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1972 Lotus Europa Features an LS Swap, Miata Suspension, and a Porsche Transaxle

As opposed to the Seven or fiberglass-bodied Elan, the Europa is more of a grand tourer with sporting credentials. Produced from 1966 to 1975, the first generation wasn’t exactly powerful, but it sure was exciting.
LS-swapped 1972 Lotus Europa 12 photos
Photo: Holley Performance
LS-swapped 1972 Lotus EuropaLS-swapped 1972 Lotus EuropaLS-swapped 1972 Lotus EuropaLS-swapped 1972 Lotus EuropaLS-swapped 1972 Lotus EuropaLS-swapped 1972 Lotus EuropaLS-swapped 1972 Lotus EuropaLS-swapped 1972 Lotus EuropaLS-swapped 1972 Lotus EuropaLS-swapped 1972 Lotus EuropaLS-swapped 1972 Lotus Europa
The longitudinal midship layout and four-wheel independent suspension help the Europa handle like nobody’s business, and it’s pretty light too. Taking inspiration from the Elan, the Europa features a boxed-steel chassis and fiberglass for the body panels. Colin Chapman wasn’t joking when he said “simplify, then add lightness,” the mantra that defines the Lotus spirit.

As for the yellow machine in the following video, Chapman wouldn’t like it too much because it tips the scales at 2,100 pounds (953 kilograms). This 1972 model is “an LS-powered monster sporting a custom chassis, Miata suspension, and a stretched body” to accommodate the owner’s height.

Rand Swanson bought the Europa from a racing team who used the car for parts, and shortly after that, he sold the original chassis because the LS swap is too much for the original underpinnings. In addition to front and rear clips from a Mazda MX-5, the rear wheels were moved back to fit the 5.7-liter V8 and the front wheels were moved forward to accommodate Rand's frame.

Speaking to Holley Performance at the Holley LS Fest, Rand is adamant that the LS6 hiding under the hood is mostly stock. The fifth generation of the Corvette in Z06 specification utilizes this engine, and from the factory, the small-block V8 develops 385 horsepower and 385 pound-feet (522 Nm).

As expected, the stick shift from the 'Vette couldn’t be used for this application. Rand chose a transaxle from a Porsche instead, a good ol' manual that Renegade Hybrids utilizes for their LS-swapped Boxster builds.

"It's been everything I expected it to be, and it probably turned out better than I expected," said Rand about his one-of-one pride and joy.

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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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