LANCASTER CLASSIC CAR NEWS
Automotive Genius – The Panhard Dyna Z & PL17
On the 17th June 1953, a time when the flashing indicator was greeted as dangerously radical in many parts of Britain, one of the world’s oldest automotive marques, launched a truly ‘groundbreaking’ model. The Panhard Dyna Z was a fairly large front wheel drive saloon with an aluminium body that had the lowest drag coefficient of any mass-produced car of its era.
Do You Remember – The Humber Sceptre?
1963 saw the Rootes Group introduce two high -profile cars, one entirely new and the other based on its existing lineup of medium-sized cars. The former was, of course, the Hillman Imp and the latter was the Humber Sceptre, one of the most downright agreeable cars to hail from Coventry.
Old Adverts – The Vauxhall Victor F-TYPE/FB/FC
Sales techniques have inevitably changed over the past 60 years but almost anyone watching this dealer launch film for the first Vauxhall Victor will instantly crave a Super finished in Admiral Red.
Do You Remember – The Peugeot 104?
The first Peugeot I can remember was a small and extremely smart hatchback darting amongst the red and cream Leyland Atlantean buses and Morris Oxford taxis of downtown Southampton back in the mid-1970s.
DO YOU REMEMBER – THE VAUXHALL ASTRA Mk. I?
I imagine nearly everyone will recall the original Astra; the first Vauxhall-badged car with front wheel drive and one of the defining cars of the early 1980s. The Astra was more than a very worthy competitor for the VW Golf and the soon to be launched Ford Escort Mk. III, it was as typically early 1980s as listening to Madness’ House of Fun on a Sony Walkman while hiring a Betamax tape of Jaws 2 at your local video library.
DO YOU REMEMBER – THE FORD 100E?
The 100E is the epitome of a car that could never fall into the category of ‘Forgotten Classic’. Today there is a thriving owners’ club for the Ford that was once as much a part of British motoring as traffic lights on black and white striped poles. On a personal note, when growing up in the 1970s, I saw a good many customised examples, often driven by gentlemen whose look was inspired by Les Gray, the lead singer of Mud.
The 50th Birthday of the NSU Ro80
It is almost impossible to believe that the NSU Ro80 will be celebrating its 50th birthday this year for even if it has been launched in 1977 it would still have looked as though it was anticipating the future.
DO YOU REMEMBER – THE MONTEGO?
One of the most enjoyable journeys I have ever experienced in a classic car was in a friend’s late-model Montego Countryman to Elstree Studios. Anyone can arrive at such a venue in a hired stretched limousine, but I think being chauffeured in the Rover Group’s finest shows a particular sense of style - especially if said car was eventually parked by Dame Judi Dench’s private bay.
Top Ten 007 Cars
The recent announcement by Daniel Craig that he will be starring in the 25th 007 film has prompted me to think of my top ten favourite Bond cars.
DO YOU REMEMBER – THE CITROEN AMI?
Watching an Ami 6 negotiate a roundabout was one of the most alarming, yet fascinating, sights ever experienced by my younger self - at one point it looked as though the body was at a 45-degree angle to the tarmac as its engine sounded like an irate banshee. A Citroen Dyane looked dramatic enough when cornering but the Ami 6’s distinctive styling made the entire process even more entertaining.