RE: Spotted: 1993 Lotus Carlton

[s m]

s m said:

mikebrownhill said:

uncle tez said:

It would have to be the carlton for me but i wonder how a vxr8 would compare as there about £15k these days

I have a VXR8 Monaro (the old VZ two door) and I think it would compare pretty well to be honest. The Carlton is obviously an icon and I would like to own one of course, but bang for your buck the later Vauxall takes some beating now - its a hoot!

Heres's the Fifth gear comparison of a VXR8 vs a LC ( with the wick turned down slightly ) at Anglesey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBV13v_KmaQ

Auto Express comparison

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruRnTiSEXio

[s m]

Drivers Republic Silverstone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbsNfVxJvh0

[toxicfrog]

M666 EVO said:

toxicfrog said:

I have all 3 of these cars in my collection (the M5 is a touring), and the LC is by far the best :-)

Edited by toxicfrog on Tuesday 1st November 14:59

Yeah errrr, me too!

(anyone can say that, no pictures in your garage??)

Edited by toxicfrog on Tuesday 1st November 17:39

[chris116]

Steamer said:

Love the Carlton, always have.

LC+ does anyone remember those ramraid / robbers that had one for a while and never got caught? sadly was found in a canal.

LC- I know it wasnt a Lotus but I cant help but think of this horror project when Carltons pop up in conversation:



Ended up in a shop window IIRC.

Were they the ones that outran a police helicopter as they were escaping? I'm sure I remember reading a story about that.

I can still remember the first time I saw one of these, I was about 15 when I saw one parked in a shopping centre car park. It stood out a mile compared to all of the normal cars, it looked amazing. I saw a few guys from school a few minutes later and no-one believed me when I said what I had seen so we all went back to the car park and luckily for me it was still parked there.

[detomaso]

toxicfrog said:

That's pretty much my dream garage right there

[s m]

cookie1600 said:

Steamer said:

Love the Carlton, always have.


Ended up in a shop window IIRC.

In or through?

[neal1980]

s m said:

best thing that could of happened

[B'stard Child]

456lbft said:

NotNormal said:

Looks about right to me. Rear suspension has variable ride height so pumps up when ignition is turned on and sinks when its turned off as the air is released. Hence why the rear on the one in the article looks low (as they all tend to be when parked up).

Edited by NotNormal on Tuesday 1st November 12:10

It shouldn't leak out, even if you leave it for a week. But a lot do...

Joe - I thought you had all the quirkes of an LC buttoned down - it doesn't leak as such if all the equipment is in good order - a qty of air is released every time the car is stopped and the ignition is off - so that on restart it has to pump up.

Most drop quite a way - well mine does but once the initial drop is over it stays at the same height for months.

[B'stard Child]

NotNormal said:

PH article said:

Whereas you can pay well north of £20,000 for something like PHer notnormal's fully restored and fettled example

Certainly VERY VERY VERY north for a car nearing the condition of mine.

Not that my particular car is for sale.

somewhere near the pole I would hope

My advice for anyone considering an LC is buy one that has

1. had as many of the weak points resolved
2. preferably been owned by a member of a car club that caters for the cars

And take someone who knopws there way round the cars to inspect it

I did none of the above

[the_hood]

M5 gets my vote.

[B'stard Child]

Justayellowbadge said:

If you're going to put LC running gear in anything it HAS to be:

Now why would you want to do that........

You don't need to use all of it to liven up a Monza





3.7 Litres (care of some parts from an LC) and 300 bhp - surprises people as only an old Opel can.

[Justayellowbadge]

That does look a proper giggle, but I have to ask what is going on with the front end? A Monza calibre?

[Johnboy Mac]

Justayellowbadge said:

That does look a proper giggle, but I have to ask what is going on with the front end? A Monza calibre?

It maybe an Irmscher kit?

[DHE]

I saw a LC on Saturday, looked great.

[Liquid Knight]

Widened Cavalier Calibre bumper?

[Husaberk]

Johnboy Mac said:

johnpeat said:

Proper performance cars do not have leather seats because proper drivers don't need a wipe-clean finish...

Seriously, what are people obsessed with leather for - as a covering for a sports seat it's st.

Couldn't agree more.


If one wants leather in a performancer car, half leather is the only way to go. Cloth offers grip, retains less heat, breaths far better. Maybe even lighter too.

Good points and I wasn't necessarily suggesting leather but the only thing worse than that interior would be beige velour. I never seen alcantara misused so badly.

[s m]

detomaso said:

toxicfrog said:

That's pretty much my dream garage right there

Helluva car collection!

[singh350i]

would love a lotus carlton but m5 gets my vote.

[B'stard Child]

Johnboy Mac said:

Justayellowbadge said:

That does look a proper giggle, but I have to ask what is going on with the front end? A Monza calibre?

It maybe an Irmscher kit?

Correct - a genuine Irmscher Kit fitted back in the late 80's - same time as a 3.6 Irmscher lump and some lairy cams - the colour never did it for me but the car is wonderful

The owner also runs an LC - funny how a Monza makes good company for LC's

Liquid Knight said:

Widened Cavalier Calibre bumper?

Sorry not right but an inspired guess

[rallye101]

uncle tez said:

It would have to be the carlton for me but i wonder how a vxr8 would compare as there about £15k these days

Pop down to the breakfast club this Sunday and we'll tell you! Heading down from Guildford in a Monaro vxr and a lotus carlton and myself in an evo if I get out of going fishing and we won't be holding back!

Edited by rallye101 on Wednesday 2nd November 08:29