University Challenge - the beige version

[garethj]

I watch this from time to time and while it's interesting, I can't help thinking that it's just based on people who've been to university for 4 generations writing questions for other people who've been to university for 3 generations.  This is fine, but it doesn't necessarily have much to do with intelligence or general knowledge.

 

While the team last night could probably have answered "Who was the king of Sweden from 1364 to 1389, the only reigning monarch from the house of Mecklenburg?" (It was Albert of course but those 8 years of civil war was a right fucker), how would they have done if their three bonus questions were:

 

The Triumph Toledo and Dolomite were both compact saloons styled by Michelotti but what was the unusual difference in their drivetrain?

 

The Austin A Series engines was made in several versions over its lifetime, what years did the 997cc and 998cc versions overlap in production?

 

What was the change that Volkswagen made to the Beetle in 1971, turning it from the 1300 to the 1302?

 

Move over Paxman, I'm coming for you

[mercrocker]

Time was any self-respecting student, regardless of their three or four year immersion in Nuclear Physics or the late Mayan Empire, would still know their way around an A series....And be aware which end their Triumph drove from!

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Struggling with question 1, the only thing I can think of is that the Dolomite was available with overdrive.

Now if the question had been about the difference between the 1300 ( or 1500) and the 1500TC, Toledo and Dolomite...

[Tamworthbay]

The 1300 was FWD then replaced by the RWD Dolomite which was the opposite of what every other manufacturer was doing, but that doesn’t answer the question. I had always thought both the Toledo and Dolomite were traditional rwd layouts.

[bangernomics]

Bangernomics, scumbag college. Or if their springs were vertically loaded or torsionally twisted.

[AMC Rebel]

 

 

" (It was Albert of course but those 8 years of civil war was a right fucker), 

 

 

I would pay extra to see an episode that included that illumination from Paxperson

[mercrocker]

Drivetrain awareness.....

 

"Ayeeeve got a Porsch.   Its not an automatic"

[martc]

Vyvyan is the motoring expert...

 

 

[JimH]

Time was any self-respecting student, regardless of their three or four year immersion in Nuclear Physics or the late Mayan Empire, would still know their way around an A series....And be aware which end their Triumph drove from!

I would refer you to the film Brothers in Law (1957).

 

Those who have seen it will know that the answer to the questions "Who was the one who knew his way round an engine?" and "Who was the one who got off with the token crumpet at the end?" was "Nicholas Parsons."

 

The defence rests.

[forddeliveryboy]

The 1300 was FWD then replaced by the RWD Dolomite which was the opposite of what every other manufacturer was doing, but that doesn’t answer the question. I had always thought both the Toledo and Dolomite were traditional rwd layouts.

Yup. The Toledo was rwd from the start, so perhaps the answer to the OP's question is the long-booted one was available with an autobox and t'other had a shorter propshaft. The 1500 (officially) replaced the 1300, in '73 it became the 1500TC and turned rwd.

 

Do I get a bonus 5 points for going out with the daughter of one of the engineers who turned the cars from front to rear drive?

[Ghosty]

GIVE US SOME EASY ONES BAMBI YOU BIG BOTTOM BOIL

[garethj]

Here’s your starter for ten, buzz when you know the answer.

 

Who was the Engineer at Jaguar responsible for turning the XJ-S engine into its HE version?

[somewhatfoolish]

Fireball XL May of course.

[garethj]

I’d like to see one of Paxman’s arse-lickers get that answer!

[flat4alfa]

The Austin A Series engines was made in several versions over its lifetime, what years did the 997cc and 998cc versions overlap in production?

 

What was the change that Volkswagen made to the Beetle in 1971, turning it from the 1300 to the 1302?

 

1962-64

 

There were a few.  McPherson strutting was one of them.

 

 

[forddeliveryboy]

Here's your next starter question, fingers on chokes teams.

 

 

Which Japanese car, first made in 1983 but launched in 1984, in UK spec had a top speed of 115mph and 0-60 in just under 9s, according to CAR? Bonus points for naming more than one.

