Facelifts we didn't get in the UK

[AnthonyG]

There was also a weird Iranian 405, which looked more like the original 1988 version, but was RWD for all the hardcore Tehran taxi drivers who wouldn’t give up that sweet, sweet taste of Peykan simplicity.

I understand it used the Peykan’s running gear, but whether it was an unholy combination of a 405 bodyshell hammered over the original 1960s Rootes floor pan, or something a bit more considered, I can’t say. 

[bangernomics]

  On 03/07/2024 at 19:18, Supernaut said:

The VW City Golf.
A facelifted mk4 sold in places such as Brazil, Mexico, China, and... Canada?

I have actually seen these trundling around in person when visiting Canada. They truly are vile. The back end is even worse. Imagine mk5 style tail lights that don't follow a single body line hastily shoved on, and you're nearly there.

South Africa got weird mk1 iterations into the 90’s and 00’s too.








Gzongenflatch
In memory of Phil.

[Sigmund Fraud]

The lovely people at TOFAS continued making ancient Fiat models well into the 2000s. Here's the Sahin, nee 131 Mirafiori :

[Sigmund Fraud]

  On 03/07/2024 at 21:50, AnthonyG said:

There was also a weird Iranian 405, which looked more like the original 1988 version, but was RWD for all the hardcore Tehran taxi drivers who wouldn’t give up that sweet, sweet taste of Peykan simplicity.

I understand it used the Peykan’s running gear, but whether it was an unholy combination of a 405 bodyshell hammered over the original 1960s Rootes floor pan, or something a bit more considered, I can’t say. 

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You are referring to the Peugeot RD/ROA, and there is a thread dedicated to it on this very forum.

[AnthonyG]

Cor, what an utter lash-up 😂!

[Pieman]

Aren't all cars built in Brazil just a mish-mash of various obsolete designs from elsewhere?

Well, about 50% are, the other 50% seem to be homemade deathtraps based on Beetles.

[Muniphobia]

The Indian Ford Figo which was a facelifted Fiesta

 

Which was replaced by an updated version which was the same as the Ka+

[rainagain]

Does anyone else think the jacked up ride height a lots of these have to handle the terrible local roads could be useful now in the UK? 

[EyesWeldedShut]

  On 04/07/2024 at 06:30, rainagain said:

Does anyone else think the jacked up ride height a lots of these have to handle the terrible local roads could be useful now in the UK? 

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That and/or ye olde skool tyre profiles? I'm bemused when I see 65 or 75 section tyre labelled 'balloons' 

[hairnet]

  On 03/07/2024 at 22:35, Sigmund Fraud said:

The lovely people at TOFAS continued making ancient Fiat models well into the 2000s. Here's the Sahin, nee 131 Mirafiori :

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Hhhhhnnnggg

Flump

[danthecapriman]

North American mk1 Mondeo called the Contour.

I like these tbh! 
The rear end styling is different too.

[MrBig]

  On 03/07/2024 at 14:59, Soundwave said:

VW Santana 2000, sold in China for many, many years after the original came and went in the 1980s.

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Far too long in fact 😁 I went into a VW dealer in Ningbo in 2012 and they were still hawking them then. I think I have a brochure somewhere!

[wuvvum]

  On 03/07/2024 at 22:24, bangernomics said:

South Africa got weird mk1 iterations into the 90’s and 00’s too.








Gzongenflatch
In memory of Phil.

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Years ago I saw a red Mk1 Citigolf (obviously a grey import) get pulled over by plod in the centre of Norwich - Norfolk Constabulary presumably unfamiliar with the type and therefore assuming than an H-reg Mk1 Golf must be on fake plates.

[quicksilver]

  On 04/07/2024 at 09:28, wuvvum said:

Years ago I saw a red Mk1 Cotogp;f (obviously a grey import) get pulled over by plod in the centre of Norwich - Norfolk Constabulary presumably unfamiliar with the type and therefore assuming than an H-reg Mk1 Golf must be on fake plates.

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Someone locally had a new Citigolf around 1996/97. I remember being baffled by it as it was clearly a brand new Mk1 on a P-reg at the time the Mk3 was current and I didn't know about the South African production back then.

[Markeh]

  On 03/07/2024 at 14:26, Muniphobia said:

The Indian Punto Evo which seems to have been so well executed* it was restricted to India

I'm surprised the Punto Evo European version hasn't popped up in the unsucessful facelifts thread yet

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Thanks, I always wondered what the bastard lovechild of a Fiat Punto and a Kia Ceed would look like.

[vulgalour]

  On 03/07/2024 at 14:30, IronStar said:

In the early ‘00s Heuliez was tasked with revamping Zastava Koral and Florida (known as Sana in the UK). As Zastava was cash strapped, there wasn’t enough money for changes to metal panels, just plastic bits.

