16 posts tagged “britain”

I don’t know why but I got interested in putting in a few English cars into Autocade. How about these for oddities that few, except for their fans, remember?

Austin 3-Litre (ADO61). 1967–71 (prod. 9,992). 4-door saloon. F/R, 2,912 cm³ (6 cyl. OHV). Ill thought-out big Austin, using centre section from smaller 1800 and out of step with new executive saloons from Rover and Triumph. Excellent ride and sumptuous interior, but thirsty and underpowered. Shown at London Motor Show 1967 and enjoyed a “soft” launch; full launch in 1968 with four round headlamps and, after the first 1,000 units or so, front quarterlights in the windows. Buyers stayed away and the model was cancelled in 1971, having sold far worse than its predecessor.

MG MGC/MG MGC GT (ADO52). 1967–9 (prod. 9,002, incl. 4,458 GT). 2-door convertible, 3-door coupé. F/R, 2912 cm³ (6 cyl. OHV). Replacement for Austin–Healey 3000 with MGB bodies and three-litre C-series engine from Austin 3-Litre. Poorly sorted, with fronts too heavy (engine 209 lb heavier than the B’s unit), spoiling the handling. Identified by the bonnet bulge; at the time, a market failure.

Jensen GT. 1975–6 (prod. 509). 3-door coupé. F/R, 1973 cm³ (4 cyl. DOHC). Fastback 2+2 version of Jensen–Healey, hurriedly put into production as Jensen sales collapsed due to the oil crisis. Jensen went into receivership in 1976, killing this model. No Healey tag, as Donald Healey had left the Jensen board and refused to grant permission to use his name. Mechanically identical to Jensen–Healey, but due to extra weight, slower.

Lotus Élite (Type 83). 1980–3 (prod. 133). 3-door coupé. F/R, 2174 cm³ (4 cyl. DOHC). Élite for the 1980s, with larger Type 912 engine. Better torque, and Getrag five-speed gearbox. Some minor changes, including new spoiler and rear lights. However, the shape was more dated than Éclat and Esprit by now, and sold relatively poorly in this decade.

At the Seoul Olympics, they started with a guy hitting a gong (the Olympics were a J. Arthur Rank production) and showed off Korean history. At the Beijing Olympics, they showed off Chinese history, just not the stuff the Communists did after 1949, like tanks running over students. Dad asked what London would show in 2012 as the only accomplishment he immediately associated the British with was high-seas piracy. This would mean a bunch of fellows dressed up in pirate costume for the opening ceremony. I added the Austin Allegro and Mr Bean as the next British achievements, which will mean a field day for Rowan Atkinson impressions. Anything else that must be shown at the 2012 ceremony?

Another brilliant Eggtoon from Andy Wyatt: this time about Labour’s politics during the Blair era, in the style of South Park. I think it’s funnier than the Windsors one I posted earlier tonight, though the death of Robin Cook in the cartoon might be considered bad taste given that the man has passed away.

A quote from the local elections in the UK today: ‘Gordon Brown has had his Life on Mars moment. He went to sleep in 2008 and today he’s waking up with support back to the worst his party has seen since records began in 1973.’
   How that series has changed the way Britons refer to things.
   Labour, under Gordon Brown, may even fall below the Liberal Democrats when it comes to the popular vote, says the right-leaning Daily Telegraph.
   Britons might just simply want a new bunch of people to make fun of and criticize, and David Cameron’s lot seems ready, they have decided. The next General Election will be telling.

A selection from older entries in Autocade, for British readers. Even as a child I didn’t like these cars. Looking back I don’t even have rose-coloured fond memories of them.

Austin Allegro (Mk I). 1973–5 (prod. 642,350 incl. Allegro 2 and 3). 2- and 4-door saloon. F/F, 1098, 1275 cm³ (4 cyl. OHV), 1485, 1748 cm³ (4 cyl. SOHC). Podgy, undesirable replacement for successful 1100 and 1300 (ADO16), but often mocked as worst car made by BL. Compromises in design process led to bloated appearance. Dynamically, no improvement on its predecessor. Quartic steering wheel meant to be high-tech, came to represent the car’s ills—the item was criticized and BL reneged on its promise to remove it for launch. Still sold well in some countries at first due to value. No hatchback, despite appearance.

