Exclusive Interview With The Owner Of The Original Lotus Carlton 40RA!

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  • Опубліковано 4 чер 2024
  • We sit down with the owner of the original 40RA, Richard Austin, and talk about the events of that night in 1993 when his first Lotus Carlton was stolen, what happened afterwards and his thoughts on the myths that grew up around the original car. We are incredibly grateful to Richard for agreeing to do this interview with us.
    Click here to watch our original video on the story of 40RA, acknowledged by Richard himself as being accurate: • The Real Story of 40RA...
    A bit of background...
    Cars, rather than their number plates, are normally the basis for automotive legends. But in the case of the Vauxhall Lotus Carlton (Opel Lotus Omega in Europe) registration 40 RA, the number plate definitely takes the lead.
    The car was stolen in November 1993, and immediately was taken on a 6 week rampage of the West Midlands as a getaway vehicle for robberies from newsagents and shops. In January 1994 the robberies stopped, and the legend of 40RA began.
    00:00 Introduction
    00:33 Interview
    11:16 Myths & Legends
    We hope you enjoy this video, and in return for that joy and as acknowledgment of the work we put in to produce these videos it would be great if you would consider becoming one of our subscribers.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 315

  • @davidsewell3745
    @davidsewell3745 Місяць тому +67

    The best so far Oscar, been waiting for this and certainly didn't disappoint, the true story behind a legendary car !!!

  • @Subcat001
    @Subcat001 Місяць тому +37

    They literally turned up with every 90s performance saloon 😂

    • @natalinowerty
      @natalinowerty Місяць тому +2

      i was thinking the same

    • @N444BYL
      @N444BYL 27 днів тому +7

      All stolen probably

  • @paultucker1272
    @paultucker1272 Місяць тому +64

    Fantastic to get confirmation of the true story, great job! And the fact 40 RA is back on a Lotus Carlton is the cherry on the cake 😎

    • @oscarsgarage447
      @oscarsgarage447  Місяць тому +2

      Agreed!

    • @raypurchase801
      @raypurchase801 Місяць тому +2

      @@oscarsgarage447 Richard Austin owns a Vauxhall.
      Somewhere there's a Richard Vauxhall who owns an Austin.

  • @jaredwoodward919
    @jaredwoodward919 Місяць тому +140

    I remember 40RA passing me in 92 on the motorway heading towards Birmingham. A saying to the misses thats the car thats faster than your uncles Porsche.

    • @drifironz7553
      @drifironz7553 Місяць тому +7

      I remember being a young kid around this time in the back of my dads rover 820 coming back from manchester airport towards Leeds on the m62, and a lotus Carlton absolutely blasting past us. Been my dream car since. Wonder if it was 40RA

    • @Smoked_5L
      @Smoked_5L Місяць тому +1

      Was it stolen when it passed you lol

    • @deeeeeeeench1209
      @deeeeeeeench1209 Місяць тому

      He wouldn't know that and neither would the police at the time way before the days of anpr

    • @matthewsemple
      @matthewsemple Місяць тому

      was there a helicopter overhead?

    • @deeeeeeeench1209
      @deeeeeeeench1209 Місяць тому +1

      @@matthewsemple before the police had them and the best police car at the time was the carlton gsi.

  • @andrewnorris5415
    @andrewnorris5415 17 днів тому +2

    "Nobody would ever have rebuilt it". Tavarish, "I have a new challenge", as he films himself dragging it out of the bottom of a scrapheap.

  • @michaelsanders2943
    @michaelsanders2943 Місяць тому +38

    Waited so long to hear Richard tell this story. Made me chuckle. I saw this car parked up in Knowle last year and was dying to catch him and ask him all of these questions! Great Interview.

  • @dmode2793
    @dmode2793 Місяць тому +17

    I'm glad that someone who is clearly an enthusiast for this sort of thing managed to get an interview with the equally enthusiastic ex-owner.

    • @oscarsgarage447
      @oscarsgarage447  Місяць тому +3

      Thanks for that acknowledgement - as what started out as a personal passion project on 40RA turned into this. I'm still amazed!

  • @sixcylinders6346
    @sixcylinders6346 Місяць тому +35

    Pretty brave of the man to have another one soon after in case the thieves came back for the new one too. Also disappointing to see that the insurance company tried to rip him off on the payout. A great interview though, getting the story straight from the horse’s mouth. Richard seems like a top bloke 👍

    • @oscarsgarage447
      @oscarsgarage447  Місяць тому +2

      Glad you enjoyed it!

