Audi out Vauxhall in

[Rocket88]

After a brief affair with an Audi 200 turbo [nice car, just didn't gell with it] it's about to be replaced by a Carlton GSi 24v auto. I've had a couple of 12 valvers before, so looking forward to seeing how "different" the 24s are.

[cort16]

I had a 12v as well. Really liked it but the 24v's supposed to be much more lively. Mine was really tidy and got written off the day after I sold it

Any pics?

[Rocket88]

I'll post some when I've got it [this weekend] These things seem vastly under rated, although all old vauxhalls seem to suffer from a complete lack of scene tax...............

[trigger]

I've driven a Senator 24v many years ago and that was an animal!

[dollywobbler]

Look forward to pics. One of my favourite 1980s barges.

[John F]

all old vauxhalls seem to suffer from a complete lack of scene tax...............

 

+1

 

Great news for autoshiters

[Cavcraft]

Oh yes, can't wait to see this as they're ace cars. Has it got a working trip computer and if so could you please capture a picture of the mpg readout? A couple of mates had these cars yonks back and both swore 8mpg wasn't too hard to get!

[Pete-M]

I did 20 or 30 k in a year in my old Carlton GSi 24v auto without any issues other than it popped a pipe once.

 

Great cars.

 

 

About the only problem I had with mine was that it cost me £4k and was only worth £2k after the year.... but that could happen to anything.

 

These and Senator 24vs are the only good Vauxhalls. Evah, and only if they're autos. The manual box is awful.

[Bren]

Stonking car - the manual versions would nudge 150mph. 204 bhp and 199ib/ft of torque is not to be sniffed at!

 

Most of these died of rotten chassis rails (they go at the back big time), the 24 valve engine would occasionally snap it's timing chain. Vauxhall blamed the use of mineral oils by skinflint owners, however I believe it was more likely to be insufficient heat treatment of the pins/links in the chain.

 

I had an E reg senator 2.5 auto which was a good car but gutless, would have been much better with a 5 speeder. Electronic heater controls packed up, would constantly blow hot air (unbearable in summer)solved with a valve from a plumber merchants, the type you close with a screwdriver, spliced into the cooling system. Problem solved - the best bodge I have ever done.

 

Also had a T reg Royale saloon, one of the earliest, paid £400 for it in 1989. It didnt bother me that nothing worked, and that the inner wings / strut tops looked like arcing - up blocks on a welders bench, the blue velour interior and fake wood sealed the deal.

Due to the fact that the solex 4A1 carb was knackered (a huge thing that wouldn't have looked out of place on a chrysler V8) single figure mpg was the norm (Pete your 11mpg range rover looks positively thrifty!), sometimes as low as 4mpg. It was killed by a transit van going into the back of it - the transit also committing suicide.

[Rocket88]

I did 20 or 30 k in a year in my old Carlton GSi 24v auto without any issues other than it popped a pipe once.

 

Great cars.

 

 

About the only problem I had with mine was that it cost me £4k and was only worth £2k after the year.... but that could happen to anything.

 

These and Senator 24vs are the only good Vauxhalls. Evah, and only if they're autos.

The manual box is awful.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Totally agree, I had a 12 valver manual, the gearbox wasn't nice. The autos are apparently actually quicker [in the real world, ignore the manufacturer's figures]

[Rocket88]

Well, the beast is back.............Went over on the boat to Weymouth on Friday afternoon, arrived at 2.30 pm [ish] trying to get out of Weymouth docks is a fuggin nightmare, due to all sorts of work being done for 2012 Olympics [Weymouth is hosting the sailing].

Took 4 1/2 hours to get to Burton-on-Trent Travelodge, due to roadworks / accidents [other people's]. Phoned Dave the Carlton seller, he turned up at about 10 pm after his shift, he works for the AA.

Him chuffed with Audi, me chuffed with Senator until....................stopped next day to do some shopping, on getting back in,car having none of it. Ignition on all lights present and correct, turn last bit to start, nothing. As I had no tools, called out RAC, he hops in, and the bastard starts. Suspect slightly worn ignition barrell. Hoon off to Gloucester, Christ these are bloody great cars, they really are. Comfy, quick, and feel really solid, and the auto is a far nicer drive than the manual one I had. [this one even has rear wheel arches.....]

Next morning, repeat of non starting episode. Try frantic key jiggling, bugger all. Called out the man again........he pokes around, and discovers a lose nut on the starter solenoid. Avoiding the temptation to hammer a bigger socket over it, he gives it a quick twirl of a spanner, job jobbed. I feel suitably stupid.

Hoon off heading for Newton Abbot, water light comes on, pull into services, lob in a litre of hilariously overpriced coolant, check for leaks, none found, after a quick visit to Trago Mills, [Xmas shopping for Mrs Colc]down to Weymouth, water light hasn't come back on again, I suspect waterpump is leaking a tad. It also needs a new serpentine belt and tensioner, apart from that it's an epic old barge.

Trip says we averaged 29.8 mpg, on the trip down, most of it the north side of 75. Obv, it will drink like a fish round town, but I don't really care.

Pics to follow

[dollywobbler]

Nice one. Shame about the starting issues. Look forward to some pics!

[Pete-M]

Mine used to average 22 in town, up to 35 on a run.

 

On cruise in Europe it did 16 mpg at an indicated 140. Which wasn't bad. Does yours have the original Blaupunkt stereo / cd combo with the cartridge cd player? Not a bad system.

[Guest Tony Hayers]

Mr Colc, its now 19:30 Monday evening and there are no pictures of Carlton awesomeness. Stop driving start snapping.

 

0/10 for lac of picturez