Description
We have now sold this lovely Sunbeam Lotus .. We are always looking to buy more examples, so please feel free to contact us with what you have.
We are the UK'd best buyers of interesting and rare performance classic vehicles, whether they are stock or modified
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Please call Andrew or email us.
Thank you for reading
The car has covered 93000 miles from new, comes with its original service literature booklet including owner's handbook, supplement instruction book, original radio manual, Talbot Sunbeam Lotus dealer directory and mechanical breakdown insurance booklet. MOTs dating back to when the car was 8 years old are present, these also confirm that by 1988 the car had covered 81, 700 miles so just a further 12, 300 miles in the past 34 years.
According to owners club information present in the history file, around 2300 of these cars were ever built, and half were exported to Europe. Information from club sources suggest only around 100 of the 1184 examples built for the UK market are on the road, and of course finding one with such originality is incredibly rare.
Making these cars even more special is the fact that the Talbot Lotus Sunbeam took part in international rallying from 1979 to 1982 and won the World Championship in 1981. Its most famous achievement was the 1980 Lombard RAC rally, Britain's round the World Rally Championship where the Sunbeam Lotus finished 1st, 3rd and 4th. They have a special place in motorsport history, and interest in these fantastic fun hatchbacks is really on the up. Standard cars had 155BHP and isn't difficult to increase this to 180BHP so this is exactly what was done to this car when it had some major mechanical work during the 1990s.
This example did its hard work and mileage in its early life and a whole host of invoices are on file detailing an engine rebuild, engine balancing, ported stainless exhaust and manifolds, gaz shocks and four pot calipers, replacement ZF gearbox, rear axle and differential rebuild and various maintenance work. Much of the work was carried out by Skip Brown Cars and ICE Motorsport. Since engine work, the car has covered less than 4000 miles and over the last 18 years or so the most recent owner has carefully stored the car, maintained it, but covered very little mileage. LTT 646W is a well presented, very honest and largely original car.
The paintwork presents well and fits the description of a genuine, well-preserved car. The bodywork is very good with nice straight panels, is structurally excellent and has a well-kept engine bay.
The interior is remarkably original, and rare to see in these cars.
This is a very tidy, useable example and is certainly presented well enough to attend shows and be proud to show off what is one of very few remarkably original examples left. Its real place should be on the road, it will prove fantastic to drive and great fun to own. There is no doubt this is a time warp, and there won't be many that become available.
I drove the car today, and it certainly puts a smile on your face
The Lotus engine is super fit, the gearbox excellent, and the car has just been fully serviced, had a new set of tyres and is ready to use and enjoy.
I would happily take any other classic car or bike in part exchange, and can arrange delivery .
Please contact Andrew or email
Video available on the St Andrews Autos Youtube Channel
