The original Lotus Europa went out of production in the seventies but still lives on in the form of the “Banks Europa”.
Based on the concept of the Lotus 47 Sports Racing car and the Lotus 62 2.0 litre sports prototype (both of which had many successes on the track in the late 1960s and early 1970s).
Each car is hand built to the highest specification using up-to-date materials and components and is unique to the customers requirements.
Whether you are a serious racer, a track day enthusiast or just a sports car driver we will build a car to your specification and because we use up-to-date components you don’t have the “troubles” of running a “classic car”
Banks bodyshell’s are made to order using 6oz isophthalic GRP, the result is much stiffer than the original improving overall driving performance.
Here at Banks we have a superb paint shop and some of the best finishing skills in the north west, whether you opt for traditional “lotus” colours or a more contemporary you are guaranteed a showroom finish.
Each bodyshell is hand made to exacting standards and the rounded wheel arch is a popular modification.
Banks manufacture a number of different chassis to suite each customers requirements, ranging from lotus pattern items through to super rigid spaceframes. Each one is hand made to exacting standards.
As we fabricate our own chassis we can modify the design to fit different powertrain options or customer inspired changes
The biggest departure of Banks Europas from the classic Lotus is reliability. Nowhere is this more apparent than the electrical systems. Modern components and meticulous attention to detail provide the driver with total piece of mind.
The uprated electrical system provides power for option devices such as air conditioning and the for the best performance the electronic ignition system is mapped in-house by Richard Winter.
Air conditioning is a welcome upgrade to the original specifications.
Banks are able to fabricate and fit all trim items on the premises. Improvements in comfort and ergonomics have been achieved without diminishing the ambience of the original Lotus styling.
Modifications to the dimensions of the bodyshell and refinements to the interior fitments have made the 47R a much more practical and comfortable car than its spiritual predecessor, and these enhancements are shared by the 62S.
There is no ‘standard’ engine for a Banks Europa, but most customers opt for the Vauxhall DOHC 16 valve unit which is reliable, light and good for 200 Bhp with a Banks programmed ignition.
In addition to the Vauxhall unit we have fitted a number of different engines ranging including Lotus, Vauxhall SOHC, Renualt, Alfa and a Chevy. Other options include turbo and super-chargers.
Very few production cars come close to the handling of a Banks Europa. Suspension is a double wishbone front and rear with fully adjustable AVO coilspring damper units.
Modern braking performance is provided by an uprated dual circuit system with vented disks all round. A range of period and modern alloy wheels will fit the car, but most customers choose MiniLites with Hankook radial tyres.