    • @brian3174
      @brian3174 Місяць тому +3

      Bought shotgun and best alarm he has had lol

    • @humphrey4976
      @humphrey4976 Місяць тому +4

      Insurance companies are the biggest criminals

    • @OwenWellsp-wz5hg
      @OwenWellsp-wz5hg Місяць тому

      ​@@humphrey4976yep I got royally shafted by my insurance

    • @Graham_Patch
      @Graham_Patch Місяць тому +4

      This is a serious question here. Has anyone ever had a car stolen, and then *not* had the insurance company try to rip them off?

  • @alexechilman
    @alexechilman Місяць тому +14

    Bring it on!! I’ve got quite a thing for the history of 40RA

  • @petergrinnell2500
    @petergrinnell2500 Місяць тому +11

    Nice of Richard to do the interview and tell the right story i never forget that car as was the first and only one i had seen (Wat a car) on hes drive in offenham (Evesham) as that was where i used to live and raised there as a child good to see he got another one back after all these years after the original got stolen and written off the police as still a waist of time

  • @danieleaton1399
    @danieleaton1399 Місяць тому +27

    Such a great story to hear from the owner , well done 👍

  • @trisrush9155
    @trisrush9155 Місяць тому +32

    Excellent!
    Would love to see Misha do a lap in this!

  • @W11LYK
    @W11LYK Місяць тому +11

    Seen this on the LC page on Facebook came straight here. Fantastic interview Oscar! Brilliant to see Richard putting the rumours to bed

  • @d4untless261
    @d4untless261 Місяць тому +7

    Been waiting ages for the original owner to say his part, brilliant story! Still very sad the original car couldn't be saved...

    • @oscarsgarage447
      @oscarsgarage447  Місяць тому +4

      Yup, but at least we know what really happened!

    • @d4untless261
      @d4untless261 Місяць тому +2

      @@oscarsgarage447 the truth is always better, I don't think the original owner could stand the fairytales on the internet anymore 🤣

  • @speedbirdconcordeBOAB
    @speedbirdconcordeBOAB Місяць тому +3

    What a scoop getting to sit down with the legendary Mr Austin. Very interesting conversation.

  • @ukzz4iroc
    @ukzz4iroc Місяць тому +14

    Great interview- nailed it! Amazing story - finally immortalised. Legend.

  • @paulchamberlain6284
    @paulchamberlain6284 Місяць тому

    Fascinating interview, well done!

  • @Cowley46
    @Cowley46 Місяць тому +5

    That was excellent and describing what happened on the night of the theft was very funny.
    A great scoop well done.
    I wonder if any of the pondlife who stole the car will watch this.

  • @jakegoodall228
    @jakegoodall228 Місяць тому

    Thank goodness this interview has happened. Excellent to watch

  • @dboyyarris4811
    @dboyyarris4811 Місяць тому +4

    There was one of these in Huddersfield about 30 years ago in a showroom i think it was factory fresh at the time. Crazy looking thing back in the day, it still looks amazing today.

    • @oscarsgarage447
      @oscarsgarage447  Місяць тому +2

      Saw one at a meet next to a Sierra Cosworth, and it looked a brute in comparison!

    • @user-wd3oh3my7u
      @user-wd3oh3my7u Місяць тому +1

      Yes there was it was in the GTi centre on st Andrews road across from the ford dealer 😁

    • @dboyyarris4811
      @dboyyarris4811 Місяць тому

      @@user-wd3oh3my7u yes that's the one, it looked even better in that place lol. I would have been about 16, long gone now. 😑

  • @malcolmhutchison62
    @malcolmhutchison62 Місяць тому +1

    Absolutely brilliant video, thanks Oscar

  • @bobfrankish8883
    @bobfrankish8883 Місяць тому +3

    What a brilliant, informative video. Well done.

  • @jimreece7615
    @jimreece7615 Місяць тому +8

    Great interview, well done 👍

  • @davebell46
    @davebell46 Місяць тому +1

    Great to hear the account from the actual owner, so many stories going around about 40RA even when Richard posted on social media pages people chose not to believe him and made up their own stories about it being in a friends uncles barn or under a tarp in a field

  • @irfaan7868
    @irfaan7868 Місяць тому

    Awesome, been waiting for this.