Austin Allegro 2. 1975–9 (prod. 642,350 incl. Allegro Mk I and 3). 2- and 4-door saloon, 3-door estate. F/F, 1098, 1275 cm³ (4 cyl. OHV), 1485, 1748 cm³ (4 cyl. SOHC). Improved version of Allegro (benefiting suspension, driveshaft, engine mounts, rear legroom), but not improved enough, with similar dumpy looks. Only model of note to some collectors may be the 1979 Equipe, with garish stripes that were always compared with those on the Ford Gran Torino of Starsky & Hutch. Four round headlights on some export models. New estate had some similarity in appearance to contemporary Alfasud Giardinetta, but little more.

Austin Allegro 3. 1979–3 (prod. 642,350 incl. Allegro Mk I and 2). 2- and 4-door saloon, 3-door estate. F/F, 998, 1098, 1275 cm³ (4 cyl. OHV), 1485, 1748 cm³ (4 cyl. SOHC). Facelift with plastic bumpers and air dam (and four-headlamp treatment on high-line models) helped improve Allegro looks, but it was far too dated to deal with newer competition from Ford, Vauxhall and the Japanese. Introduction of base one-litre model with A-Plus engine. Sold without Allegro name in some Continental markets.

Morris Marina (ADO28). 1971–9 (prod. 950,000 approx.). 2-door coupé, 4-door saloon, 5-door estate, 2-door pick-up, 2-door van. F/R, 1275, 1798 cm³ petrol, 1489 cm³ diesel (4 cyl. OHV), 1695 cm³ (4 cyl. OHC). Developed as British Leyland’s answer to Ford Cortina, Marina was cheap and conventional, but suffered from quality bugs as with most BL products of the era. Unrefined, poor handling, terrible understeer. Increasingly dated as 1970s wore on, considering it was intended as a stopgap only. Two-door coupé strangely shared doors with saloon. Estate launched 1973. Marina Mk II launched in 1975 but changes mostly cosmetic; diesel from 1977; greater changes for 1978 as O-series 1·7-litre installed and some trim upgrades. Sold as Austin Marina in North America, Morris 1300 and Morris 1700 in New Zealand from 1979 to 1981, though some left NZMC with Marina badges. Australian model built as Leyland Marina, with six-cylinder at top of range.

Leyland Marina. 1972–5 (prod. unknown). 2-door coupé, 4-door sedan, 2-door panel van. F/R, 1485, 1748 cm³ (4 cyl. OHC), 2623 cm³ (6 cyl. OHV). E-series Austin Maxi engines powered Australian Marina, plus six-cylinder 2·6 used to challenge local Ford Cortina TC and Holden Torana. As a vehicle, the bid failed: take a worse car and make the front end even heavier. Marina, however, allowed Leyland Australia to field a relatively full range from Mini at bottom end to P76 at top, if only for a brief period. A replacement was planned (P82) but it never saw the light of day. Production shifted to South Africa after Leyland Australia’s collapse in 1975.

Morris Ital (ADO28). 1980–4 (prod. unknown). 4-door saloon, 5-door estate. F/R, 1275 (4 cyl. OHV), 1700, 1994 cm³ (4 cyl. OHC). A horrid car in its last appearance before meeting the Grim Reaper. The Morris Marina facelift of 1980 was not designed by ItalDesign, which only handled the productionization; this was a British effort headed by Harris Mann on a shoestring budget. However, the car was named after Ital—probably to founder Giugiaro’s horror. No new front wings—Mann found a way to give the car a sloping grille for the 1980s. Rear end more upright. Underneath, a simple car with a live rear axle. At least they were cheap, and sold on that basis. Two-litre at least one step better than Marina, but it was a rough unit; the 1·3 A-series engine, dating back to the 1950s, was underpowered.  

Here’s an Autocade series for the Brits. Remember these? Well, maybe all but the last one. I haven’t put in the data for the MG ZR yet though.

Triumph Acclaim. 1981–4 (prod. 133,625). 4-door saloon. F/F, 1335 cm³ (4 cyl. SOHC). Anglicized version of Honda Ballade, made on the BL production lines at Cowley. Notable as one of the first Japanese designs to be built within the EEC, to bypass the gentlemen’s agreement where Japan limited itself to an 11 per cent share of the European market. Cramped in the rear compared with rivals. Limited-edition Avon Acclaims with more equipment and turbocharger; CD trim model later added as luxury version. Last Triumph car.

