1983 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus

• A stunningly original Sunbeam Lotus with just 6,000 miles from new
• Evocative ‘DAC’ registration synonymous with the final production run
• Totally unmolested with all original features
• New correct Pirelli CN36 tyres and unused spare
• Mainly father and son ownership before forming part of our vendor's rally car homologation orientated collection in 2013  

The Talbot Sunbeam-Lotus was one of the most exciting hot-hatches to emerge from the 1970s. Chrysler commissioned Lotus to produce an effective entrant for international Group 4 rallying - to beat the dominant Ford Escort RSs at their own game. Lotus took a 1.6 GLS shell and installed a 2.2-litre ('Type 911' and closely related to the Type 912 found in the S2 and S3 Esprits) version of their 16-valve four-cylinder engine and a 5-speed ZF gearbox. The new Sunbeam-Lotus certainly looked the part - initially offered only in Black and Silver, with Marchal spotlights and tailored 'double four-spoke' cast-alloy wheels.

Launched in 1979, the high-compression 2174cc twin-cam engine breathed through two twin-choke Dell'Orto carburettors, developed 150bhp (but was easily tuneable to well over 200bhp for rally use), and delivered excellent performance, being rear-wheel drive and weighing only 960kgs, giving a 0-60mph time of just 6.6 seconds. Lotus wasn't just an engine supplier, it was also involved in designing the suspension and exhaust system.
As soon as it qualified for inclusion in international rally competition, the Sunbeam-Lotus proved extremely effective, finishing 1st, 3rd and 4th at the 1980 Lombard-RAC rally, Britain's round of the World Rally Championship. In 1981, the Sunbeam Lotus brought the entire manufacturer's championship to Talbot.

For the Series 2 cars in 1981, a big 'T' was placed in the middle of the grille, the engine was mildly tweaked, the fuel tank and headlights were enlarged, and the wing mirrors were changed. By 1982, Moonstone Blue was the only available colour. Only 1,184 right-hand-drive examples of the Sunbeam-Lotus were ever built approximately half the total number. However, today you'd be lucky to find 80 of these special cars according to the owners' club.

This exceptionally genuine original and low mileage Sunbeam Lotus was registered to its first owner on 19th January 1983 by Arbury Service, Nuneaton his local dealer. Ownership passed to his son in February 2003 and remained with him until January 2009 when it was sold on his behalf by Paul Matty Sports Cars, the dealer who had previously looked after and serviced the car. It was then purchased by the renowned, rally-oriented dealer Oakfields, who sold it to our vendor in 2013. It has remained in his rally/motorsport collection since, being serviced and run only on fine days. Most recently, the car has been to BGM Sports' workshop when it received a full service, timing belt, filters, brake service with new flexible hoses, carburettor rebuild and a new set of Pirelli CN36 tyres. Silverstone Auctions have sold several of the famous DAC registered cars and this is as original as we have seen.