  • @besenzon1
    @besenzon1 Місяць тому +8

    Congratulations on organising this interview. Great video 👍

  • @rsjamie9423
    @rsjamie9423 Місяць тому +6

    What a fantastic video. All praise to you for getting the original owner to settle the story once and for all 👏👏👏

  • @ciaranburke3243
    @ciaranburke3243 Місяць тому

    Many questions answered on this legendary story nice one 👍

  • @focus3303
    @focus3303 Місяць тому +6

    Brilliant piece of history telling.....really enjoyed the video and listening to the original owners story 🙏

  • @millie1107
    @millie1107 Місяць тому

    As said, been waiting for this for a long time. Thank you so much to Richard for the true story.

  • @alexechilman
    @alexechilman Місяць тому +2

    So I had to wait a couple of days to sit down and watch this but boy was it worth the wait! Fantastic interview with the iconic 40RA in the background and Richard the absolute legend! Absolutely brilliant story to to tell live the history 31 years on! Fantastic 🙌🏻

  • @DaDa-David
    @DaDa-David Місяць тому

    Loved this, well done fella for getting the RA himself in for a chat - great content!

  • @TimG2553
    @TimG2553 Місяць тому +1

    Fabulous interview your fast becoming leader in automotive news so glad to see your subs rising rapidly

    • @oscarsgarage447
      @oscarsgarage447  Місяць тому +1

      Thank you - its all a bit amazing to us but we will keep trying to bring you great videos.

  • @robmstokes99
    @robmstokes99 Місяць тому +1

    Great interview, testament to the channel!

  • @nordic1121
    @nordic1121 Місяць тому

    Well that’s just what we have all been waiting for, a true account from the actual owner, a great video from the channel.

  • @michaeledwards427
    @michaeledwards427 Місяць тому +3

    Absolutely brilliant video Oscar, thankyou. I've been saving this video for my day off treat (i work shifts). This gentleman proves that just because your getting older doesn't mean you have to slow down and get a boring car. Good luck to you sir, may you have many more happy motoring years.

  • @user-wd3oh3my7u
    @user-wd3oh3my7u Місяць тому +1

    I'm looking forward to seeing this 😊

  • @moogsta16
    @moogsta16 Місяць тому +1

    Fantastic video. Very frank and straight to the point. It finally puts the story to bed after all these years. Who better to tell it than the owner who experienced the whole saga first hand. Well done Oscar's garage, your videos are top of my you tube viewing.

  • @matthewgodwin3050
    @matthewgodwin3050 Місяць тому +3

    This was absolutely brilliant. What a great video. I've always been intrigued about this car, and what really happened to it. The petrol head in me wanted it to have been rebuilt, but at least we now know the truth for sure. Best of all, I love that Richard has another Lotus Carlton sporting that now infamous number plate. 40RA lives on, and is where it belongs. On each end of one of the best sporting saloons the world has ever seen. I salute you sir.

  • @user-zh7ji4rb3x
    @user-zh7ji4rb3x Місяць тому

    How fantastic to have that interview with Mr Austin - I feel privileged to have watched. Glad the plate is back where it belongs and that the car's being enjoyed. Seems like a lovely chap and I hope to park next to the car at a car event in future.

  • @SandyP50
    @SandyP50 Місяць тому

    Great story and well produced video👍

  • @carguyvlogs9764
    @carguyvlogs9764 Місяць тому

    Epic, amazing work to all!
    And thank you Richard for putting the truth out!

  • @richfixescars
    @richfixescars Місяць тому +1

    Good interview, great to hear from RA. It was a legend around Evesham in the 90s.

  • @jimmer1976
    @jimmer1976 Місяць тому +1

    Nice to see the man and his car, both legends! 👍

  • @jordyderidder8485
    @jordyderidder8485 Місяць тому

    It is always great to hear stories from the original owner, I've traced a few of my cars back to the original owner and had quite a few stories that were hilarious to listen to, a big clap for Richard wanting to share his story to put all fairytales about this car to bed for once and for all, well done

  • @martinquinn9839
    @martinquinn9839 Місяць тому +1

    Remember this brilliant story, absolute classic of a motor

  • @Argiers
    @Argiers Місяць тому

    What a great story and a perfect bookend on all the misinformation over the years. The theft happened not too far away from where I live, and it's fantastic to know that the same owner now has another one with the original plate back on it! I'm also pleased that he can look back on it all with a smile, as it's a story that could have ended up with a far worse outcome for him.

  • @AndrewGibson22
    @AndrewGibson22 Місяць тому +1

    I may or may not have been in one at 170 mph in 1995. Fabulous thing.

  • @progd4v3
    @progd4v3 Місяць тому +1

    Brilliant video,such a mythical beast lol.been waiting years for that👍🏻

  • @alexpalmer9894
    @alexpalmer9894 Місяць тому +2

    Great video ,really enjoyable

  • @harrytomlucy
    @harrytomlucy Місяць тому +1

    I saw 40RA at Bicester Services last July, lovely looking car

  • @1979phill
    @1979phill Місяць тому +1

    awesome car! i remember the 40RA story all over the news and in Max Power magazine.

