Idiosyncratic features to be savoured

[K12beano]

saaby93 said:

it's an old idea
With this one you can sit on the wheels while 'avin a fag and a cuppa and tinkering with the engine

EFA

[coppice]

Foot operated dipswitch was common on 50s cars and many 60s ones to; foot operated wash wipe on Transits and Escorts ; red light on Alfasud which went out when warm enough to be thrashed ; mushroom shaped brake on CX Citroen(see also non cancelling indicators , inspired control pod on Visa etc etc etc re Citroens ) ; reserve fuel tanks on many 60s cars; flashing light on end of indicator stalk(some Austins etc ), hand throttle for warming up (Alfas , Lancia(ISTR ?) ; underbonnet kettle (50s accessory ) , windscreen washer working off pressure from spare wheel (Beetle ) ; fly of handbrakes (many sportsters of yore ) ; racing 5 speed gates (1st down and left, 2nd up , across and forward (Porsches, Ferraris and 2 CV ) ; column shifts ('3 on the tree'), 2 speed automatics (lost of US stuff ). And lots more - all lost in the name of conformity - or common sense prevailing...

[P5BNij]

Two of my early Mk1 Mini 850s had the foot operated dipswitch, they both had the little green bulb on the end of the indicator stalk too, at night it lit up the whole interior of the car.

It's the little thing you remember isn't it

[Funk]

P5BNij said:

A Lambo flambe! This chap has the right idea, right at the end of the clip...

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Lamborghini+Ur...

Another Italian idiosyncratic feature - the Espada has a large tap wheel under the dash to allow hot water into the car's heating system, if it goes tits up you just call a plumber..!

Nice clip but why do the editors always make the mistake of playing music over car videos? I want to hear the car, not some random song!

[66mpg]

Alfasud column stalks: left did indicators, turn it for lights, pull to flash, button in end for main beam. Right did heater fan, turn for wipers, button in end for washers, pull for horn. Quite odd but it did mean that in an emergency you could pull both stalks simultaneously and get horn and headlamp flash together which is just what you want as you tighten your grip on the wheel.

[Trabi601]

JimbobVFR said:

This thread has made me realise I don't own a car with a conventional engine compartment or bonnet. I have an Audi A2 with the above mentioned service flap and removable bonnet. My other car is a Mazda Bongo, this does have a normal opening bonnet at the front but it only contains a radiator, batteries and assorted pipe work, the actual bonnet is 2 opening sections of floor with the drivers and passenger seat attached. So my Bongo is a mid engined, rear wheel drive V6 petrol.

Working on an engine inside a vehicle feels quite idiosyncratic it has to be said

Evil things, Bongos. Almost impossible to have a conversation at any kind of speed, as you have an engine between you and the passenger.

[snotrag]

Boxster and Cayman also have engine access from inside the cabin, so it's not died out :

[Speed 3]

No exterior or interior door handles, two bonnets, petrol filler inside the boot, speedo needle that "clicks" between increments rather than sweeping smoothly, windows that rise/fall in increments off a rotary switch, removable rear window.

[cuprabob]

Renault Clio MK2 bonnet opened that way too...

[K12beano]

Speed 3 said:

No exterior or interior door handles, two bonnets, petrol filler inside the boot, speedo needle that "clicks" between increments rather than sweeping smoothly, windows that rise/fall in increments off a rotary switch, removable rear window.

Handy to access battery, too. Just take the wheel off!

[bearman68]

cuprabob said:

Renault Clio MK2 bonnet opened that way too...

Mk1 did, Mk2 is conventional

[Lance Catamaran]

bearman68 said:

cuprabob said:

Renault Clio MK2 bonnet opened that way too...

Mk1 did, Mk2 is conventional

BMW E30 had a forward opening bonnet as well

[HTP99]

bearman68 said:

cuprabob said:

Renault Clio MK2 bonnet opened that way too...

Mk1 did, Mk2 is conventional

E30 3 Series bonnet opens like that aswell, Not sure on other similar era BMW's.

Original Kangoo did too, and the tool kit for the spare was under the bonnet too, which was odd.

[Simes205]

motco said:

280E said:

Non self-cancelling indicators on many Citroens.

...and the self-centring steering by servo on them too. Stop in traffic with any lock on, release the wheel and it straightens up while you're stationary. Then there's the brake 'button' instead of a pedal...

The Daravi steering, only in SM and CX's - once you're used to it it's pretty good, very quick rack too.

[Simes205]

coppice said:

Foot operated dipswitch was common on 50s cars and many 60s ones to; foot operated wash wipe on Transits and Escorts ; red light on Alfasud which went out when warm enough to be thrashed ; mushroom shaped brake on CX Citroen(see also non cancelling indicators , inspired control pod on Visa etc etc etc re Citroens ) ; reserve fuel tanks on many 60s cars; flashing light on end of indicator stalk(some Austins etc ), hand throttle for warming up (Alfas , Lancia(ISTR ?) ; underbonnet kettle (50s accessory ) , windscreen washer working off pressure from spare wheel (Beetle ) ; fly of handbrakes (many sportsters of yore ) ; racing 5 speed gates (1st down and left, 2nd up , across and forward (Porsches, Ferraris and 2 CV ) ; column shifts ('3 on the tree'), 2 speed automatics (lost of US stuff ). And lots more - all lost in the name of conformity - or common sense prevailing...

CX has a conventional brake pedal, just very assisted!

[JimbobVFR]

Trabi601 said:

Evil things, Bongos. Almost impossible to have a conversation at any kind of speed, as you have an engine between you and the passenger.

That's not been my experience at all. I have been in one that was fairly loud but the seal around the engine covers was knackered and the catches were too loose. It probably helps that mines a V6 petrol not a diesel.

[Oilchange]

Lance Catamaran said:

Pop up headlights

First thought that popped into my head

[cuprabob]

bearman68 said:

Mk1 did, Mk2 is conventional

You're right it was a MK1

[TR4man]

Speed 3 said:

No exterior or interior door handles, two bonnets, petrol filler inside the boot, speedo needle that "clicks" between increments rather than sweeping smoothly, windows that rise/fall in increments off a rotary switch, removable rear window.

Don't know if it is the same on a Tuscan, but my Chimaera's boot will only open with the keys turned in the ignition and you then press a button under the dash.

I sometimes think that TVRs are so idiosyncratic, they make Citroen's look conventional.

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

HTP99 said:

bearman68 said:

cuprabob said:

Renault Clio MK2 bonnet opened that way too...

Mk1 did, Mk2 is conventional

Original Kangoo did too, and the tool kit for the spare was under the bonnet too, which was odd.

Which I remember well, on my old van. At the side of the road. With a puncture. Cursing why I couldn't find it!