Talbot Sunbeam Lotus | PH Auction Block

The original pocket rocket rascal - and now with more than 200hp

By Matt Bird / Tuesday, 9 September 2025 / Loading comments

For half a century now, it feels like the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus has never been the first car that comes to mind. If we’re talking iconic roadgoing hot hatches of the period, folk will inevitably think of the Golf GTI; rear-drive rally hero discussion will be dominated by Escorts. Heck, with a Lotus Carlton in the world as well, the Sunbeam probably can’t claim to be the least likely (yet most brilliant) project for Hethel to have had any involvement in.

As a result, the poor thing has probably been overlooked a tad as a classic car. It was too old school for its own good when new, as hot hatches were moving from rear-drive, carb-fed scallywags to better behaved, fuel-injected front drivers. Down the line cheap ones got snapped up for clubman rallying, and plenty must have been deemed uneconomical to repair once rust took hold of road cars - or the lively handling got the better of the driver’s skill. Arguably the Sunbeams should have been more loved than they were, but finally it seems like they’re getting some proper affection. Because who now wouldn’t be keen on a Lotus Twin Cam, rear-wheel drive, and styling that could only have come out of Britain in the 70s?

Back in 2012, a fully restored 1983 Lotus Sunbeam was £20k; our most recent pick from the classifieds a couple of years ago was £35k, for some idea of how things have changed. As Escorts and the like have enjoyed unprecedented appreciation, so those similar cars have also gained value; a Sunbeam Lotus may not have the fast Ford cachet, but it’s far from an inferior option. It can claim some proper motorsport pedigree too, boasted a whole lot more power (150 naturally aspirated horsepower wouldn’t make it to an Escort until the 1990s), and must be a whole lot rarer these days.

To no surprise at all, this Series 1 Sunbeam Lotus is the only one on PistonHeads right now, and it’s being auctioned from tomorrow. If you’re thinking it looks pretty damn good for a 46-year-old car built in period by Chrysler Europe, then there’s a very good reason for that: this is a restored Talbot. The work, which featured some new panels and paint, was finished in 2019, looks excellent; the Compomotive split rims set the Sunbeam off perfectly. The underside has been Dinitrol’d, and is said to be entirely free from corrosion.

That’s not even the best bit of this car, either. Because it’s not a mechanically standard example, instead boasting an extensively overhauled Lotus Twin Cam. The 2.2 now boasts high lift cams, Cosworth pistons, a racier manifold and a ported head for something in the region of 220hp, or nearly 50 per cent more than the stock 150. Last year it was refreshed with a skim of the head, new bearings and new valve guides. Remember a Sunbeam weighs less than a tonne, too - it’s going to be a seriously brisk little car. Don’t go looking at the engine bay if you’re trying to resist a bid…

The seller has further upgraded the car with bigger brakes, quicker steering and adjustable dampers, so it ought to be a proper riot of a classic on road or track. The seller says it wants for nothing mechanically, which is encouraging for those that just want to get in and drive the little wheels off it. Finally, the Sunbeam is pretty nice inside as well, which is perhaps even more notable than a smart exterior; what centre console there is remains intact, the new digital dash is sympathetically integrated, and the replacement front seats look great. That’s a hydraulic handbrake between them, too. It might be the best Sunbeam we’ve seen - and ought to be the first car to think about bidding on over the next few days…

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