Motoring Discussion > Cars you would like to see back in production.	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Bigtee	Replies: 107

Tue 13 Mar 12 12:14   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Bigtee

The Opel Manta this was a nice car for it's time RWD lets see a return. The GTE range of the Astra & the above Manta plus the others. Just don't bring back the Chevette. Audi Quatro 4x4. What would you like? Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 12:24   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Zero

Ford Capri. Anyway, you like more modern stuff. Don't even like steam engines! Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 12:41   Cars you would like to see back in production. - devonite

TRiumph 2.5PI mk11 or 2500S! - beautiful machines for the `70`s! Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:06   Cars you would like to see back in production. - BiggerBadderDave

Jaguar XJS - give it some curves and make the buttresses emphasised and uber-stylish The Princess Wedge. Make a trendy feature out of the vinyl roof. Peugeot 405/505 7-seater. Learned to drive in one, nice and long with the third proper row. Revive the Cortina. Give it some 'perzaz' like the name from North Italy "Cortina". Retire the Mondeo, like the name of English Rep-mobile motorways "Mundane-o". Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:00   Cars you would like to see back in production. - ToMoCo

Citroen CX and DS Rover SD1 (a reliable one) Last edited by: ToMoCo on Tue 13 Mar 12 at 13:01 Reply to this message | Report message       1

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:08   Cars you would like to see back in production. - DP

The original Mini. Reply to this message | Report message       1

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:12   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Skip

"The original Mini" + 1 Also Vauxhall Magnum 2300 (Always wanted one, not sure why though !) Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:13   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Bagpuss

VW Golf Mk1 GTI. Small, light (800kg), powerful (110hp), agile and tremendous fun to drive. This time though, give it some rustproofing. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:17   Cars you would like to see back in production. - ToMoCo

Karmann Ghia. Another VW I remember from when I was very young - don't know the name, but was a fastback and possibly just badged 1600? would have been early 70's models (possibly 60's), they were already old when I saw them. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:36   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Bagpuss

>>> Another VW I remember from when I was very young - don't know the name, >> but was a fastback and possibly just badged 1600? This one? tinyurl.com/7yohtx4 Reply to this message | Report message       1

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:38   Cars you would like to see back in production. - ToMoCo

>> This one? >> >> tinyurl.com/7yohtx4 That's the very one... not quite as cool as I remember... Haha Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:46   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Bagpuss

>> That's the very one... not quite as cool as I remember... Haha Come's from VW's dark days. I have a copy of Auto Motor & Sport, a monthly Germany car magazine, from 1971. VW's sales fell off a cliff around 1970 due to to the range of cars they were offering at the time, including the oddball in the picture, and the even odder 411. The magazine were predicting best case VW's decline to a niche manufacturer, worst case the end of the company. Then came the Polo, Passat and the Golf. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:28   Cars you would like to see back in production. - TeeCee

Rover SD1 +1 V8s were ok for reliability, the others died like dogs due to their legendary cam oil starvation issues. There is a gap for a big executive cruiser with a hatchback. Something the germans (who pretty much own this market) will apparently never understand. Closest thing around right now is the Skoda Superb with its dual-action tail. Unfortunately it tries too hard to look like a saloon and looks a right pig's ear somewhere around the rear 3/4. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:34   Cars you would like to see back in production. - ToMoCo

>> There is a gap for a big executive cruiser with a hatchback. Something the germans >> (who pretty much own this market) will apparently never understand. >> >> Closest thing around right now is the Skoda Superb with its dual-action tail. What about the 5 series GT? Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 14:14   Cars you would like to see back in production. - WillDeBeest

...or the vastly better looking Audi A7? Proper hatchback Saabs were sad loss too. The Top Gear segment on Saab (yes, even I look in occasionally) was atypically intelligent and perceptive. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:27   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

P6 V8 nuf sed! Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:30   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Skip

Rover P6 3500 V8S in Monza Red Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:33   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Roger.

