Urko

I agree about the TT and was seriously underwhelmed with the 911 I drove.....

Disagree - 90s Fords looked extremely similar either side of the Atlantic - Granada vs Taurus. Merkur Scorpio, though short lived was almost identical to the Euro one - unless you'd argue that Europe was influencing the US of course

The coolant temp gauge on R75/MGZT is a BMW design that deliberately operates in a non-linear way. It means that rather seeing a gradually (or even quickly) rising temperature, it jumps from the middle to the high end and by the time it does that you're already in the shit. It seems utterly crazy to me to have a dial to show a representation of coolant temp where the majority of the scale is never used.

Totally agree - never understood why the EU didn’t mandate this, it would have been a good regulation.

I remember "helping" my Dad fit screen washers to my Mum's 1960 Mini (actually badged Austin Seven) - I think it was 1971 or thereabouts - he had to because of the new law.

Cable selection was replaced by rod change after the first 17 months - a cable change Maxi is a rare thing these days. I had one in the late 70s - it wasn't that bad, but the later rod change was better. ETA - the cable change was from the landcrab of course

The screenwash on that Mini would have been an aftermarket addition or an optional extra - the originals weren't fitted with it as it wasn't a legal requirement.

I blame the Americans for this - it's almost ubiquitous on yank motors and so Merc and and others have adopted it. Also seemingly no-one uses their handbrakes in Germany.

BMW part - "German Engineering" Also found on 3 series and possibly other heaps of shit.

Dunno if that Volvo breakers is still run by the same bloke but he was (in)famously grumpy.

Thought I saw you today on the A34 but when I came home and checked the reg I see it was an almost identical van but K reg.

Incorrect.

You grumpy old man 😃