Skip Brown 175bhp engine, factory LSD & Ashley Works style exhaust
Refurbished bodywork, interior and wheels
Long MOT to November 2024
One of the most fascinating cars of the hot hatch era
Registered as a Historic Vehicle exempt from tax, MOT and ULEZ
The Appeal
By the time it reached showrooms in 1979 the Sunbeam Lotus had come a long way, literally and metaphorically. Each car started life in Linwood, travelled to a site near Hethel where the magic happened, before ending up in Stoke for final checks.
The cars were also a long way removed from the Sunbeam’s simple Avenger origins. Built for rally success they were fitted with a rip snorting 155bhp version of Lotus’ Type 907 slant four and a ZF five speed gearbox. Today, while more common hot hatches accrue headlines, the Lotus is beloved of afficionados who know that this is a car that could eat 205s and Golfs for breakfast.
Of the 150 or so Sunbeam Lotus’ left on the road in 2023, this is one of the last registered and surely one of the best. Factory standard apart from some careful, choice upgrades, it also benefits from renovated bodywork, interior and fully-refurbished wheels. Although registered as a Historic Vehicle exempt from tax and MOT, the long term enthusiast owner has helpfully regularly MOT’d it – it has a current test to November 2024.
For enthusiast of great 80s cars, this is a rare treat.
Superb, factory-standard condition in stand-out classic black with silver contrast paint
Refurbished diamond-cut 13in alloys shod with recently fitted Firestone tyres
Older bodywork restoration to high standard that has held up very well
No visible signs of bodywork or paintwork deterioration to exterior
Smart, factory standard interior with retrimmed front seats in Piccadilly cloth with new foam
Hatch gas struts recently replaced
Purposeful Hella spotlights
Period correct Alpine radio cassette system
Headlining in good order with no visible sagging or marks
Non matching factory correct alloy spare
The original Sunbeam was developed very quickly over 19 months using Avenger mechanicals. It was a clever makeover that created a spacious, modern-looking supermini to compete with the Fiesta.
The Lotus transformation was, therefore, quite remarkable. Where other firms relied on big spoilers and wheels to telegraph intent, Talbot’s new hot hatch had no need for such things. Lotus badging and a fantastic silver and black colour scheme immediately stood the car apart from its competitors.
Inside the story continued, two-tone Picadilly cloth trim continuing the colour theme but otherwise the interior was factory standard. This car was all about its performance – it didn’t need unnecessary addenda.
This gorgeous 1981 example is a timely reminder of just how good these cars did looked in period. Benefitting from an older bodywork refresh but more recent attention to the seats and wheels, it is in superb condition and reflects the enthusiasm of its long term owner.
2,172cc Lotus Type 911 16v slant four engine by Skip Brown developing 175bhp
This engine was fitted with 60,000 miles on it, so is now on 86,000 miles
Extensive mechanical work undertaken during seller’s ownership and listed above
Factory fitted LSD
Ashley Works style competition exhaust fitted in 2014
5spd manual gearbox with dogleg 1st gear
Always run on super unleaded
Not for Chrysler the simple business of titivating an off-the-shelf engine to create a hot hatch. The firm chose to do things differently by commissioning Lotus for the makeover. This was partly driven by ambition – although road cars were envisaged, the key goal was a gravel-scrabbling, podium winning rally car.
The new car used a lightly modified version of Lotus’ revolutionary 16v slant four Type 907 – renamed the Type 911 – that had so bedevilled the Jensen-Healey a few years earlier. While maintaining a good state of tune is critical, by the time this engine arrived in the Sunbeam it was proven and relatively reliable. During the customisation process the cars got wider transmission tunnels, firmer suspension and a ZF 5spd gearbox amongst other goodies.
This car had an engine swap 26,000 miles ago to a Skip Brown-fettled 175bhp motor. The ZF box was also replaced at the same time. It was factory fitted with a LSD and apart from the tuned engine is largely standard except for an Ashley works-style competition exhaust and manifold system.
The mechanical work undertaken by the vendor is extensive and listed above. It clearly indicates an enthusiast owner who has taken care to maintain this lovely, rare car to a high standard. Something that no doubt the buyer will be very grateful for. kmREr5MN0SYm8BZcJLKPvTAyQZyZVXNJH9yxNipc.jpg1.03 MB
BEFORE YOU BUY
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