Building the 'cars that should have been made'
Discussion
A few months ago I was on the phone to a Triumph 2.5PI owner who was playing with the idea of creating a Triumph Stag estate. Not the Del Lines Atlantic Garage Stag Estate (basically a Stag 3-litre V8 in a 2.5PI estate), but a Triumph Stag with an extended roofline chopped from a replacement roof panel for the estate, blended into the Carbodies' kamm-tail to make a neat 3-door Stag shooting-brake.
I've long held a similar notion of building 'the car Ford should have built' - the Lotus Capri. Most people wanting to modify a Capri go for the big-block Mustang V8 installation, or at least carry out their modifications on a V6 model, but I've had this idea of getting hold of a 1.6-litre (either Mk II S or Mk III LS to get the authentic Lotus Cortina-style suspension options) Capri and transplanting a Cosworth 1588cc twin-cam, yellow Minilites, a pair of spotlights, a wood-rimmed Mountney steering wheel, then splashing on a Lotus Cortina-style green-over-white paint scheme (if it didn't already have the Mk II S 'JPS' colours) and doing some classic road-rallying.
I just think that Ford missed a trick. They put that Lotus engine in the Cortina and the Escort, but never in the sportiest, most aerodynamic car to use that platform.
Who else has a 'car that should have been built' project in mind?
I've long held a similar notion of building 'the car Ford should have built' - the Lotus Capri. Most people wanting to modify a Capri go for the big-block Mustang V8 installation, or at least carry out their modifications on a V6 model, but I've had this idea of getting hold of a 1.6-litre (either Mk II S or Mk III LS to get the authentic Lotus Cortina-style suspension options) Capri and transplanting a Cosworth 1588cc twin-cam, yellow Minilites, a pair of spotlights, a wood-rimmed Mountney steering wheel, then splashing on a Lotus Cortina-style green-over-white paint scheme (if it didn't already have the Mk II S 'JPS' colours) and doing some classic road-rallying.
I just think that Ford missed a trick. They put that Lotus engine in the Cortina and the Escort, but never in the sportiest, most aerodynamic car to use that platform.
Who else has a 'car that should have been built' project in mind?
Triumph should have put the Sprint engine in the TR7 (though it did eventually get the V8).
Humber should have put the V8 they used in the Tiger in the Sceptre as well. (actually they did, as well as the Super Snipe but then abandoned the idea).
VW should have put a fully tuned Porsche engine in the Beetle (probably too scared 'cause the Beetle's handling was already s
t) and in the bus.
MG should NEVER have put the 6 cylinder C series n the 'B' but should have got around to fitting the V8 long before Frank Costello did.
and...
and...
and...
Humber should have put the V8 they used in the Tiger in the Sceptre as well. (actually they did, as well as the Super Snipe but then abandoned the idea).
VW should have put a fully tuned Porsche engine in the Beetle (probably too scared 'cause the Beetle's handling was already s
t) and in the bus.MG should NEVER have put the 6 cylinder C series n the 'B' but should have got around to fitting the V8 long before Frank Costello did.
and...
and...
and...
Edited by restoman on Saturday 12th December 19:47
Another Dagenham dream I'm afraid , as I only use mine in the Summer - Air Con , most people go for the five speed conversion or bigger engine. I would just love to have some cool air whilst I am perched on black vinyl seats in August , I believe American cars had it in the fifties and sixties, not even the export model (South Africa etc) Tina's and Escorts ever had it , I've always wondered what the is the simplest system that could be grafted into a sixties saloon like mine.
RedexR said:
Another Dagenham dream I'm afraid , as I only use mine in the Summer - Air Con , most people go for the five speed conversion or bigger engine. I would just love to have some cool air whilst I am perched on black vinyl seats in August , I believe American cars had it in the fifties and sixties, not even the export model (South Africa etc) Tina's and Escorts ever had it , I've always wondered what the is the simplest system that could be grafted into a sixties saloon like mine.
There are firms that can do it. A freind got a quote for a 2002 for, I think, about £1300 but you'd think you'd be able to get all the bits of a scrapper and do it yourself but I rarely find people who have. A bit newer... Butback in the early 1990's Rover should have dropped the 160bhp 1800cc VVC K-series into the 1.4K Metro GTi. Having driven a Talon Sportscars conversion I can honestly say (coupled with the suspension / chassis tweaks they do) that they would have created something legendary, on track it can show a clean pair of heels to a lower-spec Elise. A Clio 172 would not get a sniff or it.
triumph built a fast back and it is still going now
http://www.triumphstag.net/images/history/fastprot...
http://www.triumphstag.net/images/history/fastprot...
