Original Equipment Manufacturers
Last Updated 20 April 2001
I'll let you into a (not very well kept) secret. Vauxhall/Opel made/make absolutely bugger all for the Lotus Carlton. Everything is made by outside contractors. Occasionally, Vauxhall make a slip-up, and reveal who the original manufacturer (OEM) is/was.
The following companies are known to have supplied parts for the Lotus Carlton
AC Delco - US supplier of engine related electrical parts
Delco Remy - US supplier of engine related electrical parts
Bosch - German supplier of major electrical items for all Vauxhall/Opel Cars
Sometimes, once you know who originally made the part it is possible to bypass Vauxhall all-together, and get the parts at much reduced prices from the supplier direct. In general, this only works where the part is used on another type or make of car. Parts which are unique to the Lotus Carlton, and that have been developed especially for it, will always be a problem. These include things like engine parts (pistons, con-rods, head gaskets & crankshafts), castings (brake disks, clutch bell housings, cylinder heads, engine blocks) and suspension parts (shock absorbers, suspension bushes, suspension arms). Many of these parts were actually designed by Lotus, who still own the moulds, and Vauxhall still have to order them from Lotus to this day. Lotus, don't actually make anything themselves either, they just sub-contract it out, to an OEM. This means that the OEM, Lotus and Vauxhall all have to make money (typically 50% profit) on the parts they sell on, and explains why LC specific parts are so damn expensive.
Most LC specific parts have a part number starting with the five digits 90393. When you need a part, go to your local Vauxhall dealer, and get him to tell you the part number. If doesn't start 90393, then its almost certainly a part that is also used on another type of Carlton. Therefore, if you aren't prepared to pay Vauxhall dealer prices for these parts, you stand a chance of finding a replacement in a scrapyard, or getting a pattern part from a local motor factors.
To save money on parts that aren't common to other types of Carlton, you have to realise which parts are going to be available elsewhere. It is interesting to know that back in 1990, when the cars were first produced, both Vauxhall and Lotus were owned by General Motors (GM). GM also owned several parts manufacturers, including AC Delco and Delco Remy. So it isn't too surprising to learn that many of the LC specific components used were supplied by these two companies. And - Parts manufactured by AC Delco and Delco Remy are commonly used on American produced Chevrolet cars, including the Corvette ZR1. Chevrolet is also owned by GM, and Lotus helped with the development of the ZR1. Incestuous isn't it !