18 posts tagged “automobiles”

Remember when it seemed really cool for Ford to market its models with a II tag? Not Mk II, just II.
   I imagine this must have started Stateside, maybe under Lee Iacocca, and found its way to Ford in Europe and Brazil. A selection from my Autocade site.

Ford Mustang II. 1974–8 (prod. 1,116,199). 2-door coupé, 2-door fastback. F/R, 2302 cm³ (4 cyl. OHC), 2792 cm³ (V6 OHV), 4949 cm³ (V8 OHV). An attempt to get back to basics. Bulk of 1973 Mustang discarded; all-new model returned to sensible size. Styling inspired by model from Ghia of Italy. Lee Iacocca, now Ford president, targeted the segment heading to smaller cars such as its own Capri and the Toyota Celica; the fact the Mustang II came out in the wake of the first fuel crisis was fortuitous. Four-cylinder engine considered weak; no V8s till 1975 (the classic 302 in³ unit); car needed structural changes to accommodate the V8. Heavy, cramped (shorter wheelbase than Celica, but longer overall), not that great a handler, and ignored by many collectors, though it has its own 1970s’ style and was incredibly successful for Ford in its early years. Emphasis on luxury in Ghia models, as Iacocca saw the II as a ‘little jewel’, built to high standards. Some Mustang features found their way into the Pinto. Cobra II trim in 1976, T-top in 1977, King Cobra in 1978, though more style over substance in all these cases.

Ford Capri II. 1974–8 (prod. 1,700,000 approx. incl. Mk III). 3-door coupé. F/R, 1302 cm³ (4 cyl. OHV), 1593, 1993 cm³ (4 cyl. OHC), 2294, 2792, 2993 cm³ (V6 OHV). Attractive liftback follow-up to ‘the car you’ve always promised yourself’. Dual production in Halewood and Köln to 1976, when UK production ceased. Wide range of engines. S and Ghia trims from 1976. Not the best handler; sold largely on image and, toward the end of its run, popularized in cult TV series The Professionals and Minder. Köln 2·8 V6 for export on US models.

Ford Taunus II/Ford Cortina Mk IV/Ford Cortina (TE). 1976–9 (prod. 1,131,850 sold for all Cortina Mk IV and V). 2- and 4-door saloon, 5-door estate, 2-door pick-up. F/R, 1297, 1598 (4 cyl. OHV), 1593, 1993 (4 cyl. OHC), 2294, 2994 cm³ (V6 OHV), 3273, 4089 cm³ (6 cyl. OHV). Facelifted Taunus TC with new front and rear ends, though Turnier looked largely the same from the A-pillar pack. Similar engines and transmission, but modern (for 1976) boxier appearance despite carryover doors. Ghia luxury trim added. Sold in UK, Ireland, South Africa and British Commonwealth countries as Cortina Mk IV. Built in Australia with some modifications as TE series with mammoth six-cylinder engines, with resulting bad effect on handling (despite spending a considerable sum trying to improve this over TC and TD). Australian models badged Cortina 4 or Cortina 6, depending on engine, with some differences including large indicators in front wings. South Africa offered GL, S and Ghia with Essex three-litre V6. Ford Argentina stuck with TC for these years and skipped straight to Taunus 80 shape for 1981.

Ford LTD II. 1977–9 (prod. unknown). 2-door coupé, 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon. F/R, 302, 351, 400 in³ (V8 OHV). Reskin of intermediate Ford Torino (1972–6), but with the normally full-sized LTD nameplate to give the impression of downsizing during 1970s’ fuel crisis years. Overly soft suspension, with resultant poor handling. Relatively cramped at rear given the large size.

Ford Corcel II. 1978–86 (prod. unknown). 2-door sedan, 3-door wagon. F/F, F/A, 1372, 1555 cm³ (4 cyl. OHV). Restyled Corcel, with more modern lines and, as with North American Fords, more weight. Underpinnings were identical, which meant Renault 12 roots. Light, fast car, with competition history. Estate still called Belina, as with predecessor. Spun off Ford Pampa pick-up and Ford Del Rey sedan. Facelift in 1985 saw II tag removed, but the Corcel range was deleted in 1986. Four-wheel-drive Belina less than reliable.

