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What are your 'weird' likes in cars?


xtriple

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Just thought of another one - rev counters (okay pedants, tachometers!). Can't have a car without one. Also not keen on this modern fad for not putting temp gauges on cars. I know that for years they have lied (ecu controlled so as to NOT scare the punters...until there really is a problem and it suddenly goes from 'normal' to OMFG that's HOT, in a nano-second!) but at least it's some kind of indication... Lights that are blue when cold and then go out only to be replaced with blazing red when it's all gone tits up, just not the thing old chap!

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Not particularly modern, actually. My 1970s DAFs don't have a temp gauge, neither did my 1980s Citroen BX !

 

Neither did my H-reg. Mk 2 Imp - just an orange light, which was also the oil pressure warning. Just what you need in a rear engine water cooled car with a well known reputation for  being both "delicate" and prone to boiling.

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Swing axles (makes driving more interesting)

German Ford V4 beat

Daf variomatic - and the way the centrifugal clutch lets go when pulling up.

Beige, tan or cream upholstery - also partial to red leather.

and I'm another Commer TS fan - 3 cylinders, 6 pistons, 1 crankshaft, and it's a 2 stroke diesel.  Just mad.

 

Must pay more attention to wipers since so many of you are getting off on them :-D .

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I love wrap around rear headlights, like Frog Scorpio lights for example.

 

I also like it when cars have doors which stick or a slightly dodgy window. It reminds you that it's old and a bit rubbish, and probably made by Brummies, but you still love it anyway :D

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I like bizzare gadgets, like the built in dashboard parking timer in early Celica ST's, and the fact that early Rover Sterling column stalks were illuminated by fibre optics.

 

My favourite ever feature on a car, EVER, was on dad's Mondeo Ghia X.

 

post-3171-0-90062800-1289857197.jpg

 

The fuel computer has two LCDs and the red LED for the alarm system is between the two.

 

When the car is locked and the alarm active, the LED flashes, and for a few seconds after you've started the car you can still see the unlit LED.

 

Here's the infeasibly awesome bit:

 

After a few seconds a section of LCD over the red LED goes opaque so you can't see it any more.

 

It's LIKE MAGIC. Anybody out there who has a hi-spec MK1, check it out. You will be unable to control yourself.

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the little clear plastic domes with the red pin for Renault 18 GTS/GTX/GTD/Turbo door lock indicators (what is the correct term for these?). Loved the little red dot on the central locking button on Renaults of that era too.

 

Leccy window switches. Always fascinated by them - the positioning of them, the shape of them etc. Specifically fascinating is the little blank anonymous switch found between driver window and off-side rear on many models (safety cut-out) on BMWs, Mercs, Granadas, Hyundai Stellar GSL; between the rear window switches on 80's and 90's Audis. Loved the proximity of the rear window switches for the driver and rear passengers on Peugeot 405s. They are a few cm apart - can't see why the driver couldn't use the same ones as the rear passengers. Didn't a Citroen CX have the rear window switches positioned so only one pair was needed? Loved the location of the driver's control for rear windows on the Megane RX4 and high spec gen 1 scenics. Roof mounted switches on Alfa 90 (and 75s?). The BMW 8 series rears can only be controlled by the driver. The Rover 800 Coupe rears didn't even move! The leccy rear quarterlight style opening rears on the Fiat Ullyse, Lancia Y10 LX (and to a lesser extent the BMW Compact). The brilliant slider controls for them on a Cherry. I still don't know where the driver controls for the rears are on a top spec Renault 21. Then the Japanese designers took away the fun with door mounted controls for all (reassuring gesticulation towards SD1 and Roller drivers). Amazed that Cortina Ghia owners had to diy for a ciggie - surely the Granada set-up could have been an option? Same with Mk1 Cavaliers. Even mk1 Carlton owners had to tick an option to get them. I could go on... but won't.

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Smells

 

In the summer I was at a show standing near to a TR6 ,when the owner opened the boot, the smell of plastic,hardboard,petrol etc brought back memories of my Grandad's Herald,1300 and 2000 and all those summer days out and picnics in the late 60's early 70's. It actually brought a tear to my eye. Not that I was kept in the boot.

The point is it was a specific Triumph smell. Do modern cars have smells?

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The smell noise and feel of the boot and catch on my old allegro. If i am in my shed i sometimes just open , sniff and close the boot just cos i can, and carry on with what i was doing...... :)

I like the sound of the boot catches and the sound of the doors slamming on '90s Rover Group stuff.

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The smell of a Rover 800 leather interior. Mk1s had a particular smell, I remember many, many years ago as a penniless teen whilst waiting for MA_Sterling to come back from shopping, I spotted a Mk1 Sterling in the car park. I walked up to it and as I walked up beside it, that smell came wafting to my nose, it was nostalgic, really took me back to when FATHA_Sterling had a Mk1 Sterling.

 

I also love the central locking sound, the boot opening/closing sounds and the deep exhaust sound from when it idles, this of course when I thas a good strong and clean exhaust.

 

Still, I've got a 3 Mk1s in my collection in which I can enjoy those things.

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After driving the metro for a few days it has a few things I like. Electric Windows,central Locking and a rev counter on a 80's giffer car are unheard of,the illumination of the auto box selector and the clock being in the overhead console like higher spec orions and escorts.

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The smell of a Rover 800 leather interior. Mk1s had a particular smell, I remember many, many years ago as a penniless teen whilst waiting for MA_Sterling to come back from shopping, I spotted a Mk1 Sterling in the car park. I walked up to it and as I walked up beside it, that smell came wafting to my nose, it was nostalgic, really took me back to when FATHA_Sterling had a Mk1 Sterling.

 

I also love the central locking sound, the boot opening/closing sounds and the deep exhaust sound from when it idles, this of course when I thas a good strong and clean exhaust.

 

Still, I've got a 3 Mk1s in my collection in which I can enjoy those things.

I know what you mean about the exhaust sound. And twin pipes are for winners 8)

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