RE: MG Montego Turbo: Time For Tea?
Discussion
otolith said:
By the magic of marketing-speak, "torque steers like a b
d" becomes "You can feel the power through the steering" - and you will get used to it 
.
I recall Car magazine's the Good, Bad & the Ugly section commenting on the "appalling torque steer" of both the Montego and Maestro turbos. Neither were very well made, but they also suffered from being rather easy to steal. That meant that many of them ended up being used for ram-raids and "joyrides" before being torched.d" becomes "You can feel the power through the steering" - and you will get used to it .
Having said that, the people I knew who had these cars back in the 1980s really quite liked them. They were not all that bad to drive. If I recall correctly many of them actually had VW gearboxes. However, the contemporary Peugeot products of the era, 309s and 405s made them look like sheds.
Cheers PH. I've lost 3 of my dunking ginger nuts in my coffee this morning laughing so much at this epic. Had it all - Michael J Fox , Bernard Breslaw, Roger Moore and Davy Jones out of the Monkees. What a performance ! Watching that old barge wallowing around at Thruxton making all those platitudes - absolute class entertainment.
Back in those days before T'Internet I well remember crowded round the Betamax watching the latest Company vid. Sure the voice-over guy monopolised this 'special' market.
Would love to see rivals offerings from around that time - bet they were all made by the same production company.
Back in those days before T'Internet I well remember crowded round the Betamax watching the latest Company vid. Sure the voice-over guy monopolised this 'special' market.
Would love to see rivals offerings from around that time - bet they were all made by the same production company.
Time for tea is getting as good as SOTW, apart from that Mclaren in Switzerland which was dull. Really enjoying the site, despite the odd moderator-implode.
Wonder why the Turbo was carb not injected, im guessing that's why the economy was dodgy on boost. Great looking car. When I was a yoof, those headrests looked incredibly luxurious, especially in HLS / VP velvet-draylon-cord or whatever it was. And red seatbelts, ooooooo. Or classy beige belts in the VP. TBH think they look much better than black, even now.
Wonder why the Turbo was carb not injected, im guessing that's why the economy was dodgy on boost. Great looking car. When I was a yoof, those headrests looked incredibly luxurious, especially in HLS / VP velvet-draylon-cord or whatever it was. And red seatbelts, ooooooo. Or classy beige belts in the VP. TBH think they look much better than black, even now.
Edited by bencollins on Wednesday 23 April 07:16
J4CKO said:
I never thought the metal was any thinner than any other car of the time, a bit rust prone but then wasnt everything back then ?
I had a Montego "GTI", Rover group felt left out with all the other manufacturers having a GTI in the range so it was a bit of half arsed attempt to cash in on the badge, it was basically the MG 2.0 non turbo model from what I could tell.
I actually quite liked my Montego, was better than the Manta GTE it replaced in most areas, faster, better handling, better brakes, comfier, it just didn't look half as good.
My grandad had a nearly new one in 1986, a B reg 2.0 HLS, was really quite taken with it aged 15, was the poshest, fastest car anyone had in our family, it still smelt new until he bathed the front passenger footwell in milk. I remember him demonstrating the "Smooth Effortless Surge of Power" (as was his catch phrase) up until about 115 mph on the M56, exciting as had never really been over 100 back then, until I remembered his track record of angina, strokes and heart attacks. When he died my uncle had it, then my cousin, it was around for a good few years getting progressively doggier but nobody could bear to get rid, until it was really knackered, it had no discernible damping left and was decomposing rapidly, plus it still smelt of sour milk.
Not many Montegos left, I think they were alright really, it isnt like the competition was awesome, a 1.6 Sierra was a lumpen, turgid thing in relation to the Montego 1.6, the Cavalier didn't ride or corner as well but had the best engine of the lot. The all rotted for fun back then.
Funny how 150 bhp sounds feeble these days but its still actually fairly quick.
Part of our motoring landscape, like any old car, a few need to be saved for nostalgia, you know, that time when we used to make our own cars, however average they may have been.
haha great anecdoteI had a Montego "GTI", Rover group felt left out with all the other manufacturers having a GTI in the range so it was a bit of half arsed attempt to cash in on the badge, it was basically the MG 2.0 non turbo model from what I could tell.
I actually quite liked my Montego, was better than the Manta GTE it replaced in most areas, faster, better handling, better brakes, comfier, it just didn't look half as good.
My grandad had a nearly new one in 1986, a B reg 2.0 HLS, was really quite taken with it aged 15, was the poshest, fastest car anyone had in our family, it still smelt new until he bathed the front passenger footwell in milk. I remember him demonstrating the "Smooth Effortless Surge of Power" (as was his catch phrase) up until about 115 mph on the M56, exciting as had never really been over 100 back then, until I remembered his track record of angina, strokes and heart attacks. When he died my uncle had it, then my cousin, it was around for a good few years getting progressively doggier but nobody could bear to get rid, until it was really knackered, it had no discernible damping left and was decomposing rapidly, plus it still smelt of sour milk.