Lotus Elite (the original one!) Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:34   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Westpig

Triumph TR6, with reliable petrol injection. Also a modern decent fitting hood (like the MX5), uprated brakes and a 5 speed box. Last edited by: Westpig on Tue 13 Mar 12 at 13:35 Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:40   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

>>Rover P6 3500 V8S in Monza Red<< Not green? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VVC_700S_the_last_Rover_P6_off_the_production_line.JPG Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 15:57   Cars you would like to see back in production. - devonite

Hmm! - tis because of that car that my luvely Triumphs were discontinued! ;-( Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 19:22   Cars you would like to see back in production. - MD

>> P6 V8 nuf sed! >> Was there EVER a better set of wheels eh! Perro. Has to be auto though.............runs for cover. Well you didn't say the 'S'. Regards..............................Devon. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 20:04   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

>>Was there EVER a better set of wheels eh! Perro<< I had 2 P6 V8 autos - a Zircon blue (ex plod) which I had resprayed Old English White, and a Fern green jobbie which the previous owner had stuck some SD1 heads on = Whoosh! Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 20:11   Cars you would like to see back in production. - MD

I never owned any of them but rode in several P6 Autos and a brand new 'S' regularly in 1975 I think. I was young and impressionable then, and really enjoyed the experience. I also spent some time piloting both Automatic and Manual SD1's with the manual giving the better experience. Drove me and the then young Mrs. MD down here from Middlesex and then back to the Game Fair at Broadlands then back here and then back to Middx. Was yonks ago. Great fun though. Happy times. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 20:31   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

I could never get on with the SD1's, even the V8's, although I could probably live with one of these: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gijOeB8l90Q Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:44   Cars you would like to see back in production. - CGNorwich

I think most people would be disappointed with the perfomance, reliability and comfort of most cars now no longer in production. For the most part they were succeeded by something a great deal better. I had the chance to drive an old mini last year and was surprised how small, underpowered and uncomfortable the thing was. Shame really as the I had great memories of the one I owned back in 1964. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:54   Cars you would like to see back in production. - diddy1234

Fiat 127 1303cc sport 7,500 rpm fun Those things were quick with four wheel sliding around corners YOU had to drive the car right. otherwise you would get hurt. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 14 Mar 12 09:53   Cars you would like to see back in production. - TeeCee

If you like high-revving lumps, how about a Honda S800? Basically a motorbike engine in a small sports car. Red line at 10,000rpm, peak power at 8,000..... Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 13:54   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

A Great British Car = www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYVYg9vOl5A Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 14:18   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Armel Coussine

What a load of boring Euroboxes. 1936 Lancia Aprilia. Citroën Light 15. Citroën DS. Tatra 603. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 14:22   Cars you would like to see back in production. - diddy1234

ok one of these then :- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Innocenti_De_Tomaso_001.JPG Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 14:24   Cars you would like to see back in production. - ToMoCo

>> ok one of these then :- >> >> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Innocenti_De_Tomaso_001.JPG I clicked that link thinking It was going to take me to one of these en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Tomaso_Pantera Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 14:25   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Focusless

>> >> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Innocenti_De_Tomaso_001.JPG >> >> I clicked that link thinking It was going to take me to one of these >> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Tomaso_Pantera Well they are similar. :) Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 14:26   Cars you would like to see back in production. - diddy1234

nah. I would be dead within a week if I had that. Nice lines though Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 14:29   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Cliff Pope

You can easily have a one-off example of virtually any of the post -war cars named, probably for a lot less than the price of a new car. Just buy one of your choice and then get it restored by a specialist. But I suspect most people who regret the passing of an old model wouldn't actually want one. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 14:29   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Bagpuss

>>...Tatra 603 I had the chance to look over a Tatra 603 a while back. It belonged to someone working for a customer I was visiting and had the 4 headlight combination rather than the 3 headlights of the earlier ones. Weird combination of 60s sci-fi styling and the usual Easten Bloc corner cutting. Aircooled V8 sounded very strange. Found it strangely appealing. Last thing I heard it had been badly damaged by a fire in the engine bay. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 14:52   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Armel Coussine

