Discussion
Enthusiast certainly !
Remember the ads in Autocar etc when these first came out ; there wasn`t a hatch could touch them from 0-60 for a decade at least ( probably the nearest was the Renault 5 GT turbo). I never got round to owning one but I ran a 1978 Eclat with the 2.0 litre 912 engine for two years as a daily driver . Look after it , they will never be forgotten .
MV
Remember the ads in Autocar etc when these first came out ; there wasn`t a hatch could touch them from 0-60 for a decade at least ( probably the nearest was the Renault 5 GT turbo). I never got round to owning one but I ran a 1978 Eclat with the 2.0 litre 912 engine for two years as a daily driver . Look after it , they will never be forgotten .
MV
I have had 3 Lotus Sunbeams,the first was a pre production car with 1600 GLS in the log book great fun untill the rear lower links on suspension folded up while showing off on Chelsea Bridge at the cruise replaced them with rally versions from some place in Portsmouth that cured it.
The second car was purchased new in 1983 run it in and then modified it with gas flowed head and machined out carbs revised camshafts and take the rev limited rotor arm out and throw it in the bin,horse power about 200 hp that was lot more fun,on one trip to London going up the M3 a german plated Ferrari 512BB baited me untill the lotus blew the doors of it at Hogarth flyover as we headed of the slip road towards Hammersmith when we stopped at the next red light the german chap wound down the window and said he was really trying!,I know if the road was longer he would have left me for dead.
The only thing that concerned me was when flat out you could get your fingers between the window frame and the body where the wind sucked the door out.
Great Car
The second car was purchased new in 1983 run it in and then modified it with gas flowed head and machined out carbs revised camshafts and take the rev limited rotor arm out and throw it in the bin,horse power about 200 hp that was lot more fun,on one trip to London going up the M3 a german plated Ferrari 512BB baited me untill the lotus blew the doors of it at Hogarth flyover as we headed of the slip road towards Hammersmith when we stopped at the next red light the german chap wound down the window and said he was really trying!,I know if the road was longer he would have left me for dead.
The only thing that concerned me was when flat out you could get your fingers between the window frame and the body where the wind sucked the door out.
Great Car
I've got one too, a series one and I'm also a committee member for the owners' club. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Talbot securing the World Rally Championship for Constructors so we're planning a a major presence at Rally Day in July. I find that wherever you go in one people will always stop and talk - they're often ex-owners, or were once blown away by one, and occasionally you get offered parts. My best memory was rolling into service on the Sunseeker a few years back, a Scooby was leaving and screeched to a halt, the 4 occupants were instantly glued to the windows like 4 Garfields, no boubt muttering the often asked question - is it a real one ?
Tony
Tony
Approximately half of the production of 2308 cars was built as LHD with the majority going to Italy (399), France (388) and Germany (204). Reliability is very good - the Lotus engine if properly looked after and not tuned to within an inch of it's life can be surprisingly long lived, the gearbox is bombproof and the axles are up to the job (just). The real bugbears of owning one are the uncanny ability for the bodywork to dissappear and the seat fabric used can age very quickly. Parts availabiltiy is on the whole good and there are a couple of specialist now who can usually find the really tricky to find parts.
Here's a pic of mine chasing Elans at Goodwood.
Tony
www.sunbeamlotus.com
Here's a pic of mine chasing Elans at Goodwood.
Tony
www.sunbeamlotus.com
Rallied one in the eighties. Wonderful car that i could turn on a sixpence and never had the success in the subsequent MK2 escorts that i had in that.
It was streets ahead of its time IMO.
The body did however....dissolve so to speak, made skoda's of the time look positively armourplated!!!
It was streets ahead of its time IMO.
The body did however....dissolve so to speak, made skoda's of the time look positively armourplated!!!
Here you go Bacchus, some images from our last couple of National Days.
