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Reeling in the Years, sorry, Gears........
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07-11-2010 12:51pm#1...with apologies to RTE's excellent series btw..........:)
....so, it got me to thinking....
Maybe it's the Recession. Maybe it's Old Age. Maybe it's the fact someone said to me this week 'hey, you have a few grey hairs ! '......, that, I suppose, and trawling through pics lately for another purpose, got me to thinking...............
And then I saw Blue 850's post here HERE so maybe it's that.
Warning: the images attached are large (from 4mB - 8mB), as I wanted to preserve details, but I'm posting smaller sizes, for boards.ie purposes.
First thing I had to think about: is this a classic thread, and should I post in classics ?..
.well, automatically, I'd assume yes, it is classic but, when you think about it - a lot of this stuff isn't classic. It's ordinary. Unique, but because of it's ordinariness.....and, I wanted to reach out to a bigger audience, and maybe give a bit of perspective on motoring Then vs. Now. The prices alone make it worth that. For my sins, I'll post up a link the classic section...... 
And so, to The Stuff. Now, this isn't meant as a rose-tinted tear jerker to make us all 'ooh' and 'aah' at the fantastic cars that were out then, and may have disappeared now, but more a kind of motoring equivalent of Reeling In The Years. hence the thread name: Reeling In the Gears
It reminds me at any rate, of a different Ireland. An Ireland more akin to the Poland we know of now. A bit grey, a bit down-in-the-dumps, but every now and then, a little sunshine, a little glimmer of hope. Escapism then, a chance to dream. And for boys of a certain age, that meant cars. Motorbikes if you were allowed in my house, (long since rectified btw...;) ), so cars it is then.
Back then, pre-internet, something nice and shiney was a thing of wonder. And I don't just mean spotting a DB7. Back in the era I speak of, it meant: holy **** - that's the new Fiesta !! A 1.1 !! If you were really lucky, then you might spot an XR3....(not even an i, mind ) :rolleyes: I knew a guy who knew a guy, who saw an Opel Senator once. Wow. :eek: No, really, that was Wow.
Saab 900 Turbo ? You'd be as likely to see a Saab Viggen. And by that I mean the aerospace version, not the automotive..........:p
And for young people, there was only way to get involved: to collect car brochure's. I didn't collect a lot, just a few, and of some remarkably ordinary stuff. But that's the magic of it. Does it really matter what a 911 cost to the man in the street, in 1984? No, of course not, he couldn't afford one then, and still can't, now. But a new, say........Fiat Regatta...........or Uno. Or, if you did have a few bob, maybe a Lancia.........now that - that you can relate to.
The prices of the cars then, as Blue's post shows, were, in hindsight, shocking..........no wonder there are no 100A's left. No-one could afford to buy one. They must have only sold 10, and 9 rusted away and there's only 1 left.....and that's now asking silly money...
Despite personally having a fondness for German cars of most ilk's, and had the ubiquitious 911 Turbo poster on the bedroom wall as a lad, and hearing tales of Cathal Curley blitzing across stage miles in an aircooled 911, and sitting on my Dad's shoulder's in a cold field - on a Friday night, at some Galway Rally, just waiting for the sloping bonnet with 4 spotlight's on it, and base 6 growling past in the dark - Italian car's always tugged at the heart strings. Even when they were inglorious piles of rubbish......:p
Yes they had oddball electrics, but invariably they had fantastic engines. Fiat's (bodies) may come and go, but their engines go on forever. Alfa's too, to an extent. And for that then, we forgive them, and look on them like would a bold pet. Yes he's cute, and makes you feel great when you're together, but sometimes, sometimes, you just wish they didn't misbehave/wet the floor.........but a wag of that tale later, and, sure, you're best buddies again........:D
Like I said, Blue's post on prices got me to searching, because, as the young lad above, I have a few key brochures that always inspire a bit of wonder.......
Price list from 1984, here:
And finally, 'cos I just found it, the entire Fiat price list from February 1984.
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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First up, ladies and gent's..........
The long-forgotten (and I'm not kidding - until this eve, when I found the leaflet, even I'd completely forgotten it)...FIAT Regatta
Externally, plain-as-bejaysus. But no worse, and arguably better, than a contemporary Ford. The dash was a model of clarity, and class-leading, and still looks that way. There have been far worse, since.
