RE: Driven: Lotus Carlton
Discussion
B'stard Child said:
That's more like it - Air at 160 plus - you must have taken your brave pills that day 
You should know after your ride at Marham that my car is a big pussycat
The engine was standard, except for a home brewed waterspray that we rigged up in the hotel car park the day before the race. Also we had the use of 104 Octane race fuel at $1.30/gal, yummy. Ambient temp was so high by the time we ran at midday that the plastic door mirror lenses distorted. So much so that everything behind us looked as as though it was upside down!
These days I don't even take stairs two at a time...
Fantastic car, i always loved these when I was an impressionable car mad teenager in the 90s.
There is something about modern performance cars that just does not interest me, they seem to be lacking something compared to the liked of this or an RS 500, an E34 m5 etc etc.
I have never been lucky enough to drive any of the above cars, or any of their modern equivalents, and I know full well that a modern m5 is far more capable, but leave me totally cold. I'm not sure I would bother having a nose at one in a car park even for example if it was nearby.
excellent article I thouroughly enjoyed reading it
There is something about modern performance cars that just does not interest me, they seem to be lacking something compared to the liked of this or an RS 500, an E34 m5 etc etc.
I have never been lucky enough to drive any of the above cars, or any of their modern equivalents, and I know full well that a modern m5 is far more capable, but leave me totally cold. I'm not sure I would bother having a nose at one in a car park even for example if it was nearby.
excellent article I thouroughly enjoyed reading it
Smike said:
D_T_W said:
I think the mag article that was originally mentioned was the EVO one, it had the E55, RS6 and M5, but they brought along the Vauxhall owned Carlton as a comparison to show how things had moved on. I've got the magazine at home in a box somewhere if anybody needs the issue number.
Number 48 October 2002 if you want to look up the EVO article above.Top Gear mag also did an article when they first started and there was also a group test in Performance Car mag in the January 92 issue with the Alpina B10 Bi-Turbo and Mercedes E500
Air at 160 ... That must focus the mind somewhat.
From what you said it was maxing out between 180-190mph in 5th gear so you were nearly max revs for 90miles... Says a lot about the strength of the engine.
A question in 6th gear it is physically geared to something silly like 280mph but what can they really do on a long enough run?
There are some modified ones 600hp+ these mist drive a very high top speed in 6th.
I don't blame you having it as a keeper great car never going to lose any money in all probability gain but the enjoyment of driving a carcthat beat the E34 M5 hands down and the tessterossa says a huge amount.
From what you said it was maxing out between 180-190mph in 5th gear so you were nearly max revs for 90miles... Says a lot about the strength of the engine.
A question in 6th gear it is physically geared to something silly like 280mph but what can they really do on a long enough run?
There are some modified ones 600hp+ these mist drive a very high top speed in 6th.
I don't blame you having it as a keeper great car never going to lose any money in all probability gain but the enjoyment of driving a carcthat beat the E34 M5 hands down and the tessterossa says a huge amount.
Welshbeef said:
Air at 160 ... That must focus the mind somewhat.
From what you said it was maxing out between 180-190mph in 5th gear so you were nearly max revs for 90miles... Says a lot about the strength of the engine.
A question in 6th gear it is physically geared to something silly like 280mph but what can they really do on a long enough run?
There are some modified ones 600hp+ these mist drive a very high top speed in 6th.
I don't blame you having it as a keeper great car never going to lose any money in all probability gain but the enjoyment of driving a carcthat beat the E34 M5 hands down and the tessterossa says a huge amount.
It really focused my mind when my co-driver called a right after flat crest, which turned out to be left...I stopped listening after that one.From what you said it was maxing out between 180-190mph in 5th gear so you were nearly max revs for 90miles... Says a lot about the strength of the engine.
A question in 6th gear it is physically geared to something silly like 280mph but what can they really do on a long enough run?
There are some modified ones 600hp+ these mist drive a very high top speed in 6th.
I don't blame you having it as a keeper great car never going to lose any money in all probability gain but the enjoyment of driving a carcthat beat the E34 M5 hands down and the tessterossa says a huge amount.
We worked out that we'd need different gearing in 5th and 6th and about 650bhp to crack 200+. One of the technical issues that we had to solve was the diff overheating. When we asked Lotus they knew about the problem but that with the V-max mpg of 6 the fuel usually ran out before the diff overheated. So because we had a 120litre tank we had to fit a diff cooler as well...On our first attempt the diff temp gauge was off the clock by 40 miles in, because we hadn't put enough oil in. Second time it worked perfectly, with a bit more oil and some clever ducting to the boot mounted cooler.
300bhp/ton said:
Why does every Lotus Carlton and every Monaro/VXR8 article always somehow compare the two?
Apart from the badge they have nothing in common, not where they are made, who they are made by, construction, approach or heritage.
1)that's because Vauxhall never sold anything as fast as the LC beforeApart from the badge they have nothing in common, not where they are made, who they are made by, construction, approach or heritage.