One of my regrets is that I didn't go for it when a Czech suggested, just after the definitive end of communism, that he could find me a good Tatra for about a grand. I could just about find the money at that time but didn't have the bottle: the car would have had to be smuggled out of the Czech Republic by third parties, and it just sounded too risky. But the thing's looks alone were a big temptation , sci-fi as you say. That same Czech friend, who liked cars and knew them well, said the Tatra was a very solid and well-made car (it was after all a limo for the Nomenklatura. You couldn't just buy one new). It also had a column gearshift whose linkage went down the steering column, then doubled back under the car to the gearbox in front of the engine, in the transaxle. 'Only a Czech would think of designing something like that,' he said with a certain gloomy pride. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 15:23   Cars you would like to see back in production. - diddy1234

just looked the Tatra 603 up on wikipedia as I have never heard of it. very weird looking car. I bet the air cooled V8 sounded weird. did they have cooling problems ? Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 15:31   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Armel Coussine

>> did they have cooling problems ? None that I heard of. But it was only a 2.5 litre V8 which, equipped with a big power-sapping fan like an aircooled Porsche 911, didn't give huge performance. The car would do about 105 mph and 20 mpg. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 16:28   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

Good grief! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatra_603 :o) Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 16:33   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Focusless

>> Good grief! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatra_603 Regarding diddy1234's question about the engine: "The engine was already used in the late T87 and its extreme reliability was confirmed by previous use in Tatra racecars or military light truck T805." Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 14 Mar 12 10:01   Cars you would like to see back in production. - TeeCee

Tatra 603. Reliable is right. I recall one of the specialists saying he'd sorted one that was "running rough". When stripped he found that three of the pistons were just sitting in the bores upside-down(!) Not many engines will run like that..... Usual source of fire is the heater rather than the engine bay. Lacking a cooling system, interior heat is provided by a petrol fuelled burner beneath the passenger seat. These have a nasty habit of bursting into flames. Original, three-lamp T603-1's are rare as hen's teeth. The reason for this is that they were so ruddy expensive that they were impossible to write off and most cars have had at least one reshell at some point in their lives, so most Mk 1 cars got a Mk 2/3 rebody at some point. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 16:44   Cars you would like to see back in production. - nice but dim

>> Good grief! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatra_603 >> >> :o) >> The first picture on Wikipedia, reminds me of the train "Deltic" Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 22:02   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dave_

>> I bet the air cooled V8 sounded weird. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEglqDfGYM0 Sounds like a cross between a Beetle and my dad's Morgan. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 14:23   Cars you would like to see back in production. - WillDeBeest

I think CGN is right: old cars are slow, noisy, unreliable, uncomfortable and often less than watertight. Having fond memories is one thing, and it may still be fun to play with one for the occasional sunny weekend, but put them back into production? Really? My sister in law runs a 1968 Morris Traveller as daily transport and even for the occasional long trip. Do I begrudge the pleasure she takes in it? Of course not. Do I wish I could buy one just like it? No more than I long for a mangle or an eight-track player. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 14:27   Cars you would like to see back in production. - L'escargot

Cars get better all the time, so I have no desire whatsoever to see any old-fashioned car put back into production. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 14:41   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

If it was 'back in production' it would be like the Mini/Beetle/Fiat 500 etc., not 'old fashioned'. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 14:48   Cars you would like to see back in production. - WillDeBeest

But Fiat didn't put the 500 back in production; they created an entirely new design - about three times the size and with the engine at the other end, for heaven's sake - and sold it to people who weren't born when the last 500 was made. It isn't even a 'spiritual successor' to the 500 - that job goes to the Panda, I suppose. So what are we talking about here? Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 15:02   Cars you would like to see back in production. - TheManWithNoName

Talbot Alpine ;-) Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 16:17   Cars you would like to see back in production. - helicopter

Going back to the fun car days of the 70's..... I loved and would bring back the......... Reliant Scimitar GTE Triumph Dolomite Sprint Fiat 128 Sport ( but without the rust) Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 20:07   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

>>Talbot Alpine<< Get this man to a trickcyclist ASAP! Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 16:40   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

