Nicknames for the best version
Discussion
PHers know there’s invariably a version of every classic that is just that bit more desirable than the rest, and it’s given a nickname by those in the know: ‘flat floor’, ‘quad light’, ‘coke bottle’, etc.
So, marque experts, what nicknames do you know for the best version of a classic, and can you explain why it is called that (ideally with pics)?
I’ll start... the Ferrari 328 GTS you want is the “pre-ABS”. Reason is that to incorporate ABS into the wheels, the later models of Ferrari 328 had to use convex alloys. Whilst they may stop better, they don’t look nearly as nice as the earlier ones with concave alloys. So those in the know want the “pre-ABS” model. Over to you...
“Pre-ABS”:
“ABS”:
So, marque experts, what nicknames do you know for the best version of a classic, and can you explain why it is called that (ideally with pics)?
I’ll start... the Ferrari 328 GTS you want is the “pre-ABS”. Reason is that to incorporate ABS into the wheels, the later models of Ferrari 328 had to use convex alloys. Whilst they may stop better, they don’t look nearly as nice as the earlier ones with concave alloys. So those in the know want the “pre-ABS” model. Over to you...
“Pre-ABS”:
“ABS”:
Skyedriver said:
67Dino said:
generationx said:
Cossie
Twink
Care to explain and/or add a pic? Twink
how about
Crappie
Ashtray
Grandad
Can o'beer
Or Ban the bomb
Round light
Pre cat
The aim of the thread wasn’t to get a long list of jargon words that the poster knows but others don’t, as that wouldn’t make for very interesting reading. The aim was to get the word along with an explanation, a story, an insight into a specific car, so that others can learn something they didn’t about why that one is the one to have.
Care to share a more detailed explanation for the specific car you had in mind for any of yours?
Interesting thread!
My contributions:
E36 M3 3.0:
Came with a S50B30 single VANOS engine with a slightly whimpy 286bhp, and a 5 speed box. The black plastic indicators give this away as a pre-facelift. Note however that while all 3.0's are pre facelifts, not all evo's are facelifted. Giveaway is the 5 speed box.
E36 M3 Evo:
Got an extra ~50 bhp up to 321 and 7,600rpm redline from the upgrade S50B32 engine and a 6 speed box, along with a handful of additional improvements (steering rack, suspension, brakes).
Note that the E36 M3 famously shares half it's engine with the McLaren F1. Unfortunately the F1 engine uses the heads from the 3.0 car thus allowing E36 M3 Evo owners to lord it over lowly McLaren owners at every major car show.
Of course, that doesn't mention the 3.0 M3 GT but that's for another thread....
My contributions:
E36 M3 3.0:
Came with a S50B30 single VANOS engine with a slightly whimpy 286bhp, and a 5 speed box. The black plastic indicators give this away as a pre-facelift. Note however that while all 3.0's are pre facelifts, not all evo's are facelifted. Giveaway is the 5 speed box.
E36 M3 Evo:
Got an extra ~50 bhp up to 321 and 7,600rpm redline from the upgrade S50B32 engine and a 6 speed box, along with a handful of additional improvements (steering rack, suspension, brakes).
Note that the E36 M3 famously shares half it's engine with the McLaren F1. Unfortunately the F1 engine uses the heads from the 3.0 car thus allowing E36 M3 Evo owners to lord it over lowly McLaren owners at every major car show.
Of course, that doesn't mention the 3.0 M3 GT but that's for another thread....
OK, I don't want to be seen to be trying to preach to the educated, the examples I gave (I would have thought) are fairly self-explanatory to a PH crowd. But if not...
The Mk1 Escort was launched to replace the aging Ford Anglia and was available in several mundane and relatively low-powered versions. If you were a lucky salesman but couldn't stretch to a Cortina then maybe you would achieve the luxurious heights of a 1300XL
Ford was always good at marketing though, and with the mantra of "Win On Sunday, Sell On Monday" they soon realised a halo motorsport model would raise their profile. The first attempt was a development of the Lotus Cortina, where the Lotus Twin Cam engine was shoehorned (at a rather jaunty angle) into the 2 door shell and the legendary "Twink" was born, achieving great success in racing and rallying before being replaced by the BDA-engined RS1600
The "Cossie" story is similar. Every travelling salesman was surprised by the quality (and shape!) of the Sierra when it replaced the venerable Cortina Mk5
And even more surprised (shocked) by the biplane XR4i. But Ford once again knew they had to do more. And after Stuart Turner (then head of Ford Motorsport) had a chance conversation with Keith Duckworth (Cosworth) about a proposed twin-cam turbo conversion kit for the 2.0 litre "pinto" OHC engine the idea of the Sierra RS Cosworth, or "Cossie" to us bobble-hatted race, rally and fast road fans used to say, was born. It was duly homologated in to Group A for race and rally, and the ultimate version was the gloriously over-the-top RS500 which swept all before it in touring car events around the world before being effectively written out of the regulations to give others a chance.
