The Lotus Europa Special

Produced in the early 1970s, represented the most refined version of Colin Chapman’s lightweight mid-engined sports car. With its distinctive wedge profile, bonded chassis, and low-slung stance, the Europa embodied Lotus’ design philosophy of “simplify, then add lightness.” The Special model introduced luxury touches and a tuned twin-cam engine, making it a unique balance of performance and elegance in a package that remains a cult classic today.

This RC build takes the Tamiya Lotus Europa body and elevates it with thoughtful custom modifications. The factory rear lights have been deleted in favor of lightweight circular bulb replacements, while real gold mesh grilles add authenticity to the nose and side details. Inside, a 3D-printed interior features Gatsby and Shane seated in a painted tan cockpit with a dark green roll cage, giving the model both personality and scale realism. The body is finished in dark green with gold striping and accents, capturing the iconic color scheme of the Europa Special.

Underneath, the model runs on an MST TCR-M chassis, configured as a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout—mirroring the engineering philosophy of the full-scale Europa. Rally tires on MST rims provide grip and stance, while a Spektrum brushless motor and Savox metal gear servo deliver responsive performance and durability. Blending historic Lotus character with detailed craftsmanship and modern RC engineering, this build is both a tribute to the Europa Special and a unique custom creation.