*RETRO‑MOTORING

 

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Ford Zodiac III Estate

A very rare sight, I saw this whilst exploring in the South West of England. These estate variants were converted by Abbotts of Farnham. I hope this one returns to the roads again one day!

Ford Zodiac Estate by Abbots of Farnham P2259458-Edit



Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Peugeot 505 GTI and GTI Family

Peugeot 505 GTI Family

Imagine a superlatively luxurious 5-seat car capable of 0-62 mph in around 12 seconds and up to 108 mph. Visualise GTI-style suspension, response and roadholding. Then add a tailgate and the ability to swallow up to 79 cu. ft. of luggage with the rear seat folded. That’s the new 505 GTI Estate for 1985.

Now think of a 7-seater limousine with very similar attributes but even greater space flexibility — and that’s the GTI Family.

These two breathtaking models share the same power train: 130 BHP (PS-DIN) at 5,750 rpm from the fuel-injected engine, a 5-speed manual gearbox, and a limited-slip differential. Trickle through the down-town traffic, or leap across continents, these dynamic spacecrafts are designed to cope with any demand in any weather.

For the driver there’s the ‘custom-build’ seat: sliding, reclining, with lumbar support and height adjustment — and a heater. An instrument panel as good looking as it is informative in the new fascia, and an overhead lamp console.

For all the occupants there’s sumptuous velour upholstery on the deep padded seats, plus an advanced heating/ventilation system. As a combined extra-cost option it is possible to specify automatic temperature control with full air conditioning, for the ultimate in environmental comfort.

To complete the new 1986 GTI we’ve built in a radio/cassette installation that will make every journey an experience to rhapsodise about with a speaker system producing concert hall sound.

The Peugeot 505 GTI Estate and GTI Family — models of sheer delight.



Sunday, February 12, 2012

The Vanden Plas 1500 - the luxury Allegro

A natural choice for the man of taste

Vanden Plas 1500

For the motorist who values quality above all else, finding a suitable car is not an easy matter. Usually there are only two broad alternatives available. Either to buy a massive limousine - all very nice at times but less than delightful in a narrow country lane or squeezing into a parking space. Or to buy a grand semi-sports car - fully fitted with luxury right enough, but very thirsty for petrol, and consequently over-powered for everyday motoring.

Well now there’s a third option - the Vanden Plas 1500. Almost alone amongst specialist car-makers, Vanden Plas exemplifies the maxim that good things can come in smaller packages.

We’re not saying that there’s no place for the luxury limousine or sports car - far from it. Indeed, we’ve created some very exclusive large cars ourselves. Our point is that you shouldn’t be forced into buying a car that doesn’t really suit you, simply in order to enjoy the luxury which you so rightly demand.

Hence the Vanden Plas 1500. Built in the great tradition of Vanden Plas coachwork, its basic design is one of the most advanced on the roads today. It is compact to the point of genius - easily handled in town traffic yet spacious enough inside to make touring a really grand affair. Powerful and economical too, it embodies so many things that most people want from a car, together with an extra standard of luxury that the discerning will truly appreciate.

For people with style and leisure in mind

How does one describe the Vanden Plas 1500’s good looks? Point out the restrained yet very effective coachline? Mention that distinctive radiator grille—recognized and respected throughout the world? Show you the unique hub caps with their special trim rings and Vanden Plas motifs? Or single out the wrap-around bumpers which are not only very smart but also extra safe?

One could do all these things—but ultimately it would count for nothing. The Vanden Plas 1500 isn’t a collection of features. It’s a thoughtful total design which invites immediate response. It’s as simple as that.

Indeed, the Vanden Plas 1500 is a car that you can take anywhere—to a point-to-point or to the Hilton. Its simple elegance puts cars twice its size to shame and its delightful practicality means it can happily go where the monsters fear to tread.

Like all the world’s great cars, of course, the Vanden Plas 1500 combines its style with an unswerving devotion to safety. That’s why there are servo-assisted brakes, with discs at the front, two sealed-beam rectangular headlamps supplemented by twin foglamps, reversing lamps, hazard warning flashers, a walnut-veneered fascia surrounded by non-reflective surfaces, recessed door handles, anti-burst locks with childproof catches on the rear doors, and an exterior mirror mounted on each front door.

For your suitcases, hamper, golf clubs, shopping and the like, there’s over 9 cubic feet of boot. Ample luggage room for four people — but carpeted and fitted with a courtesy light to meet Vanden Plas standards.

Vanden Plas 1500

Considered for your comfort

The interior of the Vanden Plas 1500 is dedicated to one single-minded aim — making motoring a true pleasure. The broad seats are upholstered in knit-backed expanded vinyl and hide. You’l1 find the through-flow ventilation units sensibly mounted in the centre of the fascia. There are dual arm-rests for everyone.

