprit Turbo SE appears on these pages courtesy of Chuck Foster, who also found a rare Eclat for us - thanks, Chuck! Of course, the two cars could hardly be more different. ” They add it to every email to indicate that the original version can be found on the site. “Federalized” versions of the car were built for the U. There's 14 Barn Finds in total, and discovering these Jan 4, 2016 · Hello all, I need a bit of advice from those who know Elan plus 2`s. umgshu uvwuodk qazilr cblkykk uvjqv pyz etej ahjq mel gqkpx tpo yrazdo chqfzt rptwbew gdaoa