>>So what are we talking about here?<< Well, I assume most of us are 'talking' about the original design, but I'm on about 21st century versions *based on* the original design. :) Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 19:15   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Ambo

Swallow Doretti. Based on the Triumph TR4 but with a totally different body and one of the prettiest cars ever. It is one of many cars I regret not having bought. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 19:17   Cars you would like to see back in production. - henry k

SM Facl Vega NSX Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 20:02   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Robin O'Reliant

Reliant Regal. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 20:25   Cars you would like to see back in production. - TheManWithNoName

Ok, so not really a Talbot Alpine, I just have fond memories of learning to drive in one. We had a green one which was affectionately called 'Mungo'. Utter shiece of pit it was but strangely comfortable. Moving on, not so much a car I'd like to see remade but more of an engine. An aircooled flat 4 would be nice and simple and with modern technology could be made into a lightweight efficient unit with fewer parts and less hoses. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 20:47   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Londoner

Vauxhall Calibra. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 20:57   Cars you would like to see back in production. - DP

>> Vauxhall Calibra. >> The original before they spoilt it with the V-grille and other tat was one of the prettiest mass produced cars of its era. But apart from decent engines, it was crap to drive. Last edited by: DP on Tue 13 Mar 12 at 20:58 Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 21:01   Cars you would like to see back in production. - -

Volvo 940 estate with the VW LT van diesel 6 pot, blissful simplicity. Mercedes W124 estate saloon coupe and cab, a joy to drive with a decent engine. Vauxhall/Opel Senator. Oh look all RWD..;) Reply to this message | Report message       1

Tue 13 Mar 12 21:57   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Londoner

RWD isn't |God's gift to EVERYONE GB. Just sayin'...... Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 22:09   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dave_

I'm surprised no-one's mentioned the Jaguar E-type yet; a modern interpretation would be quite something. I know the current XK is the E's spiritual successor but a car which looked the same as the 1961 model would surely sell. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 22:17   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Kevin

>I'm surprised no-one's mentioned the Jaguar E-type yet; www.jaguarspeedster.com/ Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 22:11   Cars you would like to see back in production. - -

So FWD must be satans contribution then, all becomes clear now, makes sense. Those tempted by the FWD apple presumably have to suffer the automated manual lucifer special too, never mind Purgatory go straight to hell. ..:-) Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 22:18   Cars you would like to see back in production. - BobbyG

Peugeot 205 1.9GTI Peugeot 306 Turbo diesel with the original uncomplicated XUD engine that would go 100k miles with just oil changes! Vauxhall Royale / Opel Monza Cortina 2.3 Ghia Estate with black vinyl roof and finally, a RWD Mk2 Escort for sideyways fun! Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 22:39   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Bagpuss

>> and finally, a RWD Mk2 Escort for sideyways fun! On the odd occasion when it's not damp and the car actually starts! Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 23:17   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

>>Ok, so not really a Talbot Alpine, I just have fond memories of learning to drive in one<< The Alpine ( as I recall) was quite a good car really, apart from that god damn Simca engine & gearbox. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 14 Mar 12 12:02   Cars you would like to see back in production. - TeeCee

>> The Alpine ( as I recall) was quite a good car really, apart from that >> god damn Simca engine & gearbox. >> I had one. Very odd to drive due to the astonishingly low bonnet line. This was achieved by having the engine inclined. As I recall, in a typically French bit of engineering the plugs and all the other bits that you needed access to were on the underside of the inclined engine, so every job started with removing the sound deadening "curtain" fitted between the engine and bulkhead and was accompanied by skinned knuckles and heavy use of coarse anglo-saxon. All round visibility was excellent as all the glass followed the bonnet line, a bit like driving around in a greenhouse. Ludicrously low number of turns lock-to-lock, so when the engine stalled and the power steering cut, you lost directional control unless you were Hercules. The fact that it had a Weber carb with fixed idle jets which were rather prone to blockage made life "interesting". Gearbox was ok on mine. The oddest moment was when the enormous power steering pump mount sheared in two. The parts lads could supply a new mounting, but not the bolts to fit it and most of the ones that came off were U/S. A search of the usual suspects could provide acceptable substitutes for most, but the long bolt that secured the thing to the block was unobtanium. No idea why, but I went into a camping shop. Turned out that an Indespension trailer mudflap fitting kit uses all of exactly the same bolts, nuts and washers as an Alpine power steering pump mounting does. Go figure....... Reply to this message | Report message       1

