Last Updated 19 April 2001
My other main hobby is military aircraft spotting. There is no better car than a Lotus Carlton for getting to far flung corners of Europe in a hurry. It's also quite good at getting you out of the same corner of Europe in a hurry, when the local police realise you are there. This has lead to some friends of mine referring to my car as 'The Blackbird' . Here is a list of things that some would describe as coincidences. We just think they are spooky !
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| Type | Lockheed SR71 Blackbird | Vauxhall Lotus Carlton |
| History | Produced as a result of a secret agreement between the CIA and Lockheed | Produced as a result of a secret agreement between GM and Lotus. |
| Claim to fame | Generally recognised as the worlds fastest front line aircraft | Generally recognised as the worlds fastest production saloon car |
| Official Top Speed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Rumored Top Speed | Mach 3.3 | 187 MPH |
| Apparent Colour | Black | Black |
| Official Colour | Indigo Blue | Empire Green |
| Top Secret test site | Groom Lake (Area 51), Nevada | Milbrook proving ground, Buckinghamshire. |
| Top Secret European Base | RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, East Anglia | Hethel, Norfolk, East Anglia |
| Withdrawn from Service/Sale | 1990 | 1993 |
| Number Produced | 29 | 950 |
