My Talbot Sunbeam Lotus
08 November 2005, 04:42 PM
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Talbot Sunbeam Lotus
After a long rebuild and modification transformation, my Sunbeam Lotus is finally ready to get to work on Road and Track.
It's one of the most aggresive sounding cars I've ever sat in, proper old-school rally car soundtrack. Judging by how fast passengers in cars snap their heads round, it must be quite loud too... Most of it is engine noise, with intake and exhaust adding to the mix.
It's pretty fast too. Rolling-road tuned by a guru last Friday who managed to get 220bhp out of it (calculated flywheel figure).
Awesome car. I love it. Unfortunately, it looks like I may have to sell it to pay for renovations on our new house. Nightmare scenario...
All opinions welcome (other than those which start with "isn't it the wrong colour")
Cheers,
f
It's one of the most aggresive sounding cars I've ever sat in, proper old-school rally car soundtrack. Judging by how fast passengers in cars snap their heads round, it must be quite loud too... Most of it is engine noise, with intake and exhaust adding to the mix.
It's pretty fast too. Rolling-road tuned by a guru last Friday who managed to get 220bhp out of it (calculated flywheel figure).
Awesome car. I love it. Unfortunately, it looks like I may have to sell it to pay for renovations on our new house. Nightmare scenario...
All opinions welcome (other than those which start with "isn't it the wrong colour")
Cheers,
f
08 November 2005, 04:49 PM
#4
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Quaiffe Torsen-type LSD on the back means that it wiggles more than it bites. Having said that, I'm not Henri Toivonen, so I haven't been trying too hard...
Yes, I am a bit scared, but that's healthy, isn't it?
I'll try re-sizing the photos when I figure out how...
Yes, I am a bit scared, but that's healthy, isn't it?
I'll try re-sizing the photos when I figure out how...
08 November 2005, 04:51 PM
#5
very cool car. don't sell it. just remortgage for the renovations. you'll be putting value onto the house so why not pay for it in with the house costs rather than pay for it by selling a car.
you could also look at it this way, how much has it cost you and what could you sell it for? unless you at least break even, imo it wouldn't be right to sell it.
you could also look at it this way, how much has it cost you and what could you sell it for? unless you at least break even, imo it wouldn't be right to sell it.
08 November 2005, 04:53 PM
#7
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can't really re-mortgage, as we've only just bought the house. There are also some outstanding bills on the car itself...
Anyway, trying to keep a brave face on it. If I sell it now, it'll be worth a lot more than after I stuffed it into the scenery...
Anyway, trying to keep a brave face on it. If I sell it now, it'll be worth a lot more than after I stuffed it into the scenery...
Trending Topics
08 November 2005, 04:59 PM
#10
Originally Posted by Flingstam
Can't really re-mortgage, as we've only just bought the house. There are also some outstanding bills on the car itself...
Originally Posted by Flingstam
Anyway, trying to keep a brave face on it. If I sell it now, it'll be worth a lot more than after I stuffed it into the scenery...
08 November 2005, 05:03 PM
#12
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mneame
was in the same situation with the just buying a house and wanting to do it up myself a couple of years back. ended up covering every wall in the same emulsion to make it liveable. i didn't have a car worth selling to pay for stuff (escort rs turbo) and needed it to get to work.
Lol.. that's true. what would you be looking to get for it? can i suggest the practical performance car magazine forum (www.ppcmag.co.uk/forum) to guage interest / sell it on. the guys on there love cars like this.
Lol.. that's true. what would you be looking to get for it? can i suggest the practical performance car magazine forum (www.ppcmag.co.uk/forum) to guage interest / sell it on. the guys on there love cars like this.
Thanks for the tip on PPC. I'll check it out. I'm looking at getting about £7500 ono. Lot of money for a car whose body was made in Linwood, peanuts compared to what a similarly-specced Mk2 Escort would sell for...
08 November 2005, 05:09 PM
#13
could be an idea otherwise she might design the inside of the marital doghouse for you. 
i got my wife to buy me a shed for my birthday this year so i can go and hide when i spend too much money on the scooby
sounds like a good price. and as you say a mk2 escort would be silly money and the TSL is a rare car and would probably be faster than the escort too.
i got my wife to buy me a shed for my birthday this year so i can go and hide when i spend too much money on the scooby sounds like a good price. and as you say a mk2 escort would be silly money and the TSL is a rare car and would probably be faster than the escort too.
08 November 2005, 05:43 PM
#17
There's one all prepped up by where I work, I'm not sure if it is an orginal Lotus, or one that has been converted, but either it is has one very well sorted engine.
There is a 1/4mile flat piece of road past our offices and you get your usual jap trash rice rockets, and ned/chav junk blasting past, and nobody bats an eyelid. All "made "to be noisey and nothing else, and just sound like stock engines missing a few mufflers (which is what they are)
This Sunbeam however, gets evreyone looking out the windows. The engine spins up like a 2stroke, and in the dark you can see spitting the flames out between the gears. There are not many engines that have the pickup and response in every gear as these do. And the noise is just awesome
There is a 1/4mile flat piece of road past our offices and you get your usual jap trash rice rockets, and ned/chav junk blasting past, and nobody bats an eyelid. All "made "to be noisey and nothing else, and just sound like stock engines missing a few mufflers (which is what they are)
This Sunbeam however, gets evreyone looking out the windows. The engine spins up like a 2stroke, and in the dark you can see spitting the flames out between the gears. There are not many engines that have the pickup and response in every gear as these do. And the noise is just awesome
Last edited by ALi-B; 08 November 2005 at 05:46 PM.
08 November 2005, 06:43 PM
#21
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by GC8
Very nice; Im not mad about the Speedlines though.....
