Description
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Lotus Carlton
Registration: J874 RFJ
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History & Provenance
The vehicle was first registered on the 1st of August 1991 and was originally supplied new with the registration number J1 BNT. It was subsequently issued the registration J874 RFJ, which it has retained since the early 1990s.
The vehicle was owned by a garage in Exeter for the first five years, after which ownership passed to a gentleman also based in the Exeter area. It is quite possible that he had been the car’s user from the very outset.
Within the paperwork are copies of all V5 registration documents from new, along with a remarkable collection of original tax discs dating back to the early 1990s.
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History File
The history file accompanying the car is quite exceptional and is undoubtedly one of the most comprehensive we have ever seen.
Contained within is a vast collection of original Vauxhall main dealer invoices dating back to the early 1990s, along with numerous MOT certificates covering the same period. In addition, there is an extensive file of invoices, and it would appear that virtually every invoice relating to the car from new has been retained.
The majority of the servicing and maintenance work was carried out by Westcars of Tiverton, the Vauxhall main dealer, with earlier work undertaken by the supplying dealer. It is clear that the vehicle has been consistently maintained throughout its life by two neighbouring Vauxhall main dealers.
The file also includes a number of fascinating and highly unusual period documents. Among them is correspondence from Welch Ltd of Bristol, including an invitation to the first owner to attend a clay pigeon shooting day in October 1992.
Also present is the original purchase invoice for the private registration number acquired by the first owner, Mr Taylor, in 1991.
Importantly, the history file contains a copy of the original bill of sale from Welch Ltd, dated 26th July 1991, showing the total purchase price of the vehicle as £49, 930.
One particularly remarkable item is a copy of the original cheque used to purchase the car when new. Dated 26th July 1991, the cheque was issued by Taylor Catering Foods via NatWest Bank for the sum of £47, 430—a wonderful reminder of the era.
The documentation even predates delivery of the vehicle. Correspondence from September 1990 from Vauxhall confirms production of the Lotus Carlton and outlines anticipated delivery schedules, while further letters from January 1991 confirm the arrival of the vehicle at the supplying dealer’s showroom and invite the prospective owner to view it.
The original order documentation is also present, showing a deposit of £2, 500 placed on 5th November 1990, with both the cheque and even the original posted envelope—complete with a 17p stamp—retained within the file.
Further adding to the provenance, the file includes a personalised hardback presentation relating to a driving course undertaken in the vehicle, another rare and charming piece of period documentation.
Quite simply, this is one of the most complete and fascinating history files we have ever encountered.
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Service History
The car benefits from an excellent and highly detailed service record, with early servicing carried out by the supplying dealer, Welch Ltd, before being consistently maintained by Westcars of Tiverton – Vauxhall Main Dealer.
• Pre-Delivery Inspection – Welch Ltd (Supplying Dealer)
• 1, 153 miles – Running-in Service – Welch Ltd
• 8, 591 miles – Welch Ltd
• 10, 591 miles – Welch Ltd
• 14, 850 miles – Welch Ltd
• 34, 576 miles – Westcars of Tiverton – Vauxhall Main Dealer
• 47, 789 miles – Westcars of Tiverton – Vauxhall Main Dealer
• 53, 966 miles – Westcars of Tiverton – Vauxhall Main Dealer
• 61, 628 miles – Westcars of Tiverton – Vauxhall Main Dealer
• 66, 615 miles – Westcars of Tiverton – Vauxhall Main Dealer
• 69, 331 miles – Westcars of Tiverton – Vauxhall Main Dealer
• 72, 369 miles – Westcars of Tiverton – Vauxhall Main Dealer
• 73, 722 miles – Westcars of Tiverton – Vauxhall Main Dealer
The service book is stamped up to approximately 73, 000 miles, with a substantial history file of invoices supporting the mileage through to the current reading of 81, 000 miles.
The vehicle has covered minimal mileage in recent years, further supported by the accompanying documentation.
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Recent Works & Preparation
This vehicle arrived with us in September of last year, whereupon a comprehensive programme of works was undertaken.
The first stage involved the underside being fully ice blasted, allowing a clear and detailed inspection of the vehicle’s condition. From there, the car was sent to the bodyshop for a complete repaint, bringing the presentation up to an exceptional standard.
In December 2025, the vehicle was entrusted to LA Motorsport for a full mechanical inspection and rectification programme. A significant amount of work was carried out, with expenditure totalling just under £8, 000 including parts and labour, ensuring the car performs exactly as it should.
The works carried out include:
• Brake caliper rebuild kits (front & rear)
• Brake lines and ferrules
• Fuel pump replacement
• Fuel pump bracket refurbishment
• Fuel hose replacement
• Fuel system wiring and self-levelling attention
• Intake manifold gaskets
• Intake flange O-rings
• Spark plugs
• Front crank seal
• Water pump gasket
• Exhaust manifold gaskets
• Turbo core units with billet compressor wheels
• Turbo turbine housing clamp bolts
• Charge cooler impellor seal
• Charge cooler refurbishment items including fill plug seal and vibration buffers
• Coolant expansion tank
• Assorted vacuum/ ancillary hosing
• Prestone coolant flush
• T3 turbo gaskets
• Stainless steel nuts for turbo assembly
• Replacement Varta battery
In March 2026, the vehicle returned to us from LA Motorsport, at which point it underwent further paint rectification and detailing work, at a cost of approximately £1, 500, to ensure the finish met the highest possible standard.
The repaint itself totalled just over £7, 000, while the underside ice blasting amounted to approximately £2, 000. Combined with the mechanical works carried out, a very significant sum has been invested into the car in recent times.
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Summary
As a result of its exceptional history file and significant recent investment, this Lotus Carlton represents a truly outstanding example. With documented provenance from new, meticulous maintenance throughout its life, and extensive recent expenditure, the car presents and performs to a standard befitting one of the finest examples available today.
