Autocar 4-in-1's - What a choice!

[Spottedlaurel]

Found these when stacking the newly-built shelves out in the Big Shed:

 

 

 

Think they chose this batch with us in 35+ years later. The Ford almost seems a bit too normal, but bonus points for it being a Consul. I'd swap it for a Datsun 200L to make the perfect slightly-bigger-than-the-average family car line-up.

 

 

 

Hunter GLS for me here please.

 

 

 

The Audi seems an odd choice here, why not the saloon?

 

 

Ventora seems out of place.

 

Comments/favourites? The numbering suggests there are others in each series.

[pogweasel]

The BMW 520 was horrendously expensive compared to the competition. I think we forget what a hefty premium the spinning propellor used to carry. I was looking at some stuff for mine the other day... with the spec it would have been over £25,000 new. Yikes.

[Cavcraft]

Very, very had to split some of them but I'd go with:1) Cherry. Hated them when they first came out but love them now.2) Landcrab. Always had a strange attraction to these, maybe I need professional help or counselling?3) Viva. Another car I couldn't stand when they were new but really like now.4) Hunter GLS. Because I always wanted one and I still kick myself for not buying a Hunter GT off a mate for £40 years back.5) 3000E. Neighbour (many moons back) had a Daytona yellow one. It was a tough choice between looking at that or the women's underwear section of Littlewood's catalogue at the time.6) I don't like any of those. Sorry, have no passion for any of those at all.7) XJ6. Very tough call between that and the Ventora. I just think the Series 1 XJ6 is a thing of absolute beauty and in my eyes they still look as wonderful now as they did when they first came out.

[Spottedlaurel]

I think the 520i would only have been a 4-pot too back then?Going, by the entirely logical Cavette numbering system, it's selection 5 that leaves me coldest. I suppose they're would what be most readily regarded as 'proper' classics and I'm applying shocking levels of inverted snobbery. The Alfa GTV and 240Z I'd have only really become aware of in the '80s, but Capris were always about of course when I was growing up and a friend's dad had an immaculate Stag.

[r.welfare]

180. Each and every time, over everything else.Reminds me of some 70's AA road test books I got from the local library clearout about 10 years ago - they used to buy 5 similar cars (in fact I think they did the Consul/Landcrab/Victor/180 comparo as well), then run them over 20,000 miles (!) before declaring their results. A bit heavy on info - a forerunner of the Which? type tests - but absolutely fascinating.I just received 4 copies of CAR from 1976/77, and they are fantastic - great writing, and quality "Giant Tests". Typical Peugeot/Fiat/Citroen/Lancia bias throughout though!

[pogweasel]

Here's my actual choosings:Group 1: Peugeot 104 please.I like them, they came with some pretty funky interiors and lovely jelly suspension. Ace. Group 2: Consul!Yes, I know on Autoshite we should be hand-shuffling over the Chrysler or the Landcrab, but there's a 'something' about the Consul/Granada. It's still one of my fave car designs ever, pretty perfect and some lovely details (concave rear lights = win). Plus, there's the 'Sweeney' effect. Blatting sideways round a grim industrial estate please. (Yes, I realise that a wheezing V4 or Pinto might make this a bit hard!)Group 3: Tricky. Hillman?Bit obvious perhaps. But certainly well spacious, which it the wagon perogative. Nearly opted for the Peugeot though. For those peasanty, gaulouise moments.Group 4: Marina!Yeah, Marina! Wet-roundabout-oversteer AND chronic ditch-finding understeer all in one underdeveloped package. The others are far too 'advanced'. Group 5: Alfa GTVBeautiful shape, beautiful noise who cares if it rots!Rest are all a teensy bit... cheesy?Group 6: BMW 520Well, why not. Fast, solid, capable, ideal for m-way mile-munching with minimum fuss. Group 7: Triumph 2500PILovely! Jag and Rover a bit 'old school tie', Ventora is spivvy americana, Triumph has lovely delicate styling. Can I have the wagon version?

