Demise of the two door family saloon.

[chaseracer]

Ford dropped the saloon version of the mk4 Mondeo a couple of years back...

There was a saloon version?

[chaseracer]

I remember these as a kid in Germany- competition for the Granada?

 

200 turbo version of that, please thank you.

 

[Junkman]

All I've ever seen of those was gleefully giffer spec. But I seem to remember an article in an ancient magazine that someone built one to 200T config to go along the custom 200T Avant he built as well.

Where the C2s available as Quattros at all?

[Barry Cade]

[Pillock]

Going back to page 1 and the Mk4 Escort, one of the reasons that they did a 3-door estate was that it was so cheap to do so - it was a Combi with windows. The Combi was a half-van half-estate so shared the estate silhouette but had panelled rear windows. Retool to cut the centre out of the rear pressing, make some carpets, put a hatch rear seat in - sorted. New model. So it seems insane that the Mk4 was available in 3-door hatch, 5-door hatch, 3-door estate, 5-door estate, combi, van and 5-door saloon (Orion). The only one missing is the 3-door saloon, although if you imported a VW Apollo you'd have most of the bits you need.

 

However, manufacturers do the same thing now, just with less shared parts. Like the BMWs that are coupes because they've messed with the window line - well that just drives prices up. Instead of pressing 2 million doors, you have to press some for saloons and some for coupes. Lower numbers means higher prices, both to build and repair. They had it spot on 20 years ago where you shared as much as you could - I originally thought they were nuts when the Orion and Escort had different grilles!

[Tayne]

.

[Junkman]

 

Yow, that's it! And that must be his Avant next to it, no?

[Grundig]

 

 

 

Liked these too.

....... And the cars not bad either ........... oops sorry wrong thread   

[eddyramrod]

2door4.jpg

This is pure filth.

I prefer 4 doors but even I can admire this one!

[TagoraSX]

Where the C2s available as Quattros at all?

No the Typ43/C2 was not available as quattro.

 

If you had the cash a company called Artz would build you a 200 on a stretched quattro platform in estate flavour.

[dieselnutjob]

 

[RichardMoss]

Does this count? 

 

[M'coli]

I don't think so, as technically that is a coupé!

[RichardMoss]

The boot and interior are the same size as the saloon - that makes it a family car in my book (it was when I had one)

[stormee]

I think the Insignia is still available as a saloon, surprisingly. Ford dropped the saloon version of the mk4 Mondeo a couple of years back.

 

Those 2 door Cavs were only available for 2 years I think, 81 and 82, and I think only 1300cc in base or L flavour. Anyone know if the 2 door lasted long on the Continent? I know Ford made 2 door Sierra hatches available into the post 87 facelift for mainland Europe.

The Ascona C was available until 1988 in 2-door guise.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_Ascona_C

[fiatdaft]

Those volvo's are hatchbacks !

[hennabm]

The E21 3 series was always a 2 door and the E30 was for the first year of production.

 

It was only in the 84 model year that moredoors were introduced. The problem is though they were never designed for full 4 seaters because of the lack of legroom in the rear.

 

I too am fed up with the "kids" calling any 2dr E30 a coupe - NO IT F***** ISN'T. :mad:

 

They'll be calling three wheelers robin reliants next

[e287yba]

I take your point about the three door estate but surely doors are a bad example as the front doors on a two door are longer than those on a four door?

 

Like on the Morris Marina?

 

As a general rule, you're on the money .

[John F]

I've often wondered what it was about the Marina Coupe that just looked *wrong*... and Tayne's just nailed it. Yep. The doors are far too small for the body size.

 

Yet another BL fuck-up to add to their long list.

[Faker]

Ad one of my all time favorite cars EVAH.

That's my mates car that is!

[Pillock]

BL fuck-up, or BL cost-saving?

I don't generally like three-door cars, every new car park that springs up outside a supermarket or retail park seems to shave an inch or two off the size of their parking space. I'm a fat git, to be fair, but I struggle to open the door of a 3-door car. I always think I've parked it stupidly but then I check and I'm bang in the middle of a minuscule space.

 

Renault had it right with the Avantime doors. Double hinged so don't take up so much extra space. I bet they just fall off after a year though, Because Renault.

[Junkman]

I've never really paid that much attention to the Marina but it seems you are correct.

 

Can't help thinking that the shell's crying out for either a longer door or conversion to a 5 door hatchback.

That side window is just too big.

 

 

Cue "what cars need longer doors?" thread...

 

 

You think that side window is too big?

 

Well...

 

 

You're not alone.

[Pillock]

The VW window line droops, the Marina rises.... Gives a huge amount of unbroken metal on the rear quarter.

[mercrocker]

The flat bit at the top of the rear window in the VW is shorter before it starts to slope.

The vents break up the rear wing and the illusion of a bootlid (the top of the lights) makes the upper half of the car look smaller.

Also,,,,it has proper door handles not from a 60s Canadian coke fridge