I remember reading the car mags in the mid-70s when they would compare these "baby" exotics. uraco, masserati Merek, and the Ferrari I think too, but I can't remember which one they had (maybe the 308 GT4, but not remembering it being the "real Dino (246).
The little Fiat seems to have fallen by the wayside - it is a 126 - and was made in Poland - I think most of them were after the first year or so.
Weirdly, I can still hear the engine and transmission sound exactly, despite not having seen one for maybe 30 years. They sound slightly different to a 500
Crissy Field San Francisco. Alcatraz was still accepting guests at that time. Interesting tour to take...a very dark, grim, hard place.
G'day
We toured Alcatraz in 1990. Mid summer and heat wave conditions, but still really cold in the wind.
San Francisco is about as far North of the Equator as Melbourne is South and weather patterns are similarish, although we have far less fog.
The trip to Alcatraz persuaded me that long distance swimming was really unattractive. Heavens knows how any did escape. Must have been pretty dire for the actual inmates as seemed pretty creepy even when empty.
Nobody escaped as far as is known. A few tried but disappeared. There are swimmers who do the run from Alcatraz to shore, but they are pretty strong, fit and well equipped for the icy waters--to say nothing of sharks in the bay, and wicked currents.
And support boats or kayaks. Still, pretty amazing and it sounds like it gets swum a lot. I'd have a cold water immersion heart attack in the first six feet.
Car #1 - 1950 Chevy. Car #6 - 1956 Chevy. Car #7 - 1957 Lincoln Premier.
About three weeks ago on a Sunday evening we were driving in Kent and overtook a pink Lincoln Premier ( I guessed abut a 57), - we also saw a couple of other US cars at the time so presumably they were going home from a car show somewhere. I wasn't in the Magnette but instead in our everyday car (which we changed recently from the Alfa Mito to a Ford Fiesta S ) and was driving at a good rate in fairly busy traffic so didn't get a good look but it was shiny and looked restored. My other half said the woman driving it looked very relaxed and was doing something with her hair but we then realised she meant the front passenger as it was of course LHD - driver was over the other side and didn't look like he had too much hair. I'll post a picture of the fiesta one day - keep meaning to do it. Only a tiny engine but a big turbo so it goes very well.
This is a Ford Fiesta S Black (a special edition) - this photo is from Ford but mine is basically the same only not as clean... My company give me a car and the Alfa was four years old so I got this.
Engine is only 3 cylinder 999cc Ecoboost , but it has a hefty boost on the turbo and produces a claimed 138bhp, with sport suspension and it really goes - it is as fast as my old Alfa Mito (which had a 1340cc engine) but if anything the Ford is better revving - keep it above 2000revs and it is really responsive. It's like having a Fiesta ST but without the scary bits like jarring suspension on speed bumps or losing your licence on day one...
Handles like a go-kart, it's like having an original Mini but with enough room for an old chap like me to sit in it..
It is fairly efficient too - claimed acceleration is 0-60 in 9.0 secs and 65.7mpg overall, although not at the same time and fiscally it works too as we pay company car tax based on CO2 emissions and those are 104g/km which is hardly anything above the basic shopping version of the 999cc at 99g/km.
I always liked the top trim 57/58 Ford 4 doors. Actually preferred the Town Sedan, but the hardtop is nice too. Used to see aircraft carriers near there and the Golden gate Bridge, but I think they are now located in San Diego and Everett, WA. The carriers are quite a sight to watch.
What it's not is a Triumph Spitfire. I do like that red trim on the black, clean Ford Fiesta. Back around 2010 I was watching a blue Ford Fiesta sedan retailing for around $13,995 in 5-speed stick form. I mean driving by the thing almost every night after the dealership closed to get a nice, long, relaxed view of the car. So these are valid rigs to me, like them yes I do.
Wouldn't trump my 2011 Kia Soul 5-speed stick but maybe that's just me.
What it's not is a Triumph Spitfire. I do like that red trim on the black, clean Ford Fiesta. Back around 2010 I was watching a blue Ford Fiesta sedan retailing for around $13,995 in 5-speed stick form. I mean driving by the thing almost every night after the dealership closed to get a nice, long, relaxed view of the car. So these are valid rigs to me, like them yes I do.
Wouldn't trump my 2011 Kia Soul 5-speed stick but maybe that's just me.
I must admit I am enjoying the Fiesta - it is a bit garish with the red trim (I knew I would get the red bits round the grille and the tips of the mirrors but didn't realise it came with a red roof until it turned up... I had only seen the red version - which has a black roof, etc. but I hadn't realised the black one was so red.
It looks enough like a Fiesta RS in people's mirrors that they move over on the motorway which helps, and although we've only done 4000 miles since Xmas that is really because this year we haven't been very far and my daily commute is less than five miles. Also I use the MG at weekends for anything under say 50 mile radius if it is dry.
