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Jensen Interceptor I (1966-68) Engine 6276cc V8 OHV Production 22
Registration Number VRT 11 G
JENSEN SET
www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157624203748256...
The Jensen Interceptor is a sporting GT class car, hand built at West Bromwich, England with the body designed by Carrozzeria, Touring in Italy and powered by a US Chrysler V8.
The Interceptor broke with Jensen tradition by having a steel bodyshell rather than one of GRP.
The original specification included electric windows, reclining front seats, a wood rimmed steering wheel, radio with twin speakers, reversing lights and an electric clock. Power steering was included as standard from September 1968.
Shot at The Enfield Pagaent 30.05.2010 Ref 69-248
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Porsche 996 Mk.II GT3 Cup (2001-05) 3600cc H6
# 88 Mark Cowne (London)
Racing in Class 2 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
PORSCHE SET
www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623690528015...
The Porsche 996 was introduced in 1998, an all new design made by Harm Lagaay; with an all new body work, interior and drive-train including the first water-cooled engine in a 911.
The 996 platform was also used as the basis for two lightweight GT variants, the GT2 and GT3. The GT3 was based on the standard 996 Carrera, but was stripped to reduce weight. It also featured stiffer, adjustable suspension and upgraded brakes, and used the bodyshell of the four-wheel-drive version, which incorporated additional front-end stiffening. and was produced in two series, The Mk.1 was introduced in 1999 featuring a naturally aspirated version 3.6L flat six making 360 bhp, The Mk.II GT3 variant was based on the second generation of the 996, and featured updated aerodynamics, and a more powerful version of the 3.6L engine from the MK.I, now producing 380 bhp mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The engine has a Aluminum crankcase of the air-cooled 911 with its true dry sump oiling system. The six separate individual Nikasil lined cylinders in this engine are covered with two separately installed water jackets each covering a bank of 3 cylinders on each side of the engine, thus adding water cooling to a crankcase originally designed for air-cooled cylinders
Shot 01:10:2011 at the Britcar 24 hour meeting, Silverstone REF: 80-197
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Sold for £ 5.500
The Jaguar Land-Rover Collection
Brightwells Auctions
Bicester Heritage
Buckingham Road
Bicester
Oxfordshire
England
March 2018
The Austin/Morris 1100 range was an instant hit. Its Pininfarina styling was very up-to-the-minute and its clever Hydrolastic suspension made it ride even better than its sophisticated European competition. Issigonis had another hit on his hands.
So impressed was Fred Connolly (owner of the famous leather firm) with the ride and comfort of the humble 1100 that he approached Vanden Plas (one of his main customers) with the idea of introducing a limousine in miniature - based on the 1100.
The idea was enthusiastically embraced and the new model launched at the 1963 Earls Court Motorshow. Eventually nearly 40.000 Princess 1100/1300s were to be produced, initially from Longbridge, but latterly from Vanden Plas themselves where they took an MG bodyshell complete with twin carb 55bhp engine and painted, coach-lined and trimmed the car to their normal high standard. Complete with full Connolly leather interior, lashings of burr walnut to the dash and doors, picnic tables and the oversized Vanden Plas grille at the front, the recipe was complete.
This stunning 1968 model comes to us with only a current V5C in the way of paperwork. An MOT check shows it was last tested in 2012, so it will no doubt need some careful servicing before venturing forth once more, having covered barely 30 miles since then.
A quick look at the car confirms that its indicated mileage of just 16.873 is very likely to be correct, although as we don’t know for sure, it is only guesswork based on its condition.
We have not attempted to start it since it has been on-site, a job which its lucky new owner can look forward to when they get it home.
With top examples heading east to Japan where they can't get enough of these clever little limousines, prices have sky-rocketed of late, but you never know, it's offered a no reserve so there’s always that chance.
From Wikipedia:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_Cougar
Mercury Cougar is a nameplate applied to a diverse series of automobiles sold by the Mercury division of Ford from 1967 to 1997 and from 1999 to 2002. While the nameplate is most commonly associated with two-door coupes, at various times during its production, the Cougar was also marketed as a convertible, four-door sedan, station wagon, and hatchback.
With 2,972,784 examples produced, the Cougar is the highest-selling nameplate ever produced by the Mercury brand; its 34-year production is second only to the Grand Marquis in the Mercury model line (produced for 36 years). During the 1970s and 1980s, the Cougar was closely tied to the marketing of the Mercury division; Mercury advertised its dealers as "The Sign of the Cat" with big cats atop Lincoln-Mercury dealer signs. In line with the Cougar, several animal-related nameplates were adopted by the division, including the Bobcat, Lynx, and Sable.
The Mercury Cougar was introduced by the Lincoln-Mercury division of Ford on September 30, 1966. Far exceeding initial sales projections, the Cougar accounted for nearly 40% of 1967 Lincoln-Mercury sales. The Cougar received the 1967 Motor Trend Car of the Year award (the first Lincoln-Mercury vehicle to do so).
The Lincoln-Mercury counterpart of the Ford Mustang, the Cougar was initially introduced as a two-door hardtop. The base price of a Cougar was US$2,854 ($22,765 in 2020 dollars) ($284 ($2,265 in 2020 dollars) more than a Mustang hardtop); a fully-optioned XR-7 cost US$4,500 ($35,894 in 2020 dollars) (essentially matching the base price of a Thunderbird).
For 1971, Lincoln-Mercury released the second-generation Mercury Cougar. Seeking more direct competition for the model line, the division largely benchmarked the Cougar against the numerous GM A-body coupes, placing the Cougar in competition with the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. While again sharing much of its bodyshell with the Ford Mustang, the Cougar began to transition away from its role as a "plush pony car", deriving aspects from both sports cars and luxury cars.
Similar in size and performance, the Cougar overshadowed the Mercury Cyclone intermediate coupe, leading Mercury to phase out the latter model line during 1972. Slightly smaller than the 1964 Mustang, the imported Capri (not officially badged as a Mercury) began to succeed the Cougar within Lincoln-Mercury as a sporty car.
The second-generation Cougar is the final version derived from the Ford Mustang and the final version offered as a convertible. A light blue/white 1973 Cougar XR-7 convertible was the "last" convertible assembled by Ford Motor Company as American manufacturers ended assembly of convertibles during the 1970s in anticipation of increased rollover safety standards.
Photo by Eric Friedebach
With the derelict bodyshell of withdrawn 66048 on the extreme left, GBRf Class 69 69009 and Class 56 56081 were stabled in the yard at Progress Rail EMD at Longport on March 9th 2024. An image recorded through the palisade fence.
