jaymcminn Posted July 25, 2013 Author Share Posted July 25, 2013 Work progresses on the little Lotus- I tend to build in fits and starts around my work/gym/fishing/beer drinking schedule, which is why I tend not to update at regular intervals. Also, the cat ate my homework. I went with Testors One-Coat Fiery Orange for the paint on the Europa... usually I tend to stay away from the One-Coat line due to the out-of-scale metalflake effect, but on a 70s car like the Europa the metalflake effect works. The Fiery Orange isn't a bright orange- it's more of a 70s burnt orange, which also suits the subject matter. Here's the paint pre clear-coat... Then after polishing and mocked up on the frame... And as it stands now, with the wing in place on the rear deck. The wing is a modified Aoshima tuner series unit... I scratchbuilt the side plates and modified the struts to work better on the Lotus. The wing itself is covered in Scale Motorsports High-Def Carbon Fiber decals, as are the sill covers (pics later) front spoiler, and licence plate area on the rear of the car. I know that the CF goes against the whole retro vibe of the car but, hey, I like how it looks. The bumpers will be stripped of chrome and blacked out, as will the door handles. I'm going to leave some chrome on the car, however... the headlight surrounds, fuel filler caps, and rear view mirrors will remain chrome, as will the metal-transfer badges. Interior will be tan seats and door cards with chocolate-brown carpet. The engine is just about finished... more pics coming soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 I love the color on your build. I think many of us were first exposed to the Europa as a Matchbox car. I know it was one of my favorites back in my childhood. I still have one. I used to work with a guy who was into sports cars. He said he used to have a Europa and it wasn't a great experience. First it had the British curse of Lucas Electric. He said it didn't work more than it did. He also said the driving experience wasn't pleasant as you are crammed into the thing and can't see worth a darn out of it. Since it didn't have air, it was hot and stuffy inside too. I forget what he had when I knew him, but I remember it was still British but a convertible this time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Good color choice for that little car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 (edited) ...I used to work with a guy who was into sports cars. He said he used to have a Europa and it wasn't a great experience. First it had the British curse of Lucas Electric. He said it didn't work more than it did. He also said the driving experience wasn't pleasant as you are crammed into the thing and can't see worth a darn out of it. Since it didn't have air, it was hot and stuffy inside too.... All pretty much true, but comfortable if you're not over 5'10", slender, and live in a cooler climate. Easy to get in and out of if you're young and agile, and they handle like slot-cars and go pretty good with the Twincam and not much weight. The door hinges were a less-than-stellar design that self-destructed over the years, making it hard the shut them for the droop. Still, tons of fun if you have the right mindset for vehicular abuse. Edited July 25, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Great Painting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Love the color, it's turning out real nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 I was close to buying one and having it shipped home when I was in the Army in Germany, but a Medical Discharge changed plans. I DO still love the look of the Europa and your build, Jason, is looking fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaymcminn Posted July 26, 2013 Author Share Posted July 26, 2013 So after rigging up a custom dual exhaust for the Europa, I decided to do a minor mod to the engine. The kit's stock carbs are okay, but a bit tame looking... at first, I thought I'd cut off the stock airbox and add some trumpets in their place. While rummaging through the parts box, however, I came across a set of side-draft Webers from the AM Corvette Grand Sport kit. I tried them out on the engine, and they looked pretty mean! There are a lot of pics online of twin-cam Lotus motors running Weber side-drafts online and these actually look pretty close to scale. I cut off the intake trumpets and gave them the Alclad treatment and repainted the carbs in bright aluminum. I also drilled out the alternator pulley (a very visible part on the finished engine) to represent an aftermarket billet unit. The block is painted Tamiya Brilliant blue, and the exhaust manifold/pipe were painted in Alclad and heat-discolored with Tamiya acrylics. On to the pics! Next, I'm finishing up the interior and chassis. More pics soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 NICE ENGINE! The Carbs Look Great... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 This is turning out great,I did some work at a house during the week and the owner had one of these in the shed,he had just shipped it over from new zealand to aussie,spent 14months on a full restoration and had it detailed spotlessly so it wouldn't have problems clearing customs,he picked it up and there was mud all up the side of the car and in the wheel wells and 130 odd klms on the odometer,some cheeky BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH had taken it for a spin after offloading it from the ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gluhead Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Very cool build. I have to echo Bill's sentiments on needing to know what you're getting into. It's one of those cars that if it were a woman, it'd be the type that dragged you around on a chain and collar...but those legs...those lips...worth it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino246gt Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 I'm lovin' it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaymcminn Posted July 28, 2013 Author Share Posted July 28, 2013 Thanks for the responses and encouragement, everybody. It's surprising how many people have personal experience with the Europa, given the relative rarity of these cars. I've never actually seen one, but I can't imagine they're too common in Florida... given the heat and humidity down here, a car with the Europa's E-Z Bake Oven tendencies couldn't have been too popular. Progress continues on the Europa- the door cards and seats were painted in Tamiya Deck Tan, then masked off and the rest of the interior painted in dark brown and flocked with dark brown flocking. The dash and center console will be black. I also used Wilton cake foil for heat shielding on the back side of the firewall... you can get the stuff at Michaels, and a roll will provide you with a lifetime supply of in-scale heat shielding. Saves a lot of trouble bumming cigarette foil from your smoker friends. I also mocked up the chassis... the heat-stained exhaust came out pretty well! Next, it all starts coming together. More updates soon...and as always, questions and comments welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tompidom Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 Love the work you've done so far, Just not a big fan of the spoiler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaymcminn Posted August 1, 2013 Author Share Posted August 1, 2013 Got this one finished, so here's the last WIP update... this is the interior/engine bay/chassis all done prior to installation of the body: ....And here's a shot of everything all finished up- more pics in Under Glass soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.