Lot 070: 1993 VAUXHALL LOTUS CARLTON

Introduced in October 1990, the Lotus Carlton 'Type 104' (or Lotus Omega as it was known outside the UK) soon became infamous for its reputed 177mph top speed. Based around a four-door Vauxhall Carlton bodyshell modified to accept wider wheelarches, sideskirts and a pronounced boot spoiler, the newcomer also benefited from Lotus enhanced power steering, disc brake and suspension assembles (the latter including a sophisticated multi-link rear set-up complete with limited slip differential). Fed by twin Garrett turbochargers, its 3.6 litre 24-valve straight-six engine was allied to six-speed ZF manual transmission. With a quoted 377bhp and 419lbft of torque on tap, the Lotus Carlton / Omega could apparently sprint from 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds and 0-100mph in 11.5 seconds. Judged by the contemporary motoring press to be a performance match for the Ferrari Testarossa and Porsche 911 Turbo (though, some of its in-gear acceleration times were superior), the Type 104 only remained in production until October 1992 by which time just 950 are thought to have been made (320 Lotus Carltons and 630 Lotus Omegas). Finished in dark green with grey / black leather upholstery, this particular example - "Car No. 852 of 950" - is described by the vendor as being in "excellent" condition with regard to its engine, interior trim, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels / tyres. Though, he considers the electrical equipment and six-speed manual gearbox to be "good". Believed but not warranted to have covered just 49,166 miles from new (a figure at least partially substantiated by an accompanying "full service history" and "several old MOTs"), 'K537 HNV' is said to be "very fast". Reportedly treated to "a full service in March 2007 at 47,800 miles including new Thatcham 1 category alarm, new door pins, new door mats, full leather feed / colour, resprayed front / rear bumpers and a full body mop", the super saloon rides on alloy wheels. Still one of the quickest four-door cars money can buy, this fearsome Lotus Carlton is offered for sale with "full service history", MOT certificate valid until October 6th 2007 and road tax valid until June 30th 2007.