Friday, December 21, 2012

The Talbot Horizon Pullman

The Horizon Pullman has been developed from the highly successful GL 1.5. It is an ideal car for the discerning motorist who wants exterior style and distinction and the luxury of travelling in 'Pullman' comfort.

Power steering forms an important part of the Pullman's specification - the first time this feature has been offered on a petrol engined Horizon. The powertrain consists of the well-proven powerful 1442cc 82 DIN bhp engine matched to a new 5-speed gearbox.

There is a choice of two duo-tone metallic colour schemes: Jamaica Brown and Sable with Mink trim or Ming Blue and Cascade Blue with Grey trim. Both colour schemes have matching pin-stripe body side tapes.

To enhance this model even further we have added 5J x 13 'Amil 2' alloy road wheels fitted with 175x70 tyres, a front air dam and a bright Pullman badge.

The interior is equally distinctive. The reclining front seats and head restraints are fully trimmed in luxurious velour and the door trim pads have velour inserts. A polished wood veneer capping runs the full width on the lower facia rail and this is complemented by a polished wooden knob on the gear lever.

A digital rev. counter is one of five instruments which are all very readable through the steering wheel. For added convenience there is central door locking, an analogue clock, a map reading lamp, and a load area lamp. And to make your 'Pullman' travel even more enjoyable we have included a push button radio/stereo cassette with a four speaker system and front/rear balance control.

The tailgate lifts automatically and provides access to 11 cu. ft. of luggage space, fold the rear seat down and there's 42 cu. ft. available with full estate car versatility.

To cap it all, the Pullman gives a remarkable 47.1 mpg at a constant 56 mph - which goes to show that a car combining performance, luxury and distinction need not be expensive to run.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Ascona 400 : There's (399) more where that came from!

This is one of a very small batch of very special Opel Asconas. We called it Ascona 400, because that's how many there will be. And while the majority will win themselves a place in connoisseurs' collections, some of them are destined to win international fame.

The standard Opel Ascona is renowned for its superb dynamic qualities and outstanding reliability. The Ascona 400 exploits that sporting potential to the full.

In addition to its sophisticated 16-valve engine, performance was boosted still further by intensive wind tunnel testing, resulting in a lower drag coefficient and increased stability (front end lift was cut by 50%, while that at the rear was reduced by almost 100%!). And although the Ascona 400 makes a spectacular yet practical road car, its design features make it easy to prepare for effective competition use.

Look what it offers:- 2.4 litre, 16-valve engine with crossflow head and chain-driven, twin overhead camshafts * 144bhp(DIN) at 5200rpm, 155lb/ft torque at 3800rpm * 5-bearing crankshaft with 8 balance weights * Electronic fuel injection * 5-speed gearbox, with optional heavy-duty close-ratio version also available * 9" single dry-plate clutch * Choice of 3.18:1 or 3.45:1 rear axle ratios * 80% locking differential * Gas-filled shock absorbers * Specially uprated front and rear suspension with 5-link back axle * Light alloy 6Jx15 wheels with ultra-low profile 205/50 VR 15 steel-braced tyres * Front and rear spoilers, plus side spoilers linking wheel arch extensions.

Performance: 0-62mph in 7.6 secs. Top speed (depending on rear axle ratio) 125+ mph.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Capri 2.8 Turbo by Tickford

Ford's Capri 2.8 Injection combines the styling and performance of a supercar with the space, comfort and convenience of a family-sized hatchback. It is also exceptionally good value for money.

But some people want even more power and comfort. That's why the 2.8 Injection, a great car in its own right, has been turned into something really special by Aston Martin Tickford.

The sensational transformation has been achieved without altering the Capri's basic bodywork. However, it has panels of tough, glass reinforced plastic which are neatly bolted to the Capri's nose, flanks and tail. These reduce the drag factor to 0.37 while lift at the front and rear is reduced by more than 40 per cent.

Under the bonnet is the Ford 2.8 Injection engine, married to a very compact IHI turbocharger with a Garrett intercooler, AFT digital computerised ignition plus Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection.

The engine delivers a massive 205bhp and 260 lb/ft of torque. As the figures clearly indicate there is plenty of muscle where it's really appreciated - between 2000 and 4000rpm to provide vivid acceleration.

At the rear, Tickford fit a limited-slip differential and an 'A' frame to provide additional location for the axle. The rear drum and brakes are replaced by 10.43" discs to cope with the extra performance.

Inside there is a leather-trimmed walnut fascia with a full set of instruments. Door panels are trimmed in carpet, velour and leather with leather trim for the rear quarter panels and three-spoke steering wheel. Tickford retain the Recaro seats.

Options at extra cost range from a stainless-steel exhaust system and Pirelli P7 tyres to a complete retrim in Connolly hide and Wilton carpet for the interior boot.

Great expectations become reality when the turbocharged Capri takes to the road. Tickford claim a 0-60mph time of just over six seconds and Autocar recorded 5.3 seconds for the 50-70mph sprint in fourth gear, while dropping to third spanned the same gap in only 3.8 seconds.

In short, Aston Martin Tickford have transformed the Capri's fine pedigree into a world beater with performance, handling, looks and refinement to challenge virtually any car regardless of the price.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

The Paul Emery Imp : How low can you get?

Take a look at the pic. And you'll find our Imp's a little lower than the ordinary. We call it the Paul Emery Low-Line look. It gives you a 10% increase in aerodynamic efficiency. Which means your top speed goes up. And your fuel consumption goes down. All by 10%. Ex-Works, the complete conversion will put you back around £115.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Red Oktober

For the past few years I've seen photographs appear online after the annual Red Oktober event at Crich Tramway Village in Derbyshire and I always promise myself that I'll make it the following year. This year I finally managed it.

The event is a meeting of Eastern Bloc vehicles built before the fall of the Berlin Wall in a picturesque vintage British setting amongst cobbled streets and beautiful old Trams. Many of the participants dress in period-correct military clothing to go with their vehicles which made for some interesting sights appearing out of the early morning fog!

The full set of photos is here, and there are some highlights below.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Fast, faster and good morning officer

It's possible some people have only a blurred idea of what the new Morris Marinas look like. The following may explain why.

The 1.3 litre saloon, the gentlest powered model in the range, does 0-50mph in a mere 11.8 seconds. The 1.8 Coupe does it in 8.5. And the 1.8TC in an incredible 8.3 seconds, (that's quicker even than the exotic Lancia Flavia). Top speed goes up to 100mph.

The first engine is British Leyland's 'A' series - three times winner at Monte Carlo and regular class winner at Le Mans and Sebring.

The second engine is the famous 'B' series. And the third, the hottest and most highly tuned, is currently powering the MGB GT.

All have literally millions of miles of tests, trials and triumphs behind them. (Remember the 24th November when the 1.3 Coupe roared home first in its class in the 1971 RAC Rally?)

How they go is typical of the British Leyland engineering that went into the new Marina.

The suspension. Torsion bar - as on the E-Type - gives a very high degree of roadholding on fast bends.

The finish. A long, multi-stage paint job which makes the Marina almost a garage on wheels. So you can forget about garaging problems in winter.

The underside. 64 sq. ft of underbody protection. Something you usually find only on far more expensive cars.

The space. With 4 people in, the Marina is more like a lounge than a car. Which means there's easily room for 5. And all the luggage that goes with them.

The economy. You're not going to believe it - up to 43mph at 40mph on the 1.3, (There aren't many saloons of that size which can equal that.)

The only problem. Yours, not ours. You're faced with three very difficult choices. 1.3, 1.8 or 1.8TC engine, sporty 2-door Coupe or roomy 4-door saloon, and trims - de luxe or super de luxe. The TC has a trim all of its own. Only a showroom visit and a test drive can solve it.

And it all starts from £917 inc p.t.