1982 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus

A rare 'Hot Hatch' showing 70,644 miles. The Talbot Sunbeam-Lotus was one of the most exciting hot hatchbacks to emerge from the 1970s. Chrysler originally commissioned Lotus Engineering to produce an effective entrant for international Group 4 rallying to compete with the dominant Ford Escort RSs and this required that Talbot produced an appropriate road car for homologation reasons. Lotus took a 1.6GLS shell, installed a 2.2-litre version of the Lotus 16-valve four-cylinder engine and a five-speed ZF gearbox, and the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus was born.

The new car certainly looked the part - it was initially offered only in black and silver, with Marchal spotlights mounted above the front bumper and tailored 'double four-spoke' cast-alloy wheels. Launched in 1979, the 2174cc twin-cam engine breathed through two twin-choke Dell'Orto carburettors, developed 150bhp and delivered excellent performance. It also proved very effective in rallying, winning the challenging 1980 Lombard-RAC event. The road-going version proved quick and balanced, although it was priced higher than the comparable Chevette HS or Escort RS2000.

This particular car was first registered in January 1982, and comes in the classic colour scheme of Embassy Black with Silver stripes and has an original sunroof and stereo. All panels on the car are said to be original and we are told the car was repainted in 2011 by Dupaul Engineering.

Showing 70,644, miles it is described as totally standard except for replacement Bilstein shock absorbers. The engine is said to be untouched and runs well - no oil smoke on start up - and we are told the car still has its original air box fitted. The interior is described as being in reasonable condition but the cloth seats are tired, however, new cloth and trim are available through the owners club.

The car recently had £1,000 spent on it to recommission it for the road, with a new MoT issued expiring on 20 Aug 2016. Present are two sets of keys, the original handbooks and a service history booklet which covers until 1987. A box-file of history and bills includes 7 or 8 old MoTs, old tax discs and some invoices.

This car drives well and is a true eighties hot hatch - sure to have you grinning from ear to ear!