I started a cars’ group here on Vox today. When I look at the existing Cars Rock! group, I notice that by and large three people contribute to it, with a few very occasional posts from others. I probably am the main contributor, Robin Capper and Unikfrek are the other two. As far as I can tell, the group owner no longer participates, which is a shame, as I think the group could really grow as the biggest car one on Vox.
   I approached the group owner with the idea that I could help, at least to give the group its own background and put in extra keywords. I never heard back, so I thought it might be better to start a new group and see if I can build up a nice community of enthusiasts.
   So far I see a few of you have already joined as I increase the amount of content there. Everyone is welcome.

It’s good to have the server running more speedily, thanks to the Rackspace guys. From Autocade, some of the cars you might have forgotten, sometimes for good reason. Pity, I always liked the look of that SEAT Sport; and the CityRover is an interesting could-have-been if MG Rover had only priced the base model under £5,000.

CityRover (RD110). 2003–5 (prod. approx. 6,000 sold to 2004). 5-door saloon. F/F, 1405 cm³ (4 cyl. OHC). Badge-engineered Tata Indica (1998–) with 14 in wheels (up from Indian model’s 13 in) and revised grille, though no sheetmetal changes. Ride height lowered 20 mm. Not formally a Rover—an Indian-made base model seemed a stretch too far for the brand that had already been downgraded to adorn Metros. Even Rover badge on CityRover appeared different—as with no-marque Metros in the late 1980s. Base model without electric windows; generally dated against European competition. Rover botched the launch, pricing the vehicles far too high, making them uncompetitive—it was generally regarded that the price was £2,000 more than what it should have been. Price drop eventually, with £900 cut and standard equipment upgrade in 2005. Mk II models built but never officially launched, arriving one month after May 2005 collapse of MG Rover.

Beijing BJ750. 1973–5; 1988 (prod. 93). 4-door sedan. F/R, 2445, 2465 cm³ (4 cyl. OHV). Unclear information on mid-sized sedan dating from mid-1970s from behind the Bamboo Curtain; some sources indicate production continued to end of 1970s and beginning of 1980s, updated with features such as extra turn signals in 1980. Years given (1973–5 and 1988) from Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile, which indicates short production was due to Red Chinese government preferring the manufacture of the Shanghai automobile over the BJ750. BJ751 was a Wankel-engined model, two examples made for evaluation and existing around 1980. The 1988 revival (BJ752) featured larger Beijing Jeep Cherokee engine, prod. 3.

Daihatsu Charmant (E20). 1974–81 (prod. unknown). 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon. F/R, 1166, 1290, 1407, 1588 cm³ (4 cyl. OHV). Toyota Corolla (E20)-based car from Daihatsu, with particularly long life by Japanese standards. Upgraded to 1·3- and 1·6-litre engines, later shared with E70 Corolla, in 1978. Short-lived wagon model. More upscale than Corolla, though dynamically nothing remarkable.

SEAT 1200 Sport/SEAT 1430 Sport. 1975–80 (prod. unknown). 2-door coupé. F/F, 1197, 1438 cm³ (4 cyl. OHV). SEAT coupé based on 127 platform but 124 engines, characterized by blackened front end, earning it the nickname bocanegra in Spain. Larger-engined model from 1977. Attractive, contemporary 1970s’ design, though not very successful and not directly replaced.

For some reason, I found the Buick Park Avenues of interest on Autocade today.

Buick Park Avenue (C-body). 1991–6 (prod. unknown). F/F, 3791 cm³ (V6 OHV). Attractive, roomy Park Avenue (the Electra tag disappeared), allegedly inspired by Park Avenue Essence show car of 1989. Characterized by darkened A-pillar. Supercharged Ultra model from 1992, but even base models had good performance. Thirsty, with sub-par steering and handling on base model. Not quite the top model, as Buick Roadmaster held that title for the early 1990s.

