Lotus Elan Central

by **Matt RI** » Sat 17.09.2005, 18:23

Thought that I would ask the community at large:

A fellow Lotus enthusiast is interested in purchasing and importing a Lotus Omega to the US, however- it is not like they are the most prevalent vehicle around, and he needs to search internationally for one... Anyone know of someone looking to sell their (preferably) LHD Lotus Omega?

I have compiled a list of ones that I have found for sale online, but personal knowledge of a car is always better...

Any leads are appreciated!

by **Fubar1764** » Sat 17.09.2005, 18:37

Matt,
Does your friend understand what he will need to do to bring one over? The Omega never passed nor was ever intended to pass NHTSA regulations. Unless the requirements have changed, your friend will have to post a bond to the tune of the MSRP value of the vehicle, if they'll let him at all.
Now if he brings one in, you'll be sure to tell about any M5s he puts to shame on the track!!!

by **Don.Hasi** » Sat 17.09.2005, 19:41

If you nedd LHD may be a german one? Don´t know whether the language is a problem....

The LotusOmega-Owners in Germany are organized together with the OmegaEvo500

the one bevor the Lotus

They have an own board:

http://www.evo500.de/

Whether in Ireland they have LotusCarlton-LHD I don´t jnow. So look here:

http://www.lotus-carlton.co.uk/main.htm

In germany in the last 4 weeks were 2 Lotus Omega sold for nearly 15000,-€

A realy good choice, have thought about it too :wink:

Belonging the emissions, certificates... I have no idea

Best regards

by **cjay** » Sat 17.09.2005, 21:29

If your friend is real keen and slightly crazy there is one for sale in Australia! it is one of only two in the country but it is RHD

The guy selling it had $140,000AU on it but has dropped the price to $115,000AU... That's a little over $88,000 US! :shock:

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!cs_content.private_vehicle?vehicle_id=2086325&current_rec=6&used_rec=7&total_rec=16&sort_type=&total_rec=16&sort_type=&make_id=42&state_id=-1&search_distance=25

cjay

by **Doc Fizzix** » Mon 19.09.2005, 06:38

Ok, this has gotten my curiosity, what is a Lotus Omega and what makes is worth $88K US or $115K AU

Never heard of it

by **Jeff** » Mon 19.09.2005, 07:27

LHD version of the Lotus-Vauxhall Carlton; arguably one of the fastest (if not the fastest) production sedans ever made. Top speed >180mph IIRC. I think there is a video of one driving on one of the other threads.

by **Scott J** » Mon 19.09.2005, 10:33

was the fastest 4 door 4 seater for 15 yrs, just recetly eclipsed by the latest 550bhp V10 BMW M5.

Top speed in excess of 180 mph though it is rumoured that some have gone well over 200mph.

Cant remember the engine though I think it was a Chevy block, with Lotus heads and twin turbos.

At 180mph it did about 2 miles per gallon and you had to stop at every autobahn petrol station to refill.

by **Enright** » Mon 19.09.2005, 13:27

Performance Car's figures were 0-60MPH in 5.2 seconds, and 172MPH top speed - faster at the time than a Ferrari Testarossa, which was Ferrari's quickest model! But I don't doubt that quite a few did at least 180.

The car was based on the Vauxhall Carlton GSI3000 24V (or Opel Omega equivalent), and Vauxhall basically passed complete cars to Lotus to be "breathed on".

Lotus then:
bored the engine out to 3.6 litres (377BHP and 485lb/ft of torque if I remember rightly)
fitted twin turbos and a Chargecooler
fitted a Chevy Corvette ZR-1 6 six speed gearbox (which was geared to -get this - 44MPH per 1000RPM in top!)
fitted a special bodykit and resprayed the car in only 1 colour - "Empire Green" (but it looks black)
fitted a big exhaust
fitted their own wheels
transformed the handling
fitted a bespoke interior and dash

At the time (around 1991-94) they cost £48,000. Now you can get them for £10K+, and a really good one for £20K. But if you think sourcing parts for Elans is tricky and expensive, then these are in a whole new league.

The LEC equivalent for the Lotus Carlton is http://www.autobahnstormers.co.uk/ and there are some great pics in the gallery.

They displayed 3 or 4 at Donington this year when we were there, and they remain my all-time-street-sleeper-supercar.

by **Doc Fizzix** » Mon 19.09.2005, 14:59

WOW! Very intresting, just reminds me how much Lotus really knows what they are doing more than most others.

by **Jeff** » Mon 19.09.2005, 15:56

From what I saw a while back, I believe that there are 2 Carltons in the US; one is in a private collection and the other one is owned by GM.

Good luck bringing it in. Would be a hit at LOG 26 :wink:

by **Fubar1764** » Tue 20.09.2005, 15:15

Scott J wrote:was the fastest 4 door 4 seater for 15 yrs, just recetly eclipsed by the latest 550bhp V10 BMW M5.

That would make her the McLaren of sedans! (It only took Ferrari 12 years to develop the Enzo and knock off McLaren's crown. . .)

Scott J wrote:At 180mph it did about 2 miles per gallon and you had to stop at every autobahn petrol station to refill.

Hiring a courtesan would be just as expensive, just as dangerous, but not nearly as much fun. . .er, so I hear. . . :roll:

by **Matt RI** » Wed 21.09.2005, 19:24

Thanks everyone, for the fantastic info and contributions.

I was guessing that the import proceedure would be... shall we say... difficult... I would guess that rarity is fueling the price for yours in Aussie-land, huh Cjay? It is not easy to ship/import cars, however- so that should make it more valuable outside of Europe.

I will pass along all of your thoughts and suggestions regarding places to look. I'll certainly keep you updated if he manages to secure one at some point- because I will be expecting to secure a ride/drive in it hopefully!

Thanks again-

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