Bel-Air four-door hardtop sedan added as mid-year offering in 1959. Also shown is locally-owned 1960 Impala convertible. Though the 1959-60 Chevrolets had wider bodies than their 1958 counterparts, they rode on the same X-frame chassis as the '58s so the wheels were tucked well into the body, which was a great contrast from that year's "Wide Track" Pontiac which used the same basic bodyshell as the Chevy but with the wheels spread out almost to the width of the body.
The Cadillac Eldorado is a premium luxury car that was manufactured and marketed by Cadillac from 1952 to 2002 over ten generations. Competitors and similar vehicles included the Continental Mark series, Buick Riviera, Oldsmobile Toronado and Chrysler's Imperial Coupe.
The Eldorado was at or near the top of the Cadillac line. The original 1953 Eldorado convertible and the Eldorado Brougham models of 1957–1960 had distinct bodyshells and were the most expensive models that Cadillac offered those years. The Eldorado was never less than second in price after the Cadillac Series 75 limousine until 1966. From 1967 on, the Eldorado was built in high volumes on a unique two door personal luxury car platform.
The Eldorado carried the Fleetwood designation from 1965 through 1972, and was a modern revival of the pre-war Cadillac V-12 and Cadillac V16 roadsters and convertibles.
Fiat began designing the Ritmo hatchback – as a replacement for the 128 sedan – in 1972, following the body style of its 127 supermini as European manufacturers began launching small family hatchbacks, notably the Volkswagen Golf in 1974.
Prior to its launch, the press speculated that the project codename 138 would be the final production name, however, Fiat instead gave its new car the Ritmo name, rather than another three digit number. Offered in 3- and 5-door hatchback and cabriolet body styles – from 1978 to 1988 with two facelifts.
The Ritmo was manufactured at the Cassino plant using a system developed by its subsidiary Comau, the "Robogate" system – which automated the bodyshell assembly and welding process using robots, giving rise to its advertising slogan "Handbuilt by robots", immortalised in a television advertising campaign showing the robots assembling the Ritmo bodyshells to the strains of Rossini's The Barber of Seville. The exterior has plastic bumper fascias integrated into the styling which combined strong round shapes with overall sharp lines, achieving a drag coefficient of Cd=0.38.
W121
Chassis n° 002374B
Coachwork by Binz
Zoute Sale - Bonhams
Estimated : € 40.000 - 60.000
Sold for € 36.800
Zoute Grand Prix 2024
Knokke - Zoute
België - Belgium
October 2024
Introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1956, the 190 saloon was a larger-engined version of the landmark 180 of 1953, Mercedes-Benz's first unitary construction model. Dubbed 'Ponton' because of its high, box-section, side members, the 180/190 bodyshell offered superior resistance to distortion when compared to the separate body/chassis of the preceding generation. As well as greatly increasing rigidity, the new design was notable for carrying the entire engine, transmission, steering, and front suspension assemblies on a detachable rubber-mounted sub-frame, an arrangement that greatly reduced noise. This altogether more modern coachwork also afforded its occupants greater roominess and much-improved visibility.
The rare 190 D station wagon offered here carries coachwork by Binz GmbH & co AG, a German coachbuilder specialising in providing vehicles for the emergency services and building other custom designs on, mainly, Mercedes-Benz chassis. The car was delivered new by R G Lents & Company on Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, California, USA to Susanna B Davidson of Pasadena, California It came with an original colour scheme of White Gray exterior and red leather and leatherette interior, which featured a sun visor and heater blower.
The car is accompanied by a photocopy of the Mercedes-Benz Fahrzeug Daten, the original owner's manual, owner's service policy, and original service book stamped at 11,820 miles, and the old US title, as well as other documents that allow us to trace several of its previous owners, including Robert Merrigan, who owned it from 1993 to 2008. Later, in 2010, the car was imported from the USA to the Netherlands.
This rare 'Binz-Benz' survivor, restored a few years ago, offers a distinctive, practical, and stylish alternative while retaining the robust and reliable characteristics of the 190 D Mercedes-Benz from the early 1960s. It represents a rare and appealing option for enthusiasts of classic Mercedes-Benz models.
Sold for £ 5.500
The Jaguar Land-Rover Collection
Brightwells Auctions
Bicester Heritage
Buckingham Road
Bicester
Oxfordshire
England
March 2018
The Austin/Morris 1100 range was an instant hit. Its Pininfarina styling was very up-to-the-minute and its clever Hydrolastic suspension made it ride even better than its sophisticated European competition. Issigonis had another hit on his hands.
So impressed was Fred Connolly (owner of the famous leather firm) with the ride and comfort of the humble 1100 that he approached Vanden Plas (one of his main customers) with the idea of introducing a limousine in miniature - based on the 1100.
The idea was enthusiastically embraced and the new model launched at the 1963 Earls Court Motorshow. Eventually nearly 40.000 Princess 1100/1300s were to be produced, initially from Longbridge, but latterly from Vanden Plas themselves where they took an MG bodyshell complete with twin carb 55bhp engine and painted, coach-lined and trimmed the car to their normal high standard. Complete with full Connolly leather interior, lashings of burr walnut to the dash and doors, picnic tables and the oversized Vanden Plas grille at the front, the recipe was complete.
This stunning 1968 model comes to us with only a current V5C in the way of paperwork. An MOT check shows it was last tested in 2012, so it will no doubt need some careful servicing before venturing forth once more, having covered barely 30 miles since then.
A quick look at the car confirms that its indicated mileage of just 16.873 is very likely to be correct, although as we don’t know for sure, it is only guesswork based on its condition.
We have not attempted to start it since it has been on-site, a job which its lucky new owner can look forward to when they get it home.
With top examples heading east to Japan where they can't get enough of these clever little limousines, prices have sky-rocketed of late, but you never know, it's offered a no reserve so there’s always that chance.
I spotted this unique Volkswagen camper in East Brewton, Alabama.
The cab is made from the front of a T1 van. The camper is made from a T3 Westfalia bodyshell. This vehicle is powered by a modern, rear-mounted, VW TDI diesel engine. The owner says the camper body can be removed and the vehicle can be used as a flat-bed truck.
Tribute MX250 *(1993) Engine 1899cc S4
Registration Number L 69 MEP
Not 100 per cent, but i believe this is a Tribute Automotive MX250> Tribute are based in Doset and among other models supply conversion kits to transform Mazda MX5 Mk.1s and Mk.2s to this 250GTO Ferrari lookalike.
The GRP kit is a straight forward replacement of body panels and addition of cover panels to a Mk I Mazda MX5 bodyshell. The kit can also be fitted to the MX5 Mk2 with some modifications to the kit panels.The conversion retains the full monocoque bodyshell, running gear, doors and glass of the base vehicle. The finished car is hence exempt from IVA. The self build kits, are priced from £4000.
