1972 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special, Registration no. Unregistered, Chassis no. 72121944P, Engine no. P28634, 'If you've just bought an ordinary sports car, we're sorry. Every Lotus is designed to give a man one thing above all - the greatest driving satisfaction the world can offer. Nothing hugs the road so closely, nothing corners so fast and true, nothing so happily combines performance, styling, comfort and pure handling pleasure.' - Lotus Europa advertisement, 1971. Launched at the 1967 Brussels Show, the Lotus Type 46 - the Europa - was the marque's first mid-engined road car, and was powered by a Renault 16 engine mounted in an Elan-type backbone frame. Its specification also included all-round independent coil-sprung suspension and disc brakes on the front wheels (subsequently on the rear, too). Unusual styling provided ample luggage space while rearward visibility through the narrow, full-width back window was surprisingly good. Having been manufactured exclusively for export for its first two years, the Europa made its UK debut in 1969 in improved S2 form. Renault engined like its S1 predecessor, the S2 reverted to a conventional body/chassis attachment, the S1 'shell having been bonded in place - a move that greatly simplified, and cheapened, accident repairs - while electric windows and adjustable seats were welcome additions to the previously somewhat penny-pinching specification. In the autumn of 1971 the Type 74 Europa Twin Cam was introduced, powered, as its name suggests, by the Ford-based dohc engine from the Elan. With 105 bhp on tap, the Twin Cam was good for 117 mph, a figure bettered by the more powerful (126 bhp) 'Big Valve' engined Special model that superseded it after a year, boasting a five-speed Renault gearbox. The 100 Specials made all featured black paintwork with gold pinstriping to commemorate Team Lotus' World Championship titles in Formula One, becoming the first John Player Special edition in the process. The Twin Cam and Special had their own Type Number, 74, and proved to be the ultimate road going Europa derivative. With a build date of December 1972, the Europa offered here has been painted in the black livery of the Jps cars and was imported from Hong Kong to Australia some years ago, having originated in the United Kingdom. In good cosmetic condition, the Europa is currently fitted with a set of four-spoke 13-inch rims on sticky Yokohama 185/60 rubber for track work, with a set of five original wheels included plus additional parts including the bumpers. With the interior in similarly good condition, the Europa would make a great car for the Lotus enthusiast and is ideal for track days or club runs. The Lotus is to be sold unregistered.