Koral gained PSA sourced 1.1 on top of the archaic Fiat designed engines, and Florida got a PSA 1.6 8v.

 

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I'd seen these and assumed they were just a local aftermarket bodykit... which I suppose they sort of are.  Didn't realise it was an official facelift.

[MiniMinorMk3]

1983 Holden Gemini ZZ/Z, a hot version of a 4-door Shuvit.

Here's the lower spec SL version

[SunnySouth]

  On 03/07/2024 at 13:46, goosey said:

I remember seeing one of those while on holiday in Saint Lo 5 years ago, I’m sure it had “206 Classic” badges on the back but I’m probably wrong. 

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I nearly did a double take when I saw one in french France years back, definitely had a ‘206 +’ badge on its arse I think.

[SunnySouth]

  On 04/07/2024 at 08:35, danthecapriman said:

North American mk1 Mondeo called the Contour.

I like these tbh! 
The rear end styling is different too.

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Fuck me that’s gopping! Looks like a MK1 with a swollen face

[IronStar]

  On 04/07/2024 at 10:15, vulgalour said:

I'd seen these and assumed they were just a local aftermarket bodykit... which I suppose they sort of are.  Didn't realise it was an official facelift.

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They got the In designation behind the name. I remember seeing Koral as a kid when they came out and thinking it looked good. It's let down by the crappy quality of plastics that was prone to cracking after a while, and poor fit and finish didn't really help either. Rust prone under the plastic extensions as well sadly.  

All these years later, I think Koral In looks fairly smart, and would like 1.1 PSA one swapped to 1.6 PSA. Florida In absolutely ruined the Giugaro original design though. 

[danthecapriman]

  On 04/07/2024 at 10:53, SunnySouth said:

Fuck me that’s gopping! Looks like a MK1 with a swollen face

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😆

I like them! Much less plain and boring than the European ones. 
Does seem a bit of a stupid thing to do though, considering the Mondeo was supposed to be a more or less standard design across the world. Then the American’s decide to remodel it for their market only!

The mk2 didn’t get the same treatment though.

Ive told this story before on here, but years ago someone booked a Contour into the garage I worked in. I remember reading the day’s workload in the diary and thinking wtf is a Contour!? 
Then it drove in and you can blatantly see it’s a Mondeo with a few different panels. Everything underneath and mechanically was Mondeo. 
It was left hand drive obviously but I remember wondering why on earth anyone would bother importing one when Mondeo’s in right hand drive were so easy to get at the time. 
 

Id definitely have one though! I think it’s just the fact it’s so different yet so pointless that’s the attraction!

[ProgRocker]

  On 04/07/2024 at 09:28, wuvvum said:

Years ago I saw a red Mk1 Citigolf (obviously a grey import) get pulled over by plod in the centre of Norwich - Norfolk Constabulary presumably unfamiliar with the type and therefore assuming than an H-reg Mk1 Golf must be on fake plates.

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Likely the very same one I used to see. 

[Madman Of The People]

  On 04/07/2024 at 08:35, danthecapriman said:

North American mk1 Mondeo called the Contour.

I like these tbh! 
The rear end styling is different too.

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Don't forget it's slightly upmarket twin, the Mercury Mystique.  AKA; the Mercury Mistake!

Pre-facelift:

Post-facelift:

 

[egg]

  On 04/07/2024 at 12:47, Madman Of The People said:

Don't forget it's slightly upmarket twin, the Mercury Mystique.  AKA; the Mercury Mistake!

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I have a 1995 brochure that has this sexy centrefold. Forget the Crown Vic - I want to import a 2 litre manual with pumice cloth interior and optional air con 😃

[Urko]

We never got the second generation Chevy Volt/ Vauxhall Ampera

 

 

[Pieman]

  On 04/07/2024 at 08:35, danthecapriman said:

North American mk1 Mondeo called the Contour.

I like these tbh! 
The rear end styling is different too.

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Cannot think of Ford Contours without thinking of this.  (Possibly NSFW.)
 

 

[grogee]

  On 04/07/2024 at 06:30, rainagain said:

Does anyone else think the jacked up ride height a lots of these have to handle the terrible local roads could be useful now in the UK? 

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Yes, and I think that's one of the reasons the Brazilian VW Fox was a good idea to sell in UK. Apart from its self-destructing petrol engine. 

[ETCHY]

The Ford Anglia 105e Torino. Done for Italy I believe.

[danthecapriman]

  On 04/07/2024 at 15:46, Pieman said:

Cannot think of Ford Contours without thinking of this.  (Possibly NSFW.)
 

 

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I remember that😆

It’s hilarious when they return it to the rental company!

[HMC]

As papped by myself in Brittany last month…

406 coupe nose job