Chrysler/Talbot also produced some awful cars at the same time although they were probably controlled by management in France or the US and were maybe trying to create similar models for different markets. Could/should they have done better too?Two sides of the same coin. As per above, why bother with an Allegro or Marina, when you've adapted an existing design for foreign markets that could be tooled up as a stopgap for 3-4 years, until you've done a proper job of an 1100 replacement?
Instead, resources spread too thinly.
If ever there was a company totally trashed by their paymasters, it was Rootes! Aforementioned Chrysler 180 a case in point. Was originally designed as a Humber, they designed a new V6 engine for it... then Simca ended up doing the interior and engines, so the big luxury saloon ended up anything but.Chrysler/Talbot also produced some awful cars at the same time although they were probably controlled by management in France or the US and were maybe trying to create similar models for different markets. Could/should they have done better too?
My least favourite Cortina.And for classic cars, in this order please I'd have:
Mk2 Jag - Just the most beautiful car ever built, imho.
Mk 1 Escort - So simple, so pretty, so much fun to drive.
Mk 3 Cortina - Because it's the one that sticks in mind as having the most laughs in when I first started to drive. They still look cool to me. They used to be so cheap!
Extra call out for any Series Landy, as long as you're not in a hurry!
If anyone here has contacts in South Africa, I'm considering buying and importing some of the above whilst they're still alive and affordable. Seriously, there are still some good ones out there...
Is that a worse crime than providing for it's home market the Maxi, Marina & Allegro whilst Datsun were exporting to us cars like the 100, 120, 160, 180 & 240?
My dad had a Maxi 1500L, its' acceleration was on a par as a man on a bike with a top speed not much quicker. Horrible carYou could make the case that the Maxi was some way ahead of its time. Not many 5-door, 5-speed hatchbacks in those days.
My least favourite Cortina.
I had a MK2 1600E in Aubergine in about '73. That was lovely.
Two sides of the same coin. As per above, why bother with an Allegro or Marina, when you've adapted an existing design for foreign markets that could be tooled up as a stopgap for 3-4 years, until you've done a proper job of an 1100 replacement?
Instead, resources spread too thinly.
Is that a scrap yard image or after he'd been extracted from it Houch?This is what was left of my fabulous Cortina 2000GL after I had sold it to my stupid nephew. Way too powerful for him!
View attachment 19009
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....and when I had it......
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View attachment 19010
If that was the case and I won't dispute the opinion, although differ on maintaining valuable employment.The whole business was fucked with nationalisation and union domination with zero ability to design products. TheBL cars were shite
Harris Mann was a good designer, involved in designs such as the Escort and Capri before he left for the BL dollar. After BL he worked for BMW and others. Now works at Cov Uni IIRC teaching car design. His design original for the allegro was actually quite good until it got redesigned by a committee of people who shouldn’t have been allowed near the car industry. It was originally a hatchback, until the committee decided BL already had a hatchback in the Maxi. It also had completely different lines but someone decided that it had to have a 1500 engine in it so the had to make the bonnet taller to accommodate it ruining the whole look of the car.The whole business was fucked with nationalisation and union domination with zero ability to design products. TheBL cars were shite
Far more unionised. They just didn’t have a government that gave up on manufacturing so they came through the other end.If that was the case and I won't dispute the opinion, although differ on maintaining valuable employment.
How have French/Italian's differed not sure they were any more superior or less unionised than us?
To think these were in that competition bracket as well.View attachment 19073
Austin-Healey 3000 MkII - a good restored one (in City colours, of course) will set you back about 60 grand.
I had one of these for a day - a-may-zing!!
The competition to the Triumph TR series
They sold an ok Herald 13/60 on Bangers & Cash for around £4000 last weekThose triumphs were were something to aspire to have .
The reality was maybe a Herald
Cheap to run , easy to.maintain.
