8000 mile Sunbeam Lotus

[2172cc]

This super low mileage car is in amazing condition and if the estimate of 50-60K is anything to go by, should make a record price for one of these.
http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1983-talbot-sun...
Also at the same auction is another lovely DAC registered car, 30Y which has covered a few more miles but still in great shape, estimated at 20-25K
http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1983-talbot-sun...

[texaxile]

Wasn't there a member here who did and epic resto on one of these, even so far as getting the panels unstiched, sprayed and replaced?. The whole car was literally pulled apart, but I don't ever recall seeing the final result.

These have always been a favourite of mine, the looks, the engine and the whole package just typifies the 80's and an era of leftfield high powered "within reach" cars like the Chevette HS / HSR, RS Fords, Arbath Fiats and some of the other stuff from Japan (ahem...Lancer turbo's )

Definitely have one if I had the money.

[Julian Thompson]

I have wanted one since I was 16 and used to hang around with a mate who was lucky enough to have one. He was only about 19 but back then insurance wasn’t such a difficulty. His car was DAC10Y. I was lucky enough to pick this little lovely up earlier in the year:













It’s in fine shape but needs a little recommissioning before I use it in anger. Can there be a better sounding four pot this side of a race Cosworth?

[2172cc]

texaxile said:

Wasn't there a member here who did and epic resto on one of these, even so far as getting the panels unstiched, sprayed and replaced?. The whole car was literally pulled apart, but I don't ever recall seeing the final result.

That will be this one I think

[2172cc]

Julian Thompson said:

I have wanted one since I was 16 and used to hang around with a mate who was lucky enough to have one. He was only about 19 but back then insurance wasn’t such a difficulty. His car was DAC10Y. I was lucky enough to pick this little lovely up earlier in the year:

DAC 10Y is still around having had a restoration a couple of years ago and is looking pretty nice now.
There's a picture of it here: https://flic.kr/p/N7ZCPR
No wonder your pleased with your Series 1,its a super example.

Edited by 2172cc on Thursday 18th October 17:53

[Julian Thompson]

Thanks! Feels strange seeing the old dac again. Many happy times being blasted about Cheshire in that!!

[Mark A S]

Great fun little cars, I had a couple back in the day, here is my second one

[aeropilot]

2172cc said:

This super low mileage car is in amazing condition and if the estimate of 50-60K is anything to go by, should make a record price for one of these.
http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1983-talbot-sun...

At that estimate I'm not surprised he's finally deciding to part with it after all this time. I remember when he bought it, as it was a few months after I bought mine, and I can remember roughly how much he paid for it as well

2172cc said:

Also at the same auction is another lovely DAC registered car, 30Y which has covered a few more miles but still in great shape, estimated at 20-25K
http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1983-talbot-sun...

Shame about the ghastly colour coded grille

[MDMA .]

Was a nice one at Events City last month -

[200Plus Club]

Had mine 2 -3 years and loved it. Caught the price surge and doubled in value. 150bhp on twin45s and a beautiful bark to it on cam. Gearing was spot on for fast road use without breaking 100mph. I did however get 6 points in it for speeding...

[DaveK-S1]

Julian Thompson said:

I have wanted one since I was 16 and used to hang around with a mate who was lucky enough to have one. He was only about 19 but back then insurance wasn’t such a difficulty. His car was DAC10Y. I was lucky enough to pick this little lovely up earlier in the year:













It’s in fine shape but needs a little recommissioning before I use it in anger. Can there be a better sounding four pot this side of a race Cosworth?

Are they standard anti roll bars Julian or uprated ?

Dave

[Julian Thompson]

Not sure Dave - there is a mega history file but I’ve not noticed any reference to them specifically. Previous owner was in poor health so I couldn’t ask technical things unfortunately...

[SilverHarrier]

I can remember one of these regularly tearing round Dover in the early 90's, lovely distinctive sound!
Seem to remember it had a short registration number possibly even ---11V.
Julian, is there any record of an owner in your history from Dover around that time? Only asking because when I saw your pictures I thought it may be the same car..

Rich

[200Plus Club]

It's likely the club will know almost all it's history and owners names if you ask them especially if it's a well known reg.

[Maulden7]

200Plus Club said:

It's likely the club will know almost all it's history and owners names if you ask them especially if it's a well known reg.

The car was previously registered as LPD 670W & restored to show condition by a fastidious owner living in Shropshire. This was completed in November 2001 & we had the car on the Sunbeam Lotus OC display at the NEC virtually straight from the restoration. It was superb.

It was sold immediately after the show for £8500 (which was a lot of money in 2001) & the buyer lived in Warwickshire.

He sold it on again in 2006 to a new owner in Dorset, & it was from this owner that Julian bought the car (with the owner's daughter actually handling the sale due to the health of her father)

We have the original factory production records, & a production certificate can be issued to any Sunbeam Lotus to confirm provenance.

[QuadCamCapri]

Do like a Lotus Sunbeam, raced against many in the 90's. Most memorable race was at Snet in 1993 in the 'Super Road Saloons' where it was me versus 4 Lotus Sunbeams. Each lap I passed them all on the long back straight to take the lead, then got picked off round the rest of the lap, eventually my tyres suffered more than theirs and I finished about 4th I think.

[aeropilot]

QuadCamCapri said:

Do like a Lotus Sunbeam, raced against many in the 90's. Most memorable race was at Snet in 1993 in the 'Super Road Saloons' where it was me versus 4 Lotus Sunbeams. Each lap I passed them all on the long back straight to take the lead, then got picked off round the rest of the lap, eventually my tyres suffered more than theirs and I finished about 4th I think.

That's Neil Hasler in the white one with green stripe, can't remember the name of the guy in the red one in front though, although something in the back of my mind says he used to work at Hethel?

I used to know Neil quite well back in those days, often used to meet up for a beer and chat with him and a few other owners and the guys from Lotus Service Centre.

[Maulden7]

Graham - the red car is Jon Woodward ... the green one might be Steve Taylor (they used to hunt as a trio!)

[aeropilot]

Maulden7 said:

Graham - the red car is Jon Woodward ... the green one might be Steve Taylor (they used to hunt as a trio!)

Jon Woodward - that's the one.

Could be Steve, although I was still competing in Sprints with Steve in '93 when he had his black Series 1 car, as '93 was the last year I competed in mine IIRC....we used to hunt in packs in Sprinting as well.....

[QuadCamCapri]

Green car is Phil Seaman, saw him a couple of weeks ago at Donington, think he's too busy working on various Lotus Sunbeams to race at the moment though.
Eric Crawley another regular must have been just out of shot, Neil and I had a lot of good close races over a couple of years.

6 in the top ten......