Anyone who's owned a 1970s british car must surely still be astounded by the reliability of modern cars of all kinds, even vauxhalls, by comparison. The slightest hint of damp in the air and it ws a coin toss as to whether it would start. You often had to resort to Easystart and extensive swearing. Hillman Hunter LRD173M, I'm looking at you. But a very special mention for a Dolomite 1850 and Scimitar SE5a. Bought a 1976 Audi 80, years ahead of the british crap of the time.
Anyone who's owned a 1970s british car must surely still be astounded by the reliability of modern cars of all kinds, even vauxhalls, by comparison. The slightest hint of damp in the air and it ws a coin toss as to whether it would start. You often had to resort to Easystart and extensive swearing. Hillman Hunter LRD173M, I'm looking at you. But a very special mention for a Dolomite 1850 and Scimitar SE5a. Bought a 1976 Audi 80, years ahead of the british crap of the time.
Anyone who's owned a 1970s british car must surely still be astounded by the reliability of modern cars of all kinds, even vauxhalls, by comparison. The slightest hint of damp in the air and it ws a coin toss as to whether it would start. You often had to resort to Easystart and extensive swearing. Hillman Hunter LRD173M, I'm looking at you. But a very special mention for a Dolomite 1850 and Scimitar SE5a. Bought a 1976 Audi 80, years ahead of the british crap of the time.
And not forgetting their propensity to rust.
I had a 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500 that had all of the above, including a rust hole in the boot so large you could pass a dinner plate through it!
The rear axle made for a lively and exciting drive, especially in the wet!
I had. Mini 850 '1980' in 1990. It was great condition only 30k in the clock. Never, ever, ever stsrted in winter. So much so that I once bump started it and the windscreen was frozen so I couldn't see where I was fpk g and drove straight into the back of my neighbours car.
I had. Mini 850 '1980' in 1990. It was great condition only 30k in the clock. Never, ever, ever stsrted in winter. So much so that I once bump started it and the windscreen was frozen so I couldn't see where I was fpk g and drove straight into the back of my neighbours car.
Anyone who's owned a 1970s british car must surely still be astounded by the reliability of modern cars of all kinds, even vauxhalls, by comparison. The slightest hint of damp in the air and it ws a coin toss as to whether it would start. You often had to resort to Easystart and extensive swearing. Hillman Hunter LRD173M, I'm looking at you. But a very special mention for a Dolomite 1850 and Scimitar SE5a. Bought a 1976 Audi 80, years ahead of the british crap of the time.
And not forgetting their propensity to rust.
I had a 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500 that had all of the above, including a rust hole in the boot so large you could pass a dinner plate through it!
The rear axle made for a lively and exciting drive, especially in the wet!
I must have used gallons of waxoyl and cavity spray on my MG over the years in an effort to keep rust at bay.
Not a Car but in the early 80`s i had a Moto Guzzi V50 500CC , when the temp got below freezing i had to pour boiling water over the starter motor to free it up . Not ideal when couldnt get any hot water .
I'm only jumping on this as the make and model were mentioned
I've always been in the camp of vauxhall make shit vehicles but I've had 2 vauxhall vans now for work and I've got to say they are decent. The corsa VXR is a really good car and goes very quick off the blocks.
I've owned some great cars and some dogs, as others have said. Modern cars' reliability still astounds me. Ive had cars that need things in to whack starter motors with. Ones that had to be parked on hills to bump start, and one that didn't have a 3rd gear for a short period of time
The Nova was a decent starter car and could be played about with for not a lot of expense, had a decent sized engine bay so hands didn't get too grazed and the back seat had plenty of space in for the more easily fooled local females to learn how much of a horrible experience shagging on them could be
Had a great Vauxhall Astravan as a company lease vehicle in early 90s. Only a 1400cc petrol and once got in wound up to 130mph on M62 in the pouring rain coming back from a midweek defeat at Blackburn. It only had a 4 speed box but could do 35 in 1st, 60 in 2nd, 105 in 3rd and usually ripped out at 125 in 4th. Insane handling and performance for what was a basic van. Very few problems with it over 3 years and 145k, hence I bought it from the lease company.
Lateri got a leased Astra Two top diesel from new when they were fresh. Had so many faults with it, leaking boot, so carpets went mouldy. Roof got stuck halfway through closing one summers evening so had to leave it like a half cocked tower bridge. The immobiliser also sometimes didn't recognise the key fob, so on occasion it wouldn't open, and others it wouldnt lock. One time the engine wouldn't switch off with the button so I had to open bonnet and disconnect the battery. I gave it back after 15 months following 6 trips to the main dealers, once they had it 6 weeks and no loan car.
My first car was a share of my Dad's Hillman Avenger. Had some rust and remember weekends using plastic padding and some wool type stuff to patch it up. Thankfully those days are long gone
I owned two Vauxhall Crestas, the first 1961 and a bit of a heap. Though used in the Ghost Town video.
