1974 Lotus Europa Special

By 1974 the Europa was in its last phase and, quietly, at its best. The Special accounted for the majority of type 74 production: figures widely reported by specialists suggest roughly 3,130 Specials out of some 4,710 type 74s in total, though Lotus itself does not publish that breakdown.

Five speeds had become the norm, trim and seats were better than anything the Europa had known, and behind the scenes the Esprit was already on the drawing board. This car was first registered in July 1974 and has covered under 40,000 miles in more than fifty years. Placed beside the other black-and-gold car in this display, the two make the point that Specials were never all alike.

Why it matters

The most developed and most numerous Europa, and the last to carry Chapman's original 1966 layout.