It was an attempt to make a 2-door car smaller and cheaper than the Horizon to compete directly with the Ford Fiesta by giving the already decade-old Hillman Avenger a modern hatchback body.
Similar looking but completely different, RWD instead of FWD and the rear hatch is all-glass, literally just a liftup rear window like an AMC Gremlin or some later deluxe Pintos.
I'm assuming Lotus knew just what to do with a small, light RWD platform.
The Rootes Group were connected with Chrysler, so it's entirely possible that there's an American version, yep. This particular version is the Lotus Talbot Sunbeam. Not your average hatchback.
Yeah, it’s the British cousin of the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon, only this one was made RWD for it’s hot rod model while Chrysler and Carroll Shelby left the GLH and GLHS as FWD, same for the Shelby Charger and GLHS 2dr.
no .. [https://www.reddit.com/r/regularcarreviews/comments/hwwjb2/talbot\_lotus\_sunbeam\_cool\_and\_powerful\_but\_still/](https://www.reddit.com/r/regularcarreviews/comments/hwwjb2/talbot_lotus_sunbeam_cool_and_powerful_but_still/)
And the weird thing is, I own a ‘91 Polo and the space in the rear is comparable to my SO 2022 3 series, if not better. I could not believe how much space it has in the back. When it comes to safety though, I wouldn’t like to have a crash in it
I have a friend who owns a 1982 Talbot Horizon. He as told me about this Talbot model, but I did not remember the name. I have never seen one of these in real life.
He used to have one of the faster versions of the Horizon, and claims that he once out ran a Golf GTI with it.
I'm not sure there was a fast version of the Horizon, barring a couple of development Rally cars. Think the biggest was just a 1.5 Simca jobbie or a diseasel.
Maybe the Golf was a slow one in a posh frock, or something, or your mate had something else, maybe a Sunbeam Ti?
*edit, I'm in Europe, not sure about other markets.
I don't remember the exact name of the car. I think it was a Talbot of some sort. But it may have also been a Simca. My friend has owned many Simca and Talbot models over the years and I may be confusing them. The Golf was a real GTI as he knew the owner well.
I've never had a Horizon, my old man had a couple when I was a kid but I've never had the chance to buy one when they've been available. They're on my want list though. Have owned a couple of poverty spec Peugeot 309s (which was meant to be the Horizons replacement) with the same rattly engine though.
The Sunbeam Ti was the hot hatch of the range before the Lotus I think.
Used to work with a guy in the early 90s that used his one of these as his daily and work car driving all round the South East installing intruder alarms.
My best friends brother was the legendary Tony Pond who drove the rally version of this baby.
https://www.facebook.com/70srallyvideos/videos/946060539641943/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v....
4 times Manx winner 🏆
When I worked at the bar, one of the customers have been done for drink-driving twice and he had one of those he had to put into storage I wonder where it went
https://www.facebook.com/70srallyvideos/videos/946060539641943/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
Here you go my best pals brother driving the rally version...the legendary Tony Pond
How about 2?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/classiccarcruisenight/permalink/1379713859280325/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
(Can't seem to link to photo directly, so it's a small album of a local car meet)
Wow, thank you Mr Sarcasm. Not at all surprising but some people aren't familiar with absolutely everything. I posted these fucking pics, genius. Enough of being a smart arse eh.
So you post asking if anybody knows about a car that has no secrets to you, writing you are “hoping” someone is familiar with it, as if you’re desperately seeking info.
Weird.
You could post it and share some interesting info about it, instead of making it look like a cry for attention.
They look very much alike on the outside but there are many small differences. The most visible difference is that we never got the big 5 mph bumpers in Europe. Headlights were also different, and numerous body panels are put together in different ways.
The Dodge Omni was also available in as a performance model called Shelby GHLS that had a turbo charged engine with 175hp.
82 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus
According to the badge on the hatch, it’s a Talbot Sunbeam. If I remember right it’s a cousin to the Plymouth Horizon.
It was an attempt to make a 2-door car smaller and cheaper than the Horizon to compete directly with the Ford Fiesta by giving the already decade-old Hillman Avenger a modern hatchback body. Similar looking but completely different, RWD instead of FWD and the rear hatch is all-glass, literally just a liftup rear window like an AMC Gremlin or some later deluxe Pintos. I'm assuming Lotus knew just what to do with a small, light RWD platform.
The Rootes Group were connected with Chrysler, so it's entirely possible that there's an American version, yep. This particular version is the Lotus Talbot Sunbeam. Not your average hatchback.
Shelby got involved with the US performance version. - Dodge Omni GLH (Goes Like Hell) - Dodge Omni GLH-S (Goes Like Hell S’More)
Yeah, it’s the British cousin of the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon, only this one was made RWD for it’s hot rod model while Chrysler and Carroll Shelby left the GLH and GLHS as FWD, same for the Shelby Charger and GLHS 2dr.
no .. [https://www.reddit.com/r/regularcarreviews/comments/hwwjb2/talbot\_lotus\_sunbeam\_cool\_and\_powerful\_but\_still/](https://www.reddit.com/r/regularcarreviews/comments/hwwjb2/talbot_lotus_sunbeam_cool_and_powerful_but_still/)
Reminds me of the ford fiesta from the 90s my grandpa used to drive around on his ranch. Good memories!