*1993 is the date of the donor car
A Big thankyou for an incredible 24 Million views
Shot 04:05:2014 at the Donington Historic Festival REF 102-132
1/32 slot car Porsche 911R in Team Gulf livery c.1969. Modified and lowered MRRC kit with slimline motor.
The second generation of the Impala after the original Bel Air, the Impala for the 1959 showed heavy redesigns, sharing bodyshells with lower-end Buicks and Oldsmobiles as well as with Pontiac as part of a GM economy move. As a result, the Chevrolet's wheelbase was 1-1/2 inches longer, used a new X-frame chassis, had a roof line that was three inches lower, a body that was two inches wider, and its curb weight increased. Its tailfins protruded outward, rather than upward and taillights were a large "teardrop" design at each side.
The Impala became a separate series, adding a four-door hardtop and four-door sedan, to the two-door Sport Coupe and convertible. Sport Coupes featured a shortened roof line and wrap-over back window. The standard engine was an I6, while the base V8 was the carryover 283 cu in (4,640 cc), at 185 hp (138 kW). Optional were a 283 cu in with 290 hp (220 kW) and 348 cu in (5,700 cc) V8 up to 315 hp (235 kW). Standard were front and rear armrests, an electric clock, dual sliding sun visors, and crank-operated front vent windows. A contoured hooded instrument panel held deep-set gauges. A six-way power seat was a new option, as was "Speedminder", for the driver to set a needle at a specific speed and a buzzer would sound if the pre-set was exceeded.
The 1960 Impala models reinstated three round taillights on each side, a nonfunctional front air intake scoops, and a white band running along the rear fender.
The available V8s were reduced to seven, in 283-cu in or 348-cu in displacements. The carbureted Turbo-Fire 283 cu in V8 could have either 170 or 230 hp (130 or 170 kW). The 348 cu in was available in 250 to 320 hp (190 to 240 kW) with a 350 hp (260 kW) Super Turbo-Thrust Special with triple two-barrel carburetors, 11.25:1 compression ratio, and dual exhausts. Fuel injection was no longer an option on full-size Chevrolets. New to the options list was speed and cruise control.
Production was 490,000 units.
Right-hand drive cars were made in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, for New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa and assembled locally from CKD or SKD kits. The right-hand drive dashboard was a mirror image of the 1959 Chevrolet panel and shared with equivalent right-hand drive Pontiac models. Australian models were assembled by hand on the GMH Holden assembly lines.
The world may consider the Volkswagen Golf GTi as the worlds most influential Hot Hatchback, but it wasn't the first. That distinction went to the Chrysler Sunbeam. A Talbot bodyshell powered by 155 of Chryslers finest Brake-Horsepowers, producing an astonishing top speed of 125mph and a 0-60mph of 8.3 seconds.
It truly was the first of the many practical but powerful cars that would come to shape motoring in the 1980's, killing off the traditional sports car and giving new meaning to the anarchistic times just around the corner. More often than not you'd find Hot Hatchbacks in the hands of hoodlums who would use them for Ram-Raiding Supermarkets and generally causing mischief. So much so that eventually insurance rates on cars such as these were forced higher so as to deter youths from buying them.
Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.1 (1963-66) Engine 1558cc S4 DOC Production 4012
Registration Number GLM 29 C
FORD UK SET
www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623665118181...
Marriage of the twin cam, twin carburettor 105bhp Lotus engine to a Cortina bodyshell, lowered and with coil rear springing (semi-elliptics 1966) and servo disc and drum brakes. Wide rim wheels and green side flashes. Along with 108mph top speed.
Shot at Tatton Park, Manchester, Classic Car Show 18:08:2012 REF 88-107.
I don't usually go for going away shots but I think it works okay here. Direct Rail Services class 57 no. 57002 leads classmate no. 57010 south at Cathiron (South Nuneaton) on 10th July 2014 working light locomotives from Crewe Gresty Bridge to Daventry DRS.
The first Class 57s were built in 1997 for Freightliner, a Class 47 bodyshell was taken, stripped, rewired and then fitted with an EMD engine. In 2002, 12 further Class 47s were converted to 57s for Virgin Trains, these were numbered 57/3 and fitted with ETH. In 2003, four additional locos were ordered for dragging Pendolinos, these were fitted with Dellner couplings from new and the remainder of the fleet was retrofitted with Dellners in the same year. DRS now operate the majority of the class 57/0 and 57/3. Network Rail operate some Class 57/3s, First Great Western operate the Class 57/6 fleet and West Coast Railways operate a fleet of 57/0, 57/3 and 57/6.
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione (2007-09) Engine 4691cc V8 Production 500
ALFA ROMEO SET
www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623759785842...
First shown as a concept at the 2003 Frankfurt Motorshow the intent to build a limited run of 500 was announced at the 2005 Paris Motor Show. The production version is similar to the concept, with small variations, the most noticeable exterior difference being the rear hinged hood. The bodyshell is carbon fibre and produced by the ATR group, it is mated to an all steel chassis mad by Italian company ITCA Produzione with final assembly at the Maserati factory in Modena.
The car uses the platform and powertrain of the Maserati Gran Tourismo with the engine assembled by Ferrari. The V8 has variable timing valves and produces an output of 450 PS. Transmission is a six speed transaxle gearbox with computerised gear selection by means of levers behind the steering wheel.
The 500 cars were released as follows
USA 90 United Kingdom 40
Italy 80 Switzerland 35
Germany 80 Others 65
Japan 70
France 40 Total 500
Shot at the Classic and MPH Show, NEC, Birmingham 13.11.2010. Ref 66-009
Sold for £24,750
`The definitive small-bore sportscar', as Car & Driver has termed it, the Elan was introduced at the 1962 Earls Court Motor Show. Based around a steel backbone chassis clad with a lightweight composite body, it rode on all-round independent suspension and also featured four-wheel disc brakes, pop-up headlights and integral bumpers. The engine was clever too, mounting a Harry Mundy designed light alloy twin-cam cylinder head on a cheap, robust and readily available Ford `Kent' bottom end, mated to a four-speed manual transmission. More than the sum of its parts, the diminutive Lotus redefined its class in terms of ride, handling and performance, thanks to Colin Chapman's superlative grasp of spring and damping rates resulting in a precise yet supple chassis.