Series One
Series Two
The car presented to Des O'Dell after the '80 RAC rally (Team Cars 1st,3rd and 4th overall)
Joss Ronchetti's Toyo Tyres race car
Me trying out the Chairmans Ex-Works car (Ex Frequelin/Todt 2nd Monte '81, 2nd Tour De Corse '81)
Tony
Sunbeam Lotus O.C.
www.sunbeamlotus.com
Series One
Series Two
The car presented to Des O'Dell after the '80 RAC rally (Team Cars 1st,3rd and 4th overall)
Joss Ronchetti's Toyo Tyres race car
Me trying out the Chairmans Ex-Works car (Ex Frequelin/Todt 2nd Monte '81, 2nd Tour De Corse '81)
Tony
Sunbeam Lotus O.C.
www.sunbeamlotus.com
Thank you, great pictures!! There is one for sale in Germany... I think it's a bit pricey....
[url]www.mobile.de/SIDsRWRv8-DBpegZEY9vV0aUQ-t-vaNexlCsAsCsK%F3P%F3R~BmSB11Iindex_cgiJ1140510049A1Iindex_cgiD1100CCarW-t-vctpLtt~BmPA1A1B20A1%81H-t-vCaMkMoQuSeVb_X_Y_x_y~BSRA6D1100E15900GsunbeamAGCPKWHinPublicA2A0A0A0/cgi-bin/da.pl?sr_qual=G&top=1&bereich=pkw&id=11111111197420945&[/url]
I had a Lotus Sunbeam and I found that they had one big problem. If you hit a solid object IE the kerb with the front wheel it used to bend the chassis rail.It would do that with the smallest of impacts.I had two chassis rails replaced , it is very costly because a Jig is needed. I did some work at a garage and we tried to do it without a jig but it proved imposible.Also I put a limited slip diff in and I had to fit a quick rack in order to get control of the car if the back end let go. I used to drive it fast.
I have a series 2 car in pieces at my father in laws. I'd always hoped to get it sorted and back on the road but other priorities combined with a distinct lack of interest from a couple of garages I tried to involve have pretty much brought an end to it.
One day perhaps, otherwise ebay time.......
One highlight was tracking the original owner and being sent a photo from when the car was just a couple of weeks old. I'll see if I can get it scanned.
One day perhaps, otherwise ebay time.......
One highlight was tracking the original owner and being sent a photo from when the car was just a couple of weeks old. I'll see if I can get it scanned.
MrG, are you a member of the Owners' Club? Have you tried Retrocar in Stoke he has a very good name for Sunbeam Lotus work and in particular full rebuilds. If you need any help email me.
Tony
events@sunbeamlotus.com
www.sunbeamlotus.com
Tony
events@sunbeamlotus.com
www.sunbeamlotus.com
Hi Tony,
Yes I'm a member of the owners club.
I spoke to Retrocar about a year ago and they were really helpful. Unfortunately the waiting list was huge and they wanted to make the car concours rather than just a nice example.
Elsewhere, I've had a couple of local garages take the car on for welding and spraying. In both cases they've failed to deliver and in honesty I've gradually lost interest. My father in law is currently pottering around it and doing bits and pieces, realistically he'll either take it on or I'll end up getting rid of it.
Yes I'm a member of the owners club.
I spoke to Retrocar about a year ago and they were really helpful. Unfortunately the waiting list was huge and they wanted to make the car concours rather than just a nice example.
Elsewhere, I've had a couple of local garages take the car on for welding and spraying. In both cases they've failed to deliver and in honesty I've gradually lost interest. My father in law is currently pottering around it and doing bits and pieces, realistically he'll either take it on or I'll end up getting rid of it.
Got one in full Group4 trim (not works but works spec) .
I am restoring it for Historic rallying.
Very impressed with the amount of stuff on the car ( AP brakes, Dry sump, ZF, 2 different axles, safety devices rc, quick rack etc etc.)
Will need advice in sourcing some stuff will contact you shortly.
Rgds
PS see also www.youtube.com/watch?v=8llqbAhLSGA
I am restoring it for Historic rallying.
