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[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

https://youtu.be/MoCYrtcF3mg?feature=shared

[STEMO]

The LC is an icon whereas the VXR8 is jut a brash copy.

But as Jimmy says it's probably best not to meet your hero because time moves on.

35 years ago the LC probably felt as though it had enough poke to change the rotation of the earth. In 2025 it would feel brisk rather than fast.

That's if you were brave enough to drive it properly. Lots of (expensive) things to break in a car that age.

[LC0112G]

Interesting, I didn't realise it had a lot of bespoke bits. TBH I thought it was largely made up of bits from elsewhere in the GM empire (a bit like Ford did with Jag, Aston Martin and others). I stand corrected. 

It mostly is GM Carlton.  But I seem to recall the ABS boys at one of the ABS meets saying some rear pads were going to be several hundred quid, as they were unique, and I think they were trying to organise a group production run or something like that.  I imagine suspension probably was unique as well.

I seem to remember problems with a pivot point for the clutch in the ally gearbox .... 

Shut it.....

60 of us are going to attempt to get to Hethel on Friday, and we don't want you jinxing it!!!

I've even washed it*

* By I, I obviously mean the people of various eastern European, North African and Middle Eastern countries have washed it. I gave them coloured pictures of the Queen in exchange.

[LC0112G]

Interesting, I didn't realise it had a lot of bespoke bits. TBH I thought it was largely made up of bits from elsewhere in the GM empire (a bit like Ford did with Jag, Aston Martin and others). I stand corrected. 

It mostly is GM Carlton.  But I seem to recall the ABS boys at one of the ABS meets saying some rear pads were going to be several hundred quid, as they were unique, and I think they were trying to organise a group production run or something like that.  I imagine suspension probably was unique as well.

Pads aren't too much bother - fronts are the same as several other high performance cars and rears are mini cooper fronts. Both are available in several compounds from Ferrodo. Handbrake is standard Carlton/Senator/Omega - and just as carp.

The person you were talking to is probably referring to brake disks. The rears are different to all Carltons/Senators/Omegas, and are indeed several hundred quid a pair - if you can get them. Front disks are also difficult. There was a group buy for both 10 or 15 years ago and I still have a few of both in the shed for when needed.

Latest issue for me is rear tyres - 265-40-17's aren't easily available any more from any manufacturer. People have also had problems with fuel injectors, flywheels, clutches, and several other unique bits. Bodywork wise, the metalwork is all standard(ish) Carlton, although getting Carlton bits is non trivial nowadays. Bodykit parts are available from a supplier in Northamptonshire (hi Joe!) although there can be a wait for a batch to be made.

[Raeturbo]

Shouldn’t that be , Hey Joe?🤣

[Doctor Gollum]

Passed one heading south between Guildford and Dunsfold...

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I assume that rust spreading underneath all the plastics is a concern ?

[Andy B]

.....

Shut it.....

60 of us are going to attempt to get to Hethel on Friday, and we don't want you jinxing it!!! ....

 

[Sir Tigger KC]

* By I, I obviously mean the people of various eastern European, North African and Middle Eastern countries have washed it. I gave them coloured pictures of the Queen in exchange.

Have they realised yet at the Royal Mint/Bank of England that Queen Lizzie died nearly 3 years ago? 

So far I've only seen one tenner with Charlie on it. 

[LC0112G]

I assume that rust spreading underneath all the plastics is a concern ?

The plastics are mostly a lousy fit, so they don't tend to trap water - if anything they protect the paintwork under them from stone chips and hence rusting. The exceptions are the rear wheel arches, rear door shuts, sills and rear doors which do rust for fun - but that's true of all Carltons & Senators and even Omegas.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I assume that rust spreading underneath all the plastics is a concern ?

The plastics are mostly a lousy fit, so they don't tend to trap water - if anything they protect the paintwork under them from stone chips and hence rusting. The exceptions are the rear wheel arches, rear door shuts, sills and rear doors which do rust for fun - but that's true of all Carltons & Senators and even Omegas.

Surely not. The car cost £48000 in 1990, so the paying customer would expect it to be honed to perfection.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Its a Vauxhall. 

