RE: Spotted: Talbot Sunbeam Lotus

[Dan Trent]

I'll issue a new editorial directive and ration the use of commas! Now if I only hAD the PoWeR to DO the same for rAndom CAPITALisations by car manufacturers the world would be a better place.

Dan

[s m]

avocado said:

Read it again:

"The claimed 0-60mph times were around seven seconds, which made it rapid on launch, at the turn of the millennium and, despite the advent of hatches like the Audi RS3, still fairly quick now."

'Motor' got it to 60 ( with 2 gearchanges ) in 6.8 and a ss 1/4 of 15.3 @ 93

[ewolg]

Looking at that RS2000, I wonder if that spare tyre is original as I'm sure when I worked for a Ford dealer in Chipping Norton, none of the spare tyres had the sticker on them??

[crispian22]

I may be thinking of a different car,but didn't they do a 'TI' version of this car,if so,what was the difference?

[Sid123]

The Ti used a regular 1600cc Avenger engine with twin Webers and was rated at 100bhp. Looks nice and has tartan seats too but was short-lived as a model in its own right '79-'81.

Edited by Sid123 on Tuesday 13th November 12:23

[PascalBuyens]

crispian22 said:

I may be thinking of a different car,but didn't they do a 'TI' version of this car,if so,what was the difference?

Sunbeam TI <> Sunbeam Lotus
Amongst a few details (engine and a few other bits and bobs), about 50hp difference in favour of the Lotus prepped car...

[Cheib]

Using the price of an overpriced car (RS2000) to justify the price being asked for another not quite as overpriced car......there's a flaw in that argument somewhere.

I do love the Sunbeam Lotus though....mate has a black one. It's definitely a car that deserves more kudos.

[graham22]

That reg looks familiar, might have been on the cover of Fast Car many years ago.

Definately one for my lottery garage having owned a 1.6S as my first car (with Ford wheels, motorway low profile remoulds = sideways fun).

Wasn't the Lotus Sunbeam the last 2wd car to win the RAC rally?

[ScoobieWRX]

RS2000 or the Sunbeam?.....Sunbeam every time!!

[GTRene]

I remembered that the boss of a friend of mine had one, looked good knowing it had RWD and plenty of power (those days) me and my friend had a RS2000 (mk2) those days, ofcorse those were better ;-)

[ringweekends]

Simply marvellous

[Britcar David]

My first race car, a 1600 TI version in kermit green. Aaaah, happy memories.

[rtz62]

Graham22, the last cars were either registered DAC or DDU, finished in distinctive livery by Avon, lots if them have featured in or in mags with that distinctive reg.
how much would I love one in one of my garages!

[niagra]

Why did I sell mine?! GNN111V what a car.

[chunder]

Sorry to buck the trend but hated the one I had, poor handling, crap brakes and never felt quick.

Had the suspension replaced by a specialist and the engine fully rebuilt with stage 2 heads.

Went slightly better as my pocket was considerably lighter.

Gave away at a classic car auction in the end after no interest from the classifieds in 6 mths.

[993RSGT3]

Henri Toivonen = LEGEND. Right up there with Belloff (might be a theme there...). Have a tape of him driving the 037 on the 1000 Lakes - best car control you will ever see.

Mid 80s were best ever era for motorsport - Group B rallying, Group C endurance racing, turbo F1.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Last saw one at the ring a couple of years ago, didn't half draw a crowd too

[Cotty]

Fab car but still prefer the Chevette HSR from the same era.

[aeropilot]

I owned my Moonstone/Black S2, DAC 71Y, for almost 17 years and even started the owners club for my sins.

Great cars if a tweeked a little, but pretty poor in standard spec.

'Uncle' Des wanted them sold in a much higher spec as road cars (Bilsteins, LSD etc.,etc., as per his development car) but the bean counters at Talbot said no.

[72twink]

crofty1984 said:

Also, I want one of those. If one were to have a Lotus 912 engine lying around, I wonder how much work is involved in taking a regular Sunbeam and converting it?

Plenty - the sump on a 911 engine is unique to the SL, a 912 has it right where the Sunbeam crossmember lives and that's after you've struggled to find a sound standard car in the first place.