All Elans are special, but this one is a proven winner. The vendor states that this car was completely restored on a new Tony Thompson chassis with a new lightweight bodyshell incorporating reinforced footwells and boot floor, foam-filled double-skinned underwings, diff cooling vents, Tony Thompson eight-point rollcage, plumbed-in fire extinguisher, and fully adjustable Koni suspension with 26R-spec front anti-roll bar. The engine is reportedly an all-steel John Smirthwaite-built Twin Cam utilising twin Weber 45DCOE carburettors and camshafts selected for a broad torque band to suit rally use. Other parts include straight-cut gears, uprated clutch, Tony Thompson driveshafts, Salisbury LSD, magnesium Minilite-style alloys, aluminium radiator / swirl pot and Tony Thompson competition exhaust. There's bias-adjustable braking, with the handbrake lever mounted on the transmission tunnel.
It comes with an impressive history of results: 1st-in-class and 10th overall in the 2001 Classic Marathon, 1st overall on the 2002 London-Lisbon rally and a 1st-in-class on the 2005 Rally of the Tests.
Unrallied for the past five years, this well-prepared Elan nevertheless has great potential.
Classic Days Schloss Dyck 2018 - Driven by Dave Marcis, a NASCAR legend and the last team owner without manufacturer support. Frame is from 1979, bodyshell from 1985. 5.7 litre V8, max. 850PS, detuned 650PS.
Rear window removed from the 1991 Volvo 240 DL. Thanks to long use of the same basic bodyshell it should fit my 1984 244.
I brought my ice-cream bucket of tools along but only needed that red one - a baseboard pry bar.
Spotted on visit to Bridport Porsche Specialists Marque 21. www.marque21.co.uk/
Many thanks to Kieron & Samie for organising the visit :-))
Rear of the 9.42 to Swansea.
From Wikipedia
The British Rail Class 800 is a type of bi-mode multiple unit used in the United Kingdom on the Great Western Main Line since October 2017. They use electric motors for traction, but in addition to operating on track with overhead electric wires, they have diesel generators to enable them to operate on unelectrified track. Based on the Hitachi A-train design, the trains have been built Hitachi since 2014. They are also very similar to the Class 802 units, which have uprated diesel engines and larger fuel tanks.
The units are also due to enter service on the East Coast Main Line from May 2019, under the brand name "Azuma. This date was originally earlier, but following delays in type testing and concerns over the safety of interconnecting electrical cables between the coaches, the date had to be changed.
These trains are being assembled at the Hitachi Newton Aycliffe facility, alongside the related Class 801 electric multiple unit, from bodyshells shipped from the Kasado plant in Japan; no body construction takes place in the UK.
The Class 800 units are part of the Intercity Express Programme (IEP). The train is part of the Hitachi AT300 product family. Train operating companies have also given the train separate brands. On Great Western Railway, they are known as Intercity Express Trains (IET) and when they enter service with London North Eastern Railway, they will be known as Azumas.
Peugeot 205 T16 (Homolagation) (1984) Engine 1899cc S4 Turbo
PEUGEOT SET
www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623690496925...
In iorder to homologate the 205 T16 for International Group B competition, Peugeot were requrired to build a minimum batch of 200 road-going examples, and in accordance with FIA regulations these had to be based on a current production road car. Peugeot decided to base the Group B rally car on the two door version of the 205..The engine was based on the cast iron block of the Diesel version of the then new XU engine family, albeit with a specially developed 16-valve head. The gearbox came from the Citroen SM but was mounted transversely. The car had all wheel drive. The body was built by Heuliez, where standard three door bodyshells from the production line were delivered and heavily modified. Heuliez cut off the complete rear of the car and welded in a transverse firewall between the B-posts. The rear frame was then built in a mixture of sheet steel profiles and tubes. The front was modified in a similar way with a tube frame carrying the front suspension. The completed bodies were delivered to Simca (Talbot) for the 200-series production cars and to Peugeot Talbot Sport for the competition versions. All street versions were LHD and finished in a dark grey colour, apart from the first one which was white with the competition cars decals.The competition cars of the first evolution series (VIN C1 to C20) were built at the sport department Peugeot Talbot Sport and presented to the public at the same day as the standard street version. Later competition vehicles of the Evolution 2 series (VIN C201 to C220) were built differently as the rear spaceframe had no more sheet steel profiles in it but was completely made from tubes only.
Apart from appearance the homolagation cars had almost nothing in common with the regular production model and shared the transverse mid-engine, four-wheel drive layout of the rally car, but had less than half the power; at around 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp).
A big thankyou for an incredible 23.3 Million views
Shot at the Classic Car Show, NEC, Birmingham 16:11:2013 REF 101-286
FGW's efforts to increase the number of seats in HST sets resulted in some conversions to a composite layout featuring both First and Standard class seating. A not entirely new idea even for the mark lll bodyshell as Scotrail did similar with their push / pull rakes in the early 80's. Nonetheless it remains a relative rarity in the railway scene today with FGW being the only operator of composite mark lll's at this time.
The last of this generation of XJ to be built with a six-cylinder engine, although the XJ12 continued in production until 1992 due to difficulties re-engineering the XJ40 bodyshell to fit the V12 engine.
Taken 23/10/19 at a foggy Bath Spa Station: According to Wikipedia the Classs 800s are "... a type of electro-diesel train used in the United Kingdom, based on the Hitachi A-train design. They have been built by Hitachi since 2015. The first units entered service on the Great Western Main Line (GWML) in October 2017, and will enter service on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) from December 2018.
These trains are being assembled at the Hitachi Newton Aycliffe facility, alongside the related Class 801 electric multiple unit, from bodyshells shipped from the Kasado plant in Japan; no body construction takes place in the UK.
The Class 800 units are known as IETs (Intercity Express Trains), as part of the Intercity Express Programme (IEP). They have been named Azuma, meaning East in Japanese, by future operator Virgin Trains East Coast."
First Greater Western Limited, trading as Great Western Railway (GWR), is a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that operates the Greater Western railway franchise
Porsche 911 Carrera RS (1973-74) Engine 2808cc Production 48
Registration Number YYY 568 M
PORSCHE SET
www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623690528015...
The RS was built so that Porsche could enter racing formulae that demanded acertain number of road cars of the same specification were built for homologation purposes. The RS (Rennen Sport) was originally introduced with a 2687cc engine developing 210bhp with Bosch (Kugelfischer) MFI, revised and stiffened suspension, a "ducktail" rear spoiler, larger brakes, wider rear wheels and arches. In RS Touring form it weighed 1075 kg (2370 lb), in Sport Lightweight form it was about 100 kg (220 lb) lighter, the saving coming from the thin-gauge steel used for parts of the bodyshell and also the use of thinner glass. In total, 1580 were made, comfortably exceeding the 500 that had to be made to qualify for the vital FIA Group 4 class.