The second a 1962 Hydramatic an early automatic transmission. One of the lovely features was the speedometer which changed colour as the car accelerated, from green, to amber and then finally red. Beautiful motor, John.
I owned two Vauxhall Crestas, the first 1961 and a bit of a heap. Though used in the Ghost Town video.
The second a 1962 Hydramatic an early automatic transmission. One of the lovely features was the speedometer which changed colour as the car accelerated, from green, to amber and then finally red. Beautiful motor, John.
The car from the video is on display at the Coventry music museum
I owned two Vauxhall Crestas, the first 1961 and a bit of a heap. Though used in the Ghost Town video.
The second a 1962 Hydramatic an early automatic transmission. One of the lovely features was the speedometer which changed colour as the car accelerated, from green, to amber and then finally red. Beautiful motor, John.
The car from the video is on display at the Coventry music museum
I owned two Vauxhall Crestas, the first 1961 and a bit of a heap. Though used in the Ghost Town video.
The second a 1962 Hydramatic an early automatic transmission. One of the lovely features was the speedometer which changed colour as the car accelerated, from green, to amber and then finally red. Beautiful motor, John.
The car from the video is on display at the Coventry music museum
I owned two Vauxhall Crestas, the first 1961 and a bit of a heap. Though used in the Ghost Town video.
The second a 1962 Hydramatic an early automatic transmission. One of the lovely features was the speedometer which changed colour as the car accelerated, from green, to amber and then finally red. Beautiful motor, John.
The car from the video is on display at the Coventry music museum
Ah, that’s interesting to know, thanks for letting me know @davemehmet May have to do a day trip.
I owned two Vauxhall Crestas, the first 1961 and a bit of a heap. Though used in the Ghost Town video.
The second a 1962 Hydramatic an early automatic transmission. One of the lovely features was the speedometer which changed colour as the car accelerated, from green, to amber and then finally red. Beautiful motor, John.
The car from the video is on display at the Coventry music museum
Cool. Woman at work was watching an old Top Gear episode and Clarkson was test driving their BMW around the track.
Had a great Vauxhall Astravan as a company lease vehicle in early 90s. Only a 1400cc petrol and once got in wound up to 130mph on M62 in the pouring rain coming back from a midweek defeat at Blackburn. It only had a 4 speed box but could do 35 in 1st, 60 in 2nd, 105 in 3rd and usually ripped out at 125 in 4th. Insane handling and performance for what was a basic van. Very few problems with it over 3 years and 145k, hence I bought it from the lease company.
Lateri got a leased Astra Two top diesel from new when they were fresh. Had so many faults with it, leaking boot, so carpets went mouldy. Roof got stuck halfway through closing one summers evening so had to leave it like a half cocked tower bridge. The immobiliser also sometimes didn't recognise the key fob, so on occasion it wouldn't open, and others it wouldnt lock. One time the engine wouldn't switch off with the button so I had to open bonnet and disconnect the battery. I gave it back after 15 months following 6 trips to the main dealers, once they had it 6 weeks and no loan car.
Astramax vans were (and probably still are) the fastest vehicles on the planet. You never saw one doing less than about 90mph.
I have had getting on for thirty cars in my life, including a lot of demonstrators from my career in car sales, but my favourite has been this..... which I owned for about 10 years. I was truly gutted when I had to sell it.
I have had getting on for thirty cars in my life, including a lot of demonstrators from my career in car sales, but my favourite has been this..... which I owned for about 10 years. I was truly gutted when I had to sell it.
Of course Vauxhaulls are Opels with a few badges stuck on. And judging by quite a few examples I have seen, they don't do that very well! It doesn't give me faith.
Comments
The rear axle made for a lively and exciting drive, especially in the wet!
F, the most boring exercise ever.
I've always been in the camp of vauxhall make shit vehicles but I've had 2 vauxhall vans now for work and I've got to say they are decent. The corsa VXR is a really good car and goes very quick off the blocks.
I've owned some great cars and some dogs, as others have said. Modern cars' reliability still astounds me. Ive had cars that need things in to whack starter motors with. Ones that had to be parked on hills to bump start, and one that didn't have a 3rd gear for a short period of time
The Nova was a decent starter car and could be played about with for not a lot of expense, had a decent sized engine bay so hands didn't get too grazed and the back seat had plenty of space in for the more easily fooled local females to learn how much of a horrible experience shagging on them could be
Her agency were furious.
Lateri got a leased Astra Two top diesel from new when they were fresh. Had so many faults with it, leaking boot, so carpets went mouldy. Roof got stuck halfway through closing one summers evening so had to leave it like a half cocked tower bridge. The immobiliser also sometimes didn't recognise the key fob, so on occasion it wouldn't open, and others it wouldnt lock. One time the engine wouldn't switch off with the button so I had to open bonnet and disconnect the battery. I gave it back after 15 months following 6 trips to the main dealers, once they had it 6 weeks and no loan car.
The second a 1962 Hydramatic an early automatic transmission. One of the lovely features was the speedometer which changed colour as the car accelerated, from green, to amber and then finally red. Beautiful motor, John.