Mine has an extra 80,000 much enjoyed miles on the clock over that example and, whilst I have only owned it for 26 years(!) my late father had it from summer 1981 so we can claim one family ownership for 38 years!
In a lot of ways, a Talbot Sunbeam Lotus is rather similar to a Vee. Inside, modifications are basically limited to a speedo going further round than a standard Sunbeam (to 40mph in the Lotus' case). You also get through the lower gears rather quickly and part of the fun of driving one is that nowadays' frequent 30mph limits give you a chance to accelerate out of the restricted areas and buzz through some gears, enjoying mechanical music back up to the national speed limit (or thereabouts)! The four choke, four cylinder engine is a torquey unit and makes a proper 1980s noise. Back "in the day" 150bhp was big power - Ford Escort RS2000s listed as having 109bhp and the RS1800 road cars as only 115bhp! - and the car tips the scales at just under 1000kg with a tank full of fuel. Performance is a level (or two) below a Vee (0-60 generally quoted as 6.8-7.4 seconds and top speed 121-125mph) but it still feels responsive and lively and, being tiny and narrow, fits well in British B roads and lanes. Short overhangs mean there are no worries with scraping a front spoiler! :race:
The one for auction does, indeed, look rather special. As with all the ultra low mileage cars, this mitigates against driving it far, which goes against the reason for manufacturers building such hilarious cars. Mine retains its standard engine and gearbox but has period mods to upgrade suspension, brakes and has a limited slip differential plus quick steering rack fitted which makes driving it in the fashion of my forum photo (on a closed road hillclimb in Wales, I hasten to add) very straightforward and controllable. :race: Having an electrically assisted steering column fitted was the best £700 I have ever spent on a car as it brought the effort required to manoeuvre the car at low speeds on a par with a modern vehicle rather than a trial that would have had Popeye reaching for a trade pack of tins of spinach!
After years lagging behind Ford Escorts in price, Lotus Sunbeams are going up in value and, if a couple (or more) collectors go toe to toe at the auction,it will be interesting to see what this car reaches. The only road car I recall going as far as this price was an Essex Petroleum liveried car that was used as a company car by a few people on the Lotus Formula One team (including Nigel Mansell). It was fully restored at marque specialists, Skip Brown Cars, and now features a pair of Bilstein struts and front indicators from my personal spares stock (I was moving on a bit of Sunbeam stuff at the time to fund my Westfield Eleven build).
I look forward to getting the Vee out this Sunday to go to Kimbolton, and then once again in a fortnight's time for the Silverstone Classic. I currently plan to take the Westfield on the Friday (so I get to do the parade lap in the Vee on Saturday) but have body-swerved a stage rally on the Sunday so I will be back with v6Clio.net on the Sunday but will need to be away mid afternoon to help Mrs Marks celebrate her birthday on that day. See you all then! [smilie=yay.gif]