Buick Park Avenue (C-body). 1997–2005 (prod. unknown). 4-door sedan. F/F, 3791 cm³ (V6 OHV). Revised Park Avenue, roughly the same size as Buick LeSabre; now Buick’s range-topper in US. Sold on quality image and above-average ride; not a particularly inspired handler. Ultra models had thirsty supercharged V6. Portholes (Ventiports) returned for Ultra for 2003 model year. Final 3,000 called Special Edition.

Buick Park Avenue (WM). 2007 to date (prod. unknown). 4-door sedan. F/R, 2792, 3564 cm³ (V6 DOHC). Chinese-assembled version of Holden Statesman (WM), but with visual differences such as visually large grille, different bumpers, and no indicators and vents in wings aft of the front wheels. Smaller Australian-built 2·8-litre unit related to one from Cadillac CTS available on Chinese edition, along with 3·6 from Holden Commodore (VE). Otherwise mechanically similar to Statesman.

A few new entries on Autocade reminded me of just how fashionable this Paolo Martin–Pininfarina style was 30-plus years ago.

Fiat 130. 1969–77 (prod. 15,093 saloon, 4,294 coupé). 2-door coupé, 4-door saloon. F/R, 2866, 3235 cm³ (V6 OHV). Biggest modern Fiat, in a market sector the marque has not contested since. Saloon launched 1969 with four-wheel independent suspension and all-round disc brakes, modern for its time. V6 designed by ex-Ferrari Aurelio Lampredi. Engine enlarged 1971, the same year Pininfarina-designed and built Coupé announced. Rust problems, thanks to Russian steel used on doors. Three Maremma estate prototypes built, one used by Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli; one Opera saloon and one Familiare estate also built. Never directly replaced: the smaller 132 became Fiat’s flagship after demise of the 130 berline; Coupé built till 1977. Effectively replaced by Lancia Gamma in Fiat’s premium-brand range.
   Manufacturing locations: Grugliasco, Italy; Rivalta, Italy.

Rolls-Royce Camargue. 1975–86 (prod. 534). 2-door coupé. F/R, 6750 cm³ (V8 OHV). Called Project Delta internally. Top-of-the-line Rolls-Royce, with Pininfarina styling by Paolo Martin and Silver Shadow platform. Launch delayed due to financial difficulties at Rolls-Royce, sharing a look with Fiat 130 Coupé from the same styling house that had launched some years before. Ostentatious and most expensive production car at the time, considered stylish during its run. First post-war Rolls-Royce to be designed out-of-house. Designed to metric dimensions with a slight seven-degree slant to the grille. First car to offer split-level climate control.
   Manufacturing location: Crewe, Cheshire, England.

Peugeot 604. 1975–85 (prod. 153,252 sold). 4-door saloon. F/R, 2304, 2498 cm³ diesel (4 cyl. OHV), 2664, 2849 cm³ petrol (V6 OHC). Squared-off flagship for Peugeot, with 1970s Pininfarina styling similar to that of Fiat 130 Coupé and Rolls-Royce Camargue (the 604 is usually credited to Paolo Martin, but is more likely the work of Aldo Brovarone). Launched in the wake of 1973 fuel crisis, so not very successful. Favoured for official usage in France, but not popular in export markets with quality concerns. First mass-produced turbodiesel car with 2304 cm³ engine. Forgettable Talbot Tagora spun off from 604 parts in 1980. Stretched landaulet model by Henri Chapron among the carrossier’s last cars.

My friend Chuck got me hooked on Car IQ on Facebook—and I have been playing the darned quiz and even wrote one with the pics I had from Autocade. It also helped that I am ’fluey, not really having the brain power to do proper work.
   Writing my quiz was hard because it was missing so many models from which one could choose. I have notified the folks running the service but it’s amazing that the Audi Quattro and the entire Wolseley marque were missing when there were obscure (by international standards) cars such as the Chevrolet Meriva, Holden Gemini and Leyland P76 on there. (I assume these were added by users.) The Audi Quattro, ladies and gentlemen! Missing! How could this be missing?!
   Here are some I added today, without resorting to web checks apart from the Daimlers to get the names right.

