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1987 Vauxhall Carlton TS6000

In 1987, this potent Vauxhall was prepared by Dave Cook Racing for the Thundersaloon Championships. It was owned by GM Dealersport for drivers John Cleland and Vince Woodman.

The car was prepared in advance of the new Carlton’s release. Cleland used his Vauxhall dealership connections to work together with GM UK and produce the new Thundersaloon competitor.

Under the rules, almost anything could be fitted as long as they stuck to the basic Carlton bodyshape. GM styling studio revised the bodywork with Kevlar panels over a genuine Carlton body.

The V8 engine is thoroughly revised to produce 570 bhp at 7000 rpm through the use of fuel injection and Bosch electronics. It uses Cosworth pistons, Carillo connecting rods and a BRC steel crankshaft.

Inside the car is completely gutted with a simple dashboard, minimal gauges, Sabelt 6 point harness and an OMP seat. Unique to the car is a rear axle gauge and switch to send cooling.

Throughout the 1987 test season the car won four times and placed third in the championship. This promising first year led to winning the 1988 championship outright.

In Detail

type Racing Car
built at England
body stylist GM Styling Studio
coachbuilder Dave Cook Racing
engineers Bill Cleland
production 1
price £/td> £47,000
engine Chevrolet Sports V8
position Front, Longitudinal
block material Aluminum
fuel feed Hillborn Fuel Injection
displacement 6000 cc / 366.14 in³
bore 101.60 mm / 4 in
stroke 88.39 mm / 3.48 in
compression 11.7:1
power 425.0 kw / 570 bhp @ 7000 rpm
specific output 95.0 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 495.65 bhp per tonne
torque 650.8 nm / 480 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm
redline 7200
body / frame Kevlar Body Panels over Steel Monocoque
driven wheels RWD
wheel type BBS
front brakes Ventilated Discs
rear brakes Ventilated Discs
front wheels F 43.2 x 27.9 cm / 17 x 11 in
rear wheels R 48.3 x 38.1 cm / 19 x 15 in
f suspension MacPherson Strut w/Bilstein Dampers
r suspension Ford Live Axle w/Bilstein Dampers, Anti-
curb weight 1150 kg / 2536 lbs
transmission Xtrac 5-Speed
tran clutch Triple Plate
top speed ~270.31 kph / 168 mph
0 – 60 mph ~4.3 seconds
0 – 100 mph ~8.0 seconds