Q. What exactly is a Sunbeam Lotus?
A. It is a British-built car, manufactured between 1979 and 1981 by Chrysler UK, which was sold to Peugeot before any cars were officially offered for sale. With the exception of a few pre-production examples, therefore, all cars were known as "Talbot Sunbeam Lotus".
The basic Talbot Sunbeam was a small hatchback designed to rival the VW Golf and Ford Fiesta. It had been engineered in record-breaking time, and to achieve this carried over the basic layout and shortened chassis of the Hillman/Chrysler Avenger (sold in Europe as a Sunbeam and briefly in the US as the Plymouth Cricket). This meant that the Sunbeam appeared with rear wheel drive in deference to the more modern front-drive competition, but this was to have benefits to the Chrysler/Talbot Competitions Department, who struck a deal with Lotus to buy some of their 2 litre engines as used in Esprits/Eclats/Elites and the Jensen Healey. Having convinced Chrysler management of its potential, production progressed with Lotus re-designing the engine to 2.2 litres and also working on suspension and exhaust systems as well as fitting the drivetrain at a new facility in Norfolk. Early cars were only available in Embassy Black, with silver side stripes and grey interior. Later on, after some cosmetic changes had been introduced, black was replaced with Moonstone Blue with a choice of either silver or black stripes. A further option was provided by a small coachbuilding company who produced the limited "Avon" version, which added dark blue to the light Moonstone base and a plush blue interior.
About 2300 cars were built, of which about half were exported to Europe.
The rally versions were homologated into Group 4 and then Group 2, before being transferred to Group B. Outright victories on the Arctic Rally, Mille Pistes, Lombard RAC and Codasur rallies were combined with numerous class wins that culminated in the World Rally Championship for Makes in 1981.
Standard cars have 155 bhp, and it is not too difficult to increase this to about 180bhp while keeping the car fairly sensible (remember, though, that the standard brakes are not overly brilliant to start with!). 200bhp+ involves a bit more work and will probably see driveability suffer - and petrol bills soar. The works rally cars peaked at about 245bhp and anything more than this (for competition use only) would be taking you onto thin ice without increasing the capacity (it has been done!) or adding a turbo (likewise!).
Road cars will hit 60mph in 6.6 seconds, works rally cars in 5.0 seconds. Top speeds; over 125mph in standard trim, or lower depending on gearing.
Q. What should I pay for a Sunbeam Lotus?
A In the UK you will find prices ranging from around £1,000 to maybe £9,000. The lower end of this scale will probably get you a complete car, but not much else; if it runs you are lucky, but do not expect great things - the bodywork is likely to need major attention and the engine may need a rebuild. The upper end of this scale will give you a car that has not been used much at all - very low mileage and in pristine original condition. Cars like this are very rare, and top prices paid have realistically been more like £7,500.
That leaves a lot of mid-ground, and it is here that most people will be looking. About £5,000 is the right price for a truly excellent car - possibly the subject of a complete rebuild - that will not need any work, yet in which you will be less frightened to exploit its capabilities - after all, the last thing you would want to put on a £9,000 car would be stone-chips! £2,500-4,000 is the area where you will find most cars, and if you know what to look for you should find a cracking example for this sort of money. Generally in good condition and covering all sorts of specifications - original standard, modified, restored but used, etc. Watch out for over-priced cars, though - a bit of body filler and paint may be deceiving!
Below £2,500 is where you need to be more wary - do not expect to drive away a car and not have to work on it for a year or so. For this sort of money (especially) you need to know exactly what you are buying and what gremlins come with the car. If you have any doubts, walk away.
Competition-prepared cars fall into a completely different price structure depending on purpose and condition - contact the club for advice.
If you are serious about buying a Sunbeam Lotus, send for a club information pack and we will include our buyers' guide that includes further tips on what to look for.
Q. Can I run my Sunbeam Lotus on unleaded petrol?
A. Lotus have issued a statement saying that all of their 900 series engines - including the Sunbeam's 911 type - are able to use 98 RON super unleaded petrol without adjustment. Hardened valve seats can be fitted, but for the moment it is advisable to see how the petrol market is going to deal with the problem before having your engine modified - unless it is being rebuilt anyway. The best option is, of course, the proper leaded petrol that is now available in the UK - if you can find it and afford it!
Q. Are spare parts still available?
A. You would be surprised at how easy it is to find some things that are long since NLA. There are a few specialists like Skip Brown, Dutche, WRM and Grimes that can supply general mechanical items, and of course engine components are available through Lotus specialists. Most body panels are now being reproduced and there is a healthy trade in second-hand parts among club members. The most hard to find spares tend to be interior trim, especially seat material, and works-spec competition parts. Patience and perseverance will usually find what you want, though.
Q. The original handbook recommends using Shell Four Seasons 20/50 oil but surely something like this is too cheap for the Lotus engine - what should I use?
A. First of all, avoid the cheaper variety of 20/50 oil - most important is to use a good quality oil and make sure that you keep it topped up to the correct level - the dipstick may not be totally accurate so mark the correct level after an oil change when you know that you have poured in exactly 6.3 litres. Most owners use personal preference in choosing their oil but Lotus recommend Elf Competition 20/50, Valvoline HP Racing 20/50 or Mobil 1 5/50. Any one of these would be fine, but prices and availability vary.
Q. Is it necessary to buy an original Lotus oil filter or can I use a cheaper alternative?
A. The correct specification Lotus oil filter (common with all their other 2.0, 2.2 and even V8 engines) has a tapered register at the end of its screw-on thread which enables the rubber seal to compress hard against the oil pump housing forming an effective seal. Some alternatives have a flat register that causes the filter housing spigot to bottom at the end of the thread before the seal is adequately compressed, leading to oil leakage and possible loosening of the filter. If in doubt a jubilee clip can be tightened around the canister with its "head" against the block to ensure that it doesn't come off, but for the sake of a few pounds we would recommend using an original item.
Q. How do I stop my clutch cable pulling through the bulkhead?
A. Modify a large washer and slip between the clutch outer and bulkhead to spread the load.
Q. How many Sunbeam Lotuses are left?
A. A tricky question to answer since about half of all these cars went abroad. Club records list about 400 cars and there really cannot be many more around, but with only about 30 known overseas there may or may not be more LHD versions still going. Unknown cars still seem to reappear out of sheds and barns, though, so there may well be more lying around that just refuse to die.
Q. Are there many works rally cars around?
A. Sixteen different identities were used by the Competitions Department in major rallies, and only five of these are currently known in the UK (KKV 394V, KKV 444V, LAC 999V, PVC 999W and YHP 333X). Another car, SVC 333W, still exists, although this was a development car and not one of the "known" registrations. NVC 777W still exists in Holland but has lost its registration number. BDU 222Y and EVC 666T were once heard of in the UK but all trace has vanished. Does anyone know where they are, or any others - dead or alive? Email the chairman if you have any details.