Design classics?

[Guest]

I've been taking a good look at onza100's design for the Maestro bodykit and I've been thinking that the Maestro design hasn't dated that much. Imagine the reaction if MG did something like that back in the '80's? So, I was wandering if anyone else can think of any cars were way ahead of their time? Lambourghini Countach springs to my mind.

[D87SMW]

What about the Ford.... oh, no. Sorry, that's stupid.

Was just looking at some Minis yesterday, what about thems?

[Maria]

Citroen DS.

[Guest]

Originally posted by Maria
Citroen DS.

I want one of them! Beautiful cars.

[Guest]

Originally posted by F170 GGT
[B]What about the Ford.... oh, no. Sorry, that's stupid.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I've thought of another: the Delorean DMC

[Austin-Rover]

Not sure about it being ahead of its time, but the Rover SD1 still looks amazing today - a design classic if ever there was one. The nicest looking car Austin - Rover ever built?

[G51 NAV]

ADO16, aka the BMC 1100/1300 series. Far better design than the car that replaced it (ADO 67: Allegro)

[Guest]

Someone is going to have to say something here for the 205, a car that still looks reasonably fresh even though it was first sold in 1984! I wish I was looking that good at 20!! Shame about the 309, its larger brother, but ever championing the underdog, thats my favourite!!

[D87SMW]

.... it's French!!!

[e692wtt]

Definitely agree about the 205. I think the facelifted 309 (1990 on?) has a certain charm as well, especially considering it uses the 205's doors... (again, Britain leads the world - BLMC did this with the Maxi, 1800 and others which shared the same door panels).

I'd say the ADO16 was ahead of its time both in looks and engineering, they can hold their own in modern traffic in 1300 form. A definite world beater with a more-modern engine and some corrosion resistance...

[Guest]

I read this earlier on a posting on the discussion forum for http://www.vannin.com :
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if it wasn't for our Fords, our tools would rust.:laugh:

[Guest]

Originally posted by F170 GGT
.... it's French!!!

Well, you can't have it all!! The 309 was actually (for the most part) built at Ryton near Coventry, so technically its barely french at all, especially consdering it was intended as a Talbot to replace the Horizon (which is apparently why it isn't a particularly hot looker!), which in itself was originally a chrysler (otherwise known as the dodge omni!)
The 405 was also a british built pug, i believe the ryton plant builds 206's now and it has been remarked that the british do a better job of putting them together than the french, but who am I to point that out??
Thinking about the 309, when I went up to Rockingham to see the Days of Thunder event a couple of weeks ago, one of the highlights of the day for me was spotting that one of the fairground rides (one of the whirly ones that go too fast!) had pre october 89 (old style) 309 rear light clusters as their flashing lights, how innovative!!
Yes, I am sad, i know.....

[e692wtt]

I can remember seeing hundreds of 309s standing in the yard of the old Shoreham Power Station, literally soaked in seawater in the winter storms back in 1990/91, imported via Shoreham. I believe a fair proportion of UK 309s were made at Ryton, as was the 405 Estate - not very well from contemporary Road Tests, which was a shame - and, I seem to remember, the 405 Saloon which was exported as well as supplying the UK market. Of course, things move on, and I believe the 206 is good for the UK 'balance of payments' as well as being better built than the French ones...

I think the problem with the 309 was that it was an 'afterthought', but it was still a damn good car, especially with the XUD or XU9JA (ie GTI) engine... just didn't *look* like a damn good car.

The main character in the film 'Falling Down' drove an americanised Horizon (with non-operational Air Con), before he lost the plot, as a point of interest... and which model did CAR mag reckon was the best Horizon, with stiffened suspension and the best performance of the whole range? The 1.9D... (XUD engine, best in the world in its day, but the petrol engines weren't the best ever...).

[Guest]

Peugeot 309, goodness me, a friend had one of them, she replaced her metro with it, i never forget having to whack the dash to get the instrument lights to work, the day the exhaust fell off, or the fact the seats were threadbear, the paint was peeling the boot wouldn't stay up without the use of a pole and the amount of bits of plastic that would break in you hand. The night the headlight stalk fell off was fun, she tried to push it back in, and kept sounding the horn, but later became a master at turning the stub that remained to get the indicators etc!!!

It later failed the MOT terribly, and she scrapped it and got her old Metro back, which had suffered a perished fuel hose after being laid up for about 6 months, then started first time, it eventually suffered a brake faliure pulling into a petrol station, she went in, couldnt stop and went sailing out the other side! She then got a Rover 100 (metro) which was a very nice car, in super condition which was written off in Portsmouth at a junction, now she has an Astra!

Rich

[Guest]

Propped up tailgate? That sounds exactly like my Brother's 309! His also has a fuel flap that comes open by itself!