astraboy

As you can probably tell I have a soft spot for these beasties, I dont care how expensive they are or how much they cost to run, if I had the cash I would have one in a moment. Why? Cos they are that damn sexy...



Best of all, it is still seriously rapid, have a look at this....
YouTube - Lotus Omega 0-300 km/t (DK)
and it could do this all day...
YouTube - Vauxhall Lotus Carlton Donut / Burnout
YouTube - lotus carlton burnout
Lovely cars! I still want one
astraboy.

Sonic'

Whats the going price of them these days, providing you can find one

Sonic'

Found this

YouTube - Tiff Needel tests the Lotus Carlton

Not sure from how long back it was but talks about good examples going for around 25k, and poor ones around 15k

cnj

I'm with you there, I think they're great. Had a poster of one on my wall when I was kid. I even had all the original press stuff and brochures, but then I cut them all up for a school project (don't you just regret doing some things!).

I'd have one in a second if I had the money, but they're getting a bit expensive now. Decent ones are between 15-20K, and there's a complete minter in the autotrader at the moment with 7K on the clock for £40K

It's a shame they don't get the recognition they deserved, 180mph from a 4 seater in the early 90's. Amazing.

cnj

This video always reminds me how good they are. I love the way the driver just drops a cog and floors it.

YouTube - Lotus vs Police

wrx287

iTrader: (8)

Actually seen one on the road the other day,a rare sight indeed.Sounded awesome when it pulled off though

p1doc

very nice cars,back when they came out i han nova 1.2 supa 4 speed gearbox and was nipping back from work and came across one of these.i came alongside and then he shot off leaving me with a taste for fast cars
martin

Stevie.p

I still have a bit of a soft spot for them too...........

Cracking car in their day to eat beemers for brekkie.....

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

To be honest I think they do. Mention Lotus Carlton to anyone that knows about cars and they know exactly what you are talking about. I have heard nothing but respect, apart from the running costs.

Back in the day, they were headline news in the papers. It was shocking to dullards that a family car should be able to do those sort of speeds. Sure I can remember a well know comedian (possibly Jasper Carrot) bringing it up in one of his stand up TV programmes (not taking the p1ss out of the car mind).

greylag

Great car for its time,but I would take a monaro,supercharged of course! over a lotus carlton.More power for the money and I believe should be more reliable.

Sonic'

Yes, it is on the clip I posted

turboman786

They may have been the bees kneews in their day, but in all honesty, when I look at the pics above it looks like a chavvy souped up Vauxhall....

Thats not to say I cant appreciate its cult status though, just not a car for me.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

I only looked at the pictures on the thread

finchyboy

I love them but prices are on the up i saw i minter up for 29 grand the otherday!! Could always build a nice replica out of a shagged out GSI 3000 Carlton maybe dump a nice big V8 out of a Vauxhall Monaro in it. Replica bodykit's are availble from the original lotus moulds now i reckon for 5 or 6 grand you could have a complete beast.
Have a look at this replica now that with the monaro lump in would be awesome!!

Petem95

I've always liked these, but crikey they dont half look dated now!

Fantastic for power-oversteer apparently

dpb

ripp out out the dash and start again - a nice motor ..!

The Chief

years ago i was a bit of a biker boy, anyway i had a GSX550 and even though even back then not the most up to date or powerful bike i used to have great fun peeing over so called fast cars from the lights.

anyway it was 1992 (i think) and One of these beasties pulled up next to me at the lights, i knew what they were and thought i'd batter it from teh lights.

I blasted from the lights with a smirk inside my helmet knowing i'd blown away this supercar killer - anyway this smugness lasted ooh about up to 50mph and about 4 seconds when this fecking starship came passed me like i was stood still, the t**t even waved to me as he went passed.

Ever since i've been in awe of these cars.

amazing

DaveMiddleton

Funny, I nearly bought Jasper Carrot's Lotus Carlton from a garage up in Aberdeen. Did test drive it and it was so quick in it's day.!! Still smile when I see one.

Mike123

0-100 was about 10.5 > 11 second bracket.

About the same as a new M3 or the last RS4. Pretty quick that many years ago though

monkeysan

i love these cars - old school engineering yet comfortable and fast.


anything the police try to ban has to get extra kudos points too

BULLITT

Totally agree there

I think they're great motors, just stupidly fast and mental. I even still like the look of them, I'd have one in my garage collection.

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

The films speeded up so it looks quicker than it really is..!

Still rapid cars, even by todays standards..

skoobidude

When these first came out in early 90s (Or was it 1990?), there was a one-off finished in silver in Lichfield, Staffs. Anyone on here remember it?

The irony of this post is that I've just seen one in Derby today! A rare site these days.

Nick

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

Lol, I know of a similar story on the A38 just outside Birmingham only the bike was also something special (1000cc, can't remember exactly what) but the bike and the LC went for it and they were side by side until 180 where the LC just flew into the distance FFS..!

Apparently they both stopped at the next roundabout (Bassets Pole) where the biker was lost for words, the car was 4 up..

michaelro

Lovely cars.

The salesman I bought my car off last week had one parked outside. Absolutely immaculate

lozgti

Saw a nice one at the classic car show on Saturday.

One thing I never ever knew was that these cars are actually green and not black

Edit- appears I was a bit thick not knowing that!

gpssti4

iTrader: (6)

Awesome cars.

Saw the one last week at the NEC that did the Silver State Challange in the States - from memory it averaged 180mph, the fist time he did it he went too fast and was disqualified from his class. Near standard engine too.

Had one 'play' with me on the M5 once when I was in my cossie opel manta (300bhp), we went upto xxx mph then he floored it and pulled away like you wouldn't believe.

gljam

There's one collecting dust and half built/half repaired in the garage next door to work

Jesus they are big, and the engine bay is just... well!!!!

love 'em