2) same top speed
3) nothing in common? you had better dig deeper than that, the diff/axle has got Holden bushes in it :P
This is one of 4 of my all time favourite cars. I remember well the press releases at the time and the shock of its insane top speed. It's the mystique surrounding the car that grips me and its sinister, almost alien presence. I've only ever seen 3 and only one was moving. You just can't help but stare. The chap who lives opposite me has a DB9 but I've never spoken to him. If he had one of these I'd wander over for a chat the next time it came out for a clean! John Barker when writing for Performance Car got 4.8 and 10.6 to 100 in testing. Another article (in Fast Lane I think) wrote about the LC taking on the Countach, specifically the in gear times. The quote was something like 'it blew the Lambo into the weeds'. Awesome, just awesome.
I absolutely love the Lotus Carlton. I was about 9 when it came out. I remember reading the press reports and car magazines and the performance figures seemed insane. I guess the car has an even more special place in my heart because at the time my family was rolling around in a bottom of the range 1.8 90bhp Carlton.
The Lotus Carlton would definitely be in my ultimate list of cars and if I saw one drive past I would be open mouthed and dribbling.
The Lotus Carlton would definitely be in my ultimate list of cars and if I saw one drive past I would be open mouthed and dribbling.
One of these has recently moved into the complex of flats that I live in.
It was trundling in yesterday as I was leaving in my Jag. I gave the passenger a big 'thumbs up', but sadly, he looked at me like I'd just given him the middle finger, so I don't think I've made a friend there...
It was trundling in yesterday as I was leaving in my Jag. I gave the passenger a big 'thumbs up', but sadly, he looked at me like I'd just given him the middle finger, so I don't think I've made a friend there...
Hello All
I must say, I did enjoy the write up! The car really does demand enormous respect. It is that good!
I have owned one for many, many years now as per the photo.......
As you can see, I took a quick photo yesterday. I use the car alot, and I do get alot of attention.
It still is amazingly quick, and if you consider what it was like in 1990, then compared to the cars then, it clearly was an absolute monster! I first saw one in Ocean Village, Southampton. It was owned by a Solicitor and he ALWAYS parked it outside the building where it got alot of attention.
The only other time I have seen one was in 1999, M27 and again in Hampshire! My goal was to own one when I could.
Finding a good one was tricky, took over 6 months, but I am pleased with this one... 1 owner car and although mileage is high now, I do use it alot!
Would recommend one... or if your in a position to be a passenger..... try it ... you would not regret it!
I must say, I did enjoy the write up! The car really does demand enormous respect. It is that good!
I have owned one for many, many years now as per the photo.......
As you can see, I took a quick photo yesterday. I use the car alot, and I do get alot of attention.
It still is amazingly quick, and if you consider what it was like in 1990, then compared to the cars then, it clearly was an absolute monster! I first saw one in Ocean Village, Southampton. It was owned by a Solicitor and he ALWAYS parked it outside the building where it got alot of attention.
The only other time I have seen one was in 1999, M27 and again in Hampshire! My goal was to own one when I could.
Finding a good one was tricky, took over 6 months, but I am pleased with this one... 1 owner car and although mileage is high now, I do use it alot!
Would recommend one... or if your in a position to be a passenger..... try it ... you would not regret it!
LC810G said:
Hello All
I must say, I did enjoy the write up! The car really does demand enormous respect. It is that good!
I have owned one for many, many years now as per the photo.......
As you can see, I took a quick photo yesterday. I use the car alot, and I do get alot of attention.
It still is amazingly quick, and if you consider what it was like in 1990, then compared to the cars then, it clearly was an absolute monster! I first saw one in Ocean Village, Southampton. It was owned by a Solicitor and he ALWAYS parked it outside the building where it got alot of attention.
The only other time I have seen one was in 1999, M27 and again in Hampshire! My goal was to own one when I could.
Finding a good one was tricky, took over 6 months, but I am pleased with this one... 1 owner car and although mileage is high now, I do use it alot!
Would recommend one... or if your in a position to be a passenger..... try it ... you would not regret it!
Do you or did you used to own a Sierra by any chance?I must say, I did enjoy the write up! The car really does demand enormous respect. It is that good!
I have owned one for many, many years now as per the photo.......
As you can see, I took a quick photo yesterday. I use the car alot, and I do get alot of attention.
It still is amazingly quick, and if you consider what it was like in 1990, then compared to the cars then, it clearly was an absolute monster! I first saw one in Ocean Village, Southampton. It was owned by a Solicitor and he ALWAYS parked it outside the building where it got alot of attention.
The only other time I have seen one was in 1999, M27 and again in Hampshire! My goal was to own one when I could.
Finding a good one was tricky, took over 6 months, but I am pleased with this one... 1 owner car and although mileage is high now, I do use it alot!
