Motoring Discussion > Squandered opportunities: the cars that fell short Miscellaneous
Thread Author: smokie Replies: 12
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New Tue 5 Feb 19 00:11 
 Squandered opportunities: the cars that fell short - smokie
From Autocar.

www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/features/squandered-opportunities-cars-fell-short

I own one - the Vauxhall Ampera. Anyone else had/have one?
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New Tue 5 Feb 19 02:40 
 Squandered opportunities: the cars that fell short - zippy
>>Ampera.

I wanted one. Even tried to place an order on the lease scheme at work but the lease company refused to price it for my employer.
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New Tue 5 Feb 19 05:53 
 Squandered opportunities: the cars that fell short - sooty123
No not owned any of them, a few that look interesting. The evora not that I'm in the market for a small sports car probably more suited to the track than the road, but still. The ds5 looks very different and all the better for it, but I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to own another french car, I'd echo similar thoughts for the cadillac as well.

I'd forgotten about the 9-5, I bet they're an absolute bargain now.
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New Tue 5 Feb 19 12:54 
 Squandered opportunities: the cars that fell short - DP
My mother has owned a Renault Wind with the little 1.2 litre TCe turbo petrol engine for the past couple of years. It's her daily driver, and she absolutely loves the thing.

It's always been one of those shapes that looks better in the metal than in photos, IMO. The sheer simplicity of the hard drop-top mechanism impresses me as well. Makes the convoluted origami of the German stuff look contrived.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI4WzJN7rtc
Last edited by: DP on Tue 5 Feb 19 at 12:54
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New Tue 5 Feb 19 14:10 
 Squandered opportunities: the cars that fell short - henry k
>>The sheer simplicity of the hard drop-top mechanism impresses me as well.

>> Makes the convoluted origami of the German stuff look contrived.
>>
See the Ford Fairline 500 of 1957
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fairlane_500_Skyliner
Amazing for the era and out to impress.

I saw a bunch of them at Goodwood a few years ago.
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New Tue 5 Feb 19 18:23 
 Squandered opportunities: the cars that fell short - Zero
>> I saw a bunch of them at Goodwood a few years ago.

And here is the hood in action

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXy4NAfOwD8

Outrageously over complicated, but if I had the choice between the Ford Fairlane, or a Renault Wind, I know I would be transferring my euro into greenbacks.
Last edited by: VxFan on Wed 6 Feb 19 at 02:07
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New Tue 5 Feb 19 23:21 
 Squandered opportunities: the cars that fell short - henry k
>>And here is the hood in action
>>www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXy4NAfOwD8

Thanks. I remember the plastic bin for the overnight bags for the passengers :-)
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New Tue 5 Feb 19 23:24 
 Squandered opportunities: the cars that fell short - Lygonos

>>I know I would be transferring my euro into greenbacks.

Nice to see you supporting the Klan....

Just noticed the shop in the background!
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New Wed 6 Feb 19 08:29 
 Squandered opportunities: the cars that fell short - Zero
OOpps Didnae see that.
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New Tue 5 Feb 19 16:23 
 Squandered opportunities: the cars that fell short - Lygonos

>>www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI4WzJN7rtc

Delightfully simple.

Pointless rear window though!
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New Tue 5 Feb 19 17:45 
 Squandered opportunities: the cars that fell short - Zero
Thats a smart piece of design,
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New Wed 6 Feb 19 14:42 
 Squandered opportunities: the cars that fell short - DP
That Fairlane roof is so satisfying to watch. Incredible piece of engineering for the time.
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New Wed 6 Feb 19 20:44 
 Squandered opportunities: the cars that fell short - Boxsterboy
I borrowed an Ampera for 48 hours and was very impressed. What killed it for me was, and as Autocar say, the fact that it only had 4 seats. Bit of a problem when there's 5 in your family.
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