Shite Road Test Scans - Austin Ambassador HLS - Rover 2000 SD1 & Saab 900 GLS 1982

[Jon]

Montego in winner shock! It's funny how a good write up from 22 years ago can still make you hanker for something like a Montego, a car that's never really been on my radar, other than the early ones.

 

I think that's what I like about CAR magazine (up to the late 90's) - the autoshite ethos often displayed. Journalists who don't pander to what is perceived to be the best car and offer a valid argument for their conclusions. I'm enjoying reading the 31 issues I found out here (93-95) - must scan Trademe for others.

 

Top work as ever Trig!

[Madman Of The People]

I miss the days when CAR would do straight side-by-side comparasons. in their photos. Things like putting the same object in the boot of each car, so as to give a point of reference when viewing the cargo capacity. And swowing the side profile, front and rear of each car. Today's CAR photographers are just a bit too arty-farty for their own good. What's so wrong with showing us what the car looks like?

[garethj]

My brain has been replaced by Autoshite; reading that TD giant test I was rooting for the Montego.

 

Thanks for the scans, Trig. You're doing a fine service for the world

[M'coli]

This roadtest showcases just how much better the Prima was than the indirect injection engines in everything else - is it a coincidence that Audi and Peugeot went on to produce some truly great diesel engines? I'm not sure, but I think that they probably did buy a Prima engined device and pull it apart. I think the sad thing about the Montego is that by that point it could have done with a re-skin in much the same way as the mk2 Cavalier became the mk3, then set it off touring car racing using the T16 engine out of the 820 when the supertouring rules were introduced.

[AnthonyG]

I remember that the later Montegos - both diesel and petrol - got quite a bit of respect from motoring journalists, manily because it was much improved over the early versions. The unreliable gimmicks such as voice synth had been dumped, and the Prima in particular was an excellent engine. The value pricing helped as well.

[ashmicro]

More excellent stuff from The Trig.

 

Montegos are full of WIN.

[Shep Shepherd]

I love that road test of the Charmant. There used to be a lot of similar cars in my area when I was growing up, along with numerous Charades and Fourtraks, as Daihatsu UK's headquarters (as well as Chrysler's later on) was but seven miles away from my village

[trigger]

And now for something complete different... The 1988 JCB GT which boasted of having a Supercharged 7.4 Big Block Chevy engine and a 0-60 of 12.8 secs!.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[warren t claim]

Due to recent events I think we need some FSO/Polski Fiat scans on here. Pleeeeaaaasseeeeeeeeeeeee!

[trigger]

Oh go on then!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Negative Creep]

Don't think I've ever seen a half star rating before!

[chaseracer]

What's the betting the Astra died so young at the hands of a joyrider?

Or a journo!!

[ProgRocker]

Great scan, Trigger!

 

What Car? road tests the 'Weller wheeled' FSO Polonez Prima with its powerhouse 1600cc engine in a supplement issue in 1989. Against the Hyundai Pony, revised SEAT Ibiza and...some other car...Yugo 45a maybe? Oh - might have been a Lada Samara.

[Dave7]

Yugo comes out smelling of roses in that. Nice article.

 

Hard to read but here is a similar one from Canada

 

 

[Dave7]

I wish I could find the rest

 

[trigger]

This evening i present you the 1979 road test of the Renault 14 TS.

 

 

 

 

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Looks like the 14 was the one to have out of that lot. Talbot were taking the piss.....£4350 for the 'Orizon? Piss off!!

[ProgRocker]

I never liked the appearance of the 14, sorry.

 

Out of those included in the 'rivals' page I'd take the Citroen GS Pallas. Even the Colt 1400 looks rather appealing too.

 

Having said that, the Alfasud Ti looks like it would be the most fun. And it was very good value for money at the time, too.

[barefoot]

A school friend's mother replaced her 15 TL with a 14 TS and immediately wished she'd hung on a bit as the Fuego came out shortly afterwards.

My mate & I both loved it, it seemed so relaxed at speed, doing just 4000rpm @ 70mph!

In our minds, that meant it would spin to 6000rpm & do well over a ton.

 

I particularly remember the seats, the headlining and the heater.

 

It was replaced with a 1500cc Scirocco 2

[trigger]

Jumbo road test this time!, From the July 1984 issue of What Car? Featuring the Austin Montego 1.6 HL, Fiat Regata 100 Super, Toyota Carina GL, Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6 GL, Ford Sierra 1.6 GL, Peugeot 305 GT, Mazda 626 LX, Renault 18 GTS, Volkswagen Santana CX And Volvo 360 GLE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RoadworkUK]

Bloody hell! Is it too late to demand a recount?!

[trigger]

80's Sports saloons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[trigger]

I think the Nissan pissed the competition here!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

GR9 Scans trighouse. That 10-car mega test is DA BOMB. The regata in it looks appealing, its the top-of-the-range job with a 1600 twink, I bet its a cracking drive. I wonder if any survive in that spec? If so i would love to own it/have a go in it.

[RoadworkUK]

You've excelled yourself here, Trig. And why, despite the verdict, do I find the Bluebird strangely appealing?

[scooters]

brilliant thanks Trig

 

very interesting that the journo rates the BX Gti 8v as having the best suspension of all the BXes

 

that is the one I have and I have to say althogh not as smooth as the normal BX suspension the stiffer anti roll bar and firmer shperes in the 8v do make it a lovely car to drive on a decent road

 

having had a 16v one many years ago I think I prefer the 8v - not as much of a hooligan but a less fussy and better all rounder

[trigger]

Especially for Wats latest arrival.

 

 

 

[Guest]

Thanks for posting that up Trig. That Autocar test is spot on and I found myself agreeing with more or less everything that was written. It is excellent on the motorway and the MPG returned was pretty dismal. I wonder why they softened the shocks up for the 460 - were they trying to push the 'comfy tourer' angle? It certainly seems that way. My 480 was actually pretty good around the bends but had a jittery ride. The 460 travels down a rough road with aplomb but goes to pieces if you start hammering down the twisties. I'd go as far as to call it queasy - the engine is too powerful for the rest of the car.

 

It feels better put together than the 480 too, which is surprising given that it's an early build.

 

Perhaps some Konis, 440 Turbo springs and some decent tyres will perk it up a bit. I may well have ended up with one of the earliest 460 Turbos left in the UK, so I don't want to be buggering around with it too much. I would like the fucking thing to stop and corner with some semblance of calm, however.

[wuvvum]

I wonder why they softened the shocks up for the 460 - were they trying to push the 'comfy tourer' angle? It certainly seems that way. My 480 was actually pretty good around the bends but had a jittery ride. The 460 travels down a rough road with aplomb but goes to pieces if you start hammering down the twisties. I'd go as far as to call it queasy - the engine is too powerful for the rest of the car.

Are you sure it isn't just that your suspension is a bit tired? My 460 Turbo cornered pretty well but had a firm ride - much the same as the 480 Turbo in fact. It's possible mine had been upgraded though. Or maybe they changed the settings during the production run - mine was a bit later than yours. I had some proper fun in that 460 - probably the best sleeper I'd owned until I bought the Rover of Doom.

[trigger]

I don't know if this has much interest here but how about this 1984 article on a 156 bhp Polo with a turbocharged Transporter engine, Classy!.