RE: C&SC 'best British car ever' poll

[RoverP6B]

Minis didn't have Hydragas, that was the ADO16.

[andybu]

Got to be the McLaren F1. Great design, with a purity based solely on meeting the functional requirement, also a technological tour de force. Arguably not bettered since by any other manufacturer. Also won the Le Mans 24 Hour race at the first time of asking, despite being a road car design. What more do you want??

[RoverP6B]

Yes, but what ongoing influence does the McLaren have? Absolutely none, I'd argue - whereas the Mini and the Range Rover remain relevant today.

[rb5er]

No Aston or XJ220?

Ridiculous.

[wile7]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

Really, it can only be the E-type. A timeless classic that will forever be considered the most beautiful car ever designed, and one which shocked the world upon its introduction. No other car has ever made the same impact when revealed.

The Lamborghini Miura caused a similar, if not slightly more global, stir at launch...and arguably is a more stunning design. I love it.

But back on track...I've voted for the Seven but the Mini should get it due to the sheer simplistic brilliance of the original Issigonis design.

If we could vote for brilliance, the car that gave the world the original hatchback ideal (and is sadly seldom featured) would get my vote: The humble Austin A40

[coppice]

XJ 220 ??? Quite the most ridiculous looking and awful sounding car I have ever seen- sorry .

[RoverP6B]

The XJ220 is a fabulous-looking thing and is still one of the fastest supercars ever made, crap engine notwithstanding. Should have had the V12.

[300bhp/ton]

Ford GT40, I think that's stretching the "British" line a little too far. If it had a Chevrolet or Nissan badge (with the same history), would it still be called British, I doubt it very much.

[RoverP6B]

The only things about the GT40 that weren't British were (a) the engine and (b) the money. The rest of it was the work of Eric Broadley & co at Lola.

[dinkel]

Shame Lola did not make it. Broadleys T76 is a gem though!

[coppice]

The GT 40 was a racing car, not a road car. The Mk3 was essentially a Fomoco marketing exercise and was a road car- it was slower, looked different , didn't sell, was unaffordable and was panned by most of the press in period . It bathed in the halo of 'real'GT40 , Mk 2 and Mk 4. If racers are included then I will raise you a Lotus 25, 49 and 79 for starters and I will throw in a Ralt RT3 and a March 732.....

[300bhp/ton]

RoverP6B said:

The only things about the GT40 that weren't British were (a) the engine and (b) the money. The rest of it was the work of Eric Broadley & co at Lola.

It had a Ford badge on it ffs. That's usually a rather fundamental thing.

[lee_erm]

Why is the Nissan Note not on the list

[rongagin]

Why is the list so predictable, as always. Does best = most popular?

Not saying they are poor cars, but really?

[Massey135]

RoverP6B said:

Minis didn't have Hydragas, that was the ADO16.

They did. For a few years. Around 1970 production I think.

[lee_erm]

300bhp/ton said:

It had a Ford badge on it ffs. That's usually a rather fundamental thing.

I'd consider some Fords British tbf.

[RoverP6B]

A badge doesn't make a car. Some Vauxhalls are built in Germany and South Korea, some Fords were/are built in the UK, Germany, Belgium, Spain/Portugal... doesn't make them British or American. On the other hand, South African BMWs and American BMWs and Mercs still seem to get treated as if they were German - possibly because only assembly is done in those locations. In terms of the GT40, the badge and the engine were American, the rest was British. The same applies to the Lola T70, that had a Chevrolet engine and possibly some Chevrolet badging, doesn't make it an American Chevrolet.

[dinkel]

Original T70Mk3 (not a B) came with Aston V8 power. There are to believed only 3 of those left.

[dinkel]

rongagin said:

Why is the list so predictable, as always. Does best = most popular?

Not saying they are poor cars, but really?

Maybe set up a topic with a Top-10 Lost Heroes?

Gilbern GT, TVR Griffith, Lotus 7, Austin Princess, Lola Mk1?

[RoverP6B]

dinkel said:

Original T70Mk3 (not a B) came with Aston V8 power. There are to believed only 3 of those left.

They did test an early form of Aston V8. It was a total disaster. Tadek Marek had to go back to the drawing board and completely redesign the engine.