Because my car is supplied by the company I lend it to colleagues during the day - it is more popular than most of the bigger cars in the car park because it is so easy to drive and park. It is only a five speed box - not six - but the change is so slick it is actually better than the Alfa was - and that was quite good anyway.
It is a Simca (thanks Stever) and it is the same bodyshell as the 1000 but this is the 900 - the visual difference is that the 1000 had a chrome trim across the front panel above the bumper, which is missing from the 900 as here... The initial 900 was introduced in 1962 I think and ran for a couple of years being phased out in 1963 or 64. Later, in the70's they introduced another 900 which was badged differently but I think the earlier version was just in France and Benelux, while the 70's one seems to have been mainly in Spain.
Just guessing the brand is huge for me @magnette. I did cut one in half in high school with a sabre saw....
Yes, I would imagine you haven't seen many Simcas of any model - but cutting one in half is different. I presume (hope) it was an auto repair class and not some random act on a passing car..... I misread your post at first and thought you meant a light sabre - may the force be with you....
It's funny how Simca were really major sellers in Europe - including the UK - in the 50's to the early 70's but fell from grace eventually....
A high school spoiled brat friend's father owned a dealership and sold Simcas for a couple of years. He was given a junker and the engine and drivetrain were missing when he asked me to cut it up. He planned to shorten it and switch around the brake lines so he could lock up one side and turn on a dime (sixpence?).
I'm sure it went to the dump in the weeks after. As did most of those late 60's models that were imported to the States.
I knew a guy in college that drove a Hillman, but it was British I believe. At least it had electrical issues like things shorting out (Lucas anyone?). Weren't Simca's French? I'm not sure, but I think maybe Chrysler Plymouth dealers sold Simca's for awhile and might have even badge shared one of their products in the sixties? Maybe that was Hillman though? Well, all I know for sure is that Buick handled Opel and Pontiac had Vauxhall for awhile back in late 50's/early 60's Chicagoland. Don't recall ever seeing any British Ford's growing up back then in the Chicago area though. But the mind does start to age...
Comments
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
better designs for a car of that ilk.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Cheers
Graham
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Car #6 - 1956 Chevy.
Car #7 - 1957 Lincoln Premier.
We toured Alcatraz in 1990. Mid summer and heat wave conditions, but still really cold in the wind.
San Francisco is about as far North of the Equator as Melbourne is South and weather patterns are similarish, although we have far less fog.
The trip to Alcatraz persuaded me that long distance swimming was really unattractive. Heavens knows how any did escape. Must have been pretty dire for the actual inmates as seemed pretty creepy even when empty.
Cheers
Graham
I wasn't in the Magnette but instead in our everyday car (which we changed recently from the Alfa Mito to a Ford Fiesta S ) and was driving at a good rate in fairly busy traffic so didn't get a good look but it was shiny and looked restored. My other half said the woman driving it looked very relaxed and was doing something with her hair but we then realised she meant the front passenger as it was of course LHD - driver was over the other side and didn't look like he had too much hair.
I'll post a picture of the fiesta one day - keep meaning to do it. Only a tiny engine but a big turbo so it goes very well.
Engine is only 3 cylinder 999cc Ecoboost , but it has a hefty boost on the turbo and produces a claimed 138bhp, with sport suspension and it really goes - it is as fast as my old Alfa Mito (which had a 1340cc engine) but if anything the Ford is better revving - keep it above 2000revs and it is really responsive. It's like having a Fiesta ST but without the scary bits like jarring suspension on speed bumps or losing your licence on day one...
Handles like a go-kart, it's like having an original Mini but with enough room for an old chap like me to sit in it..
It is fairly efficient too - claimed acceleration is 0-60 in 9.0 secs and 65.7mpg overall, although not at the same time and fiscally it works too as we pay company car tax based on CO2 emissions and those are 104g/km which is hardly anything above the basic shopping version of the 999cc at 99g/km.
For some reason it won't post a picture now... I'll try again tomorrow...
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Wouldn't trump my 2011 Kia Soul 5-speed stick but maybe that's just me.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I must admit I am enjoying the Fiesta - it is a bit garish with the red trim (I knew I would get the red bits round the grille and the tips of the mirrors but didn't realise it came with a red roof until it turned up... I had only seen the red version - which has a black roof, etc. but I hadn't realised the black one was so red.
It looks enough like a Fiesta RS in people's mirrors that they move over on the motorway which helps, and although we've only done 4000 miles since Xmas that is really because this year we haven't been very far and my daily commute is less than five miles. Also I use the MG at weekends for anything under say 50 mile radius if it is dry.
Because my car is supplied by the company I lend it to colleagues during the day - it is more popular than most of the bigger cars in the car park because it is so easy to drive and park. It is only a five speed box - not six - but the change is so slick it is actually better than the Alfa was - and that was quite good anyway.
It's funny how Simca were really major sellers in Europe - including the UK - in the 50's to the early 70's but fell from grace eventually....
I'm sure it went to the dump in the weeks after. As did most of those late 60's models that were imported to the States.