[Cavcraft]

The old 'proper' road tests were great and all the new ones should be the same. Actually they might be but new car mags don't really interset me anymore.the idea of a 20,000 mile road test is a belter. I've had a few cars which I loved for the first week or two then ended up despising them. Most recently was a Fiesta Ghia (about 04 plate I think) hire car when my Calibra got written off. Loved the Fiesta at first but by about 5 days in I hated the dnamed thing. Cramped, uncomfortable, harsh and just not a nice place to be at all.Right, if we have to pick one favourite out of all those for me it has to be the XJ6. 'Space, pace and grace' and all that. Fantastic car.

[garethj]

From the first group it would be the Renault 5. It's L registration so must be a really early one and early stuff is usually with the purest design. Look at the modern plastic bumpers while everything else has chrome metal ones!Group 2 I'd go for the Land Crab, mostly because it's the 6 cylinder version and it's fascinating how they managed to get so much space inside. Old stuff like this is the complete opposite of modern cars - in a roomy 70s car you had the feeling of lots of space inside, room to shuffle about sideways on the seats but things like legroom and being able to reach the switches were crap. On modern cars you've got lots of space as long as you sit exactly where the crash dummies are. Try to move your feet and you hit the inner wing or the centre console within half an inch.Group 3 it's the Renault 12. I remember the Viva and Avenger being porridge when I was a kid so the Renault would be a bit exotic. They seem to give it a good write up too.Group 4, don't really have the hots for any. I suppose the Fiat 124 but I wouldn't love it.Group 5, the Alfa is wonderful but I'd really like to try the 240Z. They were real hairy chest rally cars in the 70s for added kudos.Group 6, the Audi coupe just for its looks. They all look farkin expensive by British car standards!Group 7, the Triumph 2.5PI preferably looking like a Police car

[Guest]

Group 1: Fiat 127. I love the sound of it being an unrefined car when pushed hard!Group 2: Chrysler 180 for its American-esque looks and AMAZING seats!Group 3: Hillman Avenger Estate. Nice and plain.Group 4: Morris Marina TC. Very fond of Marinas!Group 5: Datsun 240Z. Driving position more suitable for large men. Oo-er.Group 6: Lancia Beta 1800. Gorgeous machine, nicely finished indeed.Group 7: Rover 3500. BRAWWRRRNNNNNN!

[Volksy]

1: Renault 52: Chrysler 1803: Peugeot 3044: Triumph Dolomite5: Alfa Romeo GTV6: Alfa Romeo Alfetta7: Vauxhall Ventora

[carlo]

1 Renault 5 - passed my test in an 'R' reg, plus the design is so 'right'2 Chrysler 180 - You'd be unique3 Viva Estate -- Always liked those big glassy 70s Vauxhall Estates4 Dolomite, I suppose if pushed5 Alfa GTV - preferably an earlier one though6 Beta - would love a Beta saloon, though coupes/HPEs do nothing for me7 Rover 3500 - probably my favourite ever British car

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

I would have put the Consul 2500 on my drive, plus the 1800 Alfetta, the 520i (four cylinder M10, Kugelfischer mechanical injection, 130 brake) and all four of the GT cars. I'll leave the Marina and Avenger but the Grunter GLS and 124T have an appeal though.

[Guest greenvanman]

1. Renault 5 (an 850cc 5L was my first car!)2. One Hundred and Eighty!3. 12 Estate4. 124 Special5. 240Z6. None of the above7. Ventora

[Pete-M]

Would have to be the following for me;Renault 5Granada - even though the 2.0 is a mega-slug, it's still the best of those.Renault 12Dollop-o-shiteCapri 3.0 - cos I love 'em.Alfa probablyXJ6

[garycox]

1. Renault 52. Ford Consul3. Viva Estate (Only just ahead of the Avenger)4. Hillman Hunter5. Stag probably...6. Audi Coupe7. Ventora! obviously...