Wed 14 Mar 12 13:45   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

I used to tune all those medieval French chariots back in the dark ages: Peugeot 104, Renault 14, Citroen GS, Chrysler Alpine/Horizon etc. I was convinced then, and I remain convinced, that the Frogs went out of their way to make 'things' difficult! Convinced of Cornwall. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 14 Mar 12 21:36   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Bagpuss

>> I used to tune all those medieval French chariots back in the dark ages: >> >> Peugeot 104, Renault 14, Citroen GS, Chrysler Alpine/Horizon etc. I loved driving my Peugeot 104ZS. Brilliant handling and the first car I owned with electric windows. Rusted away before my eyes though, as did its successor, a Peugeot 305S. Not owned a French car since. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 14 Mar 12 22:05   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

>>I loved driving my Peugeot 104ZS. Brilliant handling and the first car I owned with electric windows<< But did you ever attempt to replace the contact breakers :} Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 16 Mar 12 22:01   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Bagpuss

>> >>I loved driving my Peugeot 104ZS. Brilliant handling and the first car I owned with >> electric windows<< >> >> But did you ever attempt to replace the contact breakers :} Yes, though I can't remember that being so bad - maybe I've forgotten something. I replaced the clutch after the release bearing failed. Had to take the engine out. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 17 Mar 12 07:43   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

Ah! - someone who knows 'his stuff' then :) Last edited by: Dog on Sat 17 Mar 12 at 07:44 Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 17 Mar 12 08:44   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Bromptonaut

>> >> >>I loved driving my Peugeot 104ZS. Brilliant handling and the first car I owned >> with >> >> electric windows<< >> >> >> >> But did you ever attempt to replace the contact breakers :} I too have fond memories of the 104ZS - ANB 736T. Friends named it the beencan. On song it was a great drive - better power to weight than lots of mates cars and comfort streets ahead of Minis and the like. IIRC the breakers were meant to be set on the bench. Clutch and head gasket were both engine out jobs - the latter being the Achilles heel on mine. Basic cause was dodgy electrics - poor earth for several bits including the rad fan. Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Sat 17 Mar 12 at 08:46 Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 17 Mar 12 09:09   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

>>IIRC the breakers were meant to be set on the bench<< Affirmative, same with the Renault 14, Citroen GS and a few others of that era, the good thing (on the later distributor) was you could adjust the dwell angle with the engine running via a little 2BA (or was it 4) nut on the outside. The French eventually brought out a cassette type contact breaker assembly, which was cool, and a tad expensive. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 22:58   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Avant

Posts seem to divide evenly between the nostalgic and the practical. At the risk of sounding like Tony Blair, the 'third way' is surely to have something old and nostalgia-inducing, but not as one's daily transport. I'd have, if money were no object, a 1939 Lagonda drophead - but I'd keep the Octavia. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 23:02   Cars you would like to see back in production. - legacylad

Urquattro. But without the digital dash please. Ooh, those sculpted wheel arches missus! And the RS2000 'droopsnoot' with LSD in black Last edited by: legacylad on Tue 13 Mar 12 at 23:03 Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 13 Mar 12 23:05   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Bagpuss

I mentioned this on here before, but I once looked at a Jaguar XJ12C which was on offer at a dangerous price, from the point of view that I could afford it. It had been completely restored, had been rewired, rustproofed, fitted with a new cooling system, Eberspächer airconditioning and Bosch fuel injection. In other words it was far better than when it left the factory in 1977 Still single figure mpg though. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 14 Mar 12 10:22   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Victorbox

Mk3 Vauxhall Cavalier..... Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 14 Mar 12 11:12   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Robin O'Reliant

Mk 1 Cavalier. Solid and reliable and one good looking car. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 14 Mar 12 11:15   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Zero

