[EuropaJPS]

Hi guys,

Just a quick post to say hi as I am new to the forum, and to ask for some advice.

My father recently passed away and left me his treasured Europa JPS, owned by him since 1978.

The car is a JPS, with the badge on the dash and is currently off being completely restored back to it's former glory. I can't wait for it to be finished!

Anyway, the car currently has Wolfrace Slot Mags on which I am intending to replace with the original Brand Lotus wheels - which came thrown in with the car when my dad purchased it those years ago (even have the original 40 year old rubber on!).

Obviously, they need refurbishing, but I found yesterday that one of the wheels has had the stud holes widened - presumably by the previous owner to use on another car?! What a plonker!

I was therefore wondering on all your opinions on what to do about this. I know that it is possible to fill the elongated stud holes with weld and re-drill, but I am very conscious of what the heat required to do this would do to the structural integrity of the wheel etc.

Do you guys have any ideas on what to do? Am I better off trying to buy a second hand single wheel to replace the damaged one? If so, anyone have any idea where I could look? I don't want to buy a brand new replica etc unless I have to, to avoid mismatches with the other 3 perfectly good wheels when they are refurbished.

Thanks in advance, love the forum already!!

 

[4380r]

Hi guys,

Just a quick post to say hi as I am new to the forum, and to ask for some advice.

My father recently passed away and left me his treasured Europa JPS, owned by him since 1978.

The car is a JPS #83, with the badge on the dash and is currently off being completely restored back to it's former glory. I can't wait for it to be finished!

Anyway, the car currently has Wolfrace Slot Mags on which I am intending to replace with the original Brand Lotus wheels - which came thrown in with the car when my dad purchased it those years ago (even have the original 40 year old rubber on!).

Obviously, they need refurbishing, but I found yesterday that one of the wheels has had the stud holes widened - presumably by the previous owner to use on another car?! What a plonker!

I was therefore wondering on all your opinions on what to do about this. I know that it is possible to fill the elongated stud holes with weld and re-drill, but I am very conscious of what the heat required to do this would do to the structural integrity of the wheel etc.

Do you guys have any ideas on what to do? Am I better off trying to buy a second hand single wheel to replace the damaged one? If so, anyone have any idea where I could look? I don't want to buy a brand new replica etc unless I have to, to avoid mismatches with the other 3 perfectly good wheels when they are refurbished.

Thanks in advance, love the forum already!!

Welcome! You are fortunate to have an actual JPS Europa (although mechanically they are no different than any Europa Special).

Banks in England sells brand new wheels. 110 GBP plus shipping.

You can take your one wheel to a good wheel shop to get a professional opinion on restoring the holes, but if you look very closely at ALL your wheels, they probably don't match all that well as it is. Webbing is often different thicknesses. I don't think the original machining was all that precise.

This IS a great forum, and there are several Europa owners on here, but it's not terribly Europa centric.

If you've not already, seek out Lotus Europa Community and join that forum. It's 99% Europa centric, 1% vintage Lotus.

Also, Lotus Europa Central has an unbelievable Knowledge Base on the Cars. Put in any topic, and chances are a very informative discussion thread will pop up.

Also on that site are all the wiring diagrams, manuals, etc. There is also a registry, if your dad hasn't already put your car there, you should.

Congratulations. You can see by my signature I am a fan of Europas. Enjoy!

 

[EuropaJPS]

Thanks for the welcome and all your info 4380R, I really appreciate it!

I'm desperate to have the car finished and back with me so I can finally drive it! It holds a great deal of sentimental value to me and I think once the restoration is complete, it will be a fitting tribute to my late father!

I believe the car to be a genuine JPS - the badge is located on the dashboard - I can upload a photo later when I get home from work - maybe someone could help figure out it's authenticity?

I had seen that Banks and other suppliers carried new wheels, I was just concerned with the outcome of a refurb on 3 old wheels and one brand new one, but I may be being OTT. As you pointed out they are probably all slightly different due to tolerances etc! I would just like to ensure every detail is as perfect is possible.

I will go and have a look at some other Europa dedicated resources as well - thanks for the heads up.

Cheers

 

[XHILR8N!]

Welcome!

 

[BDA]

Welcome, JPS!

To add to what 4380r said, I would strongly advise you to also join the lotuseuropa yahoo group. It's probably the largest concentration of Europa owners on the web.

As for your wheels, if you're in the states, you might check with Dave Bean. He used to sell new reproductions - in fact they looked VERY similar to those a Banks.

One thing to consider is that 13" tires are getting harder to find so you might consider converting to 15" wheels. Banks has some r.d. enterprises sells Panasport wheels. He doesn't list 15" sizes but he might be able to get them. Same story with Dave Bean. You might also try the manufacturers themselves. Panasport (http://www.panasport.com/)and Minilite (MiniliteWheels USA Distribution) are obvious choices. Their wheels are also have similar styling. You might also frequent Brit car parts places like Moss Motors, or Victoria British. Your first stop might be to ask at the lotuseuropa yahoo group as there may be other options you might prefer. Something you might want to consider is getting wheels that take a tapered lug nut. Some whiles have tapered inserts in the holes for those nuts and to my way of thinking, that is superior to the style Lotus used - as you found out, the holes can get wallowed out.

