SORRY NOW SOLD – SIMILAR WANTED
The Big Daddy Vauxhall Carlton GSi 3000 24v with the last owner for 29 years.
EQUIPMENT
Body colour front and rear valances, front grille, sill mouldings, rear aerofoil and door mirror housings. Green tinted glass and graduated tint windscreen shadeband, twin rectangular exhaust tailpipes, headlamp wash/wipe, electrically operated sliding/tiltable sunroof with wind deflector, uprated sports suspension, limited slip differential, electronic anti-lock braking (ABS), multi-function check control computer, 7-function trip computer, LCD instrumentation, electric windows front and rear with safety auto-reverse, cruise control, central locking with security deadlock, power assisted steering, security alarm system. Dealer accessories; Sigma SG30 alarm, genuine Vauxhall mudflaps, Vauxhall carpet mats.
EXTERIOR
This imposing and rare Vauxhall Carlton is the most desirable 24v model with manual transmission and furthermore has enjoyed single fastidious ownership since it was just two years old. Finished in original solid Carmine Red, (Code E 547), the paintwork gleams thanks to its pampered existence which even extends to garaged storage within a dehumidifying air-chamber! A deep polished shine to the pin-straight factory panels is difficult to fault and the common troublesome areas such as the rear inner wheel arches are perfect. Some carefully treated frontal stone chips and a touched in scratch to the nearside front wing is visible and the underside is carefully protected without the unnecessary application of crude heavy underseal. The unique body trim pieces and aerofoils are in superb condition and free from distortion. Originality seekers will be delighted to see all glass panes security etched, including the graduated tint windscreen, still with factory labels as well as original light clusters and Cibie headlamps. A stunningly preserved and very rare Vauxhall.
INTERIOR
A truly spectacular interior with the Athena velour/leather sports seats finished in Grey, (Code 595), with contrasting red piping. The seats and matching trimmed door cards are in amazing condition with firm bolsters retaining correct shape. Only very light hairline creases to the driver’s seat outer bolster can be seen and the red piping remains very bright thanks to a careful entry and exit routine by the long-term owner. The headlining and carpets are in immaculate condition and the deliciously retro fascia is simply perfect! A lumber adjustment knob to the passenger seat is missing. All controls and functions operate seamlessly including the iconic LCD digital instruments with healthy readings. The LCD multi-function computer, cruise control and original Philips Vauxhall stereo cassette are present and fully working. The leather steering wheel proudly wears the Carlton GSi 3000 emblem and the leather to the gear knob is slightly worn. The huge immaculate luggage area contains the original jack and toolkit and even the boot floor has factory scribe markings! A delightfully retro performance executive interior.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The top performer in the Vauxhall range was this GSi 3000 featuring the C3.0i 24v engine with M1.5 Motronic engine management and Dual Ram variable intake system. Power output of 201bhp at 6000rpm and fistfuls of torque measuring 270Nm at 3600rpm, the car accelerates to 62mph in just 7.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 149mph! The engine bay is beautifully clean with original plates, labels, vehicle certification sticker and inner wing stampings. A replacement exhaust has been fitted. The preferred 5-speed manual gearbox has extra-close ratios to gears 1-3 to match the power of the 24v engine. The Big Daddy.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
The original GSi 7j x 15in forged alloys wheels are unrestored and display the correct high-polished alloy finish as well as the sharply defined ‘forged’ wording stamped to the inner rim, the definition of which is always lost upon the usual refurbished items. There is no kerb damage and only very light markings can be seen. All four road wheels are shod in matching Michelin 205/65 R15 tyres with masses of tread and the spare wheel is unused with chalk lines still visible to the original factory Michelin tyre. The Dual circuit brakes with electronic anti-lock braking (ABS) is standard fitment and the GSi model was fitted with uprated servo and larger 11.65in ventilated front discs. The braking system is in superb operating condition.
HISTORY FILE
Registered new on the 26th January 1990 by Vauxhall Main Dealer, Ben Whitehouse Ltd of Chester, the car was purchased at just two years old by Mr and Mrs Walker who have owned it ever since. Thankfully Mr and Mrs Walker had other day-to-day vehicles at their disposal and therefore the Carlton was used only in dry conditions and kept garaged inside a dehumidified air chamber. The condition of this pride and joy machine is a credit to its long-term owners and throughout its life has been subject to the highest levels of care, servicing and maintenance. The result is a car that performs every inch as good as it looks and is arguably one of the nicest unrestored examples in existence. The car has been used and enjoyed for 29 years by Mr and Mrs Walker who have only now made the difficult decision to sell due an impending downsizing house move. The large history file is neatly presented to contain Carlton range sales brochures, sale documentation and invoices as well as every MOT certificate dating back to the first in 1993 and every tax disc dating back to 1990. The original handbooks and service booklet are present with both sets of keys and Sigma alarm fobs. Completing the history file is a letter from Mr and Mrs Walker detailing their history with the car and even two 1990 issues of Performance Car magazine where features on the Carlton GSi are book marked! A prize example of a very rare Vauxhall.
HPI clear.