 

And your first bonus question for five points, Shiters, what is this model's name generally understood to mean?

 

Which American car's engine did the same company re-engineer in 1974 to reduce exhaust emissions to below Federal limits, without the use of a catalytic converter?

 

Which car factory makes the most cars a year?

[forddeliveryboy]

Your next starter for ten.

 

Which mass manufacturer was the first to productionise non-metallic bumpers which could be called integral to the body shape?

 

Your bonus questions for five, which other car's mechanical layout and structural design, from just over forty years previously did this model resemble?

 

Look at these pictures and name these two vehicles which never made it into production.

 

[Stroller133]

XR3i? Don’t know what it means.

[Eddie Honda]

Your next starter for ten.

 

Which mass manufacturer was the first to productionise non-metallic bumpers which could be called integral to the body shape?

 

 

Fiat?

[forddeliveryboy]

XR3i? Don’t know what it means.

Non. Have added a hint.

[forddeliveryboy]

Fiat?

Non. Frog.

[chodweaver]

Here's your next starter question, fingers on chokes teams.

 

 

Which Japanese car, first made in 1983 but launched in 1984, in UK spec had a top speed of 115mph and 0-60 in just under 9s, according to CAR? Bonus points for naming more than one.

 

And your first bonus question for five points, Shiters, what is this model's name generally understood to mean?

 

 

Neil, Scumbag College:

 

"Er, the MR2, yeah, by Toyota. And, and the name is supposed to stand for Mid-engined Runabout 2 seater"

[Stroller133]

Mitsubishi Starion -name is either meant to be Star of Orion or Mis translation of Stallion.

[forddeliveryboy]

Neil, Scumbag College:

 

"Er, the MR2, yeah, by Toyota. And, and the name is supposed to stand for Mid-engined Runabout 2 seater"

CAR measured 0-60 in 7.9 for the MR2 mk1. So no. They rarely felt fast because of the suspension, but times were always low.

[Pillock]

Pillock, Scumbag Polytechnic.

Oh, I came here to say Starion as well but was going to go for the potentially racist myth of "they meant to call it Stallion"

[chodweaver]

[chodweaver]

Your next starter for ten.

 

Which mass manufacturer was the first to productionise non-metallic bumpers which could be called integral to the body shape?

 

Your bonus questions for five, which other car's mechanical layout and structural design, from just over forty years previously did this model resemble?

 

Look at these pictures and name the vehicles which never made it production.

 

Worisit2.jpgWorisit.jpg

 

Citroen with the BX

 

Traction-Avant

 

 

Citroen GS Camargue

*

 

 

G Van

Bearing in mind that this would have come after the H Van, I feel Citroen missed an opportunity to steal Steve Job's thunder by thirty years in calling it the iVan. But then, the Cold War and all that.

**

 

 

 

 

 

 

* I cheated and looked this up

 

** I cheated again and looked this up, too

[forddeliveryboy]

Mitsubishi Starion -name is either meant to be Star of Orion or Mis translation of Stallion.

Pillock, Scumbag Polytechnic.

Oh, I came here to say Starion as well but was going to go for the potentially racist myth of "they meant to call it Stallion"

First made 1982, so no.

 

"The name STARION — derived from the combination of star and

Arion, Hercules' horse in Greek mythology — symbolizes a sense of

the universe, and of power and high performance."

 

— cover of original Japanese Starion sales brochure,

 

Perhaps someone had a good sense of humour when naming the car?

[forddeliveryboy]

Citroen with the BX

 

Traction-Avant

 

 

Citroen GS Camargue

*

 

 

G Van

Bearing in mind that this would have come after the H Van, I feel Citroen missed an opportunity to steal Steve Job's thunder by thirty years in calling it the iVan. But then, the Cold War and all that.

**

 

 

 

 

 

 

* I cheated and looked this up

 

** I cheated again and looked this up, too

2 out of 3 correct.

[forddeliveryboy]

You need Ghosty on the team for that 115mph Jap car question.