The Lotus Type 46 Europa (Europe) was designed by genius engineer Colin Chapman in 1966. The first batch of Series 1 example (300 cars) are historically most important from a collector's standpoint.

Inspired by mid-engine Lotus race cars (F1 Champion in 1963 and 1965 and Indy winner), the revolutionnary Europa made it possible to drive a road-legal "prototype", one of the very first mid-engine GT, contemporary to the Lamborghini Miura and to the Dino 246.

The conception of the Europe (Type 46) Series 1 was far ahead of its time.: glassfibre monocoque integrating a steel chassis, ultra-low shape, 600 kg racing-like construction...
The racing version (Type 47) made history by winning its very first Race at Brands Hatch in Dec. 1966...

The radical style of the Europa, by John Frayling (who designed the Lola GT MKIV) and Colin Chapman, is a timeless beauty, sleek and elegant. To save weight and cost, Series 1 Europa have non-opening side windows, as in aircrafts (!). This exclusive feature disppeared on S1A/B and S2.

Of course, S1 are not to be confused with more common S2 cars, less elegant, heavier, and abundantly available on the market. Out of the 300 first Europe S-1, only a few still exist in original condition - maybe less than 30 ; almost all survivors have been sadly altered with incorrect engine or gearbox, "tuning", modified bodywork and interior, etc.

Our Lotus Europe S1 was sold new in France in 1967 by the then importer Royal Elysée. Importer's plate is still in place in the front boot. Then she had two owners, the last one since 1971 to 2014 (more than 40 years in the same hands !), from whom we bought it.

This car was Cirrus White when new (see period picture when she was still white). Everything is original except that the electrical system has been redone (Lotus fans know why...). Brakes are new, water radiator and other areas have recently been refurbished.

It is exceptionnally preserved and orignal, a true piece of History and the very first mid-engine Lotus for the road.

Early Lotus are gaining value ; the Type 14 Elite, once below 30.000 €, is now in the 80-100.000 € range.