1993 Lotus Carlton Registration Number: K188 APF     Chassi...

Hammer

£60,000

1993 Lotus Carlton

Registration Number: K188 APF    
Chassis Number: SCC00019N1210928
Recorded Mileage: c.81,800 miles

- Number 790 of 950 produced and only 258 UK examples
- Offered complete with comprehensive history file
- Much investment in current ownership

Take a pedestrian executive car and hand it to the Lotus engineers at Hethel to work their magic and the end result is a 377bhp super saloon able to hold its head high against rivals from the BMW Motorsport and Mercedes Benz AMG. The base 3-litre twin overhead camshaft 24 valve engine was bored and stroked to 3.6 litres, Lotus strengthened the block, upgraded the cylinder head, replaced the crankshaft, pistons and connecting rods and bolted on a pair of Garrett T25 turbochargers with intercoolers. With the Opel/Vauxhall standard gearbox unable to handle the huge additional torque (419 lb-ft), ZFs 6-speed enabled the Lotus Omega to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds, 0-100 in an astonishing 11.1 seconds, going on to a top speed of 186 mph (achieved in 5th rather than 6th gear). A controversial figure, given that almost all of its rivals adhered to a gentleman’s agreement restricting the top speed of their super saloons to 155 mph. The car's performance was so epic that the authorities attempted to have the car banned from the road, as a result of public and governmental criticism due to its speed and potential for misuse. Some sought to ban it due to its high top speed and potential for criminal activity, particularly ram-raids. Instead, Vauxhall offered a special high speed driving course to new owners.

Obviously, with Lotus' reputation for producing sweet-handling cars, they transformed the handling of the car, converting the rear suspension from an inferior semi-trailing arm set up to a multi-link setup offering vastly superior geometry. Fitment of 17” Ronal alloys enabled Lotus to squeeze in larger vented brake discs and four-pot calipers. With a limited slip differential and larger tyres, this amped up Carlton was now more than capable of handling all that additional power. Only produced from 1990 until 1992, a total of 950 Lotus Carltons were ever built.

One of only 258 UK chassis, the well maintained example offered here is an early 1993-registered car, which has received much care and attention in current ownership. The Carlton benefits from new timing chains and associated components, replacement head gasket and head with INA tappets, new coil packs, a custom aluminium radiator and header tank, rear self-levelling shock absorbers, and a bespoke 2.5 inch stainless exhaust.The Garrett GT25R ball bearing turbos improve spool up and a more efficient exhaust exit, with power transmitted via a new clutch friction plate and modified bell housing with a stronger pivot pin, giving a light and progressive clutch action. The air conditioning system has been removed but is supplied with the car.

In the accompanying detailed history file, we find the original service book, owner’s book pack and a number of bills and receipts. We understand that a number of spares are included in the sale. An interesting, exciting and well cared for super saloon of the period, this sensibly estimated example is well worthy of closer inspection. The Carlton is offered with an MoT certificate to early 2026.