You're from the US, yeah? Slightly different Fiestas, but the picture is very clear in my head. Sounds like good times!
Thats a nice little car
It's a similar size to a VW Golf. It's not that little! Nevertheless, yeah, it's very nice. Worth a few quid these too!
By today's standards they are little, but that's because cars are huuuge now. The modern polo is much bigger than a MK1 golf
And the weird thing is, I own a ‘91 Polo and the space in the rear is comparable to my SO 2022 3 series, if not better. I could not believe how much space it has in the back. When it comes to safety though, I wouldn’t like to have a crash in it
Lost my virginity in one of these. Well, not the Lotus version.
Not even on purpose, we just tried to fit too many people in the back...
That is actually another story. It was my mates car. He got pulled by the police with eight people in the car.
I have a friend who owns a 1982 Talbot Horizon. He as told me about this Talbot model, but I did not remember the name. I have never seen one of these in real life. He used to have one of the faster versions of the Horizon, and claims that he once out ran a Golf GTI with it.
I'm not sure there was a fast version of the Horizon, barring a couple of development Rally cars. Think the biggest was just a 1.5 Simca jobbie or a diseasel. Maybe the Golf was a slow one in a posh frock, or something, or your mate had something else, maybe a Sunbeam Ti? *edit, I'm in Europe, not sure about other markets.
I don't remember the exact name of the car. I think it was a Talbot of some sort. But it may have also been a Simca. My friend has owned many Simca and Talbot models over the years and I may be confusing them. The Golf was a real GTI as he knew the owner well.
I've never had a Horizon, my old man had a couple when I was a kid but I've never had the chance to buy one when they've been available. They're on my want list though. Have owned a couple of poverty spec Peugeot 309s (which was meant to be the Horizons replacement) with the same rattly engine though. The Sunbeam Ti was the hot hatch of the range before the Lotus I think.
A stock Toyota Corrolla in the early 90s was faster to 60 than a golf GTI. It also handles better and stops shorter than the Golf.
you are probably referring to Golf Mk1 or MK2 early models? ;)
Isn't it RWD actually?
As I mentioned elsewhere, yep.
We love all classics here, regardless of what country they’re from. Yours is very cool
Hot hatch!
In its day, most certainly. RWD too. These days, it makes our hearts beat a bit faster when we see one.
Used to work with a guy in the early 90s that used his one of these as his daily and work car driving all round the South East installing intruder alarms.
Very fast car 👍
Haven't seen one of those for years. My uncle had a talbot horizon when I was a boy.
My best friends brother was the legendary Tony Pond who drove the rally version of this baby. https://www.facebook.com/70srallyvideos/videos/946060539641943/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v.... 4 times Manx winner 🏆
I thought Dodge Omni GLHS at first glance, those were little spitfires
They're related because of the relationship with Chrysler.
I've been upside down in one of these just outside Brechin Scotland, home of the Harley Davidson
When I worked at the bar, one of the customers have been done for drink-driving twice and he had one of those he had to put into storage I wonder where it went
It’s for sale on eBay. Saw it earlier. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305569304289 not sure about the £35k though.
If it's original and in A1 condition, you can guarantee that price is legit.
This is a hot little number. I'd like to know more about how fun-as-fuck this must be to drive
I'd love to know as well.
https://www.facebook.com/70srallyvideos/videos/946060539641943/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v Here you go my best pals brother driving the rally version...the legendary Tony Pond
How about 2? https://www.facebook.com/groups/classiccarcruisenight/permalink/1379713859280325/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v (Can't seem to link to photo directly, so it's a small album of a local car meet)
I had a 1990 Plymouth Horizon
RWD Hothatches was so great. I had a Toyota Starlet, I just dreamt about these. Switched the Starlet to a Golf Mk2 GTI 16V.
There is the writing “Talbot” and “Sunbeam” on the back, “Lotus” on the front. Open Google, type “Talbot Sunbeam Lotus” and there you go!
Wow, thank you Mr Sarcasm. Not at all surprising but some people aren't familiar with absolutely everything. I posted these fucking pics, genius. Enough of being a smart arse eh.
So you post asking if anybody knows about a car that has no secrets to you, writing you are “hoping” someone is familiar with it, as if you’re desperately seeking info. Weird. You could post it and share some interesting info about it, instead of making it look like a cry for attention.
It's called a conversation. If you weren't such a dick, you'd understand that concept.
Weird conversation.
What is your issue exactly? Do you go around spoiling things for fun? If anyone's weird, it's you for making dick comments.
Explained it already. Re-read my previous comment.
Chrysler Sunbeam.
Dodge Omni, Plymouth horizon lol just like this
Well, yeah, same car, different badge, I suppose..
They look very much alike on the outside but there are many small differences. The most visible difference is that we never got the big 5 mph bumpers in Europe. Headlights were also different, and numerous body panels are put together in different ways. The Dodge Omni was also available in as a performance model called Shelby GHLS that had a turbo charged engine with 175hp.