For me it would have to be the AJ6 powered version of the XJ6... and by XJ6 I mean the original S1 - S3 not the XJ40. I know that there were a couple of test mules built, but never a production version, which is a real shame.
I loved my S3, but hated the fact that the XK engine was getting so dated and the three speed auto box killed what was left of legendary performance. I loved the shape, and the last bits of a real old style interior.
I hated the boxy shape and clunkiness of the XJ40, but loved the engine and performance.
So, I have a spare XJ6 kicking about so it's getting a 4.0litre AJ6 in it. The car is a S2 saloon, which isn't really evolving a S3 but I think its the prettiest of the bunch next to the Coupe. I'd like to use a supercharged AJ16S engine, but I think that would be pushing it a bit.
Regards
Ric
I loved my S3, but hated the fact that the XK engine was getting so dated and the three speed auto box killed what was left of legendary performance. I loved the shape, and the last bits of a real old style interior.
I hated the boxy shape and clunkiness of the XJ40, but loved the engine and performance.
So, I have a spare XJ6 kicking about so it's getting a 4.0litre AJ6 in it. The car is a S2 saloon, which isn't really evolving a S3 but I think its the prettiest of the bunch next to the Coupe. I'd like to use a supercharged AJ16S engine, but I think that would be pushing it a bit.
Regards
Ric
I reckon Triumph/BL missed a trick with the TR7 V8 as in never making a proper high performance version.
I know they missed many a trick already but surely something like this would have promoted the entire brand and in it's day probably shaken up the industry.
Essentially they had a good chassis and a car with striking looks. It was also rwd and they had a pretty desecent V8 to play with.
So why on Earth did they not think to introduce a 230-250hp variant with updated suspension, brakes and more sleek styling. For the most part it would have been bolt on additions, something even a dealer could have done if not at the factory. So minimal r&d and tooling requirements.
In return BL could have had a sports car with Ferrari Dino (or better) rivaling performance way back in the midish 70's.
I know they missed many a trick already but surely something like this would have promoted the entire brand and in it's day probably shaken up the industry.
Essentially they had a good chassis and a car with striking looks. It was also rwd and they had a pretty desecent V8 to play with.
So why on Earth did they not think to introduce a 230-250hp variant with updated suspension, brakes and more sleek styling. For the most part it would have been bolt on additions, something even a dealer could have done if not at the factory. So minimal r&d and tooling requirements.
In return BL could have had a sports car with Ferrari Dino (or better) rivaling performance way back in the midish 70's.
Perhaps a car that WAS built but which disappeared was the Lotus type 47 Europa built for GKN in 1969. Instead of the usual engine it was fitted with a Rover 3.5 litre V8. It was registered GKN 47 D and I wonder if it still exists? It sure must have beena fun car! I have a photo of it here.
Simes205 said:
The 16v engine from the 405MI16 into the 205#gti - should have been a factory job.
Would have given them 160bhp in a 900kg car in 1991.
With thousands of warranty repairs for oil surge issues.Would have given them 160bhp in a 900kg car in 1991.
This is what I was told when speaking to someone who used to be high up in Peugeot in the early 90s. They reckoned the engine was OK for the 405 as it was bigger and couldn't corner as fast as a 205. They said that for the angle it would have to be installed in a 205 it would run the risk of oil surge issues. Having seen that exact thing happen to Mi16 engined 205s on at least 4 separate occasions, I would say that was the right choice.
They decided (Peugeot UK) to stay with the Turbo Technics conversion for people who wanted more power.
lowdrag said:
Perhaps a car that WAS built but which disappeared was the Lotus type 47 Europa built for GKN in 1969. Instead of the usual engine it was fitted with a Rover 3.5 litre V8. It was registered GKN 47 D and I wonder if it still exists? It sure must have beena fun car! I have a photo of it here.
OOhh... now there's a car I'd dearly love that I'd forgotten about!Last I heard of it it was in the USA, though I know several conversions have been done to Rover power. I know there was one car inspired by this that had a GT40 engine and gearbox combination.
lowdrag said:
It was registered GKN 47 D and I wonder if it still exists?
Very much so ........Last Entry
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