If you want to stay with the original wheels, a machine shop can probably sleeve the holes.

Good luck and post some pictures of your car when you get it back.

 

[EuropaJPS]

Thanks for all of your replies guys, I never knew there were so many europa sites!

I've uploaded the picture of the badge on the dash - would anyone be able to tell me how I can tell if the car is a genuine JPS?

Thanks is advance!!

 

[EuropaJPS]

Here is a picture of the offending wheel - hopefully it illustrates the issue with the enlarged stud nuts!

 

[EuropaJPS]

Plus a picture of the car out in the open for the first time in years, being taken off for restoration!

 

[4380r]

Unless somebody else pops up claiming to own #83, yours is likely one of the orignals. You may want to check the Europa Registry on Lotus Europa Central to see if your car is listed there, or if someone else is claiming to have #83. What's your VIN? (not that that will tell you if yours is a JPS)

There are all kinds of legends and misinformation about the JPS cars. It's been said that the badges were not even mounted at the factory, but by dealers in the U.S. THAT legend has given rise to the rumor (to my knowledge never verified) that some JPS cars were not black.

That would be kind of a silly contention, as JPS was a sponsor of the F1 team, and its colors were black and gold.

There is legend that in addition to the 200 with badges, the factory sent a supply of additional unnumbered JPS badges, ostensibly to help dealers move the cars off the lot as being a special addition car. Some (most?) of THOSE cars, if indeed those badges ever existed, wouldn't be black.

I've seen a lot of Europas, I've never seen one of those badges. But that doesn't mean they didn't exist, I've just never run across one.

There is a guy on ebay from Canada selling what he claims is an authentic JPS, it's the right livery, but it has no badges. I asked him about authentication, and he said only the U.S. market got the badges.

BTW...anyone looking for an Europa right now, there is an abudance on ebay, including two nice ones (one of which is VERY nice) in Maryland. The one in Chevy Chase is advertised as being in JPS colors but does not claim to be an actual JPS car.

At the end of the day, all the Europa Specials were identical mechanically, the JPS was merely a cosmetic special. BUT a genuine, restored one with its original badge can bring a bit of a premium.

I recently had the wheels on my Special refinished, and as BDA said finding decent 13" tires is getting more difficult. I found NO true performance tires in the original sizes. I wound up with Kumho Solus, not bad, but street tires. Wouldn't do too much really aggressive driving with them.

Oh...don't suppose the car had overheating problems when your dad drove it? It looks like he completely blocked out the front grill intake with the European tag...

 

[XHILR8N!]

I don't really see us as owning these cars. We are their custodians. That in mind, i'm very slow to modify anything if we have "survivor" examples.

Have you ever driven this car?

What is the condition of the spare wheel?

 

[4380r]

I don't really see us as owning these cars. We are their custodians. That in mind, i'm very slow to modify anything if we have "survivor" examples.

That is exactly how I look at it, and the gentleman who recently bought my last Europa was of the same opinion, so I felt good about him getting the car.

 

[EuropaJPS]

Unless somebody else pops up claiming to own #83, yours is likely one of the orignals. You may want to check the Europa Registry on Lotus Europa Central to see if your car is listed there, or if someone else is claiming to have #83. What's your VIN? (not that that will tell you if yours is a JPS)

There are all kinds of legends and misinformation about the JPS cars. It's been said that the badges were not even mounted at the factory, but by dealers in the U.S. THAT legend has given rise to the rumor (to my knowledge never verified) that some JPS cars were not black.

That would be kind of a silly contention, as JPS was a sponsor of the F1 team, and its colors were black and gold.

There is legend that in addition to the 200 with badges, the factory sent a supply of additional unnumbered JPS badges, ostensibly to help dealers move the cars off the lot as being a special addition car. Some (most?) of THOSE cars, if indeed those badges ever existed, wouldn't be black.

I've seen a lot of Europas, I've never seen one of those badges. But that doesn't mean they didn't exist, I've just never run across one.

There is a guy on ebay from Canada selling what he claims is an authentic JPS, it's the right livery, but it has no badges. I asked him about authentication, and he said only the U.S. market got the badges.

BTW...anyone looking for an Europa right now, there is an abudance on ebay, including two nice ones (one of which is VERY nice) in Maryland. The one in Chevy Chase is advertised as being in JPS colors but does not claim to be an actual JPS car.

At the end of the day, all the Europa Specials were identical mechanically, the JPS was merely a cosmetic special. BUT a genuine, restored one with its original badge can bring a bit of a premium.