  • @benfel9403
    @benfel9403 Місяць тому +1

    Thanks so much for doing this! I doubt it is going to stop the stories about people claiming they actually have the original one :) :)

    • @oscarsgarage447
      @oscarsgarage447  Місяць тому +2

      Nor do I, but at least the rest of us have a reference point to direct them to...

  • @ratty383
    @ratty383 29 днів тому

    Fantastic video, it’s great that He’s back in a Lotus Carlton…top work !

  • @wharris302
    @wharris302 Місяць тому +13

    Finally, it's quite amusing how so many of these bigger youtubers can't seem to get him on for an interview (I think cer throttle being the biggest one) and yet here you are doing, congratulations!

    • @oscarsgarage447
      @oscarsgarage447  Місяць тому +13

      I'm still pinching myself! I believe it was down to the work I put in on my original 40RA video, going for accuracy rather than click bait

  • @CherylCold
    @CherylCold 7 днів тому

    Fabulous. This car and plate belong together!

  • @garyclay9812
    @garyclay9812 Місяць тому +2

    I have said on other videos on here.
    Skidmores Garage of Spon Lane South West Bromwich had the contract with British Waterways.
    The vehicle was recovered and crushed under Police supervision at Broadhurts Scrap Metal in West Bromwich.

  • @Lot76CARS
    @Lot76CARS Місяць тому +3

    Really great to get the full story from the horses mouth so to speak, fantastic story about chasing the thieves as well and good to see the famous numberplate reunited with a lotus Carlton, what’s not to like?

  • @moo-ran997
    @moo-ran997 15 днів тому

    That was a great interview!! What a car!! 👌🏻😎

  • @almcculloch8906
    @almcculloch8906 Місяць тому +1

    Really interesting video mate 👍🏻

  • @JohnBrookes6128
    @JohnBrookes6128 26 днів тому

    Great video and info on 40RA

  • @user-ld6ik5qm4m
    @user-ld6ik5qm4m Місяць тому

    This video is a great follow-up to the first one. Having the original owner telling you the story behind and about the car made it excellent viewing and listening.
    There was a Lotus Carlton that was owned by the owner of the local Vauxhall dealer / franchise holder ( I won't say where the town is ) and he has it road registered MoTd and parked up in safe storage somewhere for 30 years now with hardly any mileage on it !!
    Now, that is a story for you if he still owns the rare car today.

    • @oscarsgarage447
      @oscarsgarage447  Місяць тому

      Glad you enjoyed it! Great story by the sound of it.

  • @nitrorory
    @nitrorory Місяць тому

    Really cool to hear the true story from the man himself. He’s good good taste in cars too! Richards made some serious money £££ garden looks beautiful too

  • @matthewplucknett5219
    @matthewplucknett5219 Місяць тому

    Really enjoyed that.

  • @m0ogy
    @m0ogy Місяць тому

    Superb video and the truth is told.....cheers Dave 🙂

  • @StephenH-ms9og
    @StephenH-ms9og Місяць тому +3

    Great vid.

  • @davidgreen7841
    @davidgreen7841 Місяць тому

    Great interview. Good to hear the correct story with the owner involved and incorrect information put to bed.

  • @tonikerwin2229
    @tonikerwin2229 13 днів тому

    Always loved them. Since being a kid

  • @jimmyquinn9639
    @jimmyquinn9639 Місяць тому

    Excellent video and interview 🚗🚙🚘👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏

  • @jasemat
    @jasemat 23 дні тому +1

    I've read between the lines over the years and guessed the story pretty correctly but not really sure i needed to know about the naked Renault Espace chase

  • @madeljacky
    @madeljacky Місяць тому +2

    BJI 944 is a Northern Ireland registration issued in County Tyrone in 1973, cavalier was probably on false plates at the time but you never know.