49 Carrera RS cars were built with 2808 cc engines producing 300 PS (221 kW).
Shot at the Masters Historic Festival, Oulton Park 17:03:2012 Ref 82-193
LOCATION:- Derby Litchurch Lane
DATE:- 18.06.2001
'Networker Classic' prototype, what would of been the BR class 424 seen here stored at Litchurch Ln Works in Derby.
This vehicle was originally a 4-CIG driving trailer 76112. The "Networker Classic" concept involved rebuilding Mark 1 design Southern Region EMUs of Classes 411, 421 and 423 to meet current crash-worthiness standards. This involved building a new bodyshell on the existing chassis, but keeping the original electrical and motor equipment. Therefore, the aim was to produce a 'new' unit at one quarter the cost of manufacturing a train from scratch. The rebuilt units would have had a life of at least fifteen years, thus saving considerable amounts of money when replacing old stock. However, for some reason the project was not successful, and train companies turned to new-build trains of Classes 375, 376, 377, 444, 450, 458, and 460 from various manufacturers.
A series of photographs documenting the release of GB Railfreight's Class 92, 92 044 "Couperin" from the Wabtec Brush works at Loughborough. 044 had spent exactly 14 months there for overhaul, reliability mods and new wheelsets. The assisting locomotive was a fellow Brush Traction machine, Class 60, 60 002 "Graham Farish 50th Anniversary 1970-2020".
The 60 had also been out of traffic for more than a year after a turbo fire. The Covid-19 pandemic had delayed repairs and then some additional mods were done as well as its immaculate repaint - the first GBRf loco repainted at DB Cargo's Toton depot.
This was the 60's first working for GBRf after its long spell in Toton and also its first run on the main line sporting its recently received new name commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Graham Farish.
This was also the first time two of GB Railfreight's Brush "cousins" - the Class 60 and Class 92 - had been together. The locos share a common bodyshell design, built by Procor in Wakefield, and have other similar components.
Potentially most historically of all, though - with the subsequent announcement the Brush Traction works are due to close by the end of the year - there's a good chance this was the last time a Class 60 will visit the place where the 100-strong class were built in 1989-1993.
GB's sole active grey 92 had lost its tunnel rings and Crewe Electric depot plaques whilst in Brush, but there are rumours of a new livery to come in due course. However, that won't be before it gets back to earning some coin for its owners (and DB!) with a brief visit to Crewe for a test run, before heading to Dollands Moor to resume tunnel duties.
60 002 ran from Toton as 0Z60 08:45 Toton TMD to Loughborough Brush, then moved 92 044 to Crewe ETD on 0Z61 09:58 Loughborough Brush to Crewe ETD, before the 60 then ran on solo to resume biomass duties on 0Z62 13:09 Crewe ETD to Tuebrook Sidings.
The Austin-Healey Sprite is a small open sports car which was produced in the United Kingdom from 1958 to 1971. The Sprite was announced to the press in Monte Carlo by the British Motor Corporation on 20 May 1958, just before that year's Monaco Grand Prix. It was intended to be a low-cost model that "a chap could keep in his bike shed", yet be the successor to the sporting versions of the pre-war Austin Seven. The Sprite was designed by the Donald Healey Motor Company, with production being undertaken at the MG factory at Abingdon. It first went on sale at a price of £669, using a tuned version of the Austin A-Series engine and as many other components from existing cars as possible to keep costs down.
In 1961 the Sprite was joined by a badge-engineered MG version, the Midget, reviving a model name used by MG from the late 1920s through to the mid 1950s. Enthusiasts often refer to Sprites and the later Midgets collectively as "Spridgets."
The little Sprite quickly became affectionately known as the Frogeye in the UK and the Bugeye in the US, because its headlights were prominently mounted on top of the bonnet, inboard of the front wings. The car's designers had intended that the headlights could be retracted, with the lenses facing skyward when not in use; a similar arrangement was used many years later on the Porsche 928. But cost cutting by BMC led to the flip-up mechanism being deleted, therefore the headlights were simply fixed in a permanently upright position, giving the car its most distinctive feature. The body was styled by Gerry Coker, with subsequent alterations by Les Ireland following Coker's emigration to the US in 1957. The car's distinctive frontal styling bore a strong resemblance to the defunct American 1951 Crosley Super Sport. 48,987 "Frogeye" Spriters were made.
The problem of providing a rigid structure to an open-topped sports car was resolved by Barry Bilbie, Healey's chassis designer, who adapted the idea provided by the Jaguar D-type, with rear suspension forces routed through the bodyshell's floor pan. The Sprite's chassis design was the world's first volume-production sports car to use unitary construction, where the sheet metal body panels (apart from the bonnet) take many of the structural stresses. The original metal gauge (thickness of steel) of the rear structure specified by Bilbie was reduced by the Austin Design Office during prototype build, however during testing at M.I.R.A. (Motor Industry Research Association) distortion and deformation of the rear structure occurred and the original specification was reinstated. The two front chassis legs projecting forward from the passenger compartment mean the shell is not a full monocoque. The front sheet-metal assembly, including the bonnet (hood) and wings, was a one-piece unit, hinged from the back, that swung up to allow access to the engine compartment.
The 43 bhp, 948 cc OHV engine (coded 9CC) was derived from the Austin A35 & Morris Minor 1000 models, also BMC products, but upgraded with twin 11⁄8" inch SU carburettors. The rack and pinion steering was derived from the Morris Minor 1000 and the front suspension from the Austin A35. The front suspension was a coil spring and wishbone arrangement, with the arm of the Armstrong lever shock absorber serving as the top suspension link. The rear axle was both located and sprung by quarter-elliptic leaf springs, again with lever-arm shock absorbers and top links. There were no exterior door handles; the driver and passenger were required to reach inside to open the door. There was also no boot lid, owing to the need to retain as much structural integrity as possible, and access to the spare wheel and luggage compartment was achieved by tilting the seat-backs forward and reaching under the rear deck, a process likened to potholing by many owners, but which resulted in a large space available to store soft baggage.
Ashley Laminates Ltd was a company set up by Peter Pellandine and Keith Waddington in 1955 to produce fibreglass body shells for car conversions and in 1956 Peter founded Falcon Shells Ltd. The advert above features The Ashley Sportiva Coupé whose fibreglass shell came in two forms as either the open-top Roadster or the covered Coupé. Both versions could be fitted onto the Ford Prefect E93A (1172cc) chassis or a modified form of chassis specially constructed from Ford parts. ‘The Ashley 1172’ conversion kits were launched in November 1960 and remained in production until 1962.
