When did the dealer special edition die?
Discussion
There was rarely much special about them, but just reading something earlier got me thinking that you never see dealer special additions anymore
Factory ones are common, and its nice to get something with a bit of extra kit that is slightly different from run of the mill models. My MX5 is. Miyako, and when I think about it I've had a couple of other factory specials including a Volvo 940 Wentworth.
As a kid in the 80s and later, you'd often see dealer specials. Usually base model old stock after a raid to the accessories department, different wheels, fogs, aftermarket sunroof and the obligatory coachline.
My local Ford dealer was always punting out Fiestas and base Escorts like this. Peugeot Talbot did it too, as did a Volvo dealer who sold 340 DL models with top of the range GLT spoiler, coloured bumpers and alloys. The last one I remember was a mid 90s VW Vento "Storm" a non too popular booted Golf which was tricked out with VW accessories.
So what changed? Did the buyer see through it? Did manufacturers object? Or with cars now available with any option with any engine in the range and "option packs" did it become a pointless exercise?
Bit of nostalgia really, but I kind of miss leafing through the garage ads in the local paper which offered, the Alpine Sunseeker, the Fiesta Mistral or whatever.
Anyone out there ever buy a dealer special? Do they still exist?
Factory ones are common, and its nice to get something with a bit of extra kit that is slightly different from run of the mill models. My MX5 is. Miyako, and when I think about it I've had a couple of other factory specials including a Volvo 940 Wentworth.
As a kid in the 80s and later, you'd often see dealer specials. Usually base model old stock after a raid to the accessories department, different wheels, fogs, aftermarket sunroof and the obligatory coachline.
My local Ford dealer was always punting out Fiestas and base Escorts like this. Peugeot Talbot did it too, as did a Volvo dealer who sold 340 DL models with top of the range GLT spoiler, coloured bumpers and alloys. The last one I remember was a mid 90s VW Vento "Storm" a non too popular booted Golf which was tricked out with VW accessories.
So what changed? Did the buyer see through it? Did manufacturers object? Or with cars now available with any option with any engine in the range and "option packs" did it become a pointless exercise?
Bit of nostalgia really, but I kind of miss leafing through the garage ads in the local paper which offered, the Alpine Sunseeker, the Fiesta Mistral or whatever.
Anyone out there ever buy a dealer special? Do they still exist?
There are still dealer based special editions about. For example, Evans Halshaw created the Fiesta GTR not so long ago 
I think there are fewer dealer specials than before simply because the manufacturers seem to realese more of their own factory backed special editions than before (probably helped by more flexible production lines).
I think there are fewer dealer specials than before simply because the manufacturers seem to realese more of their own factory backed special editions than before (probably helped by more flexible production lines).
Fun Bus said:
I remember selling the Nissan Primera 'Active' in the late 90's. They arrived from the factory as a normal GX, and upon sending the chassis number to Nissan the dealer received a set of alloys, a rear spoiler and the boot lid badge.
There you had the Limited edition Active.
They did a 'precision' too which had, wait for it"........ Chrome door handles too.There you had the Limited edition Active.
Codswallop said:
There are still dealer based special editions about. For example, Evans Halshaw created the Fiesta GTR not so long ago
I think there are fewer dealer specials than before simply because the manufacturers seem to realese more of their own factory backed special editions than before (probably helped by more flexible production lines).
Saw one of those the other day - I just assumed the driver had been to Halfords and picked up a GTR sticker! I think there are fewer dealer specials than before simply because the manufacturers seem to realese more of their own factory backed special editions than before (probably helped by more flexible production lines).
Codswallop said:
There are still dealer based special editions about. For example, Evans Halshaw created the Fiesta GTR not so long ago
I think there are fewer dealer specials than before simply because the manufacturers seem to realese more of their own factory backed special editions than before (probably helped by more flexible production lines).
That is about as lame as it gets.I think there are fewer dealer specials than before simply because the manufacturers seem to realese more of their own factory backed special editions than before (probably helped by more flexible production lines).
Amusing story about this on the ARonline website in a tale from a former car salesman, went along the lines of:
Lady in boring blue Fiesta Popular drove past her local Ford dealership and saw the dealer special Fiesta Fandango (or similar) on the forecourt, attracted by the silver lower body, fancy decals, wheel trims and pop-up sunroof. She traded in her dowdy Fiesta for the Fandango.
Two weeks later she drove past the dealer and saw another Fandango, which also had the same number plate as her old Fiesta.....
Lady in boring blue Fiesta Popular drove past her local Ford dealership and saw the dealer special Fiesta Fandango (or similar) on the forecourt, attracted by the silver lower body, fancy decals, wheel trims and pop-up sunroof. She traded in her dowdy Fiesta for the Fandango.
Two weeks later she drove past the dealer and saw another Fandango, which also had the same number plate as her old Fiesta.....
http://www.wrdavies.co.uk/motorsportdesign/wrc.asp...
My local ford dealer has managed to come up with this 'exclusive' special edition all by themselves apparently
My local ford dealer has managed to come up with this 'exclusive' special edition all by themselves apparently
Possibly because with the ZX, Citroen threw away the idea of hierarchical options lists with models configured as 'trendy', 'luxurious' or 'sporty', each with its own selection of unique-to-model features.
Nowadays, everyone does that. There's no base-model 'L' to tart up with accessories, rather the cheapest model will have a totally different bumper and set of foglights etc. Nothing is particularly 'base-spec' any more, everything's intended to have its own cohesive flavour: 'style', 'luxe', 'GT' etc.
Nowadays, everyone does that. There's no base-model 'L' to tart up with accessories, rather the cheapest model will have a totally different bumper and set of foglights etc. Nothing is particularly 'base-spec' any more, everything's intended to have its own cohesive flavour: 'style', 'luxe', 'GT' etc.
Tectonic80 said:
http://www.wrdavies.co.uk/motorsportdesign/wrc.asp...
My local ford dealer has managed to come up with this 'exclusive' special edition all by themselves apparently
http://www.wrdavies.co.uk/motorsportdesign/mountune-upgrade/ good effort if you ask me.My local ford dealer has managed to come up with this 'exclusive' special edition all by themselves apparently
Tectonic80 said:
http://www.wrdavies.co.uk/motorsportdesign/wrc.asp...
My local ford dealer has managed to come up with this 'exclusive' special edition all by themselves apparently
Now thats what I like to see, a bit of originality from a dealer. Don't liie the graphics, but something just a little bit different from the norm. That Fiesta takes me back to when I was about 10 and my auntie looking to change from her ancient Escort made the mistake of letting me get her into a Ford dealer.My local ford dealer has managed to come up with this 'exclusive' special edition all by themselves apparently
This would be about 1980 and they did a "Sporty" Fiesta which looked like the Fiesta Supersport (Forerunner of the XR2.). Basically an L with Ford Alloys, stripes, glass aftermarket sun hatch , Spots and a tape player. She was all for it but ended up buying a brown Mazda 323.
wildcat45 said:
I got my MX5 from their Dumfries branch last year. Good old school dealer. I might pop in for a bit of nostalgia.
Well you've seen my fathers work then, as dad built all their dealerships over the years (apart from the very latest out west Cumberland). In fact I polished the concrete floor of the Carlisle Mazda showroom (I think that's now the Suzuki side) when I was but a lad.Happy days
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