Tag Archives: Omega

Crown Gabelstapler – Opel Omega GSi 3000 24V

A couple of months ago I looked at a Mello Yellow Vauxhall Senator today’s featured tribute car is a 1990 Opel Omega 24V the German branded first generation version of the Mello Yellow Senator.

Opel Omega Senator 24V, Castle Combe

Manufactured from 1986 to 1993 the first generation Opel Senator was voted European Car Of The Year in 1987.

Opel Omega 24V DTM, Klaus Niedwiedz, 200 Meilen von Nürnberg, Norisring

Opel had a presence in the 1990 German Touring Car Championship (DTM) with their entries supported by Crown Forklift Trucks and alloy wheel manufacturer ATS, Klaus Niedwiedz, seen above at the Norisring, and Markus Oestereich were the teams drivers, but they achieved little by way of success, not even making the top 20 in points standings, during a season dominated by the Audi V8 quattro’s with the BMW’s M3’s their closest challengers.

Opel Omega Senator 24V, Castle Combe

The 201hp Opel Omega GSi 3000 24V used as the basis for today’s tribute car has a number of modifications including a Lotus Carlton / Senator exhaust with cast chromed twin tail pipes !

Thanks for joining me on this “Crown Gabelstapler” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psychoontyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at the first in a series of US convertibles. Don’t for get to come back now !

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Hatched In Germany – Cadillac Catera

In 1994 Opel launched a new Omega ‘B’ model that replaced the Omega ‘A’ model that had served as the basis of the Vauxhall Lotus Carlton which I looked at on Saturday. The Omega B was still rear wheel drive but had a much smoother body that formed the basis on the Vauxhall Omega in the UK and was launched with the aid of Cindy Crawford in the USA as the Cadillac Catera.

Cadillac Catera, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

Cadillac Cateras were powered by a 200hp V6 motor with pistons angled at an unusual 54 degrees, the motors gained a reputation for expensive cam belt tensioner bearing failures.

Cadillac Catera, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

Sales of the Catera peaked at around 25,000 in 1997 and 1998 but tailed off thereafter and the model was discontinued from the Cadillac range in 2001

Cadillac Catera, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

Today’s featured vehicle seen ar last summers “Summer Classics” gathering at Easter Compton is registered officially as a top of the range Vauxhall Omega Elite and has most likely had the Cadillac exterior identifications including the grill fitted post production.

Thanks for joining me on this “Hatched In Germany Edition” of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Imperial Green – Lotus T104 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton

In 1990 Britain and Germany’s GM divisions launched a new Q car that could blow the contemporary Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4×4 performance model into the weeds. The new vehicle was known as the Vauxhall Lotus Carlton in the UK and Lotus Omega in the rest of Europe.

Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, Classic and Sports Car Action Day, Castle Combe

Lotus project Type 104 was responsible for turning the 3 litre / 183 cui executive saloon, into a barnstormer which included a body kit that fed more air into the engine and two small louvered out lets on the bonnet hood.

Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, Classic and Sports Car Action Day, Castle Combe

The six cylinder motor was comprehensively revised; the swept volume was increased to 3.6 litres / 219 cui and twin Garret T25 turbochargers with a Behr water to air inter cooler were fitted to take the power up to 377 hp at 5200 rpm. Transmission came courtesy of the contemporary Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the limited slip differential from the Australian Holden Commodore.

Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, Classic and Sports Car Action Day, Castle Combe

The performance figures included rest to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds with 100 mph being reached in 11.1 seconds and a controversial top speed of 176 mph, which made the car the worlds fastest four door saloon. There had been, unheeded, calls for GM to follow the lead of BMW and others to restrict the top speed to 155 mph.

Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, Classic and Sports Car Action Day, Castle Combe

The suspension was also suitably modified for improved stability and handling to match the straight line performance of the car, standard Carlton / Omega Servotronic power assistance for the worm and roller steering was used as space and budgets precluded the development of rack and pinion steering.

Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, Classic and Sports Car Action Day, Castle Combe

You could have your £48,000 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton or Lotus Omega any colour you liked so long as it was imperial green, which as can be seen looks black in any light other than direct sun light. Just 320 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton’s were built and 630 Lotus Omega’s.

Thanks for joining me on this “Imperial Green” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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