Rover 213/Rover 216. 1984–90 (prod. 418,367). 4-door saloon. F/F, 1342, 1598 cm³ (4 cyl. SOHC). Nicknamed ‘SD3’ or ‘Ronda’, successor to Triumph Acclaim followed the same formula: begin with a Honda Ballade. This time, Rover input was greater, evident on the cars themselves, which looked more distinctive. Reliable, advanced for its time thanks to 1·3 unit, slightly less up with the play with 1·6 derived from old Austin Maxi unit but still economical. Intended to be a niche player but had very healthy sales in comparison with other Austin Rover products of the time. Facelift in 1987 including revisions that Honda itself adopted for its Civic and Ballade.

Rover 214/Rover 216/Rover 218/Rover 220 (R8). 1989–98 (prod. 708,003). 3- and 5-door saloon, 2-door convertible, 2-door coupé. F/F, 1396 , 1590 cm³ petrol, 1769, 1905 cm³ diesel (4 cyl. OHC), 1588, 1590, 1994 cm³ (4 cyl. DOHC). Twin to Honda Concerto with even greater Austin Rover input than prior Rover 200 series, and probably the company’s most competitive range against ageing Ford Escort and even newer rivals such as Fiat Tipo. Some diesels sold with Honda badges but Rover bodywork. Cabriolet from 1992. Three-door launched 1992 with more powerful versions competing as a hot hatch; two-door coupé, codenamed Tomcat, well regarded as a performance derivative, from 1993. Two facelifts, including 1994 one grafting on formal Rover grille. Saloons deleted with launch of R3, but coupé and convertible carried on to 1998 without 200 name.

Rover 200/Rover 214/Rover 216/Rover 220SD (R3). 1995–9 (prod. 470,449). 3- and 5-door saloon. F/F, 1396, 1589, 1796 cm³ (4 cyl. DOHC), 1994 cm³ diesel (4 cyl. OHC). Originally designed as a replacement for Metro, but BMW and Rover nudged it upmarket where it was a premium product and rather expensive for its size. Smaller than former Rover 200 due to its Metro-replacing origins and cheaply developed at £200 million. Attractive David Saddington-styled car with ideas above its station, promoted by Sting on TV, aimed at the 20-somethings. As an Escort or Golf competitor, far too cramped. Most cars soon badged 200, regardless of engine size. Limited-edition BRM in 1998. Successor was eventually brought down to earth and sold in the Fiesta class.

Rover 25. 1999–2004 (prod. 217,620 all 25 incl. Mk II). 3- and 5-door saloon. F/F, 1120 cm³ (4 cyl. SOHC), 1120, 1396, 1588, 1795 cm³ petrol (4 cyl. DOHC), 1994 cm³ diesel (4 cyl. OHC). BMW-influenced facelift for 1995 Rover 200, designed to keep the car current till replacement ready in the 21st century—sadly, that never came. Repositioned lower in the market-place with price adjusted, making 25 seem better value. Introduction of Streetwise “soft-roader”: a 25 with cladding pretending to be an off-roader, but which had the same FWD transmission as others. Laughed at then, but now Volkswagen, Ford, Citroën, Peugeot and others offer similar cars. 

Rover 25. 2004–5 (prod. 217,620 all 25 from 1999). 3- and 5-door saloon. F/F, 1120 cm³ (4 cyl. SOHC), 1120, 1396, 1588, 1795 cm³ petrol (4 cyl. DOHC), 1994 cm³ diesel (4 cyl. OHC). Facelift and new interior—and last hurrah—for British-made 25, codenamed Jewel. Packaging dated but car still fairly handsome and reasonably good value. Streetwise faux off-roader continued. Lasted till April 2005 when MG Rover went into administration, and tooling now owned by Red Chinese state.

MG 3 SW. 2007 to date (prod. unknown). 5-door sedan. F/F, 1396, 1795 cm³ (4 cyl. DOHC). Subcompact crossover developed from Rover Streetwise. MG 3 SW (for Streetwise, not Station Wagon) a front-wheel-drive model with Rover 200 platform from 1995, made in Nanjing, China from 2007 after a two-year hiatus caused by MG Rover’s collapse. New to buyers in Red China, where most are sold.    

From France 2, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy got a much better reception in the UK than in France. A nice summary of the very packed two days for the Sarkozys, with an emphasis on the First Lady. The kiss in the segment is a nice, romantic finalé to the piece.

It’s 2008 and two of the three Lucire ‘Insider’ entries are about Keira Knightley. It looks like 2007 was very much Miss Knightley’s year, if all these polls are anything to go by.
   From the Press Association: ‘The emerald green dress worn by Keira Knightley in Atonement has been voted the best film costume of all time.’ The remainder of the story as well as the next nine are at the original post.
   The second, earlier post about Miss Knightley was about her being voted 2007’s beauty icon by the British public, beating Kelly Brook, Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham. It also appears in article form on the site.

