Lotus Special
In 1971, the Type 74 Europa Twin Cam was made available to the public, featuring a 105 hp 1557 cc Lotus-Ford Twin Cam engine (113 hp for the American "Federal" version with standard emission control and a Big Valve engine with Stromberg carburetors, until the end of production) and a redesigned body for improved rear visibility. Initially, it was available with the same gearbox as the earlier models. After stock ran out in 1972, a new, more powerful Renault four-speed gearbox (Type 352) was introduced. Mike Kimberley, who would later become CEO of Group Lotus and had just joined Lotus as an engineer at the time, was appointed chief engineer of the Europa TC project. 1580 examples of the Europa "Twin Cam" were delivered before Lotus switched to a 126 hp "Big Valve" version of the engine. In Europe and the rest of the world, the Big Valve "Europa Special" version was fitted with a Dell'Orto carburetor version of the same engine.
In 1971, the Type 74 Europa Twin Cam was released to the public, featuring a 105 hp, 1557 cc Lotus-Ford Twin Cam engine (113 hp for the American "Federal" version with standard emissions control and a Big Valve engine with Stromberg carburetors, until the end of production) and redesigned bodywork for improved rearward visibility. Initially, it was available with the same gearbox as the previous models. After stocks ran out in 1972, a new, more powerful Renault four-speed gearbox (Type 352) was introduced. Mike Kimberley, later CEO of Group Lotus and newly appointed engineer at Lotus, was appointed chief engineer of the Europa TC project. 1580 Europa "Twin Cam" units were delivered before Lotus switched to a 126 hp "Big Valve" version of the engine.
In Europe and the rest of the world, the Big Valve "Europa Special" version was equipped with a Dell'Orto carburetor version of the same engine. It also offered a new Renault five-speed gearbox (Type 365) as an option. The car weighed 740 kg; Motor Magazine tested a UK Special and achieved a top speed of 198 km/h, an acceleration time from 0-100 km/h in 6,6 seconds, and covered the quarter mile in 14,9 seconds. In the American version of the Europa Special, where the federalized version of the Big Valve had already been introduced earlier in the Twin Cam model, the only changes were larger brakes and the optional five-speed gearbox, which would become standard on the Special in 1974.
A total of 4.710 Type 74s were produced, of which 3.130 were designated "Special".
This Lotus presented here is a Twin Cam model, meaning it features double overhead camshafts. This is the most powerful engine fitted to the Europa. This engine is equipped with a KMS injection system instead of the two Dell Orto carburetors. As a result, the engine runs more smoothly and starts better. Furthermore, we see the black rims and the leather upholstery. A very beautiful and fine Europa for the enthusiast.