.
ashleysportiva.weebly.com/ashley-bodyshell-models.html (Ashley Laminates car models).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_(automobile) (Ashley Laminates).
Two Hillman Avenger Tigers at the Wheelnuts 2015 Classic Car Rally, Stroud Glos.
Named to evoke memories of the Sunbeam Tiger, the Avenger Tiger concept began as a publicity exercise. Avenger Super (four-door) cars were modified by the Chrysler Competitions Centre under Des O' Dell and the Tiger model was launched in March 1972. Modifications included the 1500 GT engine with an improved cylinder head with enlarged valves, twin Weber carburetors and a compression ratio of 9.4:1. The engine now developed 92.5 bhp (69 kW) at 6,100 rpm. The suspension was also uprated, whilst brakes, rear axle, and gearbox are directly from the GT.
A distinctive yellow colour scheme ("Sundance") with a bonnet bulge, rear spoiler and side stripes was standard, set off with "Avenger Tiger" lettering on the rear quarters.
Road test figures demonstrated a 0–60 mph time of 8.9 seconds and a top speed of 108 mph (174 km/h). These figures beat the rival Ford Escort Mexico, but fuel consumption was heavy. Even in 1972, the Tiger developed a reputation for its thirst.
All Avenger Tigers were assembled by the Chrysler Competitions Centre and production figures are vague but around 200 of the initial Mark 1 seems likely.
In October 1972, Chrysler unveiled the more "productionised" Mark 2 Tiger. The Avenger GL bodyshell with four round headlights was used. Mechanically identical to the earlier cars, the bonnet bulge was lost although the bonnet turned matt black, and there were changes to wheels and seats. These cars went on sale at £1,350. Production was around 400. Red ("Wardance") was now available as well as yellow ("Sundance"), both with black detailing.
While the bodyshell might change from what was previously showed, the engine and capacity of the SLS AMG stays at an exciting high.
For more about the unveiling of the golden SLS AMG check www.sls-amg-reporter.com
1962-1977 Alfa Romeo Giulia (960,567 were produced) + Gorgeous looks + fun to drive + endlessly tuneable + values continue to rise. The first 1962-1965 Giulias were updated Type 101 Giuliettas, suitably rebranded to ally correctly with the new Type 105 Berlina, launched at the same time. The Touring Giulia Spider was a 101-series car, as was the first Giulia Sprint coupé. These cars are seriously rare today. The 1962 105-Series Giulia Berlina was just as interesting as the glamourous coupe. It has a very sporting drive, with the same mechanical layout and gutsy engines as the coupe. The Giulia was a massive success when new. In 1964 the Sprint GT revolutionised Alfa Romeo, defining it as a maker of superb sporting coupes, convertibles and saloons. The ‘step front’ Giulia Sprint GT coupé was the defining Alfa of its era - and remains very much in demand because of its excellent dynamics and ease of tuning. When launched, the twin-cam 1600 versions were quick from the box. But the ultimate Giulia (aside from the special TZ and TZ2) was the 1965-'69 GTA. It was light and special, thanks to the extensive use of aluminium body panels, and much lower production volumes. This GTA was built for racing. The A in its name means Alleggerita, Italian for 'lightened', and even the sump, camshaft cover, timing cover and clutch housing were replaced by featherweight magnesium alloy items, just to save extra kilos. For additional performance, the engine gained a new twin-plug cylinder head. Throughout its long life, the Giulia continued to be developed. The 1966 GT Junior was a new entry-level model. In 1972 a 1600 Junior was introduced to close the gap in the range to the 2000 GTV. In 1967, the Giulia range was treated to a mid-life facelift to become the Nuova Giulia. The Giulia Sprint was facelifted to become the 1750 GTV coupé. It retained the original GT bodyshell but gained a quad-headlight front end and cleaner external trim details (as well as losing the step-front). These later models are considered to be the easiest cars to live with.
Fourth highest price of the day.
1965 Ferrari 275 GTS
Sold for US$1,586,250 inc. premium
From the catalog:
Coachwork by and Design by Pininfarina
Chassis no. 07767
Engine no. 07767
3,286cc SOHC All-Alloy V-12 Engine
6 Weber Twin-choke Carburetors
260bhp at 7,000rpm
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc Brakes
*Matching numbers example, quipped with rare and desirable factory hard top
*Exceptionally well-presented example with less than 45,000 original miles
*Desirable US-delivered example, imported new by famed Ferrari agent Luigi Chinetti
*Restoration carried out by noted restorers MPI Motion Products and North Coast Exotics
*Accompanied by original books, tools, Massini report and restoration records
THE FERRARI 275 GTS
There had been open-top Ferrari road cars before the advent of the 250 series, but it was, chiefly, Pininfarina's offerings on the later chassis that established the convertible as a fixture of the Ferrari range. After the experimentation and variety which characterized the coachwork of the 250-series cars, the arrival of the 275 in 1964 brought with it bodywork being manufactured by Pininfarina themselves, with a considerably improved build quality. The chassis followed Ferrari's established practice, incorporating a multi-tubular frame tied together by oval main tubes, and for the first time on a road-going Ferrari there was independent rear suspension, this setup employing a double wishbone and coil-spring arrangement similar to that of the 250LM sports-racer. The adoption of a rear-mounted five-speed transaxle combining the now all-synchromesh gearbox and differential in a single unit helped improve weight distribution, and this feature would characterize future generations of front-engined Ferrari road cars.
By the mid 1960s, Ferrari's road cars were beginning to lose some of their rougher edges and take on a more luxurious mien. The 275 GTS's interior is notable for its generously sized seats and wood veneer dashboard, the latter appearing for the first time in a Ferrari. Even the most sybaritic of customers, though, would acknowledge that the driving experience is the raison d'ętre of Ferrari ownership, and in this respect the 275 GTS had lost none of its predecessors' aggressive charm. Car & Driver magazine had this to say: "Since the engine is heir to a V12 tradition that's gone on for almost twenty years, it's only natural that it should be the dominating factor in the car's personality, and that the whole car should have been developed around the engine and its own unique character. You can feel it as much as you can hear it. It has a taut, powerful rush of response that comes to you through the seat of your pants, through the steering wheel rim. The instant the clutch is engaged, the chassis takes on life and begins to move as a unit with the engine, it's an all-in-one-piece sensation that you normally feel only in racing cars, one that's unique to the Ferrari among normal passenger vehicles today."
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This remarkable, matching numbers example of the timeless Ferrari 275 GTS benefits from a concise and well-researched chain of ownership - including a documented 33-year period of care by one devoted owner - in addition to a spectacular restoration performed by the Ferrari specialists at Motion Products (MPI) and North Coast Exotics.
