A 'period' classics pictures thread (Mk II)
Discussion
21st Century Man said:
Countryman was a specific trim variant (and 7 seats standard). By the time Countryman was introduced all models had roof bars anyway. I just wondered if there was some top beardage going on? But from the replies so far, obviously not, just assumptions 
Beard is strong I'd assumed it was generic BL speak for 'estate' as well.
21st Century Man said:
Countryman was a specific trim variant (and 7 seats standard). By the time Countryman was introduced all models had roof bars anyway. I just wondered if there was some top beardage going on? But from the replies so far, obviously not, just assumptions
I don't think you can tell from the outside - the 7 seats as you say, plus some fancy trim were the main differences (leccy windows, wood trim etc). I worked for Rover for a few years in the 90's and drove loads of these. They were good cars when launched, but lived on for too long and were hopelessly outdated by the time they were phased out. The diesel sounded like somebody tumble drying a bag of gravel but went on forever - you just couldn't kill them - but rust was rampant. TCEvo said:
High Street, Ingatestone, Essex; circa mid-1991.
Citroen AX GT & Toyota Celica parked outside the Co-Op. Range Rover a bit further up. Outside chance that the policeman in the helmet's my mates dad.
This will have been during my tenure at the local secondary school. Just past the phone box you can see an awning, that was the sweet shop, proper old school "1/4 of sherbet lemons please" we used to go to and spend our dinner money at. Rose's, it was called. Now sadly gone according to google maps. To the left of the photographer there would have been a Chinese and fish and chip emporium - reassuringly still there. I would have, at some point around this time, patrolled these streets as a six former in my Mum's Escort, on days she could be persuaded to let me use it.Citroen AX GT & Toyota Celica parked outside the Co-Op. Range Rover a bit further up. Outside chance that the policeman in the helmet's my mates dad.
Stigproducts said:
TCEvo said:
This will have been during my tenure at the local secondary school. Just past the phone box you can see an awning, that was the sweet shop, proper old school "1/4 of sherbet lemons please" we used to go to and spend our dinner money at. Rose's, it was called. Now sadly gone according to google maps. To the left of the photographer there would have been a Chinese and fish and chip emporium - reassuringly still there. I would have, at some point around this time, patrolled these streets as a six former in my Mum's Escort, on days she could be persuaded to let me use it.Edited by TCEvo on Sunday 12th July 21:37
The Don of Croy said:
The Montego was the first car I drove with ‘illuminated column stalks’ (in 1987).
Shame the innovation stopped there. Blooming big estate load area, and the saloon was good for a few bodies in the boot too, but even then they felt a little behind the times.
A Montego was the first car I drove at all. Learned to drive aged 16 in my mum's C-reg estate, 2-litre HL and on the day of my 17th birthday it was the first car I drove on the road. It went on to become the first car the first car I drove over 100mph, and (in a separate event) the first car I was nicked speeding in. The Countryman was a later, posher variant, but mum always liked her Montego. I'd passed my test six days after turning 17 so drove it quite a lot in my first year of driving, going off to university interviews all round the country.Shame the innovation stopped there. Blooming big estate load area, and the saloon was good for a few bodies in the boot too, but even then they felt a little behind the times.
When l was a poor impoverished student l had 3 Montego’s all bought from auction for a third of the price of an equivalent Ford Sierra, yes quality was poor, but if well maintained, they were reliable, front wheel bearings were treated as a snack item, otherwise not bad.
1600 HL, sold to a dealer for more than it had cost me.
MG Montego, stolen insurance payout.
Montego 2.0 L Vanden Plas EFi, again nicked insurance payout (Yes they were easily stolen, but most cars then were). Good fun.
All purchased at less than 800 Pounds under 3 years old.
Other cars while at uni.
Rover SD1 2600, made a profit selling. Sideways action.
Vauxhall Cavalier SR 4 speed box (not missing the i) again stolen. A lot of fun
Fiat Uno 908 cc more fun than it any right to be, insurance was giving me a justifiable kick in the plums, could no longer afford insurance on a decent car.. Loughborough a place full off thieving scrotes!
I can see why fleet operators preferred the Sierra, good reliability and strong residuals. Many like to apportion blame for the demise of BL products, in IMO all were to blame, could have been a great car with the right investment and an onboard team.
What a series of threads. I am going to contribute then spend the next few days going back through these.
A photo of my good self with my late father David who has been responsible for a great many car pictures over a period of about 50 years. I will upload more over the coming days. I still have about 8000 of his old slides to scan at some point some of which will contain the odd vehicle or two! The image with me is the Lincolnshire coast, most likely around Mablethorpe. The Le Mans picture is, I think, 1956.
A photo of my good self with my late father David who has been responsible for a great many car pictures over a period of about 50 years. I will upload more over the coming days. I still have about 8000 of his old slides to scan at some point some of which will contain the odd vehicle or two! The image with me is the Lincolnshire coast, most likely around Mablethorpe. The Le Mans picture is, I think, 1956.
Turbobanana said:
Fantastic, atmospheric pics paulyv: more please!
Thank you.Me and my late Mum, June, photographed by Dad around 1976. This would have been taken in Yugoslavia on a 'Yugotour'. I have clear memories of the Beetle which was a rental. We drove from Dubrovnik into the mountains and had a picnic.
Mum and myself around 1974 in Withern, Lincolnshire. What is that, an Austin? Followed by her and her sister-in-law at a wedding...plenty to see in the background there.
Edited by paulyv on Thursday 16th July 11:50
generationx said:
@ Paulyv: These are fantastic, especially the Le Mans shot above. Just shows how colourful those events were!
Thank you. I know there are hundreds more in his slides, but quite how I am going to get several thousand slides scanned I cannot fathom. I will get round it it somehow though - perhaps some young person will want a summer job next year!British Grand Prix at Silverstone I am assuming, taken on the same day as the start line picture posted above. BRM would have been of interest to him as they too were based in Lincolnshire I believe. I think the number 3 car has 'Stewart' written on the side which might help identify the year and race?
Lovely detail from his Pentax K1000 and kit lens.
Lovely detail from his Pentax K1000 and kit lens.
Edited by paulyv on Thursday 16th July 12:38
paulyv said:
British Grand Prix at Silverstone I am assuming, taken on the same day as the start line picture posted above. BRM would have been of interest to him as they too were based in Lincolnshire I believe. I think the number 3 car has 'Stewart' written on the side which might help identify the year and race?
Lovely detail from his Pentax K1000 and kit lens.
1967 seems the likely year.Lovely detail from his Pentax K1000 and kit lens.
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