1971 Banks Europa 47

Lotus Components began building the Type 47 in 1966 as the competition Europa: thinner glassfibre, wider arches, a Cosworth-developed twin-cam and a Hewland gearbox. John Miles won outright on its debut at Brands Hatch on Boxing Day 1966 and took a run of British victories through 1967. Genuine 47s are scarce, valuable and seldom used hard today.

This car was reconstructed as a 47 by Europa Engineering in 2000, on the firm's own spaceframe chassis with double wishbones at each corner, using the identity of a Europa first registered in August 1971. The brief was to come as close to an original 47 as possible but to be appreciably faster; the reported cost at the time was £42,000. It is understood to be the only Banks 47 built with knock-on wheels of the original pattern. A two-litre sixteen-valve Vauxhall engine on Jenvey throttle bodies gives 240-250bhp at around 700kg, roughly 325bhp per tonne.

Its first owner parted with it in 2005 having acquired a genuine Type 47. The second used it mainly for track and test days until the engine was damaged in about 2015, after which it was stored. Recommissioning from 2024 included a rebuilt cylinder head with new camshafts, a new radiator and water pump, and dampers made by Protech to the present owner's own drawings. Earlier owners are said to have seen more than 150mph.

Why it matters

It carries the shape and the intent of Lotus's competition Europa into a form that can still be driven hard and enjoyed.