Key things ? Well, it was robot-manufactured, as Fiat were the first company in the world to do so. People laugh at that, when they consider the quality, but a manually assembled BL car was worse. 'Hand made' isn't always what it's cracked up to be, so it's all relative.
Selling for a heady IEP£7,970 in 1984 for the entry level 1300cc 5-speed (which was novelty then, btw...) - it wasn't cheap. The 100 Super 1600cc 5-speed commanded a hefty £10,500.Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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Next up we have the 1984 learner's favourite: the Fiat UNO. List prices were thus, and I have a hand-written price (nett) to show you just how much you could off, thus:
Uno 45 3 door, 900cc, List £5,980 - 'cash price' £5,870
Uno 65 5 door, 1100cc, List £6,440, - 'cash price' £6,290
Uno 55 Super 5-door, 1100cc, 5-speed (novelty, remember...), List price £ 6,960 - 'cash price' £ 6,790
Uno 70 Super 5-door, 1300cc, 5-speed, List price £ 7,380 - 'cash price' £ 7,270
Just goes to show: the Punto phenomenon of the noughties was nothing new, really: Fiat have always had the art of getting small, simple cars out there amongst the public. Their big stuff has never caught on anything like it, and with the new Fiat 500, it's like they've said 'd'you know what, why are we banging our head off the big-car wall ? We are the small-car company, and good at it ! ' Even the Germans spotted that, and bought a UK brand to do the same thing - Mini.Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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The Lancia Delta, then, was the Thinking Man's Escort. Or Regatta, and back in 1983 the Delta would would have relieved you of a heady £8,950. YIkes. You want to have been a Very Big Fan, back then, that's for sure. Of course the Delta then got a 2nd lease of life, not as a runaround for the shops, but following the demise of Group B rallying in 1986, as The car to have for countless WCR events afterwards, in Group A. The rest, as they say, is history.........
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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The Alfa's , well: that flat 4 in 1350 form alway, always sounded fantastic. And a 3-door in 1983 would cost you £7,625, whilst the Ti 105 was £8,045. The Sprint 1.5 was £ 10,495. The Giulietta 2.0 £11,125, the Afletta 2.0 £12,545 and the mighty GTV 2.0 was £14,275. They were rare, than, and still are today.
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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Another Italian job, and fav of mine, the good 'ol Fiat 131. In various guises over they year's, this is the last version, the 'SuperMirafiori', and the 2.0 Twin Cam 4-door Saloon was £9050. Legendary tales of wonky electrics (rear lights especially, due to the then-novel pcb base, rather than loose wires), and premature rust were...........probably under-reported !! But people still bought them, and you always overlooked those foibles for the grunt under the bonnet. Many's the body that has rusted away, and left a magnificient TC lump behind, at the end of the garden.......
As a sign too of Things to Come, and showing that Fiat were always right at the front of technology, was their offering of the 131 2500 Diesel. Many's the aspiring souper-upper of 1300 petrol's that eyed that bumped diesel bonnet as a pre-Halford's era accessory......... £11,020 back then shows that even then the legend of spending more on the car, to save on the juice bill, was alive and well........
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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The Ritmo on the 1980 Motor Show cover would relieve you of £6,520 for the 1300cc up to £9,620 for the 105T/C.
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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Renault's big thing in '85 was the re-launching of the venerable classic 5, as the SuperFive, no price to hand on that, but the R18TL estate was £8.459 and the TS verion was £9,583.
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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Would you believe, the slogan on the leaflet for this, the 'special' Allegro Equipe is headed........'Now even vroomier'.........LOLOL....1750cc, 5-speed, twin carb's, 90bhp. 0-60 in 10 sec's and a top speed of 100mph. And no, I don't think I've ever seen one in real life, either !
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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And, from the East, we have a New Kid On The Block: Isuzu. I always thought this an elegant car, and it was popular amongst the towing fraternity, as the diesel was a peach. Don't take my word for it: GM, thought so too, as millions of Vetra's subsequently used that engine in 1.7 form - and you hear tales today of those regularly surpassing 200k miles. And there wasn't a DMF, DPF, CR in sight ! Mechanic-ing back then must have been soooooo boring !
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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Back in La Belle France, PSA had the BX range in 1987, and in typically french fashion, did everything their own way: world-leading diesel's made them popular here, and the BX Gti was always under-rated imho. 0-60 in 7.8 secs/134mph 24 years ago, in a 1.8 saloon is still fantastic performance. Naturally, the day you drove it out the door, it was worth 1/2 what you paid for it............
