theduisbergkid Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Just wondering how many 'dead' car manufacturers (the UK in particular) has had and what our thoughts are on them, if they're missed, or not, and your experiences with 'em.... TVR - If only they were reliable, rumours of them starting again in Timbuktu, I nearly got a job there once. Rover - A huge part of our automotive history, but apart from the SD1 and perhaps a 75 estate, they never did anything that remotely interested me. Jensen - Alive, dead, reborn and dead yet again. Interceptor in white anyone ? Strathcarron - Lotus wannabe. Gone. Tommy Kaira - Lotus-lite owned by japs, built in Norfolk, bought by no-one (?) Noble - Awesome, reliable, quick, etc etc, but where did they go ? Should have been a great success. AS One - F*cking hideous sportcar project by ex-rover people, stillborn, thanks god. Rocket car co - 50's F1 car lookalike, still around ? Bond - Bug, I don't care what anyone says, they're cool, if a bit dangerous. Marcos - Mantaray, LM summat, Jem Marsh and his crowd. Plastic body + big engine = obscurity ? Reliant - OK, no-one misses the Robin/Kitten, but the GTE was OK wasn't it ? Over to you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 How far back do you want to go? Austin Austin Healy British Leyland Bond Deloren Marcos MG Sunbeam Talbot I'll think of more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drinks Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Rocket car co - 50's F1 car lookalike, still around ? I think they have gone back into a limited production run of another 18 cars. Light car company and enthusiast website here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 My grandfather had a rover SD1, he was so proud of it.. it was a sort of beige colour... he'd only had it about two weeks and it dropped all it's oil over the drive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Triumph Cars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stooH Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Er, when did Noble die? I thought they were still around and had the rather sexy M400 out at the moment?:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 I think they have gone back into a limited production run of another 18 cars.Light car company and enthusiast website here I want one :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kite Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Are Gilbern still around ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted May 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Gilburn, thats one I missed ! I use 'Rover' as a catch-all for all that Triumph, Austin, BL, Hillman crap. I'm not sure about Noble, I thought they had sold out to a US company and shut up shop in the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted May 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 I want one :D Me too ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kite Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Jowett I remember a prat with a Javelin, used to drive it like a demented thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvantSE Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Reliant - OK, no-one misses the Robin/Kitten, but the GTE was OK wasn't it ? You left out their involvement in one of my favourite cars, the Ford RS200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Me too ! Me thinks a crash helmet would be a good idea??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted May 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 These guys are still in business I'm happy to say : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 Duisberg's just reminded me (must be something to do with Chafeing or whatever it's called) ... I think SSangYong are pretty much dead. Thank God. Edit: Yes I know SSangYong aren't British. But they are dead. Nearly. And if they aren't, they should be. In fact, just pretend I didn't say anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted May 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 Duisberg's just reminded me (must be something to do with Chafeing or whatever it's called) ... I think SSangYong are pretty much dead. Thank God. Edit: Yes I know SSangYong aren't British. But they are dead. Nearly. And if they aren't, they should be. In fact, just pretend I didn't say anything. Yup - Chelfing scalped Ssangyong, as reported here - http://www.chelfing.com/page5.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saab Posted May 21, 2008 Report Share Posted May 21, 2008 Delorean, Do Dutton and AC still exist? There are lots of 60s companies which weren't around for long: Rochdale Fairthorpe Gordon Keeble Crayford (not sure if this counts) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
962C Posted May 22, 2008 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 AC Yeah, I was only reading something the other day about AC having a recent change for the better, with a forthcoming lightweight 'classic' model being launched. Time will tell I guess - I mean we'll see if it actually happens. There was also a rumour that they had bought the rights to the shelved Mercedes-Benz Smart Roadster and it would be re-engineered and rebranded as an AC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted May 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2008 Yeah, I was only reading something the other day about AC having a recent change for the better, with a forthcoming lightweight 'classic' model being launched. Time will tell I guess - I mean we'll see if it actually happens. There was also a rumour that they had bought the rights to the shelved Mercedes-Benz Smart Roadster and it would be re-engineered and rebranded as an AC. Lots of AC copies about, I wonder if the kitcar crowd have damaged AC's sales ? The Roadster thing was to be built by Kimber in wales, but no news for 2 years makes me think they're dead too. Info here Project Kimber News I see they tried to buy the corpse of Rover too, and failed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasdrury Posted May 23, 2008 Report Share Posted May 23, 2008 Yup - Chelfing scalped Ssangyong, as reported here - Chelfing Automotive - News I think they are back! SsangYong UK ? 4x4s and MPVs Chas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted May 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2008 I think they are back!SsangYong UK ? 4x4s and MPVs Chas I think the importer is still alive and has stock ? Caption competition... "Run children, run, its behind us, RUUUUN !" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelson_R32 Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 Me too ! I always wanted one of these when I was younger (going back 15 years now). Even now it still manages to pull my heartstrings :smileylove: I guess the modern equivilant is the Ariel Atom. But I don't think it looks as nice as the Rocket (personal opinion ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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