Lotus

The Lotus Europa was announced in December 1966, with first deliveries beginning in February 1967. It was an exceptionally light car, featuring a fibreglass body mounted on a steel chassis. The Europa was deliberately minimalist in character, with fixed side windows, non-adjustable seats and untrimmed doors. On later versions, the side windows could be removed and stored inside the doors. Power came from a 1,470 cc engine sourced from the Renault 16.

In April 1968, the Series 2 was introduced, bringing a noticeable increase in comfort, including adjustable seats and electric side windows. In September 1972, the Europa Special was launched, featuring a more powerful engine and initially produced in a limited run of 200 cars, all finished in black with gold detailing. The response was so positive that Lotus decided to keep the Special in the range, with additional exterior colours subsequently made available.