08 November 2005, 07:18 PM
#22
Scooby Regular
Originally Posted by Flingstam
The 16inch wheels are kinda necessary to cover the brake upgrade. Front discs are now 320mm diameter, which is the same size as the original alloys were...
Especially in something that light and that powerful
BTW I would be very surprised if it was as heavy as 950kg, I'd guess nearer 850kg to be honest
08 November 2005, 08:16 PM
#26
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used to have a Y reg TSL..What a fantastic car,i put a Quaiffe LSD in mine and went on loadsa sprints and hillclimbs etc etc.Mine had Skip brown cams and a big valve head,seem to remember about 185bhp.Was quick and the short wheelbase made it fun in the wet.I have driven loads of high performance supercars,but its hard to beat the feel and urgency of a lotus sunbeam..
I remember taking my mum(who was in her late 50's at the time) out in it,she literally pissed herself,how many cars would do that eh!! ha ha...
Keep it mate...you know you will regret it,and i aint got £7500 to own it!!!
I remember taking my mum(who was in her late 50's at the time) out in it,she literally pissed herself,how many cars would do that eh!! ha ha...
Keep it mate...you know you will regret it,and i aint got £7500 to own it!!!
08 November 2005, 09:17 PM
#27
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not sure I can use your story about your mother's unfortunate accident in my advert, but thanks for the thought.
These days when really fast cars are so capable it's a lot of fun to drive something that demands absolute commitment and concentration. I've been careful with it, but it does give a massive buzz every time I drive it.
These days when really fast cars are so capable it's a lot of fun to drive something that demands absolute commitment and concentration. I've been careful with it, but it does give a massive buzz every time I drive it.
08 November 2005, 11:03 PM
#28
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Sheffield; Rome of the North
Posts: 17,582
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Flingstam
The 16inch wheels are kinda necessary to cover the brake upgrade. Front discs are now 320mm diameter, which is the same size as the original alloys were...
Simon
09 November 2005, 07:44 AM
#29
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anyone interested in the full spec? Anoraks to the ready...
Engine:
Ported and polished head/ manifold with L14 cams, works vernier pulleys, Cosworth pistons, lightened and balanced on twin 45 Dellortos (later type). Pipercross filter,
Facet red top fuel pump, Aeroquip hose, Filter king.
Tony law 4 2 1 manifold, bespoke exhaust with repackable back box.
Mocal 16 row oil cooler front mounted.
Solid state rev limiter
Makes 220 hp on Peter Baldwin's rollers.
Transmission:
Rebuilt ZF dog leg first gearbox.
Balanced propshaft
Quaiffe ATB Torsen-type LSD in reinforced and welded axle.
Wheels, Tyres and Brakes:
Speedline 8 x 16 front and rear with TOYO proxes T1- R's 225 rear 215 front.
Wilwood 4 pot callipers on 320mm front disc with bespoke aluminium bells. Standard rear with race pads and working handbrake. Aeroquip hoses, and Ford 2 " studs front and rear.
Shell:
Excellent Rebuilt/ resprayed series 2 shell - all steel with FIA cage twin diagonals and belt bar. Glass/ Kevlar Cobra bucket seats on aluminium hangers with 5 point FIA approved harnesses. Laminated screen. poly plex door cards etc.
Plumbed in extinguisher, rear mounted battery and box, modified 8 gallon tank. 5" Tacho with shift light
Additional digital water temp and oil pressure gauge. FIA cut off switch etc...
Suspension and Steering:
Momo suede steering wheel with 2.2 quick rack.
Rose jointed adjustable 2 1/4" spring front suspension with height adjustable tarmac bilsteins (short) in roller top mounts. Short bilstein rear with adjustable 2 1/4 springs new bushes through out, reinforced upper and lower arms.blasted and painted
Blah blah blah, etc. etc. etc.
Engine:
Ported and polished head/ manifold with L14 cams, works vernier pulleys, Cosworth pistons, lightened and balanced on twin 45 Dellortos (later type). Pipercross filter,
Facet red top fuel pump, Aeroquip hose, Filter king.
Tony law 4 2 1 manifold, bespoke exhaust with repackable back box.
Mocal 16 row oil cooler front mounted.
Solid state rev limiter
Makes 220 hp on Peter Baldwin's rollers.
Transmission:
Rebuilt ZF dog leg first gearbox.
Balanced propshaft
Quaiffe ATB Torsen-type LSD in reinforced and welded axle.
Wheels, Tyres and Brakes:
Speedline 8 x 16 front and rear with TOYO proxes T1- R's 225 rear 215 front.
Wilwood 4 pot callipers on 320mm front disc with bespoke aluminium bells. Standard rear with race pads and working handbrake. Aeroquip hoses, and Ford 2 " studs front and rear.
Shell:
Excellent Rebuilt/ resprayed series 2 shell - all steel with FIA cage twin diagonals and belt bar. Glass/ Kevlar Cobra bucket seats on aluminium hangers with 5 point FIA approved harnesses. Laminated screen. poly plex door cards etc.
Plumbed in extinguisher, rear mounted battery and box, modified 8 gallon tank. 5" Tacho with shift light
Additional digital water temp and oil pressure gauge. FIA cut off switch etc...
Suspension and Steering:
Momo suede steering wheel with 2.2 quick rack.
Rose jointed adjustable 2 1/4" spring front suspension with height adjustable tarmac bilsteins (short) in roller top mounts. Short bilstein rear with adjustable 2 1/4 springs new bushes through out, reinforced upper and lower arms.blasted and painted
Blah blah blah, etc. etc. etc.
Last edited by Flingstam; 09 November 2005 at 07:50 AM.