Yes the Mk1 - still looks good today. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 14 Mar 12 21:44   Cars you would like to see back in production. - spamcan61

>> Yes the Mk1 - still looks good today. >> Always thought it looked particularly good in sportshatch form:- www.flickr.com/photos/albertsbite/sets/72157604245428244/detail/?page=10 Nice Firenza there too I recall me and 3 mates trying to sleep in a Cavalier Mk1 coupe on the North Yorks. Moors many moons ago, that was a bit too cosy for comfort. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 15 Mar 12 09:53   Cars you would like to see back in production. - ToMoCo

This one looks positively modern - www.flickr.com/photos/albertsbite/5731159872/in/set-72157604245428244 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 15 Mar 12 10:15   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Dog

I always fancied a Magnum (not many people know that) www.droopsnoot.co.uk/cars.htm I managed to get one in the 90's though - covered in Belgian chocolate! Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 14 Mar 12 11:56   Cars you would like to see back in production. - ToMoCo

>> Mk 1 Cavalier. And takes us back to the Opel Manta in the opening post, is that right? Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 14 Mar 12 12:30   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Zero

yup a circular tour in fact Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 14 Mar 12 12:32   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Mr. Ecs

Fiesta Mk1 XR2 Rover 75 ZT Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 15 Mar 12 10:22   Cars you would like to see back in production. - DP

>> >> Fiesta Mk1 XR2 This would have been my first car if I could have found insurance for under £3000 Third Party Only! My dad's mate was selling it. On a Y plate, in Caspian Blue with the original pepperpots. Needed a few odds and ends, but generally tidy and complete. Agreed a price with him, and then the insurance man killed the dream. Sob... Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 15 Mar 12 12:03   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Focusless

I did a lot of my early driving in my mum's mk1 Fiesta 1.1. Performance probably a tad under the XR2 but it was good enough for a 17 year old; loved it :) Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 15 Mar 12 13:47   Cars you would like to see back in production. - zookeeper

i would have a montego again, mine never let me down or missed a beat Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 15 Mar 12 13:47   Cars you would like to see back in production - apm

I had a sunburst red Mk1 XR2 in the early 90's when I was a steeowdent. Fantastic car, quick and a good handler. Gearbox went the day after I bought it, but I'd still have another in a shot. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 15 Mar 12 14:22   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Mr. Ecs

Mine was an A reg 1983, in white. A403 CPG. Green tinted windows with sunroof. I remember one day hearing a rattling noise from the glove box. Found a bolt and chucked it away. That was my introduction to locking wheel nuts. I paid the price on the next service. Bought it with a loan, and it was the newest car I had owned up to that point. It was immaculate, great to drive, and really missed it when I had to let it go. Last edited by: Mr. Ecs on Thu 15 Mar 12 at 14:23 Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 16 Mar 12 12:21   Cars you would like to see back in production. - TeeCee

When I got married, the wife's car was a MkII Fiesta 1.1. She said that she'd been very taken with a tidy, low-mileage, secondhand XR2, but the Ford salesman had talked her into the value of a NEW!!11!! car. If I'd ever run into the salesman around that time, I'd have given him such a kicking. That car of hers brought a whole new level of meaning to "gutless POS" and handled like a Tesco's trolley with one seized castor. To my mind the most truly awful thing I have ever driven and that list includes a Yugo 45 which had held the crown until then...... Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 16 Mar 12 12:47   Cars you would like to see back in production. - DP

One of the best "Q cars" I've ever driven was a mk2 1.4L It was in Doom Blue, with skinny little 165/13 tyres on it. Under the bonnet was the 1.4 Constant Vibration and Harshness, but 75 bhp in something that weighed less than 800kg meant it went really rather well. Not hot hatch quick obviously, but far pokier than something with such sombre looks really ought to be, and effortlessly gutsy in that biggish engine in a featherweight body kind of way. The XR models were in a different league though. They'd been tweaked by Ford's UK based SVE team and worked brilliantly on the British roads they were developed on. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 15 Mar 12 14:48   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Victorbox

