20 Years Is A Long Time...

[imadoofus]

Doing some sorting out this morning, I came across a box of car magazines from the '70's and 80's.

April 1985 saw What Car announce their Cars of the Year.

Estate Cars: 14 awards.
3 Peugeots (305 GTX, 305 Auto, 505 Family D)
2 Mitsubishis (Space Wagon, Sigma 1.6)
2 VWs (Passat CL, Caravelle GL)
1 Austin (Montego 1.6L - winner)
1 Vauxhall (cavalier 1.6GL)
1 Honda (Shuttle)
1 Fiat (Panorama 2000 Super)
1 Citroen (CX 25IE Familiale)
1 Toyota (Space Cruiser)
1 Nissan (Prarie - wooden spoon)
What's missing?

Executive Cars: 14 awards.
3 Renaults (25 GTX - winner, 25 GTS, 18 Turbo)
2 Peugeots (505 GTi, 505 GRDT)
2 Audis (80 Sport, 100)
2 BMWs (318i, 518)
1 Volvo (740 GL)
1 Vauxhall (Carlton CD)
1 Saab (900 GLi)
1 Ford (Sierra 2.3 Ghia)
1 Alfa Romeo (Alfetta - wooden spoon)
What's missing?

Directors Cars: 11 awards.
3 Mercedes (190E, 190D, 280SE - wooden spoon)
2 BMWs (732i, 323i)
2 Audis (90 quattro, 200 Turbo)
1 Saab (900T 16s - winner)
1 Citroen (CX 25 GTi Turbo)
1 Volvo (760 Turbo)
1 Jaguar (4.2 Sovereign)

4X4s: 6 awards.
2 Land Rovers (RR Vogue, LR 90 - wooden spoon)
1 Mitsubishi (Shogun - winner)
1 Fiat (Panda - aah)
1 Subaru (1800MV Pickup)
1 Mercedes (230GE)

How times have changed...

 

[Kompressor_Dude]

I was born in April 1985 my dad had a sierra saphire from the same year..... tank of a car!

 

[janner]

1 Austin (Montego 1.6L - winner)

 

[imadoofus]

1 Austin (Montego 1.6L - winner)

For: Luxury trim eek: ), excellent load space, good performance, big dealer back-up, well priced. Against: Engine is unrefined at high revs, dashboard design is illogical, 'plastic' bumpers confused: )

Looking at the cars in the Estates group, it can be seen that the MPV hadn't even been invented.

 

[jeremytaylor]

Yes, it is interesting how times have changed.

I had just started to drive in April 1985, and you used to see loads of big French cars, such as the Renault 25 - now they can't give them away. In those days Mercs and BMWs really were exclusive. Now ..?

 

[crockers]

Yes, it is interesting how times have changed.

I had just started to drive in April 1985, and you used to ee loads of big French cars, such as the Renault 25 -= now they can't give them away. In those days Mercs and BMWs really were exclusive. Now ..?

Yes they will sell them to anyone now...........even me..:bannana:


Also interesting to see Mercs used to be directors cars ...now just executive...

 

[imadoofus]

I was beginning to think about buying a car (I was 16 at the time) In the Used Values section at the back of the magazine, I've circled Fiat 128 3P, Escort 1300 Ghia, Cortina Mk III 1600XL, Cortina Mk IV 1.6 Ghia, Lancia Beta Coupe 2000, Opel Ascona 1.9SR and Vauxhall Victor VX crazy

Pretty good taste, I reckon

 

[imadoofus]

In those days Mercs and BMWs really were exclusive. Now ..?

In What Car from September '76. the BMW 316 went up against the Renault 17TS (remember those?) and lost!

 

[mercboiuk]

I was born in April 1985

I was a 6 month bump on my Mummy's belly then!

I can't believe Mercedes won nothing in the executive category
Being April '85, wasn't the UK was still a few months away from the W124, and as well as the facelift W126 round the corner? So I can only guess they didn't want to award a vehicle on the cusp of replacement/update.

Darren

 

[scumbag]

I remember liking cars all my life since I can remember, but 1985 I, Ahem, left school and enrolled in College to do some course or other.

I am happy to say, I noticed the attraction of the female shape around this time and rather than break cars, decided it was a great idea to have my heart broken as many time as was possible!

I did have my head set on buying a Peuguot 205 1.9gti or a Maestro MG Turbo, once I had got the driving licence.

Of course all if this went west when I found I needed money and the tree it was growing on, was just a figment of my imagination.

Bought a Mini for £400.

 

[Benzowner]

Ah 1985 a young 34year old executive driving a Mk 3 Escort 1.6GL, prior car Opal Ascona 1.6 and after the Escort the car described as feeling as though you were driving a 2litre.................................................................

a 1.6 lite Cavalier GLS yeah alright Vauxall dream on. The Escort peed all over it in both acceleration and top speed.

 

[verytalldave]

I dare say Malcolm might have a thing or two to add on this subject...........

I passed my test in 1967 so I have seen a few changes.
Back in the days when you would get change from £7K on a brand new Rolls Royce Silver Shadow.

 

[Ted]

Pah! my first insurance was £3/10/0












on a BSA Bantam (please don't tell anybody)

 

[Banjo]

on a BSA Bantam (please don't tell anybody)

My Dad had one of those!

 

[verytalldave]

So did alot of Police and telegram delivery men.

Who remembers telegrams?

An E-Mail from the queen isnt the same when youre 100 years old................

 

[Dave Lewis]

Pah! my first insurance was £3/10/0
on a BSA Bantam (please don't tell anybody)

Wow! You too?

 

[imadoofus]

So it seems that for several of you, 20 years isn't such a long time after all!

<Runs for cover>

 

[BTB 500]

Looking at the cars in the Estates group, it can be seen that the MPV hadn't even been invented.

Not true. The Espace came out in 1984, and IIRC Chrysler had an MPV out in 1983. I know the Espace wasn't the first.

 

[BTB 500]

1 Austin (Montego 1.6L - winner)

I had a Montego estate (2.0 SL), and very good it was too. Apart from one thing which many members of this forum are familar with ... rust.

 

[imadoofus]

Not true. The Espace came out in 1984, and IIRC Chrysler had an MPV out in 1983. I know the Espace wasn't the first.

Sorry, I meant that the term and the niche of MPV hadn't been invented.

In the list I posted, the Mitsubishi Space Wagon, the VW Caravelle, Toyota Space Cruiser and Nissan Prarie and possible the Honda Shuttle were what we would now call "MPVs"

PJ