£120,000 Anticipated Bid for Rare 1990s Vauxhall Performance Vehicle Expected to Fetch High Price at Auction
In the world of classic cars, there are few vehicles that command as much attention as the 1993 Lotus Carlton. This British high-performance saloon is renowned for its impressive engineering and performance, making it a sought-after collectible among discerning enthusiasts.
The Lotus Carlton is a unique collaboration between Lotus and Vauxhall/Opel, designed to be a sleeper super saloon - comfortably refined yet capable of supercar-like performance. The car's 3.6-litre twin-turbo straight-six engine, sourced from Opel, produces a powerful 377bhp and 419 lb-ft of torque. This power is married to a Corvette-sourced six-speed gearbox, enabling the car to accelerate from 0-60mph in approximately 5.2 seconds. With a top speed electronically limited to 176mph, the Lotus Carlton was one of the fastest sedans of its time[1][3].
Historically, the Lotus Carlton's chassis was tuned by Lotus to provide a blend of power, speed, and handling sophistication. Its performance figures were impressive, with the car capable of higher speeds in certain conditions[1][3]. The car's rarity is another factor contributing to its appeal. Only 320 right-hand drive Lotus Carlton models were produced for the UK, making it one of the rarest performance cars today, with around 200 surviving examples[1][7].
The 1993 Vauxhall Carlton up for auction at the Iconic Auctioneers Collectors' Car Sale on Saturday 23 August at the Silverstone Classic weekend is said to be one of the best surviving examples in Britain. The car has covered only 29,000 miles in the last 32 years, and its lightweight alloy wheels are its only refinished items[1][8]. The car retains its original book pack, service history, press material, and Lotus authenticity certificate, adding to its collectible value[1][9].
Steve Keen, the car specialist who consigned the car for its sale, believes this particular example is one of the very best original, low-mileage Lotus Carltons. The Lotus Carlton is widely regarded as one of the best surviving examples and is expected to attract significant interest from discerning collectors[1][6]. The most expensive Lotus Carlton on record was sold in February 2024 for £111,524 with 17,823 miles on the clock[1][10].
The Lotus Carlton's blend of discreet styling and supercar-scorching performance ensured instant icon status among enthusiasts, collectors, and the motoring press alike. In the 1990s, The Daily Mail even campaigned for the Lotus Carlton to be banned from British roads due to its speed[1][11].
In summary: - Engine: 3.6L twin-turbo inline-six, 377 bhp, 419 lb-ft torque - Transmission: 6-speed manual - Performance: 0-60 mph ~5.2 seconds, top speed ~176 mph (limited) - Rarity: Limited production, highly collectible - Market value: Expected to sell for six figures in 2025 due to its iconic status[1][3][5]
This 1993 Lotus Carlton is more than just a classic car; it's a piece of British motoring history. If you're a collector or a car enthusiast, this is an opportunity not to be missed.