  • @adamanderson2178
    @adamanderson2178 Місяць тому

    Great video. Very interesting 👍😎

  • @alancobbin
    @alancobbin Місяць тому +3

    I’m so happy this gentleman has bought another one 31 years later,what a great story,I remember Kent Police having one in the early 90s,superb 👍💪😉

  • @HM.Hatchet205
    @HM.Hatchet205 Місяць тому +1

    Would I love to see an update on this and show us the actual locations all this happend to :) really enjoyed this

    • @oscarsgarage447
      @oscarsgarage447  Місяць тому +1

      I did show the location of the canal in the original video ua-cam.com/video/KhnZ7vKuJjE/v-deo.htmlsi=vr9ZPapJ5PP9zq3s

    • @HM.Hatchet205
      @HM.Hatchet205 Місяць тому

      @oscarsgarage447 ow awsome would love to see the house it was taken from to :) really enjoy these cars storys would love to see you do some more 😀

  • @TheStevegrainger
    @TheStevegrainger 26 днів тому +1

    When I got married in 2011 one of the wedding cars was 40 RA then on a Jaguar XJ loaned by Richard Austin.

  • @Richard_Turner
    @Richard_Turner Місяць тому +3

    Hope the ring trip happens, happy to help get a lap with Misha sorted 👍

    • @timbarrington3607
      @timbarrington3607 Місяць тому

      Hoping you have a wonderful trip. Was lucky enough to drive one many years ago and it didn't disappoint. One day I'll get there in my M5 I hope.

  • @jamesshaw4683
    @jamesshaw4683 2 дні тому

    Brilliant 👍

  • @badninja1971
    @badninja1971 Місяць тому +1

    Back in my biking days (GSXR750). The first car to match me was a Carlton. I wanted one straight away. 👍

  • @JAKE_CS
    @JAKE_CS Місяць тому +1

    It's sad to know its scrapped and its finally settled but its still an insane story. Good to know the truth about it now.

  • @jacksmalling4265
    @jacksmalling4265 Місяць тому

    Great video

  • @Frank_Nemo
    @Frank_Nemo Місяць тому +1

    Well done.

  • @DannyBrear
    @DannyBrear Місяць тому

    It's only 25th ! Great Video

  • @Danny1282
    @Danny1282 Місяць тому +2

    Finally the truth, great episode 😊

  • @DanTheMan93UK
    @DanTheMan93UK 12 днів тому

    The story would make for a great retro cops & robbers film!

  • @seabo1660
    @seabo1660 Місяць тому +2

    Best thing iv ever seen love this car 🚗

  • @paulriggers1558
    @paulriggers1558 Місяць тому +1

    nice car, nice bloke, nice interview, congrats...
    in the motor trade, we always say everything goes around in big circles, more proof...

  • @jasonwelsh5986
    @jasonwelsh5986 Місяць тому +1

    Ive been very lucky I have Driven a lotus Carlton when I was in the motor trade.

  • @waynemorris4823
    @waynemorris4823 Місяць тому +2

    Great video mate and it’s nice to hear from the original owner of 40 RA

  • @energymc22
    @energymc22 Місяць тому

    A big thank you to both of you! Finally from the horses mouth.
    But one more thing - he said he later had an Alpina B10 - was it a biturbo? That was the only thing that was comparable at the time and another of my favourites as a kid!

  • @Cycle.every.day.
    @Cycle.every.day. Місяць тому

    Have you covered the Lotus Carlton used in the Clive Owen tv show, the light blueish one.

    • @oscarsgarage447
      @oscarsgarage447  Місяць тому +1

      I have a certain amount of info on it, but not put a video together on it yet.

  • @stevesteve8740
    @stevesteve8740 Місяць тому +4

    A pice of history 🎉

  • @1979jon
    @1979jon 14 днів тому

    My dads friend had one, what a car.

  • @thektmkid6990
    @thektmkid6990 Місяць тому

    This is epic 👍

  • @stevethomson9069
    @stevethomson9069 Місяць тому

    fantastic

  • @ThatOpelVectraC
    @ThatOpelVectraC Місяць тому

    awesome vid oscar

  • @joe5boost
    @joe5boost Місяць тому +6

    Next vid can you get the joy riders

  • @d0g0k
    @d0g0k Місяць тому

    I remember seeing one of these and asking my dad why a lotus badge was on a Vauxhall.

  • @ONE-RACER
    @ONE-RACER Місяць тому +1

    Been following the myth of 40RA for years.... Duno why i always wished it was hidden in a barn or something like that... Sad to hear she's actually gone 😢

  • @martyn6792
    @martyn6792 Місяць тому

    Company I worked for had one lovely car to drive, grabbed it whenever I could

  • @User-pf6wg
    @User-pf6wg Місяць тому

    Is there any pictures of the car after being pulled from the canal ?

    • @oscarsgarage447
      @oscarsgarage447  Місяць тому

      Yep, in our original video - ua-cam.com/video/KhnZ7vKuJjE/v-deo.htmlsi=vr9ZPapJ5PP9zq3s