Generously Lent by Museum Members Sue & Nick Nicholson

· Twin Cam Special is regarded as one of the purest expressions of Lotus engineering from the era—combining light weight, balanced handling, and spirited performance in a compact, distinctive design.

· 1.6-liter engine derived from Ford’s Kent block but heavily modified by Lotus with a twin overhead camshaft cylinder head.

· “Big Valve” version of the Lotus Twin Cam engine, producing around 126 horsepower—impressive for such a lightweight car.

The previous owner of this 1973 Lotus Europa Twin Cam discovered and rescued it out of a barn on the outskirts of Atlanta in 2002. It was then restored in stages over the next 11 years starting in Georgia and finishing in Florida. It was then placed in the owner’s collection and entered in shows around Florida, winning Best Lotus at the All-British Car Show in Safety Harbor in 2014. The current owners have further sorted the car, and enjoy driving it regularly, including to Audrain Cars & Coffee!

The Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special is the final and most refined evolution of the Europa line, a lightweight mid-engine sports car introduced by Lotus in the 1960s under the philosophy of Colin Chapman: “simplify, then add lightness.”

The original Europa debuted in 1966 as the Series 1 (S1), designed primarily for the European market. It featured a fiberglass body bonded to a steel backbone chassis and used a modest Renault-sourced engine. Its groundbreaking mid-engine layout—rare at the time for road cars—delivered exceptional handling, though practicality and refinement were limited.

By 1968, the Series 2 (S2) improved usability with features like opening windows and adjustable seats. Previously, the pedals had to be unbolted to adjust for the driver’s leg length. However, performance enthusiasts wanted more power. This led to the introduction of the Twin Cam variant in 1971, which used a 1.6-liter engine derived from Ford’s Kent block but heavily modified by Lotus with a twin overhead camshaft cylinder head. This significantly boosted performance and aligned the car more closely with Lotus’s racing pedigree.

The Europa Twin Cam Special, launched in 1972, marked the pinnacle of development. It featured the “Big Valve” version of the Lotus Twin Cam engine, producing around 126 horsepower—impressive for such a lightweight car. Cosmetic upgrades were available including a distinctive black-and-gold livery inspired by Lotus’s Formula One success, particularly their association with John Player Special sponsorship.

Mechanically, the Twin Cam Special also benefited from refinements in transmission and reliability compared to earlier Europa’s. A 5-speed gearbox was eventually introduced, improving highway usability.

Production of the Europa ended in 1975, making way for newer models like the Lotus Esprit. Today, the Twin Cam Special is regarded as one of the purest expressions of Lotus engineering from the era—combining light weight, balanced handling, and spirited performance in a compact, distinctive design.