I recently had the wheels on my Special refinished, and as BDA said finding decent 13" tires is getting more difficult. I found NO true performance tires in the original sizes. I wound up with Kumho Solus, not bad, but street tires. Wouldn't do too much really aggressive driving with them.

Oh...don't suppose the car had overheating problems when your dad drove it? It looks like he completely blocked out the front grill intake with the European tag...

The car never had any problems with overheating that I know of - by the 'tag', do you mean the registration numbers attached to the grill? The previous owner to my father changed the original grille to a gold mesh grille, which I hate! It will be swapped during the restoration.

The car has only done 28,000 genuine miles, but is having a head rebuild in due course as per the recommendation by miles Wilkins on the twin cam engine.

I have the vin and it isn't logged on the Europa registry you pointed me towards. It was registered in England (where I am) so maybe that dispels the myth that no badges were put on English europas, only American exports?

Very interesting learning about the history, and hopefully I can be a worthy custodian

 

[EuropaJPS]

I don't really see us as owning these cars. We are their custodians. That in mind, i'm very slow to modify anything if we have "survivor" examples.

Have you ever driven this car?

What is the condition of the spare wheel?

Hi, no I have never driven the car, I have been in it once in my life (I'm only 27 mind!) for a grand total of 5 miles to an mot station and back.

The spare wheel is fine in terms of the stud holes, but needs refurbishing.

I agree with you, I want the car completely original, whether it is a JPS or not - I'm a stickler for detail and want to restore rather than replace where I can, apart from consumables.

 

[Loki250]

From a fellow JPS owner (JPS #188), welcome to Europa ownership. What separates a JPS from any other TCS with black paint and gold pinstriping as far as I can tell is the badge. I believe all part numbers are the same with the plain Jane TCS. I've had my JPS for about a year now, and I haven't any part specific to the JPs except for the badge. The badge location also appears to be wherever the dealer decided to attach it at the time. See where mine is located.

Joji Tokumoto

 

[Julian73]

While I have nothing constructive to add to this post, I just want to commend you for caring for a JPS. It is this car model that attracted me to Lotus years and years ago when I was in high school. One day I do hope to become a custodial of a real JPS, while I know it is just a paint job and stripes it was in honor of such a famous time in Lotus racing history. That is why I am proud to carry that scheme on my Evora.

 

[XHILR8N!]

I'd never hyjack a thread ,

But while we have your attention, i'd love to have a proper vintage analog radio such as Loki's for our Europa. Anyone have one or a source?

 

[BDA]

Yes, there is a lot of legend concerning JPS Europas. I think 4380r conveyed about all I know about the subject. Here is a link to an article about JPS Europas on Lotus Europa Central (http://www.lotus-europa.com/jps.html).

My first Europa was a '73 Special Federal 4 speed and on the 'B' pillar, there was a JPS sticker (which was certainly something the dealer did). The car was white with the gold pinstripes (similar to the picture I've attached). This sort of thing may have been the genesis of the theory that not all JPS Europas were black. Mine was certainly not a JPS as that was the only evidence of anything JPS about it.

Having the dash plaque is pretty much the only determining feature I know of and as 4380r says, they were likely attached at a dealer.

As for overheating, a lot depends on where you're driving and the condition of the radiator. I had heard of them being filled with some sort of sediment (but not seen it). Mine never got too hot, even in New Orleans, but it would get warm. I do remember reading somewhere to rev the motor a bit if it gets warm so you pump more water through the radiator. I think that was an official Lotus document but it may have been somebody at the Lotus distributor (it was a LONG time ago).

Your wheel looks pretty bad. I have a set from my car that are about 12K miles old but probably could stand to be repainted. I would certainly entertain offers, but I think you would be served to start looking for 15" wheels (that is what I have on my car in the picture).

 

[TheKid#9]

Original Wheels are the way to go. Your wheel does look pretty bad but I'm sure you'll be able to find a replacement or find someone to fix it if possible. You'll have a blast driving her once the restoration is over, I know I did when I first drove mine after it was finished.

 

[EuropaJPS]

Original Wheels are the way to go. Your wheel does look pretty bad but I'm sure you'll be able to find a replacement or find someone to fix it if possible. You'll have a blast driving her once the restoration is over, I know I did when I first drove mine after it was finished.

Absolutely love the colour of your car - thought I recognised it! I read your thread with great interest and was taken back by the quality of your work!! Your car is stunning - a true credit to you I hope mine turns out as good as yours!

 

[EuropaJPS]

From a fellow JPS owner (JPS #188), welcome to Europa ownership. What separates a JPS from any other TCS with black paint and gold pinstriping as far as I can tell is the badge. I believe all part numbers are the same with the plain Jane TCS. I've had my JPS for about a year now, and I haven't any part specific to the JPs except for the badge. The badge location also appears to be wherever the dealer decided to attach it at the time. See where mine is located.

Joji Tokumoto

Thanks for your reply and the pic of your badge. Mine appears to be in the same location as yours, but on the other side - presumably due to it being right hand drive?