Launched in 1991, the Lotus Carlton caused something of a Tabloid Panic.

It was a ‘Killer Family Car’ – so went the tale. Class prejudice was riven through the sentiment. Plenty of Porsche, Ferrari – even BMW M5s of the time were able to push out toward the 170MPH mark. But because this was a Vauxhall – darling of the blue collar classes – the kneejerk story was that it’s very existence was somehow immoral.

This was, of course, a four-door banger and came without limiters or traction control.

So it was a hooligan. But some of the best muscle cars in automotive history shared that dashing, irresponsible image.