Daft crushes that you can't explain

[dollywobbler]

Ok, let's admit to the 'fancies' we have that we dare not admit to the wider world (other than via an entirely public forum...)

 

For me, it's the Leyland-Daf 400. I don't know what it is, but in terms of looks, they're just absolutely spot on. The later Convoy grinned inanely and looked daft while the 200 is just a bit too narrow for a van.

 

Here's a Minibus in Keeping Up Appearances. I don't really like the low-roof style though.

 

Here's another 400 giving it some hoon in Doctor Who. Give that tyre some punishment!

 

They worked well as an ambulance though. Send that Merc Sprinter away! I want a proper ambulance!

 

My own 'Bertha' - a superb machine.

 

I really liked the Parcelfarce parcel vans, that were built at the LDV factory where I spent a happy college work experience in 1995 - just before the Pilot/Convoy came along. Sadly, I'm struggling to find any pictures of one.

 

Other odd crushes. The Land Rover Freelander. I've always loved the way they look, even with the clumsy rear light design.

 

And the Daewoo Matiz. A purple one (well, Cobolt Blue) remains the only brand new car I've ever owned. I loved it, before inevitably getting bored by it. The styling is, again, spot on - thanks to Guigiaro. It was his take on what the Fiat 500 should be for the Nineties. Fiat didn't like it, so he flogged the Design to Daewoo instead. I don't want the restyled version, and I certainly don't want a sodding Chevrolet badge. The original was clean-lined and delicious, with a thrumming three-cylinder engine and a rather non-commital approach to cornering.

 

So, what is your secret craving?

[whitevanman]

Don't think I have anymore Automotive crushes....just a few cars I'd like to own one day

[Station]

I read those LDV's have horrible front/rear beam suspension, I can't imagine it being pleasant to drive on any corners.

[HMC]

Ive always had a soft spot for citroen c15 vans. maybe its the styling that became more and more outdated as production continued for many years after the visa died ( I think I saw a 53 plate one once) I like the fact they seem to look right with a few scuffs and scrapes on the biscuit tin metalwork. Theyre honest and no nonsense. They could have sold them in the uk as the original berlingo/multispace with bench seat in the back and some basic trim. A sort of 2cv for the 90s. I dont have any justification to buy one, and I think my wife would disown me.

 

i snapped this one on holiday.

[Albert Ross]

Aye, them Sherpa had fibreglass front springs. I'd still do a V8 one though. Ex-Riot van anyone?

I hired a Matiz on Kefalonia 5 years ago. It went EVERYWHERE! (Unless of course you work for "Greekstones" car hire.) I never went on any dusty mountain roads, or an ANY beaches etc....... ahem. We had it for 10 days, and christened it the "Crunchy Frog" due to the green paint.

[Split_Pin]

I've always liked the 95-00 Fiesta. I think the rounded styling embodies Ford's styling of the era and they were nice to drive, even with the clattery pushrod 'Endura'E'. The more basic they look the better, I think.

 

I've also always liked the Corsa B, especially the dashboard with the 'tube' shape going right across it.

[Mr Lobster]

^C15s do look 'right' though don't they.

 

Anyway, secret crushes. No not really, I think I've admitted to everything I lust for. And to be honest, if you've admitted to the world that the SEAT Malaga gives you the raging horn then, well, everything else is an improvement.

[dollywobbler]

I've also always liked the Corsa B, especially the dashboard with the 'tube' shape going right across it.

 

Aye. Was following a 5dr the other day, which of course is very different at the back to the 3dr. Guess I like those also because I learnt to drive in one. Sadly, do a Google Image search on Corsa B and you get a load of ruined ones that appear to have suffered suspension failure...

[chaseracer]

I read those LDV's have horrible front/rear beam suspension, I can't imagine it being pleasant to drive on any corners.

Or in a straight line.

 

When I was a teacher (in a previous life) the school minibus was a 91J ex-plod Leyland DAF 400 personnel carrier. It was weapons-grade SHIT, with its cart springs, 2-litre O-series boat anchor and what I remain convinced was a Morris Minor cogbox.

 

Not nice.

[chaseracer]

...Corsa B... Was following a 5dr the other day, which of course is very different at the back to the 3dr...

The 99-on Punto was like this. I had a 3-door on the firm for a while and it was OK; solid, and handled well. Drove a 5-door, and it was a different car...

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Aye, them Sherpa had fibreglass front springs.

 

I didn't realise that. Like a Corvette.

Beam front axles were a bit of an anachronism even when the Sherpa was launched, though not in vans. I think its chief rival, the Transit stuck with a front beam until the Mk3 was launched.

 

I've also always liked the Corsa B, especially the dashboard with the 'tube' shape going right across it.

 

I quite like them too, especially fitted with an Isuzu diesel. A friend has one, he's incredibly brutal to his cars but keeps them well serviced - he hasn't managed to break the Corsa after a couple of years of abuse. His 106s didn't last nearly as long.

[j-j]

I hate to admit it but i have a mild HORN for the first type of Vauxhall Tigra! Especially in the minging bronze-orange they came in.

