Talbot Lotus Sunbeam by World Classics

Review by Phil Insull.

World Classics return us to the realm of classic rally cars with the release of their Talbot Lotus Sunbeam Kit. The real car was put together by the legendary team manager the late great Des O’Dell at Peugeot-Talbot’s U.K. subsidiary. Des negotiated a deal to secure the type907 lotus engine to create the 2.0 litre Ti version, then later the lotus type911 engine with 2.2 Litres and 240 b.h.p. To create the Talbot Lotus Sunbeam. 1978-79 saw Briton Tony Pond as Talbot’s lead driver, but pond moved on to be replaced by Guy Frequelin (Now Citroen WRC Boss), Henri Toivenen, and in a semi works car our very own Russell Brookes. The team went on to finish 2 nd in the drivers championship in 1981(Frequelin) and to claim that years Constructors Championship on what must have been the lowest budget ever. Unfortunately four wheel drive and turbo-charging where introduced by Audi, and parent company Peugeot-Talbot saw the writing on the wall for the two wheel drive Lotus Sunbeam, introducing the mighty Peugeot 205 T16 as the groups new rally weapon of choice.

Back to the Lotus Sunbeam however and in particular back to the teams most successful single event the 1980 RAC rally. Running full works cars for Frequelin and Toivenen, and the old works ex-Pond car for Brookes in the familiar Andrews Heat For Hire livery of Brooke’s long time sponsors. The event was won by Toivenen making him the youngest ever driver to win a world championship event, with Frequelin Third and Brookes Fourth. In fact for much of the event Brookes had been in the top three, but a series of punctures on the last night allowed the more powerful works car of Frequelin through for a rostrum spot.

World classics have released as their first version of this car the attractive Andrews Heat for Hire version as driven by Brookes and Bryant on that famous RAC in 1980. While this may seem a slightly strange choice rather than releasing the Toivenen version it should be remembered that EvoSlot have already produced a kit based on that version, and that World Classics are aiming at a U.K. market where Brookes is a highly popular rallying figure. Suggestions that this version uses the EvoSlot moulds seems to be incorrect as there are differences in the bumper, grille, and wheel arch extensions, which all suggest otherwise. The shell is a one piece resin unit, and needs very little pre-painting preparation, just a light rub with very fine wet and dry, and a wash in slightly soapy water to get rid of any grease from fingers. Remember to trim the polycarbonate screen and headlight lens mouldings to fit, line up the chassis, and pre-drill the mounting posts, then do a trial fit before you start painting.

As this is a two tone scheme, mask off the roof and spray the bonnet, doors, and boot in yellow (Tamiya Camel Yellow) and then when dry mask the yellow areas and spray the roof, and small area around bonnet and doors in white (Plastikote diamond white). Detail the bumpers, front grille and screen surrounds in matt black, then paint in the indicators, front lights and rear lights. Also paint the interior and driver’s; the interior is clear polycarbonate in suitable colours. Fit the screen and interior and assemble the painted shell on to the chassis, fit the grille, headlight lenses and the white metal spotlights using epoxy resin, apply the transfers as per the instruction sheet illustrations and use a fine clear lacquer top coat (Tamiya or Humbrol) to seal the transfers.

I haven’t mentioned the chassis much yet but the recommended kit is a Team slot escort chassis complete with magnets, a Mabuchi motor, and scalextric guide. The axles and tyres used are SCX and the wheels are GOM minilites painted aluminium. All of these are available from Pendle Slot Racing, and require absolutely no modifications to make them fit the kit, all you need to do is line the chassis up and drill the holes in the shell’s mounting posts an absolute doddle! Thus fettled the Talbot Lotus Sunbeam handles very well, and you can improve the performance by fitting a “hot” motor in place of the standard Mabuchi. However as I am always at pains to point out Resin cars are not normally found hard racing, and for beautiful display laps the standard set up on the World Classics kit is more than adequate with the two magnets keeping everything tidy on Wolverhampton’s Ninco track and giving vice-free consistent laps. I can’t wait to try the car on the recently acquired routed copper tape track, which offers the promise of smooth gorgeous drifts without the influence of the magnets.

In conclusion then this is a very neat kit, which fits the intended chassis without any need for alterations, a great subject matter, which will appeal to U.K. rally fans, with a very good set of quality decals. I do only have one slight criticism and that is there are no number plate decals for the car. I have fitted the spare ones from my previous lotus, but these are actually from the Frequelin car, the actual registration should be EVC666T. (Maybe someone doesn’t like printing the number of the Beast?). But in all honesty it really is a minor point and overall this is a cracking looking kit, which almost any one could build, and it gives a decent level of on track performance.