And, of course, touches of pure indulgence — stitched gaiters over the gear lever and hand brake, unique Vanden Plas door trim, with companion compartments on the front doors, and lush felt-backed carpeting.

The power to charm

With a world-proven 1485 c.c. British Leyland o.h.c. engine at the heart of the new Vanden Plas, you can sprint from 0 to 50 m.p.h. in approximately ten seconds—or cruise economically for hours. Using the special fifth gear, it can return nearly *39 m.p.g. at a steady 50 m.p.h.

For all its power though, the Vanden Plas 1500 never loses its elegant serenity. Its front—wheel drive, revolutionary Hydragas suspension system and quite remarkable soundproofing keep things calm, comfortable and quiet for mile after glorious mile.

Naturally enough, the Vanden Plas 1500 is also available with automatic transmission as an extra cost option. With this transmission you can choose the way you drive. In town trafiic it will do all the work for you, selecting the right gear for every situation - which leaves you free to concentrate on higher things. But if your mood decides otherwise, you can use it as a silky-smooth manual box to make your own clutchless gear-changes — as only you know when.

* British Leyland Figure.

Vanden Plas 1500

Specification

Engine: Four-cylinder, transverse, overhead valve with single overhead camshaft. Bore 3.00 in (76-2 mm); stroke 3.2 in (81-28 mm); capacity 1485 cm3 (91 in3). B.H.P. *68 at 5,500 rev/min; maximum torque *11.1 kgf m at 2,900 rev/min; compression ratio 9.0 : 1.

Fuel System: Fuel pump is SU mechanical or AC Delco; single SU type HS6 low emission carburetter; tank capacity 10.5 gallons (47.7 litres).

Cooling System: Closed pressurized system with expansion tank and thermostatically controlled, electrically operated fan. Capacity 10.5 pints (6.0 litres) plus 1 pint (0.57 litre) approx. for heater.

Clutch: Diaphragm spring 7.75 in (0.20 m) diameter.

Gearbox: Five speed, all synchromesh. Remote controlled gear-lever. Ratios: First 3.202 : 1;second 2.004 : l;third 1.372 : l;fourth 1.000 : 1; fifth 0.869 : l;reverse 3.467 : 1.

Final Drive: Front-wheel drive open shafts with constant velocity joints. Ratio 3.647 : 1.

Steering: Rack and pinion. Safety steering-column. Turning circle 33 ft 3 in (10.13 m) approximately.

Suspension: Independent with Hydragas suspension units interconnected front to rear. Suspension mounted directly to body.

Brakes: Hydraulic, servo-assisted, 9.68 in (0.25 m) diameter discs at front, 8 in (0.20 m) diameter drums with leading/trailing shoes at rear.

Wheels and Tyres: Ventilated disc wheels with 155-13 radial-ply tyres.

Electrical: 12 volt, 40 Ah battery. Alternator. Multi-purpose lever on right-hand of steering-column controls horn, headlamp flasher, dipswitch, and self-cancelling direction indicators with lane change facility. Lever on left-hand of steering—column controls electric windscreen washer and two-speed windscreen wipers with flick-wipe facility. Twin horns. Hazard warning lamps. Electrically heated rear window. Fresh air heater/demister with air blend and two-speed blower controls, combined ignition/starter switch incorporates steering-column lock. Three front-door-operated courtesy lights, one on windscreen header rail and one on each rear quarter panel. Cigar lighter.

Instruments: Speedometer with distance recorder. Fuel, water temperature and battery condition gauges. Warning lamps to indicate low oil pressure, headlamp high beam, flashers working, no charge and hazard warning lights working.

Coachwork: Four-door saloon of all-steel unitary construction with underbody protection and wax-injected body sills. Trimmed rear parcel shelf. Full-width veneered walnut fascia board with separate instruments and face-level fresh air vents. Twin black trimmed sun visors. Carpet over felt floor covering. Anti-burst door locks (incorporating child safety catch on rear doors) operated by recessed handles and door sill locking buttons on the inside; flush fitting handles on the outside. Arm-rests incorporating pulls on all doors. Ashtrays front and rear. Coat hooks. Seats trimmed in knit-backed expanded vinyl with fluted hide panels for seat wearing surfaces. Interior rear-view mirror, twin exterior door mirrors. Interior bonnet release. Boot carpet. Front reclining seats with centre arm-rest. Rear bench-type seat with pull-down centre arm-rest. Ruched pockets in rear of front seats. Crash pad surrounding fascia. Nylon cloth headlining. Stitched gear·lever and hand brake gaiter. Companion compartment mounted on each front door. Door trim pad in unique Vanden Plas style with sewn feature line, black padded cappings and walnut strip inserts. Lockable glovebox with veneered walnut lid. Additional sound deadening. Vanity mirror on passenger’s sun visor. Grab handles above rear windows. Boot light and courtesy switch. Hinged fuel filler lid with lockable cap. Provision is made for the installation of up to four radio speakers. Factory fitted inertia reel seat belts are supplied at extra cost. Anchorages are provided for the fitting of rear seat belts.

