I sent letters to everyone with the last name "Simons" in the Belleville, Il. phone book in an attempt to complete the history of my Europa. On 1/12/04, I received this nice eMail from Fred Simons' daughter.

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"Jerry -

I have gotten a couple of calls from relatives who have received your letter regarding the 1970 Lotus. Fred Simons is my dad (who passed away in 1990). He obtained that car back in the early 70's. Actually probably around 1972 or 73. (I remember the year because I turned 16 in 1974 and he was going to fix it up for me to drive!) It was wrecked and he had gotten it from a friend who owned a body shop. I spoke with my brother about this and neither of us remember which guy he bought it from. It was either Al Braun of Braun's Auto Body, who may have gotten it through Johnston Towing in Belleville, or Paul Mueller of Continental Auto Body (of which neither are around any more).

As I recall, the car had originally been owned by a doctor in Chicago who wrecked it, and for whatever reason, it ended up with my dad. My brother, who lived in Virginia Beach at the time, worked with a Jerry Blane at Stihl, Inc., who purchased the car from my dad. That had to be in the late 70's or early 80's.

I don't know if this is of any help to you, and I'm sorry that we don't know more detail. With the serial number the Chicago part may help!! Please let me know if you have any other questions, and good luck on your research. I hope you're enjoying the car. It's a neat one!"