Lotus Europa

 

This is a car that my uncle used to have, it is called a Lotus Europa.

 

My uncle said, "It was a big deal when it came out in 1966 because it was one of the first mid engined road cars ever sold, certainly the first sold in Australia.  The engine sits between the driver's back and the back wheels, very impractical for carrying passengers but gives the best balance, steering and handling.  Same principle as my uncle's Fiat and also the Toyota MR-2 and the MG-F, except they have transverse engines, the Europa and Esprit have the engine longways.  These are the affordable mid-engined cars, then the Lotus Esprit and Elise are in a more expensive price range. 

 

"Then there's the super expensive ones like the Lancia Stratos and the Lamborghini Diablo.  I saw a Diablo in Sydney, or it could have been a replica, there are a few of those about.  They look great in photos, but in among a lot of traffic where everything else is taller, it looked like a big yellow cockroach. 

 

 

"The prettiest mid-engined car ever, in my opinion, is the original Ferrari 206 and 246 Dino.  Named after Enzo Ferrari's son Dino Ferrari.  Have a look on Google Images and see if you agree.  The 246 engine - 2.4 litre, 6 cylinder gives it its name - is the one they used in the Stratos, it was built in a partnership between Ferrari and Fiat.  Many of Fiat's engines were designed by a man called Aurelio Lampredi, who designed for Ferrari before going to Fiat."

 

The Ferrari 206 is below.