[Richard]

Group 1- Peugeot 104. Peugeot's practice run for taking over the world with the 205.Group 2- I was torn between the Consul and the Victor, but I think the Victor just wins.Group 3- Torn again. I would love to get another Avenger Estate but I like the R12 too. I think the R12 wins because I think the driving experience would stand the test of time better than the Avenger's. I had a go in an Avenger wagon a few years ago and the ride quality was a lot worse than I remembered.Group 4- Hunter, although I've always had a soft spot for Dolomites.Group 5- Stag. I need a lot of headroom.Group 6- Alfetta. I might have considered the Audi if it had been a saloon.Group 7- Triumph. Spacious and uncluttered, just as a large saloon should be.

[stoterstangen90]

Chery180avenger, because my dad had oneMarina 1800tc because i have oneStagAudi 100coupe3500

[reallyloud]

1. I'm obviously biased by the 100A - but the ride and suspension set up of the saloon makes it a 2nd choice behind the Renault 5. Those things rode so smoothly and handled like dream - a bit like Carla Bruni I'd imagine. I Like the 104, I'd imagine its well built and but like the 100A will have the boot that clouts your head. The Fiat is neat looking car, but I'd go for a sud over it.2. Chrysler 180, for the fact you're less likely to see one at a show these days. I'd buy one a really ropey one (as if we have a choice) and put obscenely expensive private plates on it. The Granada is definately the best looking car here and there's something about a landcrab with a black grill. I like the coke bottle shape on the Vauxhall - thinking about it this would be quite a hard choice to pick one. It would depend on how much oil each car would dump on the driveway to judge properly. 3. Renault 12 - those things were deservably popular 'back in the day' even after a 10 year run. The Hillman and Viva don't really leave any impressions on me, but that Peugeot probabily has the same merits at the renner, but in a slightly uglier frock.4. Dolomite I think - Triumph had a run of decent looking machines - plus according to the adverts at the time quicker than a E21 323i. I think I'd have to develop an intimate relationship with my local garage though. The Hillman and Marina have again never motivated me, but I'd imagine that Fiat with the twin-cam engine would be a real hoot.5. Alfa maybe. All are typical classic car fodder. The Datsun Z is fast becoming a cliche in Japanese classic cars, I've heard too many stories about the unreliable engines of the Stag to really want one - they seem a bit retired army major and rotary bowling club to me and I actually think the 4 door Triumphs are far better looking cars. I recall the capri as being naff and mostly driven by 'trevs', so I still harbour that prejudice slightly.6. Odd selection - to consider a Audi 100S coupe over a Lancia beta shows how cars were determined by their prices over body styles. I think I'd go for the Audi, a very good looking car. The Beta however is a peach of a motor too. The BMW would be the sensible choice but I'd also image the Alfa experience wouldn't be an unpleasurable one.7. Again the Triumph I reckon. Great looking machines. I think the Vauxhall is slightly out of it depth here, especially when you are comparing it with relative decadance of the Jag and P6.

[xkjaguar]

one thing that strikes is how similar all 4 in road test 2 and the original test (road test 0?) seem to look to each other

[mk2_craig]

Hadn't realised that the 104 was available in Britain as early as L-reg, likewise the Beta (loving the "solidly built" comment by the way).

[micky0604]

Greatï¼Â----------------------------------------------------------------------------Never, never, never, never give up.While there is life there is hope. Nothing is impossible! world of warcraft power leveling world of warcraft powerleveling wow power leveling wow powerleveling wow accounts -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

[micky0604]

Greatï¼Â----------------------------------------------------------------------------Never, never, never, never give up.While there is life there is hope. Nothing is impossible! world of warcraft power leveling world of warcraft powerleveling wow power leveling wow powerleveling world of warcraft account -----------------------------------------------------------------------------