The Mk1 Escort was launched to replace the aging Ford Anglia and was available in several mundane and relatively low-powered versions. If you were a lucky salesman but couldn't stretch to a Cortina then maybe you would achieve the luxurious heights of a 1300XL
Ford was always good at marketing though, and with the mantra of "Win On Sunday, Sell On Monday" they soon realised a halo motorsport model would raise their profile. The first attempt was a development of the Lotus Cortina, where the Lotus Twin Cam engine was shoehorned (at a rather jaunty angle) into the 2 door shell and the legendary "Twink" was born, achieving great success in racing and rallying before being replaced by the BDA-engined RS1600
The "Cossie" story is similar. Every travelling salesman was surprised by the quality (and shape!) of the Sierra when it replaced the venerable Cortina Mk5
And even more surprised (shocked) by the biplane XR4i. But Ford once again knew they had to do more. And after Stuart Turner (then head of Ford Motorsport) had a chance conversation with Keith Duckworth (Cosworth) about a proposed twin-cam turbo conversion kit for the 2.0 litre "pinto" OHC engine the idea of the Sierra RS Cosworth, or "Cossie" to us bobble-hatted race, rally and fast road fans used to say, was born. It was duly homologated in to Group A for race and rally, and the ultimate version was the gloriously over-the-top RS500 which swept all before it in touring car events around the world before being effectively written out of the regulations to give others a chance.
generationx said:
OK, I don't want to be seen to be trying to preach to the educated, the examples I gave (I would have thought) are fairly self-explanatory to a PH crowd. But if not...
The Mk1 Escort was launched to replace the aging Ford Anglia ....
Thanks for expanding, generationx. Personally I didn’t know about the Twink. Every day is a school day...The Mk1 Escort was launched to replace the aging Ford Anglia ....
67Dino said:
Not particularly relevant to the topic but I was having a good look around this exact car on Saturday afternoon, an absolute beauty (also now apparently sold)
Most impressive though was that my wife not only declared it her favorite car in their collection, but also insisted that we really ought to get one at some point in the future- we then drove home and walked over to our local to peruse the 308/328 pistonheads classifieds whilst enjoying a beer next to the log burner. It was a very good Saturday!
The Alfa 105 Coupe was made for the best part of 15 years across all sorts of models and versions, but whatever the model it is often referred to as a "Bertie" or "Bertone Coupe", as it was designed by Giugaro when he worked at Bertone.
The first versions had slightly inset headlights and a proud bonnet. These have become known as "Stepfronts".
The first versions had slightly inset headlights and a proud bonnet. These have become known as "Stepfronts".
Squirrelofwoe said:
67Dino said:
Not particularly relevant to the topic but I was having a good look around this exact car on Saturday afternoon, an absolute beauty (also now apparently sold)Most impressive though was that my wife not only declared it her favorite car in their collection, but also insisted that we really ought to get one at some point in the future- we then drove home and walked over to our local to peruse the 308/328 pistonheads classifieds whilst enjoying a beer next to the log burner. It was a very good Saturday!
Edited by 67Dino on Friday 7th February 11:57
The 2000s MG Z cars, the "pre-Drive" ones are probably better - Project Drive was a costcutting exercise where they started cheapish out on everything they thought they could get away with
"Lights behind grille" for a properly early Land Rover (48-49 IIRC), I won't insult you with explaining that one.
"Lights behind grille" for a properly early Land Rover (48-49 IIRC), I won't insult you with explaining that one.
67Dino said:
Squirrelofwoe said:
67Dino said:
Not particularly relevant to the topic but I was having a good look around this exact car on Saturday afternoon, an absolute beauty (also now apparently sold)Most impressive though was that my wife not only declared it her favorite car in their collection, but also insisted that we really ought to get one at some point in the future- we then drove home and walked over to our local to peruse the 308/328 pistonheads classifieds whilst enjoying a beer next to the log burner. It was a very good Saturday!
Edited by 67Dino on Friday 7th February 11:57
When I started at my current job at 18 back in 2003 a 328 was my (attainable) dream car, I used to trawl through the classifieds daily, had them as my desktop wallpaper etc... Back then they could be had for £30k, possibly even cheaper if I recall correctly. Over the years I watched them go north of £100k. Now I am in my mid 30s and thankfully the prices seem to have softened somewhat- at £50k - £70k they are just about in the realms of possibility in a few years, I'd even settle for LHD as there does seem to be a decent saving on these.
I just never thought they would be my wife's cup of tea- she loves cars but has never been a Ferrari fan, but after viewing this one on Saturday a 328 is now firmly back on the cards!
67Dino said:
Thanks Skyedriver, great words, but you’re not quite answering the question I’m afraid.
I'd make a good MP then?Ban the bomb - the Cortina rear lights used on a certain range of TVR identifying a particular model
Round light - The more desirable earlier rear light used on the BMW 2002, superseded around 1974 by a rectangular rear light now considered less desirable
Pre cat - Referring to the TVR Griffith made in the early 1990's and considered by some to be preferable to the later versions made after around 1992, when catalytic converters became mandatory.
OP and the the Norfolk poster: I did answer your original post. Just added a few generic nicknames at the beginning.
Ego and bell-end comments refuted.
Edited by Skyedriver on Friday 7th February 15:19
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