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British Classics Of The 1970S


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#1 mab01uk

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Posted 24 October 2018 - 10:25 PM

A special edition magazine from Classic Car Weekly on 1970's Classics.....including the Mini 1275GT.

 

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"A generation of great British cars, from the Ford Capri to the Range Rover, are celebrated in British Classics of the 1970s. This special edition magazine from Classic Car Weekly is full of road tests, buying tips and nostalgia on the decade’s big sellers, including the Austin Allegro, Hillman Hunter and Ford Cortina, and trailblazers like the Jaguar XJ-S, Triumph TR7 and Rover SD1. Don’t miss out on 100 pages of 1970s classics, with Nick Larkin, Andrew Roberts and more motoring experts casting their eyes over a generation of cars from BL, Rootes, Ford, Vauxhall and more!"

https://www.greatmag...ssicsofthe1970s


Edited by mab01uk, 24 October 2018 - 10:26 PM.


#2 Cooperman

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Posted 26 October 2018 - 11:07 AM

There were some great cars in the 1970's.

I was thinking of the cars my wife and I owned during the -70's.

They include the inevitable Minis, SAAB 96V4, Cortina 1600E, Cortina 2000 GT, Capri 3000GXL, Rover 2000, Rover 3500, Jaguar XJ6, Granada 3.0 Coupe, Triumph TR7, Datsun 260Z, Cortina 2000E and Chevette.

All good cars in their way and how I would love to drive each one again. One thing is how much petrol they used. For example, I used to get around 26 mpg from my 2-litre Cortina Mk.3's, but I get over 35 mpg from my current BMW 730D SE. Fuel tanks were small as well, so range was very limited. 



#3 r3k1355

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Posted 26 October 2018 - 02:47 PM

TR7 wasn't so great, probably would have been the British sports car of the time if they all came with the V8 (and were built well)



#4 Cooperman

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Posted 26 October 2018 - 11:28 PM

My wife had a new one in 1977, but it needed putting back together from the time it was new!

I never understood why the original one didn't have the 16-valve engine as fitted to the Dolomite Sprint. That was a great engine.

The V8 was even better and I loved the Rover 3500 Auto I had in 1974. It had great build quality and was an excellent long-distance car for my job.

We replaced my wife's TR7 with a Datsun 260Z in 1978 after one of my wife's colleagues crashed the TR7 (hooray). It was a much better car.



#5 mab01uk

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Posted 27 October 2018 - 07:58 AM

TR7 wasn't so great, probably would have been the British sports car of the time if they all came with the V8 (and were built well)

 

Also would have been more successful as a convertible from the start of production but BL thought the USA was going to outlaw them and it never happened. By the time they chopped the roof off and launched the V8 version it was all too late. As said the 16-valve engine was also a missed opportunity......

 

Triumph TR7/TR8 development story:-

https://www.aronline...triumph-tr7tr8/


Edited by mab01uk, 27 October 2018 - 08:02 AM.


#6 Cooperman

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Posted 27 October 2018 - 10:16 AM

The usual sad story which underlines the total incompetence of BLMC management and the parallel stupidity of the trades unions at that time.

 

The result was, of course, when the question of what sports car to buy was asked, the biggest response was "Make mine an MX-5".



#7 r3k1355

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Posted 29 October 2018 - 11:51 AM

Same old story for most British cars of the era.

 

On the drawing board they were usually quite exciting, but after interference from lazy, incompetent management and poor production from a disenfranchised workforce the end product was a total mess.



#8 Cooperman

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Posted 30 October 2018 - 12:17 AM

BLMC's answer to the Capri was, wait for it, the Marina 1.8TC Coupe.

I was once asked what was the worst car I ever rallied in. My answer was that I once had the doubtful pleasure of navigating a Marina 1.8TC Coupe. We were the only crew ever to get a Marina into the top 10 of a Motoring News Championship event. That's not something I am particularly proud of.



#9 Wiggy

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Posted 30 October 2018 - 11:13 AM

I've never driven one, but I think the Marina Coupe is a rather handsome car. Particularly with the later front grill arrangement.

#10 A-Cell

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Posted 30 October 2018 - 03:48 PM

BLMC's answer to the Capri was, wait for it, the Marina 1.8TC Coupe.
I was once asked what was the worst car I ever rallied in. My answer was that I once had the doubtful pleasure of navigating a Marina 1.8TC Coupe. We were the only crew ever to get a Marina into the top 10 of a Motoring News Championship event. That's not something I am particularly proud of.


Marinas weren't all bad. The works efforts in the early 70's showed their worth.
Brian Culceth, navigated by the great Willie Cave got his into 20th place on the 1971 RAC Rally. It won class 2 upto 1300cc in front of the Minis.
In 1973 Pat Ryan and Andy Dawson campaigned them

I found this interesting take on the Marina
https://www.classicc...h-morris-marina

#11 Cooperman

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Posted 30 October 2018 - 07:28 PM

Brian is a very old friend of mine going back to 1962. I was with him the weekend before last.
He drove the Marina because he was contracted to. Remember, that was a 'works' entry when the only Minis were being driven by club-standard drivers.
By the way, Willy Cave has just written a biography. I am seeing him on Saturday and will get a copy.

#12 mab01uk

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Posted 30 October 2018 - 09:01 PM

By the way, Willy Cave has just written a biography. I am seeing him on Saturday and will get a copy.

 

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The first buyers have received their copies and so far the comments have been really good.
The initial batch that were signed copies has now gone but there are plenty of other copies ready to send out and maybe some more signed copies coming soon...
Willy Cave. Lifelong Rally Navigator and Co-Driver
https://www.facebook...ycavenavigator/

mxEXRdol.jpg



#13 Cooperman

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Posted 30 October 2018 - 10:32 PM

Willy is bringing several copies to a special dinner next Saturday and will sign them for his fellow diners.
Rosemary Smith has also written her biography; 'Driven'. Apparently it's very good so I shall get her to suitably 'inscribe' a copy for me. Apparently I get a mention in it as we jave been friends for a long time.
All these rally people wanting to tell all, well hopefully not everything, about their lives is interesting. Former British rally champion Chris Sclater released his last year and it is very good.




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