1992 Lotus

⭕ THE SALE

This 1992 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton is currently in a 2-week auction on our website. This is our guide price, i.e. what we think the car is worth in the current market, however, the reserve will be lower. You can read much more about the car, see of hundreds of detailed photos and videos of it, and ask the seller any questions on our website: we can't add links on this platform, so please search for "Trade Classics" on Google.

⭕ VEHICLE SUMMARY

An unassuming four-door Vauxhall with a practical boot, capable of delivering supercar-slaying performance.

Launched by General Motors in 1990 to elevate its brand image, the 177-mph Lotus Carlton injected genuine supercar engineering into an unassuming family saloon. In doing so, it sparked intense public controversy and even a Parliamentary debate over its formidable speed. Lotus took Opel’s standard 3.0-litre, 24-valve straight-six and increased displacement to 3.6 litres, pairing it with twin Garrett T25 turbochargers and a chargecooler system derived from the Lotus Esprit. A saloon boasting 377 bhp and 419 lb-ft of torque was genuinely astonishing for the era - at the time, only the newly released Lamborghini Diablo could out-accelerate it.

By wrapping supercar performance in a mass-market Vauxhall package, the car drew immediate fire. The Association of Chief Police Officers publicly condemned it as an "outrageous invitation to speed," while national newspapers launched aggressive campaigns demanding an outright ban. The establishment’s worst fears were realised in November 1993, when a gang of thieves stole a specific Lotus Carlton - bearing the now-legendary registration plate "40 RA" - from a home in Worcestershire, using its untouchable pace to evade police for weeks.

As the media storm eventually faded, production concluded with just 320 right-hand-drive Lotus Carltons rolling off the line at Hethel between 1989 and 1992. Today, this technological tour de force is highly revered. Far more than just a family car with a fire-breathing Lotus engine, the Carlton was engineered to handle its power beautifully. Its superb body control is managed by uprated dual-chamber dampers and a Lotus-engineered multi-link rear suspension. On the road, the 3.6-litre straight-six offers plenty of off-boost grunt from 1,000 to 3,000 rpm, making the transition to forced induction surprisingly progressive. The engine remains remarkably quiet by modern standards, opening up under acceleration into a creamy, racy, straight-six growl.

This particular example, build number 303, was previously owned by the very enthusiast who once owned the infamous "40 RA" getaway car. Having purchased this vehicle through Trade Classics in 2021, he invested a further £10,900 in a comprehensive mechanical overhaul and service in 2022. First registered in 1992, the car is finished in the iconic shade of Imperial Green over a black leather interior. It has covered approximately 76,608 miles from new under the care of five previous owners. Formerly part of a significant classic car collection, it retains a highly pleasing presentation and offers a rare opportunity to acquire what was once the fastest four-door production car in the world. It's accompanied by its original owner's book pack, two sets of keys, and an MOT valid until June 2027.

⭕ VEHICLE DETAIL

We've written a longer and more detailed description of this vehicle on our website, which will answer all of your burning questions. To see the car on our site then just search for us, Trade Classics, on Google.

⭕ BEFORE YOU CALL US

We love to talk about cars, but more than 90% of buyers' questions are answered in the full listings on our website: there you'll find a huge amount of detailed information about this car's history, condition, and specification - as well as hundreds of detailed photos and videos. Don't worry: if you still have a question, please just give us a call during office hours.

⭕ ABOUT US

Trade Classics is the most trusted auction house in the UK, with 4.9* on TrustPilot and thousands of happy buyers and sellers. Our mission is to provide the most honest and transparent listings available. By helping you avoid scammers, timewasters, and expensive platform fees, we make the process of buying and selling a car as pleasurable as driving it.

⭕ FINANCE AVAILABLE

Trade Classics Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative (IAR) of AFS Compliance Ltd which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm number 625035. Trade Classics Limited is a vehicle sales business with permission to introduce prospective finance clients to Revered Finance Limited who is also an AR of AFS Compliance Ltd and an independent asset finance brokerage not a lender. We are not independent financial advisors and are unable to provide you with independent financial advice. Trade Classics Limited and Revered Finance Limited will receive payment(s) or other benefit from the finance provider if you decide to enter into an agreement with them. We work with both discretionary and non-discretionary commission models. Commission payments are factored into the interest rate you pay.