Notice to bidders - This car has met reserve and is on sale, if you intend to bid please make sure you are bidder verified with your card registered otherwise you might run out of time to confirm, we do not want anyone to miss out.

Highlights

Only two registered keepers from new, in current ownership since 1985
The 1st owner was reportedly Evan Clements - Previous winner of LeMans
Engine rebuilt by Phil Davison, ex-works Sunbeam Lotus rally team engine builder
Comprehensively rally and race prepared but never raced or rallied
MOT valid to December 2026, passed with no advisories
Original handbooks and good history file

The Appeal

The Talbot Sunbeam Lotus is one of the most celebrated homologation specials of the 1980s. Born from Chrysler's - later Talbot's - need to compete in international rallying, the Sunbeam Lotus married the lightweight Sunbeam body with the potent 2.2-litre Lotus twin-cam engine, creating a giant-killer that famously won the 1981 World Rally Championship. Today, genuine examples are highly prized and increasingly scarce.

This June 1982 example has had just two registered keepers from new and has been in the current owner's hands since 1985 — a remarkable 41-year custodianship. The first ower was reportedly Le Mans winning driver Evan Clements.
Finished in the model's most iconic black with silver siding, it retains its original black-and-grey striped cloth sport seats internally.

The car has been comprehensively prepared for rally and race use, though notably it has never actually been raced or rallied. The engine was fully rebuilt in the mid-1990s by Phil Davison, formerly of the works Sunbeam Lotus rally team, to a high specification. Having been in dry storage since January 2009, the car was recommissioned late last year and passed its MOT with no advisories. The vendor describes the car as being in lovely condition throughout, and it comes with original handbooks and a good history file.

History and Paperwork

Manufactured June 1982, UK-market right-hand drive
Two registered keepers from new
Current keeper since 1985
77,340 miles warranted, with only 10 miles covered since October 2008
In dry storage from January 2009 to late 2025, then recommissioned
MOT valid to December 2026, passed 5th December 2025 with no advisories
Original handbooks present
Good history file

The Condition

Finished in black with silver sides and graphics
Bodywork is well kept with only gentle signs of use
Original striped upholstery is clean and well-presented
Full roll cage, fuel cell, four-point harnesses, and cross brace fitted
Rear cage fitted from new
Custom wheel spacers fitted to accommodate coil-over front struts
Front strut brace fitted
Road/track-type tyres fitted
Sound system with remote control, large amplifier, and speakers mounted under the rear parcel shelf

The Mechanics

2,172cc Lotus Twin Cam engine
5-speed manual dog leg transmission
Standard LSD differential
Engine fully rebuilt in the mid-1990s by Phil Davison (ex-works Sunbeam Lotus rally team engine builder) to a high specification
Dellorto carburettors rebuilt and engine bench-run before refitting
Gearbox overhauled by a specialist with new synchros and bearings
Fuel tank removed, modified, and baffled with 8mm bore pick-up
Dual high-volume fuel pumps and filters fitted with replaced flow and return lines (high volume, low pressure setup)
Rally-spec coil-over front suspension
Dual-cylinder braking system with in-car adjustable bias
AP Racing front calipers with standard rear drums and upgraded linings
Rally-spec two-box exhaust system
The vendor reports that the car drives exactly as it should

BEFORE YOU BUY

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