Daewoo Winstorm
Daewoo Tosca
Chevrolet Kommando
Chevrolet Chevy II
Chevrolet Vectra
Seat 133
Seat Sport
Renault 6
Renault 7
Renault 10
Renault 15
Renault 17
Renault 18
Renault 20
Renault 30
Suzuki Fronte
Suzuki Cervo
Zastava 101
Tofas Sahin
Tofas Kartal
FSM Polonez
FSM Maluch
FSM Polski-Fiat 125
Iso Grifo
Wolseley Six
Honda Concerto
Honda Domani
Honda Ascot
Honda Ascot Innova
Morris Oxford
Morris Cowley
Morris 1800
Morris 2200
Morris 1100
Morris 1300
Morris Major
Morris Tasman
Austin Marina
Austin Mini Metro
Austin 1100
Austin 1300
Austin 1800
Austin 2200
Austin Kimberley
Simca 1300
Simca 1301
Simca 1500
Simca 1501
Simca Aronde
Holden Belmont
Holden Caprice
Holden Premier
Holden Monterey
Holden Epica
Chrysler Sigma
Chrysler Galant
Chrysler Regal
Chrysler Charger
Chrysler Valiant
Chrysler V8
Innocenti Mini
Innocenti Alba
Innocenti Regent
Chrysler Sunbeam
Chrysler Horizon
Daimler SP250
Daimler Sovereign
Daimler Double-Six
Daimler Century
Daimler V8 250
Talbot Solara
Talbot 1510
Talbot Tagora
Triumph 2500
Triumph 1300
Triumph 1500
Triumph Mayflower
Triumph TRX
Triumph 2.5PI
BMW 2000
BMW 1500
BMW 1602
BMW 1600
BMW 2500
BMW 3.0 CSL
BMW 3.0 CSI
BMW 2800
Mercury S-55
Ford Meteor
Ford Tierra
Ford Frontenac
Ford Model T
Ford Consul
Ford Zodiac
Bristol 409
Bristol 411
Bristol 412
Bristol Beaufighter
Bristol 603
Bristol Britannia
Bristol Brigand
Daewoo Gentra
Daewoo Kalos

   Play the game at www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=6333203805.

[Cross-posted] There’s a part of us that’s slightly cynical about the corporate involvement in this video, but it’s no different from sponsorships from fashion designers or fabric companies at polytechnic level. General Motors teamed up with the International Academy of Design & Technology and provided five cars from which students could be inspired. They had to design for categories such as avant-garde and eveningwear. Chosen entries were showcased at an event called Imagine 2008.
   General Motors gets an insight into young people’s thinking and how fashion influences its products, while the students learn about processes and how the Zeitgeist fuses product and clothing design together.

For some reason I enjoyed researching these US-built cars on Autocade. Some are forgotten for very good reasons, others out of unfairness. Not a complete list by any means, but hopefully I can challenge some memories out there.

Eagle Medallion. 1988–9 (prod. unknown). 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon. F/F, 2165 cm³ (4 cyl. SOHC). Renamed Renault Medallion, an Americanized Renault 21. New marque after Chrysler bought AMC in 1987, but cars quickly cancelled in favour of Mitsubishis. Actually a good car compared with its competition, but AMC’s small size and rumours of takeover damaged its chances; and the problems were not solved with the change of marque.

Cadillac Cimarron (J-car). 1982–8 (prod. 132,499). 4-door sedan, F/F, 1796, 1991 cm³ (4 cyl. OHV), 2837 cm³ (V6 OHV). A good idea: build a Cadillac that could take on the BMW 3-series, and do it cheaply, on J-car platform. Seville showed that Cadillac could go smaller and succeed, but at least that car did not look like the Chevrolet Nova. Here, Cimarron was essentially a Chevrolet Cavalier clone, yet the price was nearly double. Few were fooled into buying the smaller Cadillac—at least not at the prices the company wanted to charge. Four-cylinder engines did not help perceptions, though V6 arrived in 1985 and was standard from 1987. Final year production of 6,454; cancelled afterwards. Sector not filled till European-market BLS launched.

