Raiding the parts bin
Discussion
One of the common traits of the motor industry has been using parts from other models (and manufacturers). Door handles from the Marina were used on the Lotus Esprit, the Jaguar XJ220 used Citroen CX mirrors. What other examples are there, and which was being used for the longest period after the original donor was discontinued?
SD.
SD.
shed driver said:
One of the common traits of the motor industry has been using parts from other models (and manufacturers). Door handles from the Marina were used on the Lotus Esprit, the Jaguar XJ220 used Citroen CX mirrors. What other examples are there, and which was being used for the longest period after the original donor was discontinued?
In the industry, it's called "carry-over", and has been standard practice for decades.So quite difficult to answer your question!
Here's an obscure one for you: the Jensen S-V8 also used Citroen door mirrors, and Corvette brake calipers! (And a Ford Cobra SVT engine...)
A lot of it is not so much from a specific car, but from the Valeo or Bosch catalogue. Parts suppliers will often get parts homologated and EU approved then offer them into the supply chain.
Styling led parts like lights might vary, but a lot of general parts, especially switchgear, is lifted straight from the "catalogue".
Discovery 1 used a lot of old BL stuff, Marina door handles, Metro switchgear, Maestro van rear lights, i know the headlights were from another BL product, Sherpa perhaps? Mini handbrake lever/ grip. (This has been used in a multitude of different cars, and even the orange space rocket built by Wallace and Grommit!, look out for it, it will probably be on at Christmas). Probably loads more but those just off the top of my head.
shed driver said:
One of the common traits of the motor industry has been using parts from other models (and manufacturers). Door handles from the Marina were used on the Lotus Esprit, the Jaguar XJ220 used Citroen CX mirrors. What other examples are there, and which was being used for the longest period after the original donor was discontinued?
SD.
Lotus stopped building the elise and exige at the very end of 2021. The wing mirrors of all of them are off a Rover Metro, circa 1990-1998, so that's ~31 years from start of the relevant generation of Metro production. Lotus were still fitting them ~23 years from the point the donor car stopped production in 1998.SD.
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