Introduction
Darren Rungasamy
An unassuming four-door Vauxhall with a practical boot, capable of delivering supercar-slaying performance.
Launched by General Motors in 1990 to elevate its brand image, the 177-mph Lotus Carlton injected genuine supercar engineering into an unassuming family saloon. In doing so, it sparked intense public controversy and even a Parliamentary debate over its formidable speed. Lotus took Opel’s standard 3.0-litre, 24-valve straight-six and increased displacement to 3.6 litres, pairing it with twin Garrett T25 turbochargers and a chargecooler system derived from the Lotus Esprit. A saloon boasting 377 bhp and 419 lb-ft of torque was genuinely astonishing for the era - at the time, only the newly released Lamborghini Diablo could out-accelerate it.
By wrapping supercar performance in a mass-market Vauxhall package, the car drew immediate fire. The Association of Chief Police Officers publicly condemned it as an "outrageous invitation to speed," while national newspapers launched aggressive campaigns demanding an outright ban. The establishment’s worst fears were realised in November 1993, when a gang of thieves stole a specific Lotus Carlton - bearing the now-legendary registration plate "40 RA" - from a home in Worcestershire, using its untouchable pace to evade police for weeks.
As the media storm eventually faded, production concluded with just 320 right-hand-drive Lotus Carltons rolling off the line at Hethel between 1989 and 1992. Today, this technological tour de force is highly revered. Far more than just a family car with a fire-breathing Lotus engine, the Carlton was engineered to handle its power beautifully. Its superb body control is managed by uprated dual-chamber dampers and a Lotus-engineered multi-link rear suspension. On the road, the 3.6-litre straight-six offers plenty of off-boost grunt from 1,000 to 3,000 rpm, making the transition to forced induction surprisingly progressive. The engine remains remarkably quiet by modern standards, opening up under acceleration into a creamy, racy, straight-six growl.
This particular example, build number 303, was previously owned by the very enthusiast who once owned the infamous "40 RA" getaway car. Having purchased this vehicle through Trade Classics in 2021, he invested a further £10,900 in a comprehensive mechanical overhaul and service in 2022. First registered in 1992, the car is finished in the iconic shade of Imperial Green over a black leather interior. It has covered approximately 76,608 miles from new under the care of five previous owners. Formerly part of a significant classic car collection, it retains a highly pleasing presentation and offers a rare opportunity to acquire what was once the fastest four-door production car in the world. It's accompanied by its original owner's book pack, two sets of keys, and an MOT valid until June 2027.
This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Mike, a contact on behalf of Nanci the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.
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We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.
Full Transparency
8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.
Vehicle Delivery
We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.
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I WANT ONEAsk Questions
Is there any chance Mike that I could have ur number and I can chat to u about the car ?
There is a protocol that you follow by emailing in. They have a process which once completed they put us in touch with one another.
email at [email protected]
Happy to talk in depth about the LC once you are authorised.
Morning gents – I’ve emailed charlie33 with the process. Here in the comments is the place to chat about the car. If a viewing is required then we can sort that out. Thanks Adam
Hi mate just checked my emails nothing back from u but I have emailed u again thanks
Hi Charlie, Thanks – I’ve just replied to your email.
As you’re new to us, please take a few minutes to read the FAQs at the bottom of this page: https://www.tradeclassics.com/buy-a-classic-car/. This explains how our buying process works, including how to ask the seller any questions. We keep all questions and answers on the listing so that everyone interested in the car has access to the same information.
If you’d like to arrange a viewing, that’s absolutely no problem. We’ll just need to complete a few ID checks first, and then we can get you booked in.
Thanks, Adam
I spoke to Richard a few times about this car, I have a few e-mails from him on it aswell, was very sorry to hear of his passing, regardless of its history it is a fabulous car. Wasn’t quite in a position to but it then, I am now, Richard was very happy with it.
Alanbobduncan if you win the car and to anyone else I spent the last four years of my mates life organising interviews, visits to car shows, Beaulieu, The Vaux- all event, Caffeine and Machine, twice to the Nurburgring, numerous days out. I know the car better than anyone right now. Hope you invite me to come to shows to carry on telling Richards story.
All you interested parties out there I am told that I have a strong emotional attachment to this car that belonged to my lifelong friend Richard Austin. Well they are right. I do hope the new owner gives as much care and attention to it as he did and undertakes to identify this LC as previously being 40RA and on occasion at car shows, off road, reveal its former identity and tell the story of Richard in 1993 and the theft of the original. I believe that the board that tells the story goes with the car.
Hi. Can I just confirm that the car is an Insurance write-off ? If it is the case please can the auction site please label that clearly at the top of each listing. It is something that should at least be mentioned in the listing as a minimum at the top. In this case it appears to be hidden in the documents section of the images
Thank you
I cannot comment on how Trade Classics put out information. Nothing was hidden, the Cat D is easy to spot and the logic for the write off explained in a previous comment.
How grateful I am that there are skilled technicians out there that restore and save cars like this for posterity. I know that insurance companies are a law unto themselves, often scrapping cars that could be repaired quite easily. I had exactly that experience with a Datsun 240Z in the 80’s. I saved it.
Is there any issues with the car
Currently none that I am aware of. Richard dealt immediately with most issues. Having had the depth of presentation that Trade Classics did, it occurs to me that it is very difficult to hide any faults. It is a 34 year old car so expect problems hopefully nothing major. In four years driving it the issues have been minor and often annoying like the top hose as we arrived in Nurburg. The washer nozzles blocking. The cooling fan control switch. All dealt with.
Apologies! As the number plates was covered. I took the registration from the rear 3/4 window which must have been replaced at some juncture. Reg: K975 OUY
No problem!
Hi Mike, according to the DVLA MOT site, this vehicle had 199.458 miles at it’s last MOT 03/07/2015. Why the huge discrepancy?
Hi Mike, the front end looks like it’s a little bit gappy between the lights and bonnet line, almost like the bumper and lights are sitting a little low, is that related at all to the write off?
Cannot say. Richard was satisfied with the inspection and bought it. At Hethel reunion it looked no different to any other LC. Never a fan of bodykits but Lotus did a pretty good job with the Carlton. Maybe arrange a viewing if you seriously want an LC. This one is unique with its 40RA association.
Hello Mike, do you know more on the Cat d history in 2002…?
I believe the insurance declined to repair due to unavailability of factory body parts so a father and son from Scotland did it themselves. Nice job too.
Vehicle Location
Evesham
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