Ford Falcon (1970½). January–August 1970 (prod. 26,000 approx.). 2- and 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon. 250 in³ (6 cyl. OHV), 302, 351, 429 in³ (V8 OHV). For half a model year, Ford transferred its Falcon nameplate from the compact model to the intermediate Torino–Fairlane bodyshell (117 in wheelbase for sedans; curiously, the wagon was on 114 in), making the Torino’s engine options available. Still marketed as an economy car, the last American Falcon is characterized by its swooping design. After 1970, Falcons were made only in Australia and Argentina (with an assembly plant for Australian models in New Zealand).

Chrysler Imperial. 1990–3 (prod. 41,276 approx.). F/F, 3301, 3778 cm³ (V6 OHV). Last cars to wear Imperial badge. Upscale Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue of these years, with 3·3- (1990) or 3·8-litre (1991–3) V6. Y-body developed as largest version of K-car platform. Different nose and tail which made it longer than New Yorker by 4 in, though wheelbase stayed the same. Not that refined, with poor performance, suspension and transmission.

These are way too cool. I saw some at a paper factory in Taiwan that were Chinese-made; these are from Japan. Above are an Alfa 156 Sportwagon and a 2000 Honda Civic Type R. There are also unlikely-to-appear-on-paper models there like the Chrysler PT Cruiser. 

http://f1.aaa.livedoor.jp/~sakyo/titlepage/papercar01.html

Wouldn’t it be fun to look for cars called 600? Maybe not. I know I have missed the Fiat 600 and the BMW 600 (remember when BMW made bubble cars that make the Smart ForTwo look huge?) but how about these with the same name? These are all from Autocade.

Mercedes-Benz 600

Mercedes-Benz 600. 1963–81 (prod. 2,677). 4-door saloon, 4- and 6-door stretch limousine, 4- and 6-door landaulet. F/R, 6330 cm³ (V8 SOHC). Largest Mercedes offered at the time, meant to be an example of the ultimate in German engineering. Hydraulic power for many features, including opening boot and automatic doors. Adjustable air suspension. Customers included the Pope as well as numerous dictators (Mao Tse-Tung, Idi Amin, Nicolae Ceauşescu, Kim Il-Sung). Not directly replaced, though 450 SEL 6·9 did its best; Maybach 57 and 63 probably the closest to a direct successor.

Saab 600

Saab–Lancia 600. 1981–6 (prod. unknown). 5-door hatchback. F/F, 1499 cm³ (4 cyl.). Scandinavian interpretation of Lancia Delta, the result of a distribution agreement with Fiat that also included the Autobianchi A112 (sold in Sweden, as most of Europe, as the Lancia A112). The 600 was sold in Sweden and Norway only with the 1·5-litre engine in three trims. Some trim differences to “Saabify” original car, including grille and Saab typeface on badging. 

Dodge 600

Dodge 600. 1983–8 (prod. 309,590). 4-door sedan, 2-door convertible. F/F, 2213, 2507, 2555 cm³ (4 cyl. OHC). Stretched K-car, twin of Chrysler E-class. ES model marketed as a sports sedan that could rival Mercedes W123 and BMW 5-series. Never managed to, but very good alternative to Pontiac 6000 and other GM A-cars. Considered roomy, well sized for mid-size car buyers, and helped Chrysler restore its fortunes in the early 1980s. Convertible actually a rebadged Dodge 400, i.e. K-car, sold from 1984 on shorter wheelbase. Mitsubishi 2555 cm³ engine deleted after 1985 model year; convertibles had 2507 cm³ option in final year, 1986. ES replaced in 1986; SE trim introduced.

Rover 600

Rover 618/Rover 620/Rover 623. 1993–9 (prod. 270,988). 4-door saloon. F/F, 1850, 1997 cm³ petrol, 1994 cm³ diesel (4 cyl. OHC), 1994 cm³ turbo, 2259 cm³ (4 cyl. DOHC). Rebodied Honda Accord, sharing front windscreen, doors and roof with Japanese car. Many interior elements identical. Usual Honda dynamics of sophisticated suspension in low, sporting design. Designed by Rover team at Honda; Richard Woolley styling has British overtones.