Nicknames we give to cars/bits of cars

[MorganP104]

Inspired by a conversation I had with my son earlier, I thought I'd start a thread about the identifying nicknames we give to cars, or certain styling traits of cars.

In case I'm not making much sense, I'll start (you'll get the idea).

Dog bone grille = Mk1 Ford Escort
Peanut headlights = Various '90s/'00s Mercs
Splitty = Early VW Campervan
Big bumper = Mk2 VW Golf GTi

And of course, if someone said to you "ugly Scorpio", you'd know they were talking about the '94-'98 model, not the Mk3 Granada Scorpio. We all use these colloquialisms, and I am sure there are many, many more that I don't know about, so I'm looking forward to learning something!

Over to you, PH.

[MorganP104]

I didn't think about rules for the thread, per se... So all of the above.

[MorganP104]

Jellymould = Ford Sierra hatchback

[MorganP104]

Johnny 89 said:

A 'Trevor'

As in TVR, yes?

[MorganP104]

I've thought of another one...

Twinnie = Alfa Romeo TwinSpark engine

[MorganP104]

Bdevo3 said:

Yeah it must be an Irish thing, coupe, twin cam, twin tub, twinky and the classic "15 rolls of mig wire" all refer to ae86 corolla. Suzy is a sierra, docker is a dohc vtec, a kettle is a four cylinder petrol bmw, stroen is self-explanatory. Starbo is a starlet gt turbo, as for parts gearbag is a gear box, donkey is an engine, brakes are anchors, heater is an oven, seats are bum huggers, exhaust is a pea shooter, daily run around car is a shunter, track car/ drift car is a slut,

Right, got that, everyone?

Now get out there and write the best damn used car adverts you've ever produced!

[MorganP104]

Lexus rear lights = any clear aftermarket rear lights, fitted to all sorts of cars. Usually look rubbish.

I give you...

[MorganP104]

ADEuk said:

SlimRick said:

Smiley faced transit:

Has it got the Banana engine?

Oooh! A two-for-one on the nickname front. Well played.

Exhibit A: The Transit "banana" engine. Anyone who asks how it got its nickname will be asked to hand in their man card, and leave PH forever.

[MorganP104]

JakeT said:

Calling a final stage unit (fan resistor) in certain BMWs a Hedgehog.

Good shout, Jake. I replaced this very unit in my old E39.

And here's why it's called a hedgehog...

[MorganP104]

Helical said:

Also - and this is definitely specific to me - as a little boy, I used to call a brown Peugeot 505 estate in the village I grew up in the 'Mashy Bashy Potato Car'

Obviously.

Nah, we all called old 505s mashy bashy potato cars. Totally common thing.

[MorganP104]

I just thought of a REALLY obvious one:

Chevy = Chevrolet

[MorganP104]

Here's an interesting bit of nickname pedantry for us all to chew over. Many moons ago, when I was properly into my BMWs (I still like 'em, but drive a Merc at the moment), a lengthy debate raged amongst the faithful on the difference between Bimmer and Beemer.

Overwhelming consensus was that Bimmers are BMW cars and Beemers are BMW motorbikes.

So, there you are.

[MorganP104]

Levin said:

MorganP104 said:

Here's an interesting bit of nickname pedantry for us all to chew over. Many moons ago, when I was properly into my BMWs (I still like 'em, but drive a Merc at the moment), a lengthy debate raged amongst the faithful on the difference between Bimmer and Beemer.

Overwhelming consensus was that Bimmers are BMW cars and Beemers are BMW motorbikes.

So, there you are.

Consensus or not, I still disagree and would refer to the cars as Beemers. My act of minor rebellion right there.

You're such a rebel!