Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 30, 2021 19:10:42 GMT
Nothing exotic - Nothing ground braking - Just your plain & ordinary classic car - the type that was manufactured by the hundreds of thousands or even millions that you rarely come across in todays world - a few examples
Vauxhall Nova - Built in the millions between 1983 - 1994 - Great at what it did - compact & relied on by many - they even produced GTE / SRI / Sport versions - but when did you last see one
Triumph Acclaim - Triumph's last throw of the dice was actually a badge engineered Honda Ballade in reality - over 133,000 were built - I've not seen one in the flesh for years
3 Generations of Vauxhall Cavaliers were built over a 20 year span with sales exceeding 1.8 million - production ceasing 26 years ago - there are very few in survival
The car that most people wanted to hate - The Austin Allegro - 643,000 built over a 10 year model lifespan - a very rare sight today
Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 31, 2021 9:02:37 GMT
Built between 1982 - 1993 The Ford Sierra dominated the fleet car market in the UK with 1.3 million models sold but try to a find a surviving base model 1.3 or 1.6 today - they will be well outnumbered by the more favoured XR4's / Cosworth models that were produced in significantly lower production numbers
Alfa Sud. Don't know when I last saw one in the flesh. Worked on them in the early to mid 1980s. Cracking little car. Five link rear axle, discs all round (inboard on the front), twin downdraft twin choke carbs when properly set up you could balance a 50p coin on the air filter. Gearbox synchro was a little weak but box came out easy enough and simple to strip down. Absolutely ate rear hub bearings. Cam belts were easy to change if a little tight on space.
The Veloce was nice too with identical mechanicals.
Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 31, 2021 14:53:35 GMT
The humble Austin Metro - launched in 1980 and built over a 18 year timespan - more than a million were sold in the UK - rarely seen today - the MG / MG Turbo variants are well coveted but it was this beast that most of us remember the Metro for
Metro 6R4 was small giant in the world of rallying - and by comparison you should find a decent standard Metro in the market should you hunt around for sub £5k - However a genuine 6R4 will set you back several hundred £k !
Post by grumpynorthener on Nov 1, 2021 20:26:57 GMT
The Volvo 240 - Favoured by the safe driver & caravan owner in the tens of thousands - but despite the high build quality there's not that many of them survived
Could have posted this in the for sale section but, just for fun, here we are. The Chrysler LeBaron is firmly located in Lee Iacocca's K car Chrysler turnaround. That said, I think it has aged rather well - the price is more than right at $3500 (2288 pounds) - and I think it an awesome deal. Comes with a new top and needs some sorting (stickers) but it looks like a presentable drive and likely has AC as well. Would certainly fit at radwood or the festival of the unexceptional - but even at a cruise night, it would be unique.
Years ago (like when this was new) I rented one for a day and took Mrs JP to Stratford (Ontario) to see a play. Drove there and back with the top down (back with the heat on full) and it was lovely. Certainly you would have an interesting car, the same wind blowing through your hair and the comfort of a North American car for a fraction of the price of a Miata or various other choices.