The Lotus Sunbeam

When Chrysler/Talbot decided to go rallying in 1979, they had little to write home about - until Des O'Dell, Head of Motorsport, had a stab at Group 4 rallying.  

Lotus were approached as a possible engine source, since the company had a lot of spare twin cams left after the demise of Jensen-Healey.  

The car was so successful on it's first trials that it paved the way for the first 400 units, to enable it to achieve proper homologation.  

Launched in Geneva at the Swiss Motor Show in 1979, it cost £7000, a hefty price tag. With the 2.2ltr Lotus twin cam engine developing 150bhp and uprated suspension it gave 30bhp above Ford's best at the time.

Early road tests showed 0-60mph times of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 120mph.