Oddball Euro saloons

[lesapandre]

They dumped the Humber brand for which it was intended and introduced the Chrysler name - which had very little prestige in the UK.

In that segment Ford had the superb Granada and the big Vauxhalls were also available - as were the BLMC offerings of Triumph and Rover for a little bit more money. So it was a crowded marketplace for 'executive cars'.

They were all 4-pots when sixes were avaliable to most of the rivals - and no performance version.

They were pretty crude inside - nastily plastic - were not particularly economical or quick and got so so reviews. They also looked a bit too much like the Avenger - buyers don't want an expensive car that looks like a cheaper car - and the look was dated.

Really the Chrysler equivalent of the Austin 1800 - a car answering a demand that did not actually exist.

Residuals would have been awful with depreciation and I can't imagine many fleet buyers taking the bait.

So they sold about 2000 a year in the UK.

[quicksilver]

5 hours ago, sierraman said:

This was typical of their thinking, wasting time/money on something nobody would want. 🤣

Actually, for once BL didn't waste too much time on such a folly. They only had enough money to produce either this or the five-door hatchback and in a rare outburst of common sense made the right decision to go ahead with the five-door and abandon the saloon. The odd thing though is that the prototype made in 1979/80 now has wheels from the 1984 facelift model.

[MiniMinorMk3]

Citroen SM Opera by Henri Chapron. 7 were built.

[MiniMinorMk3]

Only ever a prototype

[NorfolkNWeigh]

3 hours ago, Metal Guru said:

What was wrong with the Chrysler 180?  It looked similar to its rivals , Cortina and Victor but was much rarer on the road.

My Dad got a Mk3 Cortina in 1976 but he never even looked at the Chrysler.

The Hunter would have been Chrysler’s offering in that market segment in 1976, the180/2Litre were priced as Granada ( and prior to 75 Consul) competitors.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

2 hours ago, lesapandre said:

They dumped the Humber brand for which it was intended and introduced the Chrysler name - which had very little prestige the UK.

In that segment Ford had the superb Granada and the big Vauxhalls were also available - as were the BLMC offerings of Triumph and Rover for a litte bit more money. So it was a crowded marketplace for 'executive cars'.

They were all 4-pots when sixes were avaliable to most of the rivals - and no performance version.

They were pretty crude inside - nastily plastic - were not particularly economical or quick and got so so reviews. They also looked a bit too much like the Avenger - buyers don't want and expensive car that looks like a cheaper car - and the look was dated.

Really the Chrysler equivalent of the Austin 1800 - a car answering a demand that did not actually exist.

Residuals would have been awful with depreciation and I can't imagine many fleet buyers taking the bait.

So they sold about 2000 a year in the UK.

Stolen from @triggers excellent archive, as usual.

 

[GeordieInExile]

4 hours ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

Citroen SM Opera by Henri Chapron. 7 were built.

Good lord that is wonderful.

[eddyramrod]

2 hours ago, GeordieInExile said:

Good lord that is wonderful.

I would.  All day every day.

[artdjones]

6 hours ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

The Hunter would have been Chrysler’s offering in that market segment in 1976, the180/2Litre were priced as Granada ( and prior to 75 Consul) competitors.

In 1976 a 180 was about £100 more than the excellent 1.9GL Cavalier, so not likely to sell big.

[quicksilver]

3 hours ago, GeordieInExile said:

Good lord that is wonderful.

I remember seeing one in a TV advert. No idea what the product being advertised was but it really made me want the car.