Very impressed with the amount of stuff on the car ( AP brakes, Dry sump, ZF, 2 different axles, safety devices rc, quick rack etc etc.)
Will need advice in sourcing some stuff will contact you shortly.
Rgds
PS see also www.youtube.com/watch?v=8llqbAhLSGA
Edited by stel on Saturday 3rd March 21:46
Hey Tony its Fraser Jemmeson, im sure youll know the name.
My Son has made me an account on here and i was really just looking but ive found this topic and thought id get involved.
I Own a Sunbeam, ive had it for about 5 years now and have had it fully restored from a rusted box when i bought it for £200 and ive finally got round to hillclimbing it up at harewood, i will be starting later this year ive decided to make a comeback to motorsport, il get in the occasional track day at Croft as well. I too am i member of the Owners Club, havent been to all the events but i was at the Rally Day, drove all the way from Middlesbrough, so im sure most of you know that's quite a way and i have to say the car never missed a beat it was fantastic, cruised at 80 all the way down only stop's were for petrol as im sure you guys know its a thirsty old thing, the only little misshap we had is when the indicators falied for absoulutly no reason what so ever, then about 10miles down the road they worked again strange eh? Oh and i broke my exhaust again
its forever blowing just under the passangers seat, And to top it off we even had a nice little dual with a Older style honda Civic type R which ended up in us pulling over for petrol haha.
Oh while im here i would like to ask you some advice, im currently running standard engine with uprated an setup new springs, new rear dampers, ive swapped out the old axel and fitted a disc'd rear LSD and various other thing including my modded Air filter due to me having a strut brace. So anyway to my point my mate is selling an engine with near enough 210Bhp its brand new and done no miles at all, my engine's done about 15K and the car itself about 65K which is not alot for a 25yr old series 2.
So what do think about me swapping my standard 2.2 for this uprated works spec engine?
Thanks for your time
Fraser
My Son has made me an account on here and i was really just looking but ive found this topic and thought id get involved.
I Own a Sunbeam, ive had it for about 5 years now and have had it fully restored from a rusted box when i bought it for £200 and ive finally got round to hillclimbing it up at harewood, i will be starting later this year ive decided to make a comeback to motorsport, il get in the occasional track day at Croft as well. I too am i member of the Owners Club, havent been to all the events but i was at the Rally Day, drove all the way from Middlesbrough, so im sure most of you know that's quite a way and i have to say the car never missed a beat it was fantastic, cruised at 80 all the way down only stop's were for petrol as im sure you guys know its a thirsty old thing, the only little misshap we had is when the indicators falied for absoulutly no reason what so ever, then about 10miles down the road they worked again strange eh? Oh and i broke my exhaust again
its forever blowing just under the passangers seat, And to top it off we even had a nice little dual with a Older style honda Civic type R which ended up in us pulling over for petrol haha. Oh while im here i would like to ask you some advice, im currently running standard engine with uprated an setup new springs, new rear dampers, ive swapped out the old axel and fitted a disc'd rear LSD and various other thing including my modded Air filter due to me having a strut brace. So anyway to my point my mate is selling an engine with near enough 210Bhp its brand new and done no miles at all, my engine's done about 15K and the car itself about 65K which is not alot for a 25yr old series 2.
So what do think about me swapping my standard 2.2 for this uprated works spec engine?
Thanks for your time
Fraser
Hi Fraser,
Of course I know the name and you and your son in fact - we were all setting up the Stand at Rally Day on the Friday afternoon, ended up a bit wet didn't it !!
As for your car you appear to be heading in the right direction, in standard form SLs fight themselves really, the suspension is all over the place with dodgy spring rates and bad damping, but you've sorted this.