Hopped over to Magnetix with Monica (assistant) today to find that the good old Observer newspaper has returned to their shelves.
   For ages, Magnetix did not have Pommy newspapers, either the qualities or the tabloids. There was an absence as the qualities began reducing their size, and I have a feeling the importer did not want us regular Kiwis to know that Great Britain no longer had broadsheets. What would happen if we thought their newspapers had all reduced to Euro-sized tabloids and Berliners? Shock! We might think that Britain had joined the Common Market!
   The dailies began disappearing. Then the Sunday papers. As each broadsheet ceased publication in its larger size, there were no more on sale here.
   It was surprising that the Guardian group papers went, too, since they have tended to be at the forefront of good design for many years—first with the Pentagram redesign (someone once said the adoption of Helvetica made it fascist-looking), then with the commissioning of the Guardian family of typefaces from my friends Christian Schwartz (who started in licensing digital type around the same time I did) and Paul Barnes (whom I do not know as well).
   When I wrote an article on The Guardian’s most recent redesign for Desktop in Australia, I had to ask Christian to send me electronic examples, rather than hop down to the local store to buy a copy and scan samples. OK, so I saved myself a bit of money, but there’s still that satisfying feeling being able to see someone’s work in the medium it was intended for.
   Now, bring back The Times—or will the sight of that in tabloid format shock us Kiwis too much?

New Zealand is a year behind on Life on Mars, and I note from a TV One ad just now that Derren Brown’s Séance will air next week. I know we are necessarily behind the UK on British programmes, but I don’t remember us being this far behind since the 1970s. A three-year-old show? What is happening? Now with Cold Case, Without a Trace and other American shows on One, is this the end of the British influence on our networks?
   And people wonder why TVNZ as a whole is doing so poorly. It’s simply not delivering what people want. I can say that with some more authority, having been an insider.
   Incidentally, having left Good Morning, my theory has been proven right: my profile is up. The results are in: May saw eight press mentions across the company—up on 2006, but down on some months in 2003–5 where we were seeing something written about us at least daily. (The idea that appearing on TV regularly enhances your profile is, I can now say, bollocks.) It is reaching the levels (measured in column inches and mentions) it was at before I began on the show; indeed, we seem to be returning, as a company, to pre-2004 levels, before we made some bad hiring decisions. I do seem to have rid myself of the negative influences in my life—and Good Morning, and whatever sickness TVNZ has, were the last.
   I love being proved right—it was a good lesson, reminding myself to stick to my guns, remembering that sort of magic that helped us get an international clientèle to begin with, and exposing me to seeing a bad organization that wasn’t paying me to fix it. It’s not every day I have that opportunity: while I have seen ill organizations, I am usually called in after they have realized they need help. TVNZ has not got there yet and, in recent memory, is the only first-hand example I have of an organization I got to see over a period that wants to stay in its funk. It had more often been a management-textbook theory.
   As to my personal profile, I believe the slip in press mentions was due to an energy mismatch here at work in 2005–6 and the fact that appearing on Good Morning took me away from building my media appearances doing the things that mattered to me as a CEO. From a personal-brand standpoint, it was not authentic, to coin a phrase from Johnnie Moore. Not that that was the intent: I had been promised by the network that I could promote Lucire, most of all, through the show. That promise, as those of you who listened to my voice post last month, was not kept.
   Furthermore, I cannot see, with hindsight, how the ‘You’ve Got Male’ segment was a dignified forum for a company leader. I say this with respect to men like Paul Sinclair, with whom I regularly stay in contact.
   When I think of interviews I have had with CNN or the BBC, the show went against the image I had built up as a businessman.
   As each week passes, I feel more comfortable with my decision to leave Good Morning, and the positive consequences are coming up more frequently.
   My main regrets are endorsing the show to friends, getting caught up in it. I should have recommended that Laural and Sharaine Barrett not appear, though it was a good excuse to catch up in Wellington. Jennifer Hamilton of Avidiva reports no increase in profile, bookings or ‘Oh, I saw you on …’ since appearing on Good Morning.
   You may see me on C4 in mid-July (to be confirmed), and there may be some news that could net some television attention in late June–early July. The key is to not get sucked in to negative organizations or be around negative people as part of my routine—and if I have to appear on a TVNZ network, then it must be totally in line with my real job and personal mission.