Lotus Europa progress 2009

This page shows the progress and work done on the Lotus Europa in the year 2009.

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November 6th, 2009	*The homecoming!!!* The Europa was brought back to my garage today, after almost exactly two years at Hernik's workshop. The car passed the test yesterday, and was driven into the carage by it's own machinery. I presume this was the first time in more than twenty years the car has been in running condition.. There are still some work to do, but with the really big issues finished, I will spend some lovely winter evenings in the garage. Bringing along a mug of tea, some Beatles songs on the stereo, and enjoy puzzeling with the car. A few pics can be found by clicking here (also have a video, press here to view it )
October 23rd, 2009	After a lot to and from, the gearbox was finally mated to the rest of tha car today ! Now a short control of the electrical system on the facia is next, and then...hopefully... the car will be lisenced next week.. More updates to follow..
August 27th, 2009	I thought I'd never write this, but... Gentlemen; IT's ALIVE ! ! ! My Type 65 Europa was started yesterday, after more than 10 years of (too slow) restauration during my ownership, and years of neglect by previous owner(s). Henrik, my mechanic, called today to bring me the good news. Though, there had been som trouble with the distributor which they cured, and the petrolpump was leaking. As I had sent a new petrolpump along with the car, just in case, this was also quickly solved. But... And there's always a 'but'... As the gearbox was broken (though it was rebuild by an 'expert' just a few years back in time), I bought a new R16 gearbox earlier this summer. Unfortunately Henrik build it wrong (well, actually the manual was wrong; Lotus had used a photo from Renault, with the crownwheel placed 'Renault way'), so right now the car has 4 reverse and 1 foreward gear.. Not an uncommon mistake, I have read. Also, the 'new' gearbox also have wrong sized holes for the driveshaft locking pins, so they will have to use the old part to fix this. Minor problem. Henrik hopes to have the car licensed by the end of next week (only one week to get an appointment with the controlstation is very good; normal waiting time is 2-3 months!), then he'll deliver the car to me - on plates !! Can't really wait - hopefully the waiting time is over pretty soon ! !
August 2009	14/8-09 Henrik phoned, to say car was nearly ready. Missing now is to fit the two driveshafts, then it's time to teststart it. Finale adjusting to the wheels, then it's off for licensing. Let's hope things goes as promised, this time.
July 2009	20/7-09 Spoke to Henrik, the mechanic, today. He has still not fitted the engine/gearbox to the car. Things are not progressing too fast, I'm afraid. He said thoug that he needed the space occupied by my Europa for another car from August 1st, so maybe. Well, I'll wait to see...
June 2009 update	Bought an unopened 336 gearbox from a scrapyard. It turned out to be so good that we can use it as is, just move the neccessary parts from the original box etc. Will be repaired and fitted to the car pretty soon. I hope
June 2009	More negative experiences... My mechanic called, and said that the gearbox - though rebuild a few years back by a now dead man - is trash. A lot of broken tooths, misalignment, and lousy work.. So, I am off for hunting a new gearbox. If you should have a 336 box you don't need, please let me know...
May 2009	Engine fault solved - hopefully.. Timing chain was 180 degrees off mark. Had to open the engine, and adjust the timing before assembling it again. Now I only miss a new exhaust/inlet manifold gasket - which will be ordered shortly. Next issue is gearbox, which - I hope - is undergoing surgery right now. Perhaps 2009 can see the car back on the road. I hope - but fear we might be too late for this season, as well :-( Anyhow, here's a picture from June 2nd, when I collected my Twink for the Elan. This photo shows my "off-road Europa" with it's powerplant on the floor... Note the new Minilite wheels :-)
March 2009	Henrik says he need to get an engine technican to look at the engine; he doesn't understand why it won't start (it spits petrol out of the carburator instead of sucking it into the engine... I spoke to Henrik on March 24th; engine will be taken out of the Europa today. He hopes that the error is due to a 90 or 180 degrees ignition misalignment, and that this has caused the engine to throw petrol out of the carburator instead of sucking it into the engine. If this works, it shouldn't due too long until the car will be ready. We aim for the Norwegian Sports Car Clubs annual spring gathering on May 10th.... (Update - never made it....)
Jan - feb 2009	The car is still at the Norsk Chassis Teknikk's garage, waiting for better times... Henrik, the manager, is setting up his new garage at a new premises by March 1st, and has promised me that my Europa will be his first mission. He has had the car in custody for 14 months now - guess it should be finished very soon. Or; so I hope... The positive effect is that the remaing 4 cars all are stored safely under roof, and will not have to be exposed to the hard norwegian winter.