My next step would be to address braking as now you'll now be travelling faster overall, depending on budget there are several options, firstly you could pack out the standard M16 calipers to take a Capri 2.8i disc drilled to fit the Sunbeam hubs. Loose the backplates, run a better pad eg. EBC, an Avenger Estate master Cylinder and Goodridge hoses. This set up will fit in Standard wheels which is nice. Next step would be a 4 pot caliper and depending on your wheels these can go from ones that fit inside your Amils (with piston area the same as the M16 - ie for looks) to monster ones with appropraite discs that will need wheels like Jos's car above.
You say your new axle has an LSD - many would say that this mod should be done at the same time as a quick rack - they kind of go hand in hand, my car has both btw
Once you've sorted the platform you could then quite happily fit the 220hp engine, the Sideways Series One above that appears to only sport different wheels is actually hididng a 2.5 litre engine and probably 30 more horses than you'll be fitting !
When your engine is out you might want to take a look in the gearbox - I've had mine built with steel baulk rings on the first 4 gears as they're a bit stronger (you'll be snatching gears on the hills) but they do need to be run in a bit more.
HTH
Tony
www.sunbeamlotus.com
Of course I know the name and you and your son in fact - we were all setting up the Stand at Rally Day on the Friday afternoon, ended up a bit wet didn't it !!
As for your car you appear to be heading in the right direction, in standard form SLs fight themselves really, the suspension is all over the place with dodgy spring rates and bad damping, but you've sorted this.
My next step would be to address braking as now you'll now be travelling faster overall, depending on budget there are several options, firstly you could pack out the standard M16 calipers to take a Capri 2.8i disc drilled to fit the Sunbeam hubs. Loose the backplates, run a better pad eg. EBC, an Avenger Estate master Cylinder and Goodridge hoses. This set up will fit in Standard wheels which is nice. Next step would be a 4 pot caliper and depending on your wheels these can go from ones that fit inside your Amils (with piston area the same as the M16 - ie for looks) to monster ones with appropraite discs that will need wheels like Jos's car above.
You say your new axle has an LSD - many would say that this mod should be done at the same time as a quick rack - they kind of go hand in hand, my car has both btw
Once you've sorted the platform you could then quite happily fit the 220hp engine, the Sideways Series One above that appears to only sport different wheels is actually hididng a 2.5 litre engine and probably 30 more horses than you'll be fitting !
When your engine is out you might want to take a look in the gearbox - I've had mine built with steel baulk rings on the first 4 gears as they're a bit stronger (you'll be snatching gears on the hills) but they do need to be run in a bit more.
HTH
Tony
www.sunbeamlotus.com
Hi,
What a coincidence - was about to start a thread about these!
Looking for something compact, rear wheel drive and practical. Had considered an Excel, but not sure that has quite the practicality I'm looking for. Don't suppose you could answer a few questions for me....
Do the rear seats fold?
Any major problems with reliability, rust or parts availability?
Would I be excessively cruel (or indeed optimistic) to try and subject it to a 13,000 mile a year commute?
Can someone give me an idea of the prices these days? They seem to vary quite considerably.
Very cool little cars
What a coincidence - was about to start a thread about these!
Looking for something compact, rear wheel drive and practical. Had considered an Excel, but not sure that has quite the practicality I'm looking for. Don't suppose you could answer a few questions for me....
Do the rear seats fold?
Any major problems with reliability, rust or parts availability?
Would I be excessively cruel (or indeed optimistic) to try and subject it to a 13,000 mile a year commute?
Can someone give me an idea of the prices these days? They seem to vary quite considerably.
Very cool little cars
Morning Chris,
I can't shed any light on running one of these wee beasties but I was very tempted to buy one last year as a rwd trackday car that was a bit, well, different from the norm.
I have always fancied a black/silver car partially stripped and caged for some some slip slidey action!
Not sure I would want to run one for a 13k commute though!
I can't shed any light on running one of these wee beasties but I was very tempted to buy one last year as a rwd trackday car that was a bit, well, different from the norm.
I have always fancied a black/silver car partially stripped and caged for some some slip slidey action!
Not sure I would want to run one for a 13k commute though!
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