 

This

In bronze..

 

These also shamelessly give me the horn and I can't quite explain it.

 

 

This gives me a boner too - though, I reckon many a shiter will dig the aerodeck

 

[dollywobbler]

The LDV thing is odd. My ol' Leyland Daf 400 with Peugeot Turbo diesel was great. Not brilliant, but felt like it'd survive a nuclear war, though it did have an incontinence issue with oil...

 

I've driven an LDV Convoy Luton to Normandy and back, and that was rather unpleasant. Had a horrendous wobble through the wheel and didn't really like the Ford engine. Smallest turbo in the world I reckon.

 

J-J, I've always liked the Tigra from behind, but would never approach one from the front. The nose is all wrong.

[ProgRocker]

FSO Polonez has been my secret crush for the last 20 years. & a Cortina 2000E for the last 17.

 

I also liked the Matiz, btw - I likened it to a 21st century Renault 4 - sort of.

[Albert Ross]

I would like a nice early 60s AC Aceca Bristol. But they ain't shite.

 

I'd like a Volvo 940 Turbo Estate. There.

[j-j]

Ian, it's not the front that's all wrong - it's boss (how many cars have lights that sort of surrount the end of the bumper!?) no what's wrong with the tigra is that it has the same dashboard as the Corsa! that's proppa 90s shite!

[Guest]

Citroen AX.

Had 6 of these and would have another. But I cant explain why as they are not brilliant cars in a few respects.

Also love the Gordon Keeble cars

[Rusty Pelican]

Volvo T5 , maybe even a T5-R , Missus hates them which could be reason enough i guess.

 

[chaseracer]

It may be that I am beyond help, but...

 

 

 

 

However...

 

 

[Cavcraft]

Besides the usual suspects (Cav Mk3, Astra Mk1, 3, 4 and 5) and the Corsa B I also have the horn for the following:

 

Mk3 Transit, must be diesel and ideally SWB with side loader. I spent so many years doing so many miles in Transits of various shapes/sizes I grew to love them very quickly. The sound of the engine, the 'at home' feeling when driving them and the crazy fact they make me smile when I drive them.

 

ADO16: Would need to be an early no frills model with a strip speedo. Something about that basic mingebag look of them rocks my world. I've yet to own one but definately will do one day.

 

A40 Farina (as above).

 

Rover P6, again an early shit spec one would be ideal. I think going on holiday in a 2000SC circa early-mid seventies cemented my love for them.

[j-j]

It may be that I am beyond help, but...

 

 

)

 

100% agree on the Barkas- my dream van... quadruple WANT there but yet I know it would be a troublesome pile of shite - I just need one in my life though

[Alexg]

I love BL tat. But even I admit I'm mad for lusting for one of these....

 

[Baz]

Any large saloon produced by Hyundai, Daewoo or Kia....I love them, and I know not why....

[theorganist]

I love basic French cars so a Renault 6 is definately a car I have a crush on:

 

 

Also have a desire for a Ford Orion (86-90) model, prefferably a diesel:

 

 

And the Leyland Wedge really gives me the horn:

 

[Father Ted]

These.

These are just lush.

Really Really Lush.

And I really really want one with a full length sun roof.

Rolly polly handling, made out of tun foil, PSA unpredictability and I really think those rear arm bearings will eat through the rear beam at some point.

BUT

You can stash 3 kids in the back easily and then there is that MAHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOFUCINSIVE boot.

[Spiny Norman]

Always thought this generation of Mazda 323 and the one that followed it were far cooler looking than they needed to be considering they were just bland 1.8 Jap boxes.

 

[gearoil]

The bug eyed Ford Scorpio, preferably a late one in either saloon or estate form.

 

I agree with the LDV 400. Never driven one though, my mate had one as a mobile workshop with the reg V100 DAF ( he fixes DAF trucks ) When I see them I do think to myself 'surely they can't be that bad...'

 

Also, the Citroen ZX. In diesel flavour and estate please.

[Split_Pin]

Theres something about taking a European car, 10 years out of date, and thoroughly Soviet-ising it that intrigues me.

 

 

1987 Moskvich Aleko

 

In fact anything Pre-1991 from the USSR gives me a bit of tentage:

 

 

And my favourite:

 

 

The sinister ZIL. Something to do with some people being more equal than others

[eddyramrod]

So much to agree with! Studebaker, absolutely with you on the Mazda 323F, which incidentally is big over here. FSO Polonez, right up my street, also the BL Wedge. The one I really always wanted though was the 1971-76 Toyota Crown, preferably the estate.

 

Cavette, visit the A40 club forum, we will help you find one if you really want!

[Angrydicky]

I love BL tat. But even I admit I'm mad for lusting for one of these....

 

 

No you're not. I'd LOVE an Ambassador.

 

Other 'crushes' include: Wolseley 18/85 in Limeflower, old Austin FX4 Taxicab, Mitsubishi Colt Sigma or Celeste, Talbot Solara Rapier...