According to research complied by marque expert Marcel Massini, chassis no. 07767 is the 137th of the just 200 275 GTS examples built. The chassis was sent to Pininfarina for Spider coachwork in June of 1965, and the luxurious motorcar was completed at the Maranello Ferrari Works presumably during August of 1965, having completed its engine assembly by Ferrari foreman Mr. Amos Franchini. The 275 GTS had the exterior finished in 'Argento 20265' silver metallic, while the interior was trimmed in 'Nero Franzi' black leather. The car was configured as a left-hand drive, US-market example, with speedometer in miles-per-hour. 07767 is believed to have been fitted with the rarely optioned hard top from new, as sold with the car today.
The new 275 GTS would make its way Stateside right away, being delivered to legendary Ferrari importer and 24 Hours of Le Mans Winner Luigi Chinetti and Chinetti Motors in September of 1965. Chinetti is recorded as having sold the new Ferrari to its first owner in November of 1965. By 1972, the car was owned a Mr. Thomas W. Donahoe of Houston, Texas, before being acquired by Mr. Charles H. Noble, Jr of San Antonio, Texas, in who's devoted ownership the exotic Ferrari 275 GTS would remain for the next 33 years. By the 2000s, Mr. Noble would have noted Ferrari restorer Bob Smith Coachworks of Gainesville, Texas re-paint the car in red, a very common Ferrari color at the time, in addition to other light restoration work. The 275 GTS would leave Mr. Noble's devoted custodianship in 2012 - at which point Mr. Noble was 86 years old - when renowned classic car dealership Fantasy Junction brokered the Ferrari to the consignor, a noted Ferrari collector from Ohio. The car had just 42,490 miles recorded on the odometer at the time and was sold with its rare factory hard top. In 2014 the Ferrari would make an appearance at the XXII Palm Beach Cavallino Classic held at The Breakers Hotel and was shown later that year at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.
During 2017 and 2018, the consignor entrusted his rare and desirable, matching numbers Ferrari 275 GTS to his preferred Ferrari restoration shops with a restoration of the car in mind. The specialists at Motion Products (MPI) - at the time with the late Wayne Obry at the helm - completely stripped the Pininfarina-built Spider coachwork in order to properly change the exterior color to the stunning 'Blu Ferrari 20-A-180' dark blue color seen on the car today. Photos taken of the car in bare metal shows a very clean and unhurt bodyshell, with no signs of past accidents or serious rust issues. Additionally, MPI would retrim the sporty 2-seater cockpit in lovely Tobacco-colored leather hides, while installing new Wilton carpets in dark blue, matched by a fresh dark blue Spider convertible top. The factory hard top was also refinished at the time in neatly contrasting black paint. North Coast Exotics would take on the mechanical aspects of the restoration, by completely stripping and rebuilding the original matching numbers Type 213 V12 engine with new pistons, in addition to rebuilding the 5-speed transaxle and restoring the chassis, brakes and suspension. A period-correct 6-carburetor set up featuring 12 individual velocity stacks was fitted, a very rare factory option believed to have been fitted to just four 275 GTS examples from the Ferrari factory. The original Weber 40DCZ6 3-carburetor set up with the original F.I.S.P.A airbox and intake manifolds is offered along with the car, should one wish to go back to the stock configuration.
Still displaying the rewarding benefits of the expert restoration, this outstanding 275 GTS has just 44,975 original miles recorded on the odometer at the time of cataloging. The car is thoroughly documented with Marcel Massini's comprehensive report, a stack of invoices reflecting the work MPI and North Coast Exotics carried out in addition to a leather binder containing receipts and documentation from Mr. Noble's ownership. The original tool kit, jack, owner's manual, and the previously mentioned factory hard top - one of an estimated just 20 examples made - is also offered with the 275 GTS. Presented in the lovely period-appropriate livery of Blu Ferrari over Tobacco and fitted with Borrani wire wheels shod on Michelin XWX tires, the Ferrari looks just right. Offering the visceral appeal of open touring at vintage driving events - or running with the rare and desirable factory hard top fitted - this beautiful matching numbers 275 GTS model from the most successful era of Ferrari production would complement any collection of sports cars or open grand tourers.
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It's Bonhams day!
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This year I was able to escape the snow and join Fred in Scottsdale for sunshine, cars, and music! I also drove down to Tucson to meet Doug for lunch and spend a nice evening visting with Richard and Lola.
1969 Mustang Body Shell is used at the FORD booth to be built (by Galpin Auto Sports) into turnkey car during the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Watch this car being built in 3 days at the SEMA Show
on YouTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=z47Pt8dtBcY
The BREL built Class 321's of the early 1990's were one of the final EMU designs using the BR MK3 bodyshell that had seen use through the 1980's in EMU designs from Class 317 onwards. Originally used on the WCML they have had a presence on the Great Eastern for a number of years now.
On 17th May 2019 Class 321 321342 is seen heading a peak time train between London Liverpool Street and Southend Victoria on approach to Shenfield.
The car that turned Rover from big cars for fat cats into a fully-fledged mainstream manufacturer, the R8-series 400.
Based on the Honda Concerto but with mostly Rover engines (the then-state of the art K-series), except the 1.6 litre (which was the D-series Honda unit) the R8 sold millions. This 420 had the early and ytroublesome 2.0 M16 engine, a twincam development of BL's old O-series unit.
I first took more notice of these machines after seeing the Stig rag a '92 416GTi around the TG test track - these had the 16v CRX engine in them and had all the screaming, high-revving character of the Honda wrapped in a classier bodyshell.
This is a loose representation of one of the two prototype Class 150 DMUs. There’s a minor inaccuracy in that the 150/0s featured power-operated cab doors rather than the hinged type fitted to the production 150/s, on which this image is based. Introduced in 1984, the Class 150 was a step-change in the evolution of British DMUs, incorporating a state-of-the-art underfloor engine and drivetrain that had been proven in the contemporary Dutch 3200 DMUs. It used the same MkIII bodyshell as the Class 317 and 455 electric multiple-units but with a full-width cab. The livery was a foretaste of what was to come later when the Provincial Services sector was remained Regional Railways (16-Aug-24).
Not to be posted on Facebook under any circumstances but you are welcome to post a link. Not to be posted elsewhere without prior written permission. Follow the link below for additional information about my Flickr images, including an explanation of the terms 'fiction', 'digital representation' and 'digitally-coloured':
www.flickr.com/photos/northernblue109/6046035749/in/set-7...
