To celebrate the British International Motor Show this year we picked our 100 best British cars. Check out our selection to help you choose your favourite home-grown motor.
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46 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus (page 21 of 25)
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The Sunbeam hatchback was initially badged as a Chrysler but became a Talbot after Peugeot took over the Rootes Group remnants from Chrysler Europe. Even in 1,600cc Ti form it was a thoroughly mainstream car - until the rally department decided to buy in a Lotus engine. A 155bhp, 16-valve twin-carb, twin-cam 2.2 was selected to create a real roadgoing hot hatch in 1979, and full rally versions developed 234bhp. Built at Linwood then sent to Lotus to have engines fitted, just under 2,300 road versions were made. Rally success included the 1981 world title. The rally team went on to develop the Peugeot 205 T16, but the move to front-wheel drive saw the end of the rear-drive Sunbeam in 1983, and the Linwood factory.