My Chevette HS was £6100 at the end of 78 / early 79, which was a lot of money then.
The build quality was absolutely atrocious. The gear lever came of in my hand at 5000 miles, and the drivers seat had fallen apart by 15000 miles, despite me weighing about 7 stone dripping wet at that time.
Engine lost oil pressure just before 30,000 miles and when I stripped it to rebuild it I found the block was a crap casting which had metal filler in several blow hole areas, including the machined face where the oil pump attached.
Even the old Victorian foundry I worked in at the time only used that stuff for filling castings in non important cosmetic areas.
Still loved the car though and had more fun in it than any other car Ive owned.
Sometimes when it was moving. Sometimes when it wasnt. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Its a Vauxhall. 

My Chevette HS was £6100 at the end of 78 / early 79, which was a lot of money then.
The build quality was absolutely atrocious. The gear lever came of in my hand at 5000 miles, and the drivers seat had fallen apart by 15000 miles, despite me weighing about 7 stone dripping wet at that time.
Engine lost oil pressure just before 30,000 miles and when I stripped it to rebuild it I found the block was a crap casting which had metal filler in several blow hole areas, including the machined face where the oil pump attached.
Even the old Victorian foundry I worked in at the time only used that stuff for filling castings in non important cosmetic areas.
Still loved the car though and had more fun in it than any other car Ive owned.
Sometimes when it was moving. Sometimes when it wasnt. 

The seventies was the decade that both fashion and build quality forgot.

Everything was badly made in the seventies be it a house, a toaster, and everything made by BL.

Having said that you car would be worth a lot of money today. Five figures?

[TheBoy]

I do wonder, when 350bhp.is hot hatch territory today if some cars are a case of 'dont meet your heroes'.

I understand a massive chunk of value is tied up in nostalgia and image but I do wonder if it would be 'worth it'. I struggle with quite a lot of classic car pricing today. When a Ford Sierra (and not even the really quick ones) will set you back more than an Aston, I feel like I've missed something somewhere.

I think what made the LC special is, even today, it's not short on power, and there were no real compromises, its a big, comfy semi-exec saloon. You can hold a conversation in one at 140 (so I've heard, obviously) easier than many cars doing 40 without having to raise you voice. And its 35 years old. Thats how ahead of it's time it was.

At the time, the Granada was a crock with that old 2.8, though shortly followed by the better 2.9, Rover was doing the 800 Vitesse, and that was about it for European big execs.


Obviously, from a technology and gadget perspective, if thats your thing, its badly dated - mobile phones weren't really a thing for most people, let alone smartphone control of the car.  Looks wise from the exterior it looks like, well, a 1990s Vauxhall.


I wouldn't own one now, because I would not be able to keep it in the condition it needs to be kept in, and few remaining need to be kept tip top for the future.


A true icon.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I do wonder, when 350bhp.is hot hatch territory today if some cars are a case of 'dont meet your heroes'.

I understand a massive chunk of value is tied up in nostalgia and image but I do wonder if it would be 'worth it'. I struggle with quite a lot of classic car pricing today. When a Ford Sierra (and not even the really quick ones) will set you back more than an Aston, I feel like I've missed something somewhere.

I think what made the LC special is, even today, it's not short on power, and there were no real compromises, its a big, comfy semi-exec saloon. You can hold a conversation in one at 140 (so I've heard, obviously) easier than many cars doing 40 without having to raise you voice. And its 35 years old. Thats how ahead of it's time it was.

At the time, the Granada was a crock with that old 2.8, though shortly followed by the better 2.9, Rover was doing the 800 Vitesse, and that was about it for European big execs.


Obviously, from a technology and gadget perspective, if thats your thing, its badly dated - mobile phones weren't really a thing for most people, let alone smartphone control of the car.  Looks wise from the exterior it looks like, well, a 1990s Vauxhall.


I wouldn't own one now, because I would not be able to keep it in the condition it needs to be kept in, and few remaining need to be kept tip top for the future.


A true icon.

......or torque.

419 lb ft of twist is impressive even in 2025.