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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This is a 1979 Mini brochure - from Aylward's in Salthill, Galway, but sorry, no pricing on it...........but it's got novelty value certainly.
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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And then we have some Cool Stuff. The Thinking Man's BMW of the time: the Saab 900 Turbo. Even today, that phrase is still revered, and traded on, by Saab. And for good reason. And, at £20,220 in 1983, for a 4-dr manual, it was shockingly expensive. And the 4-dr Turbo Cd Auto was a heady £26,400. Now I can't find a figure for it, so maybe someone will chime in and tell me, but I have a suspicion that that's about the price of a house at the time.........eek.
Note in the first pic the power of suggestive marketing: driver's head tilted, wheels just turning in: all suggesting cornering prowess, poise, motion....
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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And then there's Audi, two generations of leaflet here: 1990 and 1980.
The 1980 GL5S or CD5E are still, to my eyes, elegant cars. It would have cost you about £21,000, and the 5-cylinder turbo d was reported to do 40 - 57 mpg, whilst the non-turbo 2.0 did 44 - 62 mpg. That was less fuel than many cars half that size..........and explains the Nissan Diesel -into-Mercedes/Jag trend of the day.
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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Finally, up to 1990, and the newest generation of aerodynamic Audi: with a cd figure of .30 then, it was incredibly smooth. That figure is still at the front of the field today. Makes you wonder, huh, what they've been doing for the 20 years since.......??
I have to take a break, as my head is burst: this scanning lark is bloody slow ! Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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GuiltyAnd for young people, there was only way to get involved: to collect car brochure's.
The old fellow bought an ex-demo UNO 55s in 1984. It rusted but was looked after under warranty. However as a testament to the mechanicals, it had ~350k on the clock when he replaced it at the end of 1991 and even more surprisingly, it wasn't dead, it was still on the road about 18 months later.Italian car's always tugged at the heart strings. Even when they were inglorious piles of rubbish......:p
Yes they had oddball electrics, but invariably they had fantastic engines. Fiat's (bodies) may come and go, but their engines go on forever.0 -
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Yeah... There was one (same class) passenger car designed in the early '80s with Cd = 0.28 (base model)! A shockingly low figure even today...Finally, up to 1990, and the newest generation of aerodynamic Audi: with a cd figure of .30 then, it was incredibly smooth. That figure is still at the front of the field today. Makes you wonder, huh, what they've been doing for the 20 years since.......??
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This is one of my favourites. Apoligies for the quality.
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Would you believe, the slogan on the leaflet for this, the 'special' Allegro Equipe is headed........'Now even vroomier'.........LOLOL....1750cc, 5-speed, twin carb's, 90bhp. 0-60 in 10 sec's and a top speed of 100mph. And no, I don't think I've ever seen one in real life, either !
I have, its a long while ago, but not since.And then we have some Cool Stuff. The Thinking Man's BMW of the time: the Saab 900 Turbo. Even today, that phrase is still revered, and traded on, by Saab. And for good reason. And, at £20,220 in 1983, for a 4-dr manual, it was shockingly expensive. And the 4-dr Turbo Cd Auto was a heady £26,400. Now I can't find a figure for it, so maybe someone will chime in and tell me, but I have a suspicion that that's about the price of a house at the time.........eek.
Note in the first pic the power of suggestive marketing: driver's head tilted, wheels just turning in: all suggesting cornering prowess, poise, motion....
Yeah nice motor, my kind of car, :cool:.And then there's Audi, two generations of leaflet here: 1990 and 1980.
The 1980 GL5S or CD5E are still, to my eyes, elegant cars. It would have cost you about £21,000, and the 5-cylinder turbo d was reported to do 40 - 57 mpg, whilst the non-turbo 2.0 did 44 - 62 mpg. That was less fuel than many cars half that size..........and explains the Nissan Diesel -into-Mercedes/Jag trend of the day.
The brother and his friends used to have one of these to mess around a field in.She had the 2.2 5 cylinder engine , but just a single carb:eek:.I kinda liked the car with its quirkiness (if thats a word).No temp gauge just a light instead and an econometer.Don't what for with a single carb:rolleyes:.Probably the same basic engine that was used in the quatro.0 -
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg7_rriLSF8
