[M5Rick]

The unusual looking twin cam Europa was not to everyones taste but it handled better than most and it's sister Elan.

[Davil]

I had a matchbox one of these. Showing my age.

[Ugly Kar]

Damn, now we know where BMW is getting their new design ideas.

[RM7]

I've seen them in person, just as ugly.

[M5Rick]

I think it grows on you with the way it handles and is surprisingly comfortable as described by the tester, that's down to the genius suspension design by CABC.

[3798j]

Was lucky enough to drive a Renault powered example back in the early '70's. It handled beautifully and as the video's reviewer pointed out, the steering was its best feature...I was likewise impressed and loved everything about it (including its looks). Colin Chapman was a genius.

[Altamate]

Originally Posted by Davil

I had a matchbox one of these. Showing my age.

Me too, a blue one.

[lakefront]

One of my brothers (an engineer at Ford for 27 yrs) had a Renault powered Europa, the pedals were so close together he had to wear these really narrow shoes every time he drove it. Drive to work, change shoes, no matter the weather or anything else. I drove it a few times, the handling was incredible. Steering so quick and precise it was almost intuitive. The obsession with weight was everywhere, but I like the "pad" on the center armrest was made of balsa wood.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by lakefront

One of my brothers (an engineer at Ford for 27 yrs) had a Renault powered Europa, the pedals were so close together he had to wear these really narrow shoes every time he drove it.

I'm not really convinced here that Chapman was a "genius". Maybe porsche...but this seems a long way off.

[lakefront]

So this is your take away? Maybe the car was not designed for large Americans with size 13 shoes??? And the fact that 60 years later the car is still considered one of the best handling cars ever made.....Chapman is absolutely thought of as a genius by any automotive jounalist, etc. Just watched a video of a Can Am car he designed that was never built. The aero alone was so far ahead of anything else. Brilliant.

[3798j]

First it was the Lotus 25...Colin Chapman’s patented monocoque invention that came to dominate the sport. Chapman went on to secure his first World Constructor’s Championship win with the car in 1963, and setting the basis for the domination of Lotus well into the 70s. It is still utilized in Formula 1 construction today.
Then the Lotus 38...the first rear engine car to win the Indy 500...Jim Clark in 1965.
Then the Lotus 49...with its Cosworth V8 bolted directly to the monocoque (a first)...Graham Hill winning a World Championship in 1968.
Then "The Wedge"...Chapman's Lotus 72....Jochen Rindt winning the 1970 WDC.
Then the Lotus 78...the first "ground effects" F1 car...Mario Andretti winning the 1979 WDC.
In addition, Chapman introduced big money sponsorship (John Player cigarettes)...forever changing motorsport.