...hate it on a Peugeot.

[Captain Muppet]

Hello,

Earlier my brother sent me a link to an advert for a Lancia Montecarlo.
This advert*

I forwarded it to the only man I know with both the money and desire for a Montecarlo and he was delighted by the picture of the side-hinged bootlid, and said: "I love it. But would, of course, hate it on a Peugeot."

Which made me think - are there features on a car that you love/hate that you would hate/love on another car just because of the badge?

I'm hoping it isn't badge snobbery but, for example, somehow it's right that SAABs have the ingnition key hidden down by the gearstick, but the same thing in a Honda would be annoying. I love the steering headlights on Citroen DSs, but the VAG thing when they light up one fog light to do the same thing annoys me beyond all rationality.

I'm imagining that those who love TVRs would hate the stupid hidden rear windscreen wiper switch on 996 911s.

I dunno.

Anyway, examples please, if you have any.





* Dear internet stalkers: yes, I know you can see my postcode in Autotrader links. Please don't go on about it.

[kiethton]

"Lambo doors" don't quite work on anything but a Lamborghini...

Likewise with Mercedes and the classic Gullwing designs

[996TT02]

The sound of a classic Beetle on anything other than "mute".

[Paul O]

Sports cars with keyless start. In a sports car, I want to fall into the seat and shove the key into a hole, then inevitably wrestle with the steering lock before starting it up. Satisfaction.

On comfy cruisers however, the idea of keyless start is ace.

• Sorry, not Marque specific.

[MontyC]

I think citroen had some strange ideas on the very early 2cvs, "tin snails" the side repeaters were clockwork and the wipers had to be operated by hand turning a knob from left to right.

[LuS1fer]

I'm sure the Fulvia Rallye had a side-hinged bonnet too.

On a similar note, my Alfasuds had a forward tipping bonnet which was a right PITA but it was OK because it was an Alfa.
Similarly, the Saab 900 forward tilting bonnet - totally useless really but OK on a Saab.

[hotchy]

The audi LED strips at there lights, i love them. Put them on anything else there chav rubbish. Same goes with bmw angel eyes.

[Superhoop]

MontyC said:

I think citroen had some strange ideas on the very early 2cvs, "tin snails" the side repeaters were clockwork and the wipers had to be operated by hand turning a knob from left to right.

I thought the wipers worked off the speedo cable?

[Bill]

Paul O said:

Sports cars with keyless start. In a sports car, I want to fall into the seat and shove the key into a hole, then inevitably wrestle with the steering lock before starting it up. Satisfaction.

On comfy cruisers however, the idea of keyless start is ace.

• Sorry, not Marque specific.

This. And an ignition key and starter button. Fine on a Caterham, stupid in a hatchback.

(Not car related, but screw tops on a wine bottle are wrong because they ruin the sense of occasion, but are fine for whisky.)

[Soupie69uk]

LuS1fer said:

I'm sure the Fulvia Rallye had a side-hinged bonnet too.

On a similar note, my Alfasuds had a forward tipping bonnet which was a right PITA but it was OK because it was an Alfa.
Similarly, the Saab 900 forward tilting bonnet - totally useless really but OK on a Saab.

I think old Clios had a front hinged bonnet too. Always thought it would be a bit of a pain.

[Captain Muppet]

Soupie69uk said:

I think old Clios had a front hinged bonnet too. Always thought it would be a bit of a pain.

It takes the fun out of changing the radiator on E30 3-series BMWs, but means you don't keep bumping your head on the bonnet when you change the spark plugs.

[Bill]

The whole lot hinged forward on a Spitfire, leaving a wheel exposed to sit in while working on the car

[LuS1fer]

Bill said:

The whole lot hinged forward on a Spitfire, leaving a wheel exposed to sit in while working on the car

Corvette C4 and E-type too.

[Dodsy]

kiethton said:

"Lambo doors" don't quite work on anything but a Lamborghini...

Likewise with Mercedes and the classic Gullwing designs

[Ali_T]

LuS1fer said:

On a similar note, my Alfasuds had a forward tipping bonnet which was a right PITA but it was OK because it was an Alfa.

A friend of mine had one that became a proper front end tipping. When you lifted the bonnet, there was so much corrosion on the from cross member that the entire grill and light assembly fell off!!!

As for that advert of the Lancia.....What the hell is a Wynstar tyre? And £10k for a non concours Monte? Dream on!

[Captain Muppet]

Ali_T said:

As for that advert of the Lancia.....What the hell is a Wynstar tyre?

Real PHers don't scrimp on tyres, so obviously the first thing you do when buying a car is replace all the tyres so they aren't someone else's part worns.

Therefore the only logical thing to fit to a car you are selling is cheap tyres.

[Chris71]

O/T But it looks like Montecarlos have gone up a bit since I last looked... Had it in my head they were about five grand.

[Johnnytheboy]

Any kind of innovative but complicated electrical gadget on a French car.

[MontyC]

Superhoop said:

I thought the wipers worked off the speedo cable?

Yes your right, but they could also be operated manually for if your not moving.

[NiceCupOfTea]

LuS1fer said:

I'm sure the Fulvia Rallye had a side-hinged bonnet too.

On a similar note, my Alfasuds had a forward tipping bonnet which was a right PITA but it was OK because it was an Alfa.
Similarly, the Saab 900 forward tilting bonnet - totally useless really but OK on a Saab.

The 900 has a fantastic cantilevered mechanism that moves it forwards before it tilts. Two bolts and it can be removed completely, rad changes are a piece of cake