Optional Extras: Automatic transmission. Metallic paint. Radio with twin speakers. Head restraints.

British Leyland UK Limited is constantly seeking ways to improve the specification, design and production of its vehicles and alterations take place continually. While every effort is made to produce up-to-date literature, this brochure should not be regarded as an infallible guide to current specification, nor does it constitute an offer for the sale of any particular vehicle.

Distributors and Dealers are not agents of British Leyland UK Limited and have absolutely no authority to bind British Leyland UK Limited by any express or implied undertaking or representation.



Friday, February 10, 2012

1975 Audi 100 Coupe S Specifications and Colours

A brief summary of information on the Audi 100 Coupe S.

Audi 100 Coupe S Specs August 1975

Engine:

Four-cylinder, in-line front engine.
Capacity 1.9 litres (1871cc).
Bore x stroke 84.0 x 84.4 mm.
Output 83 kW at 5600 rpm (DIN/SAE net 112/107 bhp at 5600 rpm).
Compression ratio 9.7.
Maximum torque 163 Nm at 3500 rpm (DIN/SAE net 16.3 mkg/112.4 lbs.ft at 3500 rpm)
Overhead valves controlled by bottom camshaft via push rods and rocker arms (OHV)
Down-draught, twin-stage carburetter with automatic choke.
Water cooling with electrically driven, thermostatically controlled fan.
Main-flow oil filter.
12-volt electric system, 54 Ah battery, 55 amp. max. alternator (approx. 770W).

Power Transmission:

Front wheel drive via dry single-plate clutch, fully synchronized four-speed gearbox, differential and double-joint drive shafts.
Motor and drive unit arranged as a compact front drive unit.

At extra charge:

three-stage automatic drive with three-range gearbox and reverse range.

X2 Marathon Metallic Blue Audi 100 C1 Coupe S

Chassis:

Front and rear springing: coil springs with telescopic shock absorbers - all combined in suspension struts.
Suspension: twin wishbones with negative outboard scrub radius, torsion crank axle with additional support by Panhard rod at rear.
Transverse-stabilizers front/rear.
Steering: Maintenance-free, self-adjusting rack and pinion steering, steering damper and safety steering column.
Brakes: Diagonally divided dual circuit brake system with discs in front and drums with ribs at rear. Brake servo and load-dependent brake pressure governor.
Wheels: perforated discs with wheel caps and rims 5J x 14 H2.
Tyres: steel radial ply 185/70 HR, for automatic gearbox 185/70 SR 14.

Performance:

Maximum speed, 114mph (183 km/h).
Acceleration, from 0-50mph (0-80 km/h): 7.3 sec.
from 0-60mph (0-100 km/h): 10.2 sec.
Fuel consumption, 31.7 mpg/imp (8.9 liters/100km)
(Premium grade fuel)

Dimensions and weights:

Wheelbase 100.8ins. (2560mm).
Track front/rear, 57/56.1 ins. (1448/1425mm).
Maximum outside length/width/height, 173.2/68.9/52.8 ins. (4400/1750/1341 mm).
Minimum ground clearance at permissible total weight 4.3ins. (110mm).
Turning circle dia., approx 36.4ft (11.1m)
Unladen weight, 2425lbs (1100kg)
Permissible total weight, 3197lbs. (1450kg).
Payload, 772lbs. (350kg).
Permissible axle loads front/rear, 1764/1543 lbs. (800/700kg)
Permissible trailer load, with/without brakes, 2425/1213 lbs. (1100/550kg)
Luggage compartment capacity, standard measurement by means of balls, 17.7 cu.ft. (500 litres)

Special features of equipment:

Exterior equipment:

Two-door version.
Chromium-plated or polished parts:bumpers with integrated turning signals and rubber strips front/rear, wheel caps with black inserts, Audi inscription, door outside handles, tank cap, outside mirror, ornamental frames at windows, grille, pressure ventilation, reverse lights, ornamental strips at window frame and beneath doors.
Permanent underseal.
Towage lugs front/rear.

