Equipment
Twin Stromberg carbs, Sumitumo tires, dual mirrors, wood dash, wood shift knob, power windows, Craig stereo.
Condition
#3 Good
Runs and drives well. Flaws not noticeable to passersby. Most common condition.
Kept by the original owner until 2011. Fully documented maintenance and always maintained. Lots of stress cracks in the paint and uneven-looking bodywork, but no original Lotus doesn't have that. Several chips throughout and a dull overall finish. Commendably clean and tidy underneath, but original and used. Upholstery and dash look to have been replaced. For any 43-year-old unrestored car to look this good is impressive, but for a Chapman-era Lotus to have aged this well is truly spectacular. Will this car have needs? Of course, but something is only original once, and there can't be many, if any, all-original Big Valve Europas that are this good.
Market commentary
Sold by Gooding at Scottsdale two years and 288 miles ago for $33,000. That's an expensive two years of ownership, but this result is still appropriate, even taking the added premium for this impressive level of preservation into account.