Press Cars

[jmsguzzi]

Couldn't find a thread for this, anyone owned a manufacturers former press car or a car used in their promo material?

My old Rover 620Ti was owned by Rover from new for a while but was most likely a management car.

[Stanky]

*Puts hand up*

I owned S201 UKL for about 18 months, nearly 15 years ago.

https://www.exchangeandmart.co.uk/reviews/daihatsu/cuore/1997/207727

The sills were a patchwork of MOT welding even then! It was a riot to drive though, and handled the omgsnokaos of 2009/2010 like a champ with fwd, narrow tyres and minimal weight

[MiniMort]

In my line of work, I've driven a fair amount of press cars but only when they're still a part of the fleet. That said, I once interviewed Chris Goffey, who stated that they bought a Citroen BX TZD that was ex-press fleet. 

I wouldn't mind buying an ex-press car but, having closely inspected some, would probably ask for a new set of tyres to be thrown in! 

[Mr Pastry]

4 minutes ago, jmsguzzi said:

Couldn't find a thread for this, anyone owned a manufacturers former press car or a car used in their promo material?

My old Rover 620Ti was owned by Rover from new for a while but was most likely a management car.

I had a 1953 Upright Ford Anglia registered WHK which I believe was a series used by Ford Motor Co for press cars etc.  Interestingly it was not registered until 1955 by which time it had been superseded by the Popular, so must have been in storage or internal use, but I know no more.

A mate had an early Sprite first registered to the Donald Healey Motor Co, with a WD (Warwick) registration,  certainly a works car or demonstrator.

Slightly off topic I had a Lancia Fulvia Coupe when they were cheap, which came with the original bill of sale, to the rally driver Sheila Van Damm.    

[chaseracer]

Domestic Management had an ex-press fleet Panda 100HP for a while.  This one... 

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/used-cars-used-car-buying-guides/used-car-buying-guide-fiat-panda-100hp

 

[Austin-Rover]

2 hours ago, jmsguzzi said:

My old Rover 620Ti was owned by Rover from new for a while but was most likely a management car.

Find me a Rover that doesn't have 'Rover Group Company Vehicles' listed as the first owner.  😄

[sheffcortinacentre]

Alot of ford launch brochure cars were pre production versions which were unfortunately destroyed in film/TV work or  donated to tech colleges due to dodgy build quality, non compliant parts, etc ( baring them from road use come first MOT time) especially post 74 due to various changes to laws connected to UK type approval,tax, etc.

Some fascinating escapees have occurred over the years,Inc a MK1 Capri estate that survives in Australia in private hands, a UK regd LHD 93 rwd Mk5 escort RS 2000 ( in ford Germanys car collection) being 2 such examples.

Press fleet/road test vehicles tended to have short lives too due to abusive at the hands of journalists 

[doug]

I used to own a Coburn and Hughes press fleet Moto Guzzi T3. Also had some press cuttings/road tests featuring it. Wish I never sold it.

P.S. Just put the reg number into Google and it was also in an episode of Z cars!!

[warren t claim]

15 minutes ago, sheffcortinacentre said:

Alot of ford launch brochure cars were pre production versions which were unfortunately destroyed in film/TV work or  donated to tech colleges due to dodgy build quality, non compliant parts, etc ( baring them from road use come first MOT time) especially post 74 due to various changes to laws connected to UK type approval,tax, etc.

Some fascinating escapees have occurred over the years,Inc a MK1 Capri estate that survives in Australia in private hands, a UK regd LHD 93 rwd Mk5 escort RS 2000 ( in ford Germanys car collection) being 2 such examples.

Press fleet/road test vehicles tended to have short lives too due to abusive at the hands of journalists 

I know that I've said on here before that I was offered VVW8W, the press demo 2.8i Capri back in 1992.

[stuboy]

mine was allegedly a press car... but i have no proof

[Markeh]

Possibly a bit of a crossover with the characters in shite cars thread, but this Escort was a press car, here it is being driven on Top Gear when new:

And here it is 20 odd years later being used by amongst others, Ruth Jones' character in her less successful sitcom, Stella for several seasons: