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S 2 : Ep 28

Enjoy Season 2 stories, opinion, and features from across the car world - Hagerty Media

Lotus’ first and only-ever 4-door sedan was badged the Lotus Omega (left-hand-drive versions) or Lotus Carlton (RHD.)

Based on the European Car of the Year award-winning Opel Omega and Vauxhall Carlton twins, it was the fastest regular production sedan in the world, and that caused major controversy in the socioeconomic class-conscious United Kingdom.

180-mph supercars like the Ferrari Testarossa had already been around for years, but when a pedestrian brand like Vauxhall endeavored to sell a sedan that could be purchased by non-aristocrats, it rocked the establishment.

Still, the Lotus Carltomega was a tour-de-force, offering 377 hp — 2 hp more than the also Lotus-engineered, 4-cam, 32-valve, 5.7-liter LT5 V-8 from the C4 Corvette ZR-1. The Carlton/Omega sent that outrageous power (and 419 lb-ft of torque!) from its 3.6-liter twin-turbo, DOHC 24-valve straight-six to the rear wheels via the same ZF 6-speed manual used in that King of the Hill Corvette. It was the only 6-speed manual in the world that could cope with the Lotus’ power.

The Lotus Type 104 sedan was more than just a straight-line rocket, with huge Ronal wheels, AP Racing brakes, and a fully revised suspension. Period road tests demonstrated it would leave its contemporary competition (the E34 BMW M5 and W124 Mercedes 500E) for dead, both in acceleration and top speed.

Revelations goes into the history of why this Lotus was made — thanks to Bob Eaton’s desire to make GM Europe cool using newly purchased Lotus’ engineering — and how engineers at Opel’s Rüsselsheim factory tried to stand in its way.

But perhaps the most interesting part of the Lotus Carlton’s history was the ironic PR fallout when Autocar Magazine’s editor-in-chief asked Vauxhall to consider limiting its top speed — as the Germans had just voluntarily agreed to a 250 km/h (155-mph) limit. The British Parliament even got involved, with hearings condemning the Lotus’ performance, suggesting that because it was a “cheap car,” it could be purchased by those incapable of driving it safely. Or, worse, people who would use it to commit crimes.

The other great irony, Alanis (lol), is that this happened 5 years later when a stolen Carlton with the now-infamous license plate “40 RA” was used in a crime spree — but was too fast for the police to catch.

Of course, we’d be remiss in not mentioning Carlton Banks — the lovable character in Will Smith’s cotemporary-to-the-Carlton early-1990s TV hit “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” whose energetic dance to Tom Jones’ “Not Unusual” created a meme from which the talented dancer/actor Alfonso Ribeiro still cannot escape.

If you know Jason Cammisa, then you’ve already guessed that he spent hours learning the Carlton, so that he could perform it in the most pants-splitting way possible.

But only after having brutalized a windy back road with the Carlton’s enormous power. While in the factory Cheater Mode engine programming. Of course.

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Enjoy Season 2 stories, opinion, and features from across the car world - Hagerty Media

In this episode of “The Appraiser,” Colin has the opportunity to look over a 1971 Ford Bronco that has lived its life the way it was intended, rough and rowdy. Cory, the owner of this Bronco, takes it on all sorts of adventures, wheelin’ in the desert, crossing rivers, and bombing through the woods. Cars & trucks were made to be driven, especially Broncos, but having lived such a rough life, will it have taken a toll on the value of this truck? Tune in and find out.

This episode is presented by Hemmings

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Enjoy Season 2 stories, opinion, and features from across the car world - Hagerty Media

In this episode of “The Appraiser,” Colin has the pleasure of looking over a rust-free 1966 Dodge Charger from the Arizona desert with all the right factory options. It has a 383ci V8, Black on a black color scheme with chrome finish, factory 4-speed, center console, and bucket seats both front and rear. Will the owner be surprised by the price? Will Colin find any major flaws? Tune in and find out.

