1969 Lotus Europa Banks Type 62S

“Simplify, then add lightness” were the immortal words of Lotus’ engineering master Colin Chapman. Designed to leverage this ethos and the newfound performance of mid-engine vehicles, the Lotus Europa was intended to replace the Lotus 7 as a clubman racer, while doubling as an affordable sports car for the road.

Lotus’ team achieved this by arming the Europa with ground-breaking engineering for the time, including folded and welded box-section chassis, expansive body bonding and Lotus’ signature fibreglass moulded body.

The Europa’s lightweight, mid-engine configuration and solid engineering fundamentals proved to be the perfect base for racing, with Lotus developing a more potent type 47 for racing. Later the company developed two type 62 mules featuring spaceframe chassis, F1 suspension and a significantly more powerful drivetrain.

The type 62 (which more recently became the inspiration for Jenson Button’s Radford Lotus Type 62) won its first-ever race in 1969 but sadly never made it into series production – that was until Banks Europa Engineering arrived in 1989. ‘Banks’ as it became known set about bringing the type 62 to life, offering re-engineering services to Europa owners wanting to build their own British Supercar – such as this example.

First manufactured in 1969, this Europa received the ‘Banks’ treatment in the early 1990s and became the company’s showpiece, appearing on Top Gear that same decade where it tested the presenters' skill, sustaining damage in the process. Returning to Banks, the vehicle was repaired and enhanced further, with no expense spared, before it was imported to Australia by a prominent member of the Lotus Club.

The 62S bodywork features purposefully flared arches that complement the low-slung shape. Under the skin, the vehicle has been upgraded to Europa 62S spaceframe chassis specification including double-wishbone fully adjustable rose jointed suspension, billet machined rear uprights, racing brakes and two-piece alloys wheels. Powering this Banks 62S is an electronic engine management system shod Vauxhall ‘red top’ 2.0-litre race engine with individual throttle bodies, paired to a Renault five-speed manual gearbox.

Finished in original Red paint and Gold Leaf vinyl livery, this lovingly cared for and rare British Supercar boasts a low 16,700km and has benefitted from substantive preventative maintenance including a renewed electrical system, full suspension rebuild, new leather seats by Allon White and ice cold air-conditioning. Now, it’s just awaiting its new owner, ready to hit the road or track – along with its little yellow note book of setup secrets from its previous custodians.