>> Mk 1 Cavalier. >> Solid and reliable and one good looking car. I know I had one 20 years ago but even when about 4 years old it was becoming rustier than a rusty thing in some unusual places. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 15 Mar 12 17:21   Cars you would like to see back in production. - TheManWithNoName

My dad had an F reg XR2. I would regularly offer to wash it for him at the weekend usually by driving it to the nearest car wash about 4 miles away. 8 or 9 miles later I'd be grinning like a loon and wrestling with massive torque steer with those big fat low profile tyres and its tiny steering wheel. To date I have never driven another car that handled so well in corners, felt so tight and stuck to the road like glue. The ride could be a bit jittery over bumps because it was a short car but the engine was a sweet thing. Reply to this message | Report message       2

Thu 15 Mar 12 17:28   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Bigtee

A few mentions for the XR2 who remembers the Fiesta Super Sport 1.3 OHV engine? Did it have Recarros fish net in seat head rest? It had the alloys those non Pepperpot with 185/60h 13 tyres on. For Zero can you fine a steam powered car? Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 15 Mar 12 17:33   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Mr. Ecs

L'Escargot can lend him the one he shelled out on. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 16 Mar 12 12:07   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Mike Hannon

Late 80s Honda 2 litre 3-door Aerodeck. Stylish, comfortable, practical, all mod cons and mine never did less than 40 mpg. Several friends bought them on my recommendation. Then Honda quite inexplicably failed to replace it. Unlike virtually everything mentioned above I believe it would hold it's own in today's Market and road conditions because it had all the important technology years, even decades, before the repmobile makers caught on. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 16 Mar 12 14:21   Cars you would like to see back in production. - L'escargot

>> L'Escargot can lend him the one he shelled out on. >> At an exorbitant price! Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 16 Mar 12 13:39   Cars you would like to see back in production. - AnotherJohnH

>> For Zero can you fine a steam powered car? >> Stanley Steamer. (no, not another fine mess!) www.stanleysteamers.com/ www.stanleymuseum.org/ Last edited by: AnotherJohnH on Fri 16 Mar 12 at 13:41 Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 16 Mar 12 14:04   Cars you would like to see back in production. - Zero

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnML41wy8OI Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 16 Mar 12 14:31   Cars you would like to see back in production. - diddy1234

I bet that's Euro 5 emission friendly ! I will get my coat ! Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 16 Mar 12 15:14   Cars you would like to see back in production. - AnotherJohnH

>> I bet that's Euro 5 emission friendly ! >> >> I will get my coat ! >> It could run a few yards if you burned the legislation in it..... Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 16 Mar 12 15:18   Cars you would like to see back in production. - diddy1234

for a year yes with all of the emission paperwork. We pander to the emission laws and gradually change our cars, yet China and America couldn't give a stuff about emissions. I will remember that while our wallets get emptied for running perfectly good cars that are not 'green' Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 16 Mar 12 15:21   Cars you would like to see back in production. - L'escargot

2003 Ford Focus Ghia. The seats are much more comfortable than those in the current Titanium equivalent. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 16 Mar 12 19:40   Cars you would like to see back in production. - AnotherJohnH

Stanley, again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG5nWHSwOgU&feature=related quite like the hissing serpent sticking out of the front (and Mrs pumping the thing up prior to departure) www.youtube.com/watch?v=CngRSMm1SlM&feature=related is that "steam engine" enough? 1 MPG (of water) maybe 6 or 7 MPG of liquid fuel Poop-Poop! Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 16 Mar 12 21:48   Cars you would like to see back in production. - legacylad

Looking back, way back, through rose tinted glasses, my mk 1 golf Gti. Unusually in metallic green, and with a sunroof (manual). AUM 880X. Doubtless I would now be disappointed with it. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 16 Mar 12 23:33   Cars you would like to see back in production. - DP

>> Doubtless I would now be disappointed with it. I wouldn't bet on it. I recall Clarkson driving one about 10 yrs ago, and saying if it were presented to him then, as a brand new car, he would be raving about it. Modern equivalents are much faster, but you just don't get the same agility or feeling of connection with the car and road surface. Reply to this message | Report message