Check out current 1966 Dodge Charger Values

This episode is presented by Hemmings

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Enjoy Season 2 stories, opinion, and features from across the car world - Hagerty Media

In this episode of “The Appraiser,” Colin steps out of his comfort zone and looks at a 1972 Fiat Dino Coupe that the owner purchased for $2000 45 years ago, and it’s safe to say it has appreciated since then. Question is, how much? Tune in and find out how much this Fiat Dino is worth in today’s market.

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Enjoy Season 2 stories, opinion, and features from across the car world - Hagerty Media

In this episode of “The Appraiser,” Colin looks over a 1970 Plymouth Superbird that, while not the top spec for the breed, still has plenty to offer any wing car enthusiast. This tasty Lemon Twist example is powered by the base 375 HP 440ci four-barrel Super Commando engine backed by the legendary 727 Torqueflight automatic transmission. It was also restored by Restorations by Julius, a well-known MOPAR restoration shop in Sunny California. Question is, does that increase the value? Tune in to find out the price of this legendary winged warrior.

Check out the current 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird values.

This episode is presented by Hemmings

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Enjoy Season 2 stories, opinion, and features from across the car world - Hagerty Media

In this episode of “The Appraiser,” Colin looks at a 1973 Ford Bronco that was built as if Carroll Shelby made it. This Bronco has the iconic Shelby stripe down the side, custom racing seats, and a hopped-up 302ci V8. Will this Bronco live up to its Shelby badge? Tune in to find out what this iconic off-road beast is worth.

This episode is presented by Hemmings

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Enjoy Season 2 stories, opinion, and features from across the car world - Hagerty Media

Our 2023 Hagerty UK Bull Market list this year includes an Audi TT, an Austin Seven, a Bentley Turbo R, a Citroën BX, a Ford Fiesta, a Lotus Elise, a Mercedes-Benz SL500, a Saab 99 Turbo, a Triumph Spitfire and last but not least, a Lamborghini Diablo.

What is the 2023 Hagerty UK Bull Market, you ask? This year, Henry Catchpole presents 10 vehicles for the UK market that Hagerty’s Valuation Team has identified that are most likely will appreciate in value in the coming years.

For more in-depth information on the vehicles on this list, check out our full article.

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Enjoy Season 2 stories, opinion, and features from across the car world - Hagerty Media

In this episode of “The Appraiser,” Colin has the pleasure of looking at a well-known 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 210 Del Ray turned SoCal Street Racer/Gasser. Built with only used and refurbished original and NOS GM parts instead of reproduction “blister-pack” ones, this is one of the most thoughtfully built period correct 1960s/1970’s style Gasser’s Colin has ever seen. But this Bel Air isn’t all beauty, it did 12:40’s going 110MPH in the 1/4 mile and has a Z28 low-end built for a 7300 RPM redline. Stick around to find out why this Bel Air is worth so much!

This episode is presented by Hemmings

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Enjoy Season 2 stories, opinion, and features from across the car world - Hagerty Media

What do a Lamborghini Murciélago, a C5 Corvette Z06, and a NISMO 350Z have in common?
And why are they together with a Saab 900 Turbo, Hummer H1, and Harley-Davidson Knucklehead?

They — together with the Suzuki Cappuccino, 4th-generation Toyota pickup, Mercedes SLR McLaren, AMC AMX, and Audi R8 — have been chosen for the 2023 Hagerty Bull Market.

Every year, Hagerty’s Valuation Team picks ten collector cars (and one motorcycle) that are poised to appreciate in value. This year, we made a video with them all together, presented by Jason Cammisa and Randy Pobst — with the help of a crystal ball, Willow Springs International Raceway, and some beautiful back roads.

Introducing the 2023 Bull Market List in collaboration with Mobil 1.

Enjoy Season 2 stories, opinion, and features from across the car world - Hagerty Media

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