Second study in brown

[David M]

Re: Second study in brown

It was possible to lose the back end of a Cavalier in fourth. You had to get a massive amount of understeer before getting the front to grab and it helped if you were on Goodtear Grand Prix S's. Your passengers start screaming, you grin at them and say 'fekin' crap tyres.'

[DerekC]

Re: Second study in brown

I once met a guy who said with some pride that he used to work for British Leyland in the
design dept. I told him to keep that quiet. When he asked why, I reeled of a whole list of names. Allegro, Marina, Princess. Ambassador.
Sorry I've got to go for a lie down now.

Marina I unfortunately owned Green TC handling was interesting. BL department didn't they do a good job renaming it "Ital" that helped sales!

[DerekC]

Re: Second study in brown

Yes, I had two alfasuds, so I'm allowed an opinion :-)

Rust of course, shabby electrics, things fell apart, but the engine was just great and the roadholding was amazing. The turn in and front grip was so good, that I maintain you could turn down a side road that you had technically missed. Just yank on the steering, time was reversed for a moment, and there you go: You didn't miss the turning after all...

Pete

PS. The Sud was the only front wheel drive car I've had where you could lose the back going round a roundabout flat out in second gear...

PPS. So that is 4 boxer engined cars I've had....

I always thought the Alfasud was Italian build quality aside a underrated car. A good Sud could disappoint many a XR3 or GTi driver.

[snaarman]

Re: Second study in brown

Marina I unfortunately owned Green TC handling was interesting. BL department didn't they do a good job renaming it "Ital" that helped sales!

Oh. The Ital.

There in a nutshell you have what was all wrong with BL (apart from the strikes..) "We need a new model. What is the absolute cheapest way we can get one? I know. Change some chrome and give it a new name"

... And I used to think the reason BL stuck with the A series engine for 40 years was that it was such a good design. Hmm

[al_kaholik]

Re: Second study in brown

Snaar, you have missed the late Rover 25/75 and MG equivelents. They gave their boys a take away and £10 Halfords gift voucher to rescue the brand!

Having never driven a Sud I can't comment. But I do know about cheap tyres, even good tyres and the wet, roundabouts and a little too much power at the rear. Its all ESP and lots of revs now. Hardly as much fun from the FWD