Pistonheads - ThumbSnap - Simple Image Hosting & Photo Sharing | Police cars, British police cars, Old police cars
Jan 4, 2017 - the littlest car no equipment whatsoever no metal on the roof Other countries found that sufficient. Our Canada is so good nature, proper, + chilly.pin.it
Wow! I love it
Interesting article about Donald Healey and the Warick factory.View attachment 19073
Austin-Healey 3000 MkII - a good restored one (in City colours, of course) will set you back about 60 grand.
I had one of these for a day - a-may-zing!!
The competition to the Triumph TR series
They built boats in Warwick, too!Interesting article about Donald Healey and the Warick factory.
I had a car welded (post MOT) at the Cape Works once. Healey had long gone though.They built boats in Warwick, too!
Healey Marine: From Cars to Boats
The Donald Healey Motor Company archive at Warwickshire County Record Office doesn’t just include material on cars. There are also items relating to other interests the Healey company and family ...www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk
I'm surprised nobody has said they would have a Zodiac or Zephyr.Just been reminded how much I liked the Ford Corsair.
Bangers and Cash has a V4 Crayford one on this week, which they reckon could top £10k (yes, I know it's in the past, but I don't want to know what it actually made!).
I remember my brother buying a left hand drive, gold coloured Capri, way back in the late 70's - early 80's. Not sure what engine size it was, but I used to love borrowing it! I felt like the dogs bollox, bombing around the Ring Road and then up through Trinity Street and into Broadgate to pose!I would love another 2.8i Capri ..I had one that I paid £250 for back in 89 ,and sold it for £500 six months later ..and it was quite tidy ...they go for absolutely mental money nowadays
Robin Reliant or a Smart ForTwo.
Without knowing you personally, I could picture you in a Smart ForTwo, but a Smart Roadster on a Sunday afternoon
Afraid mine was a bit of a comedown.I remember my brother buying a left hand drive, gold coloured Capri, way back in the late 70's - early 80's. Not sure what engine size it was, but I used to love borrowing it! I felt like the dogs bollox, bombing around the Ring Road and then up through Trinity Street and into Broadgate to pose!Bloody babe magnet it was!
Had to have a giggle at this, wingy! It reminded me of when my dad passed away in 1971. He always drove big American cars, Chevvys usually. He left his last one to my brother and we drove from Wickford in Essex back to Cov. With hardly any brakes! Had to keep stopping to top up the master cylinder every 50 miles or so. Bloody scary trip!Afraid mine was a bit of a comedown.
Poorly resprayed Red 1.3 .
After having a shiny Marina ( orange) 1.7 .
Going to brum poly full time I had to rationalize,work in a pub etc .
I particularly remember an Easter trip to Devon and The.brakes going wrong .
After a trip down a hill to a pub/ resteraunt right on the waterfront I had to return up that bloody hill, pausing now and again to pass folk on their way down.
No handbrake and burnt out clutch .
I didn't really appreciate the sniggering from my brother in law who had suggested the excursion.
Mine was a Diamond White/brown vinyl roof 1.6GT Mk2.Afraid mine was a bit of a comedown.
Poorly resprayed Red 1.3 .
After having a shiny Marina ( orange) 1.7 .
Going to brum poly full time I had to rationalize,work in a pub etc .
I particularly remember an Easter trip to Devon and The.brakes going wrong .
After a trip down a hill to a pub/ resteraunt right on the waterfront I had to return up that bloody hill, pausing now and again to pass folk on their way down.
No handbrake and burnt out clutch .
I didn't really appreciate the sniggering from my brother in law who had suggested the excursion.
HahaMine was a Diamond White/brown vinyl roof 1.6GT Mk2.
Had it when I first married the dragon in '82.
I remember her turning up at home in it a little while later and crunching the nearside door on the gatepost (I just happened to be looking out of the bedroom window at the time). She reversed out, and... did it again.
She then reversed out again and scuttled down Coombe Park Rd, not to be seen again for about an hour.
I've forgiven her now
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