HMC BMW coupe meltdowns

[Bren]

A looker but I belive these make a Rover SD1 look like a submarine hatch in terms of keeping H20 out out of the car.

[stuboy]

1 hour ago, HMC said:

Acquired one of these lately.

Looks a bit “unhappy” to my eyes. 

Pininfarina design and build apparently. Presumably this one wont feature in future glossy portfolios of their work.

Familiar focus vibes from the view out front. 2.0 duratec/ manual. Its a bit flat in a car this weighty (think its about 1500kg) but its quite a comfy cruiser to potter about in.

i did like these

[Scruffy Bodger]

On 22/03/2024 at 17:50, J-T said:

Saxo VTS I believe. That and the SPORT badge from RenaultSport Clios made their way on to many vehicles in the early 00s

Don't forget the lesser spotted ZX!

[N Dentressangle]

3 hours ago, HMC said:

Acquired one of these lately.

Looks a bit “unhappy” to my eyes. 

Pininfarina design and build apparently. Presumably this one wont feature in future glossy portfolios of their work.

Familiar focus vibes from the view out front. 2.0 duratec/ manual. Its a bit flat in a car this weighty (think its about 1500kg) but its quite a comfy cruiser to potter about in.

I really hate those. Utterly pointless Hyacinth Bucket of a car.

Nice work.

[S2000]

Obscure and delicious in my eyes, you have a knack at procuring vehicles that time forgets.

I’ll take a. Opulent of randoms now 42 and 50 please.

[EyesWeldedShut]

1 hour ago, N Dentressangle said:

I really hate those. Utterly pointless Hyacinth Bucket of a car.

Nice work.

My local garage-guy-who-helps-when-busy turned up in one of these a few years back. First one I had ever seen. Now I have seen two.

He’s still got his one, I’m not taking any bets on this one 😉

[RoverFolkUs]

2 hours ago, N Dentressangle said:

I really hate those. Utterly pointless Hyacinth Bucket of a car.

Nice work.

About as pointless as the Astra twintop of the same era! 

To be fair though, they're a lot more fun with the roof down than you'd think

[Peter C]

Pretty with the roof up but only from the rear.

Lovely profile with the roof down, not so good with the roof up.

Guaranteed future classic, not that HMC will keep it for long enough to find out.

Well done.

[grogee]

I like them but then I'm a bit of a Focus fanboi. I would agree with anyone who said they're aesthetically challenged/dumpy. 

I think we are all waiting to hear just how waterproof this is. Devon will be a stern test. I'm in God's County at the moment and have seen more than four seasons in one day. 

Do they have comedy back seats? 

[Dobloseven]

A lady used to park one on our road for a long time whilst she worked at a nearby factory.Always thought it looked very good in metallic turquoise and beige leather seats.Perhaps they're a bit colour sensitive.Harks back to a time when car makers had convertible mania.

[Peter C]

WCPGW?

[Bear]

On 29/03/2024 at 14:03, HMC said:

MGF progress 

After a pump up (i had a hand pump that i got off e bay years ago) it now sits at the spec ride height. So much more comfortable, presumably it was skittering about almost on its bump stops.  

I was a bit worried the shit ride quality was also blown displacers, but is now manages to be both sporty and a lot more supple.

 

 

That looks like the height for 17 degrees C...

I appreciate it's been warm, but has it been that warm?

[Bear]

11 hours ago, RoverFolkUs said:

About as pointless as the Astra twintop of the same era! 

To be fair though, they're a lot more fun with the roof down than you'd think

I've always been tempted by them, but then the Volvo C70 exists...

[tooSavvy]

Slightly*off topic...

Isn't there a ghastly Nissan with similar axe cuts 🙄

🚙💨

[HMC]

 

 

I think its when they tried to do it in only 2 origami sections (like the micra and the focus) that the rear deck has to be quite long, 3 sections is presumably more complex to engineer, and more costly but more forgiving in the packaging.

 

GM decided to do it in 3; looks quite elaborate 

but the rear deck is quite a bit shorter…

[HMC]

Although ford have form in this category……

[HMC]

Is that the optional hot tub in the back?

[HMC]

Although apparently Peugeot  got there first

 

 

https://designyoutrust.com/2021/08/1934-peugeot-601-eclipse-the-first-automatic-retractable-hardtop-for-an-automobile/

[lesapandre]

2 hours ago, HMC said:

Is that the optional hot tub in the back?

That's where you put your luggage...

[HMC]

Its older cousin had been performing faultlessly. It even has a functioning aftermarket alarm system that you can see in the front window…

[timolloyd]

*had?

[lesapandre]

4 minutes ago, HMC said:

Its older cousin had been performing faultlessly. It even has a functioning aftermarket alarm system that you can see in the front window…

If you break into the car you get licked to death? 

*is "bunk rooms" a Devon euphemism?🤩

[HMC]

11 minutes ago, timolloyd said:

*had?

Got my tenses wrong- still is. The nasty parking damage on the OSR tends to make people steer clear in car parks, quite handy 😂

[mintwth]

14 minutes ago, lesapandre said:

*is "bunk rooms" a Devon euphemism?🤩

Nexia question

[HMC]

10 hours ago, grogee said:

 

Do they have comedy back seats? 

Yes. Unlike, say in a tt mk1 someone over 8 years old can sit in them but even with my fairly forward/ hunched favoured driving position, its more of a 3 seater with the legs of the rear occupant over in the opposing footwell.

[HMC]

I also discovered its a focus cc-3. This from an era of ka2/ ka3 etc. This gives your heated part leather seating and other bits. bonus!

 

Does my bum look big in this? No. (yes)

[Peter C]

12 minutes ago, HMC said:

 

 

I think that’s a great rear end, looks nothing like a Focus and is very distinctive.

[loserone]

I remember when we first got one in as a dealer demo and we really couldn't figure out the point of them - especially when we were selling ford direct ST2s for £13k.  Wish I'd gone balls deep on one of those!

[grogee]

I think there was a collective hysteria within the auto industry after the success of SLK and 206 CC. I remember writing a group test of Megane CC, Astra Twintop, VW Eos and 307 (or maybe 308) CC. Basically all of the mainstream were offering folding metal roofs (and the VW had a sunroof as well - mental!).

I think they all got their fingers burned from warranty claims on leaks and broken motors etc. Horribly complicated compared to a fabric roof, which is a much more mature technology.

Being mainstream, they all offered really mingebag engine options including fume-tastic diesels. 

I'm sure I read there was a class action against Ford and during the litigation an internal document was uncovered stating it was impossible to make the Focus CC waterproof. 

[High Jetter]

2 hours ago, lesapandre said:

 

*is "bunk rooms" a Devon euphemism?🤩

Yes, with regular cycles