LANCASTER CLASSIC CAR NEWS
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.
A DOZEN OF THE BEST PUBLIC INFORMATION FILMS
12 fine examples of the Great British Public Information Film or PIF. How many do you remember seeing on daytime ITV just after the News At One with Leonard Parkin?
10 MORE NEWSREEL MOMENTS
10 more gems from the archives of British Pathe and Movietone, from the days when newsreels were as much as a part of an evening at the cinema as flat Kia-Ora and teddy boys heckling the screen from the back-row seats -
DVD of the Week - The New Avengers
When I first looked at The New Avengers box set, my initial thought was ‘What a splendid advertisement for British Leyland cars’.
Another Ten Entertaining Motoring Adverts
Another selection of past advertisements, several dating from that distant time when cravat wearing was essential for any self-respecting thespian -
Old Adverts – Austin A30 & A35
In the days before the launch of ITV in 1955, advertising a new car in cinemas was a very popular practice. And during the interval between the B-film and the main feature, who would not be enthused by this promotion for the Austin A30? Mere words cannot describe how wonderful this commercial is, from the script to the scenes of this splendid little car in action, especially as it reassures the viewer about the efficiency of the hydro-mech brakes. Another major sales asset was Dick Burzi’s styling of the monocoque coachwork (a first for Austin) and it can be seen to its best advantage in this Pathe footage celebrating the A30’s launch in 1951.