Underrated classics

[dinkel]

v8thunder said:

I'm definately au fait with the idea of getting a Fiat X1/9 1500 as a first car in the summer . . .

Good idea, are there still any left? They are not British though . . .

v8thunder said:

Thirdly, you can put a Fiat Uno Turbo engine in it.

Summer 'll be over when it's in there . . .




360 horse turbo . . .

There will always be market for small mid-engined cars: Honda, Lancia . . . where are you.

[v8thunder]

I think there's nothing like the X1/9 around these days - it's half way between the Smart Roadster-Coupe and the Elise/VX series.

Many in the UK? Loads, but they just don't get driven (which is more likely to kill them than driving them in the rain. As soon as I get mine, it's getting rustproofed, waxoyled and undersealed). Believe me when I say your local Auto Trader will have at least two in at any one time.

Best thing about them - people who don't really know the classic market always underprice them. You can buy on in Auto Trader for £1k and sell it on in a Classic mag for more like twice that, given good maintainance.

[shirley temple]

Elan plus 2, without a doubt, all the poise of a 'baby' Elan, but more stable, comfortable, roomy and ultimately faster round the twisty bits as the wider track and tyres give better grip. sure the sraight line acceleration is a bit down but thats a small price to pay. I've had one of these on the road (still got another in bits ) and my mum ran one when I was at school. They are more reliable than thier reputation and a nice one can be had for £5K or less.
Has there been a better styled British sportscar? I think not IMHO of course.

Mark

keep this quiet, or others will cotton on and prices will go mad!!

[droopsnoot]

v8thunder said:

[quote=LuS1fer]Vauxhall Firenza - a car begging for a stock V8.

In South Africa, GM released the Firenza 'Can Am', with a V8, to homologate for a racing series. I don't know too much about it, but there's one in our club in the UK, and a few others around the world.

The Vauxhall 'slant four' engine was originally going to be a V8 which never saw the light of day, along with the diesel version which was also never released. Remember that just as the Vauxhall (or Blydenstein) engineers got going with this engine, the fuel crisis and three-day week hit and no-one wanted to buy a car with a thirsty engine. But 'Old Nail', the racing Firenza, produced a reliable 260+ bhp from a basically stock 2.3 block with 16v head, fuel injection and dry sump mods.

[dinkel]

www.opel400club.de/werbung/images/clinton-smith-m400-1984.jpg

Didn't they use this engine in the rally Opel / Vauxhall Manta 400?

[djmojo]

You all seem to be missing one particular '80s sports car that was very under-rated and sold in small numbers. It was and still is one of that big clampet Clarkson's favourite cars! It is, of course, the Renault Alpine A310/GTA/A610. All stormers for their time. I am the proud owner of an immaculate '88 GTA Turbo, and I have to say it handles like a dream (when full of fuel and the water bottle topped up) and it was regularly tested against Esprits, Porsches et al in its heyday. The only thing that lets it down is the Renault badge on the front!!!

Anybody agree?

[dinkel]

It's a nice car but you have to love the looks. Engine is a bit grumpy . . . It could do with a more revvy / raunchy lump. I always thought it was somewhat of a Lotus Europa bigger brother . . .

Edit:
www.renault-alpine.com/download/a310.jpg

www.cabrionews.de/ontour/01/berg01/renault-alpine.jpg

www.alpine-renault.net/images/alpine/a310-11_g.jpg

http://hvtm.totalcar.hu/car/m/renault/272266.jpg

www.maxspeed.it/manifestazioni/sportive/alpine/images/Alpine.A310.3.jpg

www.alpine-club.dk/image/r5ttech1.gif
Have a weak spot for this little bugger . . .


>> Edited by dinkel on Thursday 20th January 14:54

[Alpineandy]

djmojo said:

Anybody agree?

Yes!

GTA is excellent value for money.
www.renaultalpine.co.uk

[86turbo]

Alpineandy said:

djmojo said: Anybody agree? Yes! GTA is excellent value for money. www.renaultalpine.co.uk

+1

I LOVE the style of the A310... I wish they'd kept that bodystyle for the turbo and gta I have to have one before I die. Too bad there are probably 2 in america total Plus if the gearbox in the Esprit ever goes bad, automatic replacement
dan

[Alpineandy]

86turbo said:

Too bad there are probably 2 in america total

Actually the American Alpine A310 club has quite a few more than 2.
www.mindspring.com/~techbiz/alpin310.htm

[dinkel]

"We have currently about 20 club members, and there are approximately 21 Alpine A310's in the US, at least to our knowledge."

"If we missed you as an A310 owner in the US, Canada, or Mexico then PLEASE contact us!"

That's not much?! Were they imported in the 70s-80s?