Would recommend one... or if your in a position to be a passenger..... try it ... you would not regret it!
infradig said:
1991, 5am on a damp November morning,overpaid yuppie in his new company Lexus LS400 has just come off the M1 onto a deserted M45 and decides to see exactly how fast it is,160 on the clock and the limiter still hadn't cut in . There's a dark coloured saloon in the distance cruising along at about 80 and our hero backs off a little,just in case. About 1/4 of a mile off he notices the trade plate hanging out of the boot so nails it again at about 130,as he gets alongside the Imperial Green Vauxhall,it just f
ks off. The Lexus gets back up to an indicated 155/160 but the Carlton was long gone.
Of course in the NEC hotel bar that night the story was skewed in favour of the V8 Crown but I bet that delivery driver had a good laugh at m... I mean the obnoxious yuppie's expense.
You should be a car journalist...very entertaining story there ks off. The Lexus gets back up to an indicated 155/160 but the Carlton was long gone.Of course in the NEC hotel bar that night the story was skewed in favour of the V8 Crown but I bet that delivery driver had a good laugh at m... I mean the obnoxious yuppie's expense.
My mate and I have always loved these cars, I've only seen one a handful of times on the road. Last time (last year) on the M56 heading towards the M6, I told the wife it was coming up on us...she looked at it and said how rubbish it looked and that makes me love them more. Any car that a woman finds offensive is halfway to PH heaven, don't get her started on the Escort Cossie or the Delta Evo 2
Morning Mark. What a cracking story from Infradig and a good write up from PH.
I remember sitting in the back of my fathers red 3000gsi (loving the digital dash) and watching us creep up alongside a lotus carlton. I couldn't believe it, we cruised alongside each other for 10-20 seconds then split directions. A goose bump moment for me as a nipper and a sign that I'd be following in my fathers footsteps. No LC for me but part of my dream list.
I remember sitting in the back of my fathers red 3000gsi (loving the digital dash) and watching us creep up alongside a lotus carlton. I couldn't believe it, we cruised alongside each other for 10-20 seconds then split directions. A goose bump moment for me as a nipper and a sign that I'd be following in my fathers footsteps. No LC for me but part of my dream list.
Love that last pic! One day, I shall put my money where my mouth is and set about my plan of buying all (well some) the more attainable cars I longed for when growing up (physically, not mentally!) and owning them for six months before moving on to the next one!
Some of the cars on the list are:
Lotus Carlton
Lancia Delta Integrale Evo
Audi Quattro 20v
Sierra Cosworth (used to be RS500 but prices have gone too silly!!)
Escort Cosworth
Alfa Romeo SZ
BMW M3 E30
BMW M3 CSL
BMW E39 M5
Porsche 944 Turbo
Porsche 928 GT
Porsche 968 Clubsport
Scooby Impreza 22B
TVR 450SE
Z-Cars Hyabusa Engined Mini
Cossie Engined Mk1 or Mk2 Escort
TVR Tuscan Racecar converted to road use (preferably with the Rover V8!!)
Dax Cobra Replica
Noble M12
Some of the cars on the list are:
Lotus Carlton
Lancia Delta Integrale Evo
Audi Quattro 20v
Sierra Cosworth (used to be RS500 but prices have gone too silly!!)
Escort Cosworth
Alfa Romeo SZ
BMW M3 E30
BMW M3 CSL
BMW E39 M5
Porsche 944 Turbo
Porsche 928 GT
Porsche 968 Clubsport
Scooby Impreza 22B
TVR 450SE
Z-Cars Hyabusa Engined Mini
Cossie Engined Mk1 or Mk2 Escort
TVR Tuscan Racecar converted to road use (preferably with the Rover V8!!)
Dax Cobra Replica
Noble M12
Only ever seen one.
That was at Castle Coombe on a "supercar" test/play day. It was out on track with a bunch of sierra cossies. The Lotus would catch up on one straight, follow around the next corner, then pass like they were standing still... rinse and repeat all around the track.
The cossies had been dumping every ounce of weight - spare tires, jacks, etc. before hitting the track.
The Lotus came back in after handing all the cossies their bottoms. Dad got out of the driver's seat, Mum out of the other, kids out of the back. Boot was opened and chairs, table and big picnic hamper pulled out and set up
Total respect.
(The F40 was fast too, mind.....)
That was at Castle Coombe on a "supercar" test/play day. It was out on track with a bunch of sierra cossies. The Lotus would catch up on one straight, follow around the next corner, then pass like they were standing still... rinse and repeat all around the track.
The cossies had been dumping every ounce of weight - spare tires, jacks, etc. before hitting the track.
The Lotus came back in after handing all the cossies their bottoms. Dad got out of the driver's seat, Mum out of the other, kids out of the back. Boot was opened and chairs, table and big picnic hamper pulled out and set up
Total respect.
(The F40 was fast too, mind.....)
Classic and SportsCar mag this month ( June in fact but out now ) has a big article with Alistair Clements driving the K-reg Vauxhall Heritage car over the Route Napoleon interspersed with some facts about the design/development/production of the car. Worth a read if you like these cars 
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