Not many Montegos left, I think they were alright really, it isnt like the competition was awesome, a 1.6 Sierra was a lumpen, turgid thing in relation to the Montego 1.6, the Cavalier didn't ride or corner as well but had the best engine of the lot. The all rotted for fun back then.
Funny how 150 bhp sounds feeble these days but its still actually fairly quick.
Part of our motoring landscape, like any old car, a few need to be saved for nostalgia, you know, that time when we used to make our own cars, however average they may have been.
I ran f255feg ( company car) from 1989 for 3 years or so . ( MG montego turbo)
Looked good in BRG
My secretary told me ' green cars are unlucky' nahhhhh i said ...
While I had it - it was stolen 2 or 3 times. Broken into on at least one other occasion.
Was driven into by a new Winnebago on the way to a show - and on another occasion into the back of a queue of traffic on a greasy road ( no abs back then...)
It was actually good fun to drive - in gear acceleration was quite phenomenal in its day.
By the time I gave it back it looked like new as most of the body panels had been replaced over 3 years .. Was a good 2nd hand buy for someone
Looked good in BRG
My secretary told me ' green cars are unlucky' nahhhhh i said ...
While I had it - it was stolen 2 or 3 times. Broken into on at least one other occasion.
Was driven into by a new Winnebago on the way to a show - and on another occasion into the back of a queue of traffic on a greasy road ( no abs back then...)
It was actually good fun to drive - in gear acceleration was quite phenomenal in its day.
By the time I gave it back it looked like new as most of the body panels had been replaced over 3 years .. Was a good 2nd hand buy for someone
Had 3 MGs, 1.6 and 2 litre Maestros and a Montego Turbo. None of them ever let me down despite the Montego having 130k on the clock when I bought it and 190k when I sold it. The only problem with them was the rust, presumably down to poor build quality? Oh and the run-flat tyres were horrendously expensive to replace but a good safety feature if you could afford them.
I had an indicated 135 mph once (not on UK roads officer) and it was still increasing. Depending on the source 7.2 - 7.5 to 60mph, was really quick for the time. The power delivery was progressive and turbo lag was never a problem. As mentioned would go up even the steepest hills in top gear given a decent run up, rather than a standing start. Pulled like a train.
Handling wasn't the best but I never was one for chucking cars round corners anyway. The torque steer on the early ones was a problem especially in the wet, but this was improved on the later ones.
Really easy to nick but they all were in those days, I had a Cavalier pinched once from outside the house
Would have had another but they didn't have ABS and I wanted a car with this. The Rover 400 Turbo did but never had the cash to invest around the time I wanted one, shame.
I actually applaud Austin Rover for trying to produce something different with a style of its own. Shame the press slated them so much.
I had an indicated 135 mph once (not on UK roads officer) and it was still increasing. Depending on the source 7.2 - 7.5 to 60mph, was really quick for the time. The power delivery was progressive and turbo lag was never a problem. As mentioned would go up even the steepest hills in top gear given a decent run up, rather than a standing start. Pulled like a train.
Handling wasn't the best but I never was one for chucking cars round corners anyway. The torque steer on the early ones was a problem especially in the wet, but this was improved on the later ones.
Really easy to nick but they all were in those days, I had a Cavalier pinched once from outside the house
Would have had another but they didn't have ABS and I wanted a car with this. The Rover 400 Turbo did but never had the cash to invest around the time I wanted one, shame.
I actually applaud Austin Rover for trying to produce something different with a style of its own. Shame the press slated them so much.
My dad had one of these (E130 BNS) from 1989 until about 1994 when he got his first company car. He was given it as a courtesy car when he took his Montego 1.6 estate to the dealers to get the paintwork sorted out and never gave it back. I loved that car and cried when he sold it ( I was 10) I'd have one now if they hadn't all oxidised.
dbdb said:
The Montego was a good car when compared to the competition, in its day.
Agree. I had the opportunity to drive many of the common rep cars at the time and the Montego was a better drive than an equivalent Sierra for sure. The FWD Cavaliers were going off the boil by then. I borrowed a 1.6 Montego over Christmas 1986 and remember it feeling much more agile and fun that my 1.6 Sierra. If only I was that easily pleased now I would save a fortune! No offence Matt B (Honest) but i suspect that you were either very young or not even born when these were introduced.
Of course this vid is cringworthy and the Montego takes some stick but 0-60 in 7.3 and I think if memory serves me correctly the Maestro Turbo cracked 0-60 in just under seven seconds, This is less than half a second off a MK7 Golf Gti and bear in mind this was nearly 30 years ago.
Back in the late 80's maybe very early 90's a work collegue had a Maestro Turbo, Now at the time people were still smoking about in Cortina's and Capri's the performance of this was on another level. I couldn't believe how quick it was when I was taken for a spin.
When people were getting excited about their XR3i's and their Golf Gti's here came along the Montego and Maestro with power but more importantly torque to match.
