They_all_do_that_sir Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 I'm not sure this deserves its own thread, but ever since I bought our caravan (1990 Swift Corvette) I have fancied getting a period towcar for it. Bit of googling doesn't yield much in the way of "Tow car of the year 1990", I can see the overall car of the year in 1990 was the citroen XM though which I imagine would tow well.... The caravan only weighs 750kg (or just under 1000kg fully laden according to the plate). What would have been the weapon of choice back then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabergé Greggs Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 BX with tow bar available for sale shortly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red5 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 2.4 Fronterrror. Obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burraston2006 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 One of these? oldcars, NorfolkNWeigh, Vince70 and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burraston2006 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Ignore the last post; this is more suitable: TRW and Vince70 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcars Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Ford Sierra was what my dad used, 1800 l. You need a windslammer on whatever you get. garethj 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quicksilver Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Go older and get a 1750 Maxi. So much torque and it's practically compulsory that they have towbars. I'm biased though obviously Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRW Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 loserone, Vince70, fatharris and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordonbennet Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Best tow car i ever had (car not 4x4) was a Mk4 Zodiac, which had the same rear suspension as the Granada that replaced it, so my vote would go to Granada or later Scorpio.That Zodi pulled my banger racing trailer (all steel bloody heavy) plus Rover 90 mk3 Zodiac or whatever at a comfortable 70mph and never once developed a snake nor felt unstable. My then boss at the time had a Granada Ghia 3 litre manual estate, the Ford A series 3 tonner i drove then went bang at Barlborough, Ted sent one of the lads up in the Granny and we towed that A series back to St Albans, on a rope, a bloody site quicker than it would have driven under its own steam, they really don't make 'em like that any more.bloody lucky not to encounter plod but then travelling at normal motorway speeds on a fairly lengthy rope and making it not too obvious don't suppose they would have reason to notice. Asimo, Vince70, danthecapriman and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twosmoke300 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Saab 9-5 is a damn good tow car . Mainly cos its so bloody heavy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Honda Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Volvo 360. Vince70, Captain Furious, Lacquer Peel and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Furious Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 I have this as my period towing weapon, I think my caravan is around 1993 and this is 1994 so a perfect match, it is also a deal heavier than yours at 1400KG laden, but no problem at all for the mighty 24V Except when this happened, which definitely wasn't* the very first time I towed with it.. And then after a lot of faffing around this happened.. But other than that it is perfect. Except for a small* amount of smoke that pours through the heater vents after the first 10 miles or so of towing, from an as yet unidentified ATF leak somewhere. But it tends to clear after that. danthecapriman, Vince70, dave21478 and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
They_all_do_that_sir Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 A few there I hadn't even thought of. I would imagine some of the 90's stuff is almost getting the point you could take them to shows as well? BX with tow bar available for sale shortly! Is there a thread for this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bub2006 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 1991 van,98 car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bub2006 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 1991 van,98 car Cleon-Fonte, Vince70, mercrocker and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean36014 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 I would say a Sierra with the 2.3 diesel would be the ultimate. Horrendously slow but would pull all day long. I had an ex taxi one with a mere 220k on the clock and it used to drag my caravan happily at 55mph Vince70, oldcars and They_all_do_that_sir 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
They_all_do_that_sir Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 Sierra values seem to be getting a bit spicy for my liking. I seen this one: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C781655 But it sounds to have been a bit barried Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcars Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Sierra values seem to be getting a bit spicy for my liking. I seen this one: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C781655 But it sounds to have been a bit barriedMade for you, twin socket towbar already fitted. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-SIERRA-2-3-DIESEL-EXELLENT-CONDITION-NO-MOT-DUE-TO-STORAGE-/172319858739?hash=item281f106033:g:eu0AAOSwV0RXrOPw They_all_do_that_sir 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
They_all_do_that_sir Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 Made for you, twin socket towbar already fitted. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-SIERRA-2-3-DIESEL-EXELLENT-CONDITION-NO-MOT-DUE-TO-STORAGE-/172319858739?hash=item281f106033:g:eu0AAOSwV0RXrOPw Lovely colour too!! oldcars 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warninglight Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Early Volvo 850! They_all_do_that_sir 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
They_all_do_that_sir Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 Early Volvo 850! I had a phase 2 V70 with the 2.5 pez. Was the 140bhp and it could barely pull itself let alone the caravan. Was very stable once moving but was hard work and done about 10mpg..... 850 dizzler might be the ticket though after the v70 I feel like I've ticked the Volvo box. Besides I don't live in Scotland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bren Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Vauxhall senator in 3.0 flavour. Stevebrookman, They_all_do_that_sir, Rusty_Rocket and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Reverend Bluejeans Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Tow car you say? dcd1979, vulgalour, They_all_do_that_sir and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supernaut Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Go older and get a 1750 Maxi. So much torque and it's practically compulsory that they have towbars. I'm biased though obviously Nah, the 5 cylinder diesel one is better for towing. mercrocker and Lacquer Peel 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMC Rebel Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Bit of googling doesn't yield much in the way of "Tow car of the year 1990", I can see the overall car of the year in 1990 was the citroen XM though which I imagine would tow well.... My Google fu is OK today 1991 leaps out Eddie Honda and They_all_do_that_sir 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hooli Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Cav 4x4? transfer box failure ahead... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNWeigh Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 From 87 to about 93 I had a couple of different caravans and access to a lot of new or newish cars to use .As these were company cars and I was young and stupid I wasn't worried about weight etc.Orion 1.6i- towed 16' 1970's Bessecar surprisingly ok- looked dangerous mind.405 1.9 GRi- same caravan - more stable but dragged its arse - had to rip off the mudflaps.BX 1.9 TZi estate- I changed to this specifically for towing and it was shit! Never felt stable, struggled on hills, barely ever got into 5th. Granada 2.0i , used a couple of different ones( kept the towbar off returning car and put it on various pool cars- Best Tow Car Of Ever- Hatches more stable than saloons ,don't know why - same overhang etc. Once cruised for 2 hours on the Autoroute at 90 rushing for a ferry- solid as a rock.Range Rover Brooklands - OK, but pitching motion cause kids to get travel sick.Rover 827 Si Fastback- loads of power- much too soft ,lots of sparks from back and smoke from font tyres.Montego estates 2.0 Gti and Diesel Countryman- Great, almost as good as Granadas.Cavaliers- SRis better than GL or CD due to lower gearing.Sierras - 1.6 and 1.8 struggled- never towed with a 2.0i- should be almost as good as a Granada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcars Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Looks like i need a Renault 21 gts for my Adria then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNWeigh Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Almost forgot- sales opportunity. Perfect towcar, the right age They_all_do_that_sir, mouseflakes, hennabm and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercrocker Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Nah, the 5 cylinder diesel one is better for towing. That will be the 5D model, presumably? Step this way..... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1980-AUSTIN-MORRIS-MAXI-1-7-1750-5D-AUTO-90-BHP-/381679990783?hash=item58dde677ff:g:2fAAAOSwc1FXayff Presumably why its 3 bags! NorfolkNWeigh 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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