Interior equipment:

Seats adjustable to horizontal position, removable head restraints and safety backrest locks.
Three-point automatic safety belts in front and screw-type anchorage points for rear seat safety belts.
Complete carpet lining of entire footwell.
Padded safety instrument panel.
Safety steering wheels, adjustable in height, with padded crash pad and plastic padded steering wheel rim.
Padded sun visors, which can be swivelled laterally, passenger sun visor with vanity mirror.
Padded safety armrests front/rear, with grab handles at doors, and safety indoor handles.
Three ashtrays.
Compartment on passenger side and compartment below instrument panel on driver's side, compartments at doors.
Instrument console with additional compartment.
Three grab handles (with clothes hook at rear).
Fully lined luggage compartment and two lateral compartments.

Ventilation and heating:

Combined fresh and warm air system with cooling water heat exchanger and two-stage auxiliary blower.
Variable fresh and warm air distribution, individually adjustable. Defroster nozzles, for door windows also.
Additional wide flow ventilation.
Pressure ventilation.

Electrical equipment:

Halogen twin headlights.
Reversing light.
Instruments: Speedometer with trip/mileage recorder.
Rev counter with combined instrument for various indicator lamps, cooling water temperature gauge, fuel gauge, electric clock and gear-shift diagram.
Courtesy light with door contact switch.
Automatic switching to parking light when starting and stopping the engine.
Self-cancelling turning signal and lane-changing, hazard warning and parking light functions.
Two-speed windscreen wipers with tip wipe contact and automatic intermittent wash/wipe device.
Cigarette lighter.
Heated rear window.
Illumination for compartment, front ashtray, instruments, cigarette lighter, heating and ventilation levers and luggage compartment.

Extras at extra cost.

Automatic transmission.
In car entertainment (dealer installed).
Tinted glass.
Steel sun roof.
Metallic paint.

Red Audi Coupe S (G3 Iberian Red)

Seat upholstery.

Standard velvet upholstery.

Amber 31
Bottle green 32
Marine 34
Black 35

Leatherette upholstery at extra charge.

Black 50
Amber 58
Chrome green 63
Marine 53

Paintwork colours.

Standard colours.

Tibet orange E4
Iberian red G3
Banana yellow L5
Agate brown T1
Spanish green M8
Maroon T4
Atlas white R3

Metallic paintwork at extra charge.

Malachite metallic W3
Titian metallic W6
Atlantic metallic W7
Marathon metallic X2

Please note:

The following finishes are not available in the United Kingdom.

Exterior:

G7 Coral
K8 Aqua Blue

Interior:

Leatherette upholstery



Thursday, February 09, 2012

The record breaking endurance Healey

This car is the 1954 Austin Healey "100" (Endurance car) which averaged 148.32 mph for 1000km and was officially timed by the F.I.A at a speed of 153.22 mph during the attempt at Millbrook, Bedford, England 15th November 2009.

P3122300-Edit Car 92 - Martyn Corfield - Green 1954 Austin Healey 100/4 ONX392


The Ford Mustang - The Euro-American

Ford Mustang advert

Designed to be the best-handling, best-performing, best-looking Mustang ever. A subtle blend of the European car concept and top American design plus right hand drive.

Mustang Power

The Mustang Ghia is equipped with a 2.3 litre overhead cam turbo-charged engine which provides the best of both worlds - an efficient four-cylinder engine with performance comparable to bigger engines.

Mustang Handling

There's a special heavy-duty suspension which combines the best in strut-type with 4-bar link systems to go with its Michelin TRX tyres to give you the kind of ride you'll want to experience.

Mustang Equipment

The Mustang is exceptionally well equipped. Instrumentation includes a tachometer, trip odometer and fuel/temperature/oil pressure gauges. Deep-cushioned front bucket and rear bench seats are standard, along with integral power steering and power assisted front disc brakes.

And there's a Graphic Warning Module which provides an instant read-out of low fuel and windscreen washer levels and light and brake lamp failure. There's a digital clock with date and elapsed time display. Laminated windscreen and central locking.

The Ford Mustang 2-door 2.3 Ghia is the only Mustang fully type approved for the British market.

From £7950. Right-hand drive.

See it now at your Ford Imported Car Dealer and ask for a test drive. Or write for further details to Ford Personal Import Export Limited, 8 Balderton Street, London W.1.



Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Love me, love my Mini

From "Small Car" magazine, November 1964

Paula Noble and her pink Mini

Paula Noble, well known 24 year old London model, spends 21 guineas every few months having her Mini resprayed to match her clothes. "It's really cheaper than having a new hat, and so much more fun" she told us. "First it was red, then that heavenly Rolls Royce silver grey, then that Jaguar silver blue and now it's shocking pink. Since I started to think pink it's marvellous. I always get let out of the sideroads first. People are so understanding when they see me coming..." We can imagine.

Paula's next yen is for a series of blues... so flattering. Her other gimmick is what she describes as "a perfectly darling little fire extinguisher in silver". She thought she'd have it because she once wrote a car off and had to be pulled through the window, something she didn't enjoy.