Of course nowhere near to good to drive as the Mk2 Golf Gti or the Pug 205 Gti but for straightline performance they were bloody quick and still are for a 30 year old car.
Of course this vid is cringworthy and the Montego takes some stick but 0-60 in 7.3 and I think if memory serves me correctly the Maestro Turbo cracked 0-60 in just under seven seconds, This is less than half a second off a MK7 Golf Gti and bear in mind this was nearly 30 years ago.
Back in the late 80's maybe very early 90's a work collegue had a Maestro Turbo, Now at the time people were still smoking about in Cortina's and Capri's the performance of this was on another level. I couldn't believe how quick it was when I was taken for a spin.
When people were getting excited about their XR3i's and their Golf Gti's here came along the Montego and Maestro with power but more importantly torque to match.
Of course nowhere near to good to drive as the Mk2 Golf Gti or the Pug 205 Gti but for straightline performance they were bloody quick and still are for a 30 year old car.
Ah the memories had one of these back in 1989. With a wife, our first child and a mortgage it was a cheap buy second hand. The wife wanted a sensible 4 door car as our previous was a Midas Gold kit car, which required me to put our daughter in through the rear hatch into a baby seat bolted in the rear. A good compromise as my priorities were slightly different. It was shortly after owning the car I found out that;
A: It went very quickly indeed with a minimum of fuss
B: My daughter who had started talking was a super grass.
The story:
After being stopped by the police hiding under a bridge on the A13, recorded my speed as somewhat above the speed limit.
There then ensued the usual sartorial banter you used to get from the worldly wise plod “Winning the grand prix then sir, we’ll say 94 or that’ll be your license” and a lecture about my driving with daughter in the back. You just don’t get the same interaction with speed scameras.
Anway my daughter who was told by Mummy and Daddy not to say anything to her Grandad who we were going to visit, Promptly declared on walking in to the in-laws flat “Daddy’s been naughty he got told off by a policeman, because he always drives too fast”. So on top of the police lecture I then got a three hour ear bending from the father in law.
Great car reliable, fast & really good on motorways, stupid metric wheels.
A: It went very quickly indeed with a minimum of fuss
B: My daughter who had started talking was a super grass.
The story:
After being stopped by the police hiding under a bridge on the A13, recorded my speed as somewhat above the speed limit.
There then ensued the usual sartorial banter you used to get from the worldly wise plod “Winning the grand prix then sir, we’ll say 94 or that’ll be your license” and a lecture about my driving with daughter in the back. You just don’t get the same interaction with speed scameras.
Anway my daughter who was told by Mummy and Daddy not to say anything to her Grandad who we were going to visit, Promptly declared on walking in to the in-laws flat “Daddy’s been naughty he got told off by a policeman, because he always drives too fast”. So on top of the police lecture I then got a three hour ear bending from the father in law.
Great car reliable, fast & really good on motorways, stupid metric wheels.dandarez said:
leedsutd1 said:
I found the advert for the montego complete with stunt driver !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8tahVJ9aSEhttps:
You do realise who the Montego stunt driver was don't you?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8tahVJ9aSEhttps:
None other than the person who does MINI's stunts now.
Russ Swift!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QykhZUnMuk
JagXJR said:
I had an indicated 135 mph once (not on UK roads officer) and it was still increasing. Depending on the source 7.2 - 7.5 to 60mph, was really quick for the time. The power delivery was progressive and turbo lag was never a problem. As mentioned would go up even the steepest hills in top gear given a decent run up, rather than a standing start. Pulled like a train.
We saw an indicated 140 four-up in my mate's one. What impressed me was how tough it was mechanically. He serviced it religiously, but beat the living daylights out of it, everywhere, all the time, for two years or so, and it never so much as misfired. Seemed to just get quicker and quicker with miles.
As you say, for a turbo engine of the era, it wasn't laggy at all. In fact, Rover were good at turbocharged engines. This and the T16 turbo in the 200/400/600/800 were both very well executed turbocharger installations for their era. Responsive, low lag (for the time) and progressive. All the more impressive when you think they were probably developed with a budget of 47p.
Edited by Limpet on Wednesday 23 April 10:26
CHIEF said:
Back in the late 80's maybe very early 90's a work collegue had a Maestro Turbo, Now at the time people were still smoking about in Cortina's and Capri's the performance of this was on another level. I couldn't believe how quick it was when I was taken for a spin.
Ditto. I spent my teenage years in the shadow of the Longbridge and my mate Paul's Dad was a upholsterer for Rover. He has a Maestro Turbo on loan from the works and Paul took me and three mates out in it. It felt ridiculously quick for its day - bearing in mind torque wasnt really a characteristic most day-to-day cars possessed. Anything with the word 'turbo' on the back had incredible kudos (Nissan Bluebird, Saab 900/9000, Cosworths and the aging BMW 2002 being a few of a rare breed) and even these now-denegrated MGs had a real halo effect on the Rover range.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff