British Leyland -They were crap and they knew they were.
Discussion
Chainguy said:
Anyone else remember the track day MGR put on where they supplied to attending journolists and racing drivers both MG-ZTs and BMW 320 sports models (chosen as it was as close in price range as they could get it) and asked them to have fun and give anonymous feedback at the end of the day?
Overwhelmingly, the ZT came out as by far the better car. Much surprising even the diehard BMW fans who were there.
Rumour was that someone at MGR got their backside served to them by the Bavarian overlords when word got back to Germany about it. Well, not much of a rumour, more a guaranteed, as I know one of the lads who organised it. They writing was on the wall by then though, and he and the rest of the team who worked there knew they were going to get backstabbed no matter what they did, so why not have some fun?
Still, all ancient history now. It's gone and for better or worse, they ain't coming back.
.
That reminds me. Soon after the MG Montego Turbo was introduced, at one Motor Racing televised event, ARGroup provided a field of identical silver MG Montego Turbos driven by celebrities and a sprinkling of pro-Racing drivers including at least one F1 driver. I thought it would be a walkover for the pro-drivers but I was hugely wrong! Some of the celebs were able to use those MG Turbos to show the pros how its done. Great stuff.Overwhelmingly, the ZT came out as by far the better car. Much surprising even the diehard BMW fans who were there.
Rumour was that someone at MGR got their backside served to them by the Bavarian overlords when word got back to Germany about it. Well, not much of a rumour, more a guaranteed, as I know one of the lads who organised it. They writing was on the wall by then though, and he and the rest of the team who worked there knew they were going to get backstabbed no matter what they did, so why not have some fun?
Still, all ancient history now. It's gone and for better or worse, they ain't coming back.
.
There was much tin bashing BTCC style that the likes of Plato and Neal would be justly proudly....
After the race, ace anchor sports presenter, desperate Des Lynam in full laconic presenter mode, advised viewers to look out for a couple of dozen soon to be available one owner MG Montego Turbos ...
Chainguy said:
Overwhelmingly, the ZT came out as by far the better car. Much surprising even the diehard BMW fans who were there.
Rumour was that someone at MGR got their backside served to them by the Bavarian overlords when word got back to Germany about it.
Hadn't the "Bavarian overlords" long since left the building by the time the MGZT was launched?Rumour was that someone at MGR got their backside served to them by the Bavarian overlords when word got back to Germany about it.
andyps said:
stevesuk said:
Hadn't the "Bavarian overlords" long since left the building by the time the MGZT was launched?
I thought that, but they were still providing money so probably wanted to have some say in what went on.Business is business. Looks good in the books too ...
stevesuk said:
Chainguy said:
Overwhelmingly, the ZT came out as by far the better car. Much surprising even the diehard BMW fans who were there.
Rumour was that someone at MGR got their backside served to them by the Bavarian overlords when word got back to Germany about it.
Hadn't the "Bavarian overlords" long since left the building by the time the MGZT was launched?Rumour was that someone at MGR got their backside served to them by the Bavarian overlords when word got back to Germany about it.
Nurse! said:
yonex said:
So without BL nobody would have innovated?
Nonsense.
They could but didn't pretty much. Nonsense.
Name a manufacturer who did back then. We were world leaders in design.
Even in the last days, BMW had to kill the MGF as it was so much better than the Z3. The 75 again challenged the 5 series. The Range Rover was world class and nothing could compete.
Nurse! said:
Even in the last days, BMW had to kill the MGF as it was so much better than the Z3. The 75 again challenged the 5 series. The Range Rover was world class and nothing could compete.
If you look at the various road tests at the time the comparison was always MGF vs MX5 vs MR2. IIRC it wasn't until the MGF was in trophy form that it gained any sort of acclaim? The Z4 was a but of a turd and not a benchmark at all. As for the 75 'challenging' the 5 Series I doubt anyone would say the Rover is the better car? Range Rover has always been unique as a brand and model and despite some fairly serious reliability issues maintains it's position. Best 4x4 or offroader, not so sure myself but you can't knock them, they have evolved with the market and are still shifting lots of vehicles.yonex said:
Nurse! said:
Even in the last days, BMW had to kill the MGF as it was so much better than the Z3. The 75 again challenged the 5 series. The Range Rover was world class and nothing could compete.
If you look at the various road tests at the time the comparison was always MGF vs MX5 vs MR2. IIRC it wasn't until the MGF was in trophy form that it gained any sort of acclaim? The Z4 was a but of a turd and not a benchmark at all. As for the 75 'challenging' the 5 Series I doubt anyone would say the Rover is the better car? Range Rover has always been unique as a brand and model and despite some fairly serious reliability issues maintains it's position. Best 4x4 or offroader, not so sure myself but you can't knock them, they have evolved with the market and are still shifting lots of vehicles.
MGJohn said:
That reminds me. Soon after the MG Montego Turbo was introduced, at one Motor Racing televised event, ARGroup provided a field of identical silver MG Montego Turbos driven by celebrities and a sprinkling of pro-Racing drivers including at least one F1 driver. I thought it would be a walkover for the pro-drivers but I was hugely wrong! Some of the celebs were able to use those MG Turbos to show the pros how its done. Great stuff.
There was much tin bashing BTCC style that the likes of Plato and Neal would be justly proudly....
After the race, ace anchor sports presenter, desperate Des Lynam in full laconic presenter mode, advised viewers to look out for a couple of dozen soon to be available one owner MG Montego Turbos ...
