The Europa caused a tremendous stir at its introduction in 1966 and small wonder for there was no other race-bred, mid-engined sports car available for anything like the same price.

The Series 2, or Type 54, was introduced in April 1968 and used the same 1,470 cc Renault engine and mechanical components as the earlier Series 1, but added a number of refinements including electric windows, adjustable seats, a new fully carpeted interior and a polished wooden dashboard fascia.

Perhaps the most significant change was a switch from fully bonded construction to bolt fasteners to attach the fibreglass body to the backbone steel frame.

Contemporary road tests recorded a top speed around 120 mph, 0-60 mph acceleration time of 9.3 seconds, standing 1/4 mile time of around 16.7 seconds, combined with an overall economy of around 30 mpg.

Production of the Europa finally ceased in 1975, with a total of 9,230 cars of all models having been built.

First registered on 25 February 1971, this Euro...