From Bonham's catalogue:
Sold for £2,070 inc. premium
Footnotes
Its styling inspired by Raymond Loewy's Studebakers, an entirely new range of cars was introduced by the Rootes Group in the mid-1950s, the first arrival with this new look being the Sunbeam Rapier. A two-door sports saloon, the latter was announced in 1955, in advance of its Hillman and Singer siblings. Whitewall tyres and a chromed waistband dividing the two-tone colour scheme were obvious transatlantic influences, while the Rapier's pillar-less bodyshell and unique wind-down rear quarter window made for the ultimate in fresh-air motoring this side of a full convertible. Styling changes, mechanical improvements, and larger and more powerful engines were introduced as the Rapier progressed through Series I to V over the next ten years.
The Rapier played an important part in Rootes' competition programme, achieving some notable successes both in circuit races and on the 'rough stuff'. The car was first raced in Series I form in the 1956 Mille Miglia but rallying was its true forte, as demonstrated by an impressive tally of class wins and team awards extending into the 1960s. In 1958 Peter Harper finished 5th in the Monte and won the RAC Rally outright, while Paddy Hopkirk finished in 3rd place on the 1959 Alpine event. The Tour de France was another event in which the Rapier excelled, as exemplified by a commanding 1, 2, 3 class finish in 1962.
The overdrive-equipped Rapier offered here is an example of the Series IV, introduced in October 1963, which featured a more powerful version of the existing 1.5-litre engine and, from October 1964, an all-synchromesh gearbox. Other significant changes included 13" wheels and a diaphragm clutch. Owned by the current vendor for a number of years, '452 GYU' has been used periodically for rallies/shows and has been driven by his wife. Described as in generally good condition, with original interior, the car is offered with sundry bills, current MoT/tax and Swansea V5. A Holbay modified engine is the only notified deviation from factory specification.
Lot heading
1964 Sunbeam Rapier Series IV Saloon
Registration no. 452 GYU
Chassis no. B/3300791/OD/HHO
Engine no. B/3300791/OD/HHO
Very, very close to being finished now. Quite a bit of time spent today painting the gold wheel centres, getting the suspension fitted and finals bits of assembly, as well as the final fitment of chassis to bodyshell (always a little nerve-wracking, as they don't always go together once the interior is in place).
Ashley Laminates Ltd was a company set up by Peter Pellandine and Keith Waddington in 1955 to produce fibreglass body shells for car conversions and in 1956 Peter founded Falcon Shells Ltd. The advert above features The Ashley 1172 whose fibreglass shell came in two forms for either the open-top Roadster or the covered Coupé which could be fitted onto the Ford Prefect E93A (1172cc) chassis. ‘The Ashley 1172’ conversion kits were launched in 1958 and remained in production until 1961.
.
ashleysportiva.weebly.com/ashley-bodyshell-models.html (Ashley Laminates car models).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_(automobile) (Ashley Laminates).
Skoda Felicia (1994-2001) Engine 1289cc S4
Registration Number X 676 ROH
SKODA SET
www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623722493201...
The Skoda Felicia was one of the first Skoda's to benefit from Skoda Autos takeover by Volkswagen. As such the car was offered with a wider range of engines, including the first Skoda diesel. Debuted on the Charles Bridge in Prague in October 1994. In 1998 the high customer satisfaction of the Felicia contributed strongly to Skoda winning the Best Manufacturer award in the JD Power car survey. In 1998 the Felicia received a minor facelift that included a new grille, and larger bumpers, but there also minor upgrades to the chassis and bodyshell crash safety.
A big thanks for 21.7 million views
Shot 20:04:2014 at Weston Park Ref 99a-422
Towards the end of the 1970's, British Leyland was in a state of absolute despair. Shoddy and dated car designs married to biblical unreliability meant the company was facing near meltdown, and obviously came to the conclusion that they needed someone else to take the helm before the ship properly sank. Enter the Japanese, more to the point, Honda!
Since the 1960's, the Japanese had shown the world that they can mass-produce reliable cars, and thus were raking in sales by the million as people turned from their flaky European models to the highly efficient Japanese alternatives. Desperate to stop their market being swept out from under them, European Manufacturers imposed heavy import taxes on Japanese imports so as to try and price them out of the market, which meant builders such as Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi were losing a fortune. The alternative past this blockade was to combine their efforts with some of the more struggling car companies of Europe so as to create hybrid cars.
And thus the Triumph Acclaim was born!
Based almost solely on the Honda Ballade, essentially all that differentiated it was the Triumph badge, and the fact that the car was built at the Cowley Plant near Oxford using the former production lines of the Austin Maxi. The intention largely was to replace the 10 year old Triumph Dolomite as the 4-door saloon of the company. Unlike the Ballade however, the car did come with much more luxury features as with a Triumph badge, the car was intended to be more higher market than the conventional Japanese equivalent. But most importantly, the car has the distinction of being the first truly reliable British Leyland car (and it only took them 12 years to get it right!)
Basically, the car's major components were built in Japan and shipped to Cowley, where they were placed into the locally built bodyshells. Build quality was very good too, with the leaky panels and rough ride seemingly absent, and holds the record for the fewest warranty claims on a British Leyland car. However, Japan may have shown Europe how to build a reliable car, but they didn't know how to build a car that didn't rust. Much like it's Japanese counterparts, the Acclaim rusted like crazy. In Japan this was seen as planned obsolescence, with the intention being that a new model would replace it in two or three years time. But in Britain, cars are built to last, with models going unchanged almost completely for years and even decades. Examples being the Mini, which didn't change in any way, shape or form between its launch in 1959 and its demise in 2000!
But still, despite the terrible rusting problem, the car's reliable nature resulted in 133,000 cars being sold, and became the first Triumph to be within the Top 10 highest selling cars since 1965. However, in the end the Acclaim's show of being a good, reliable car was merely a testbed for the variety of other Japanese style products British Leyland intended to push in the near future. After only 4 years of production, the Triumph Acclaim was shelved in 1984 along with many other British Leyland products such as the Austin Ambassador and the Morris Ital so as to rationalise the company into a small number of highly reliable machines based off the Triumph Acclaim's Japanese based success. From the Acclaim, the Rover 200 was a direct descendant, being based heavily on the next generation Honda Ballade, but also spurring from this plucky car was the mechanicals of the Austin Maestro and Montego.
The ending of Acclaim construction in 1984 also brought the end to the Triumph badge itself on motorcars. Although Triumph still exists on motorbikes, the car division has long since perished, together with Austin and Morris. As for the Acclaim itself, it is truly one of those rarities you won't find everyday. Today only 488 are left, which, although much more than the remaining Ital's and Ambassadors of the same period, is still a very low number. But even so, the Triumph Acclaim did show British Leyland how to make a reliable machine, even though it technically wasn't a British machine in the first place!