I forgot all about the the Montego Turbo that brings back a few memory's There was much tin bashing BTCC style that the likes of Plato and Neal would be justly proudly....
After the race, ace anchor sports presenter, desperate Des Lynam in full laconic presenter mode, advised viewers to look out for a couple of dozen soon to be available one owner MG Montego Turbos ...
A friend of mine bought an early 85 silver one for not much money back in the 80s which had lived a hard life with a ropey service history that car really brought out the hooligan in his driving style.
It also upset a good friend of mine who had an 86 2.8 Capri which was supposed to be the fastest car on the block the old Montego ran rings round it.
I think his only gripe apart from the torque steer was it never came with a talking dash like the lesser models.
andyps said:
yonex said:
Nurse! said:
Even in the last days, BMW had to kill the MGF as it was so much better than the Z3. The 75 again challenged the 5 series. The Range Rover was world class and nothing could compete.
If you look at the various road tests at the time the comparison was always MGF vs MX5 vs MR2. IIRC it wasn't until the MGF was in trophy form that it gained any sort of acclaim? The Z4 was a but of a turd and not a benchmark at all. As for the 75 'challenging' the 5 Series I doubt anyone would say the Rover is the better car? Range Rover has always been unique as a brand and model and despite some fairly serious reliability issues maintains it's position. Best 4x4 or offroader, not so sure myself but you can't knock them, they have evolved with the market and are still shifting lots of vehicles.Vince70 said:
MGJohn said:
That reminds me. Soon after the MG Montego Turbo was introduced, at one Motor Racing televised event, ARGroup provided a field of identical silver MG Montego Turbos driven by celebrities and a sprinkling of pro-Racing drivers including at least one F1 driver. I thought it would be a walkover for the pro-drivers but I was hugely wrong! Some of the celebs were able to use those MG Turbos to show the pros how its done. Great stuff.
There was much tin bashing BTCC style that the likes of Plato and Neal would be justly proudly....
After the race, ace anchor sports presenter, desperate Des Lynam in full laconic presenter mode, advised viewers to look out for a couple of dozen soon to be available one owner MG Montego Turbos ...
I forgot all about the the Montego Turbo that brings back a few memory's There was much tin bashing BTCC style that the likes of Plato and Neal would be justly proudly....
After the race, ace anchor sports presenter, desperate Des Lynam in full laconic presenter mode, advised viewers to look out for a couple of dozen soon to be available one owner MG Montego Turbos ...
A friend of mine bought an early 85 silver one for not much money back in the 80s which had lived a hard life with a ropey service history that car really brought out the hooligan in his driving style.
It also upset a good friend of mine who had an 86 2.8 Capri which was supposed to be the fastest car on the block the old Montego ran rings round it.
I think his only gripe apart from the torque steer was it never came with a talking dash like the lesser models.
. Never lost money on any of these cars. Have sold most and thus pruned my little collection down to just one. This one. A 1985 in silver leaf. Surprisingly nippy but not to me, capable of surprising drivers of much more modern cars who, whilst looking down their 'superior' noses at my 'easy meat', soon change their tune. Now safely tucked away in my comfy double garage. The black one sold :~
This is what it looked like when it was my daily driver about ten years ago :~
"Hooligan" friend's Torque steer.
Overdrive any car, even a lowly Metro and you can induce 'torque steer' of some type under certain conditions. Driving simply by planting the right foot lacks finesse in any car and if you know the limitations, they all have them, you can drive it to best advantage. All in my opinion of course..
There again, that neglected car with it's steering alignment all a'cock could be the cause of the problem.
MGJohn said:
"Hooligan" friend's Torque steer.
Overdrive any car, even a lowly Metro and you can induce 'torque steer' of some type under certain conditions. Driving simply by planting the right foot lacks finesse in any car and if you know the limitations, they all have them, you can drive it to best advantage. All in my opinion of course..
There again, that neglected car with it's steering alignment all a'cock could be the cause of the problem.
My understanding of these was, if you did try to beat a Golf Gti (or whatever) away from the lights, a Monty Turbo would change lanes. Overdrive any car, even a lowly Metro and you can induce 'torque steer' of some type under certain conditions. Driving simply by planting the right foot lacks finesse in any car and if you know the limitations, they all have them, you can drive it to best advantage. All in my opinion of course..
There again, that neglected car with it's steering alignment all a'cock could be the cause of the problem.
You are right that you can control this sort of thing with your right foot, but meantime your rival has left you for dead.
heebeegeetee said:
My understanding of these was, if you did try to beat a Golf Gti (or whatever) away from the lights, a Monty Turbo would change lanes.
You are right that you can control this sort of thing with your right foot, but meantime your rival has left you for dead.
Good try HGBT... failed miserably though >>> You are right that you can control this sort of thing with your right foot, but meantime your rival has left you for dead.
You'll never try to bust myths, only spread them.Have not found that to be the case ... ever! Mind you being German, obviously superior product. .. in all respects. ...
You didn't really need a mg turbo to beat the gti anyway.
And the Montego could fit though gaps better than most of the opposition.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=TMTx0ZTOaIc&des...
And the Montego could fit though gaps better than most of the opposition.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=TMTx0ZTOaIc&des...
heebeegeetee said:
My understanding of these was, if you did try to beat a Golf Gti (or whatever) away from the lights, a Monty Turbo would change lanes.
You are right that you can control this sort of thing with your right foot, but meantime your rival has left you for dead.
Just like, say, a Mk1 Focus RS!You are right that you can control this sort of thing with your right foot, but meantime your rival has left you for dead.
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