The Vauxhall Lotus programme commenced four years into Vauxhall Carlton/Opel Omega production (1990) and was intended to comprise 1100 cars – in the end just 950 were completed (320 Vauxhalls and 630 Opels). As reworked by Lotus, they gained a rear spoiler, bonnet air intakes, Lotus badges on the front wings and a bodykit with considerably wider wheel arches. Each example was finished in the same very dark shade of Green. A new, stiffer block of 3615cc formed the basis of the 377bhp engine, which was topped off by a pair of Garrett T25 Turbochargers. The unit was mated to the six-speed ZF gearbox from the Corvette ZR-1. The suspension was considerably upgraded, larger AP brakes installed and suitably wide 17-inch Ronal wheels squeezed under the arches. The result was a large, luxury, four-door Saloon that could launch to 60mph in 5.2 seconds and reach 177mph flat out; making it the world’s fastest such car for many years to come.

Reportedly a very tidy and original example of this rare breed, the Lotus Carlton now being offered for sale has had just three-owners from new; the first of which retained it for 20 years as his everyday transport. ‘J20 JJH’ boasts an extensive history, with the current owner having completed the following works at a cost of many thousands:

Cat back exhaust from BTB Exhausts

All brake callipers refurbished in 2017 @114,000 miles

New pads and discs in 2017 @ 114,000

New braided brake hoses in 2017 @ 114,000

New head gasket in 2017 @ 114,000

New spark plugs and leads in 2017 @ 114,000

New upgraded timing chain in 2017 @ 114,000

New fuel tank and hoses in 2018 @ 114,500

New clutch and bell housing in 2019 @ 114,600

Multiple sensors etc. replaced in 2019 @ 114,600

The next step planned for the car is a back to shell respray, including replacing all doors and wings and sorting any welding that’s required. The owner has ben quoted c£10,000 for this work and may start the process should the car not sell quickly.

Once this work is completed this will be a very well sorted Carlton with the majority of the bigger jobs completed.

The seats could do with a refurb, and the headlining needs replacing. The owner has the replacement headliner but hasn’t yet had it fitted.