1980 Talbot Avenger
Discussion
Bitter sweet I've been given ownership of my father in laws 1980 Talbot/Chrysler Avenger 1.6 LS.
His declining health meant I was driving him to shows in it for the past while and so passed the Honey Brown gauntlet to me.
It was bought by my mother in laws aunt from new in 1980. Garaged all it's life and only driven to church or to do the shopping.
A touch over 32k miles on the clock, tip top condition with just some minor tidy up pieces needed atm. Needs a new exhaust and possible brake servo but literally that's all.
He talked about switching it out for something more popular about the same age but I'm glad he kept it and kept it as it is.
It's not everyone's cup of tea but I think it's so individual it's cool.
Will update the thread once I get round to doing a few jobs but for now it's tucked up for the winter.
His declining health meant I was driving him to shows in it for the past while and so passed the Honey Brown gauntlet to me.
It was bought by my mother in laws aunt from new in 1980. Garaged all it's life and only driven to church or to do the shopping.
A touch over 32k miles on the clock, tip top condition with just some minor tidy up pieces needed atm. Needs a new exhaust and possible brake servo but literally that's all.
He talked about switching it out for something more popular about the same age but I'm glad he kept it and kept it as it is.
It's not everyone's cup of tea but I think it's so individual it's cool.
Will update the thread once I get round to doing a few jobs but for now it's tucked up for the winter.
What a fabulous colour - inside and out. My Mum had an earlier Hillman Avenger with the L-shape rear lights in metallic green. That was replaced by the Talbot Sunbeam that I learned to drive in which appears to have the same steering wheel (and probably lots more as they share a platform) as OPs Talbot Avenger. Many happy memories!
Is that a dog leg gearbox, with 1st away to the right or the wrong gear knob? You’re not wrong about the cool part, what a colour inside and out. How on earth do you keep track of all those gauges, that steering wheel really is something else to behold.
Judging by the proliferation of tractors and the car number plates, you’re somewhere in rural Northern Ireland, what a lovely place to smoke around in a modern classic.
Judging by the proliferation of tractors and the car number plates, you’re somewhere in rural Northern Ireland, what a lovely place to smoke around in a modern classic.
Oh !
I look at that interior and can immediately smell John Player Specials and pipe tobacco. Grandad had one though it would have been a little earlier than 1980 and I seem to remember on the outside it was blue (or maybe green).
I locked the keys inside it and someone had to Grandad take the rear seat out from inside the boot to get them.
Happy days.
I look at that interior and can immediately smell John Player Specials and pipe tobacco. Grandad had one though it would have been a little earlier than 1980 and I seem to remember on the outside it was blue (or maybe green).
I locked the keys inside it and someone had to Grandad take the rear seat out from inside the boot to get them.
Happy days.
daqinggregg said:
Is that a dog leg gearbox, with 1st away to the right or the wrong gear knob? You’re not wrong about the cool part, what a colour inside and out. How on earth do you keep track of all those gauges, that steering wheel really is something else to behold.
Judging by the proliferation of tractors and the car number plates, you’re somewhere in rural Northern Ireland, what a lovely place to smoke around in a modern classic.
No its a normal layout 4 speed, will have to check about the gear knob. Semi rural N.I. the EIB numberplate would be Co. Armagh area im told.Judging by the proliferation of tractors and the car number plates, you’re somewhere in rural Northern Ireland, what a lovely place to smoke around in a modern classic.
Ah, my Dad used to have one of those too!
Almost identical, except in a muddier shade of brown and badged as a Chrysler. Ours also had the vinyl seats that would sear your legs on a hot day - we had to keep towels in the car to sit on.
My Dad always said how much he liked driving it, but it succumbed to rust and was moved on for a Mk1 Jetta.
Thanks for posting it!
Almost identical, except in a muddier shade of brown and badged as a Chrysler. Ours also had the vinyl seats that would sear your legs on a hot day - we had to keep towels in the car to sit on.
My Dad always said how much he liked driving it, but it succumbed to rust and was moved on for a Mk1 Jetta.
Thanks for posting it!
lockon said:
daqinggregg said:
Is that a dog leg gearbox, with 1st away to the right or the wrong gear knob? You’re not wrong about the cool part, what a colour inside and out. How on earth do you keep track of all those gauges, that steering wheel really is something else to behold.
Judging by the proliferation of tractors and the car number plates, you’re somewhere in rural Northern Ireland, what a lovely place to smoke around in a modern classic.
No its a normal layout 4 speed, will have to check about the gear knob. Semi rural N.I. the EIB numberplate would be Co. Armagh area im told.Judging by the proliferation of tractors and the car number plates, you’re somewhere in rural Northern Ireland, what a lovely place to smoke around in a modern classic.
Had a 2nd look, it's a normal 4 speed layout, can't imagine why I thought that.
. My dad had a Hillman Avenger estate (the only car that's not a Ford he's owned since I've been around). Yours looks in good shape.
Fantastic.
We inherited my grandad's P reg one with the l-shaped rear lights and the rotary switches for lights and wipers.
I'm sure the windscreen washer was manual on the end of that rotary switch - if you gave it a weak push you got a dribble.
The gearbox was the best I've ever used despite a long throw.
My driving instructor warned me that they had a reputation for evil handling but a 1.3DL, even on cheapo tyres, wasn't an oversteering beast.
We inherited my grandad's P reg one with the l-shaped rear lights and the rotary switches for lights and wipers.
I'm sure the windscreen washer was manual on the end of that rotary switch - if you gave it a weak push you got a dribble.
The gearbox was the best I've ever used despite a long throw.
My driving instructor warned me that they had a reputation for evil handling but a 1.3DL, even on cheapo tyres, wasn't an oversteering beast.
First longish run out. Was asked by a local production company to supply the car for some scenes in a short film. Alongside was Jim in his 1965 Sunbeam Rapier. Mint wouldn't even come close to his car.
Things I did quickly learn..... I need a new battery, alternator, Brakes looked at (servo I am told), and headlight bulb. But great to get out in it.
Things I did quickly learn..... I need a new battery, alternator, Brakes looked at (servo I am told), and headlight bulb. But great to get out in it.
Edited by lockon on Monday 11th November 19:46
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