Bubble talk

We have collected some nice things to know again, for at the bar, at a party or at a drink about classics. Ideal social talk!

Matra-Simca-Bagheera

Van de Matra-Simca-Bagheera Since the introduction in 1973, a total of 47.802 units have been built. The last volume (1980) was called the "baby Lamborghini Uracco" Talbot-Matra-Bagheera. When purchasing, there are various points of attention. The body of the three-seater is made of reinforced polyester and often shows cracks, paint problems and hanging doors. The 'tin' chassis is not galvanized and can therefore rust horribly. The 'seams' of doors, rear and front hatch seriously leave something to be desired; interior parts are of inferior quality and not to very difficult (and therefore very expensive) available. The engine comes from the Simca stables, noisy and low power. The cars were only delivered in Left Hand Drive ...

Lancia Beta Montecarlo

De Lancia Beta Montecarlo - where the name 'Montecarlo' was written as one word - was in principle set up as a Fiat X1 / 20, the bigger brother of the Fiat X1 / 9. In 1975 the cart was put on the market as Lancia. The production ended in 1978, but appeared again in 1980 to disappear again in 1982. In the beginning it was called Beta Montecarlo, the resurrection had to do without the name Beta. The most wanted is the Spider version of which in the first generation 3.558 appeared and in the second only 817 pieces. Problems to be expected: head gasket. A Lancia, too, can rust terribly and therefore search well. In the first series, the brakes are only applied to the front wheels ... and that can be a strange sensation in the event of an emergency stop ...

Toyota MR2

You may have wondered where the letters MR2 of the Toyota sports car come from, what they mean? The letters stand for 'Midship Runabout 2 seater'. Because of the middle engine and because only two people fit in it. The engine is described as reliable, but there are regular (?) Problems with the head gasket. The injectors of the gasoline injection must be thoroughly cleaned every 20.000 kilometer. In terms of gearbox a point of attention for the synchromesh 2^e acceleration and would like to jump out of five ... In terms of rust, it is mainly around and around the sills, fender edges and doors ... The introduction took place in 1984, the last one rolled off in 2007. Contrary to what the 'connoisseurs' want to say, the MR2 is not a deleted Lotus model, but the Lotus engineer Roger Becker was responsible for the wheel suspension and handling. Salient detail, or how someone can be mistaken about the name, in France became the MR2 est called. If you have paid attention in French lessons, you know that shit translated into Dutch, shit means. The car was therefore immediately put on the market as an MR ... Only 166.000 units were produced. Finding a cool copy that is also well maintained will therefore be a challenge.

Lotus Europa

The front and rear bumper of the Lotus Europe from the sixties and seventies was 'borrowed' by Ford's Lotus design department. From the Ford Anglia 105E to be precise. You know, the model with the crooked rear window ...

MG TF

With the introduction of the MG ZR, ZS and ZT Saloons in 2001, a facelift of the MG appeared in the showrooms in 1995F not fail. The changes to the model were such that a new type designation was chosen: MG TF. In its class, all the work was rewarded by the euro NCAP with 'the price' of the safest sports car. Apart from some external changes, the body was also 20 percent stiffer than its predecessor. The 1,6 and 1,8 liter engines also delivered more power. Perhaps the most interesting change was the farewell of the Hydragas suspension (although that system works 'perfectly' but is maintenance-sensitive) to coil springs. In 2005 the curtain fell for MG-Rover. The new - Chinese - owner of the octagonal brand reintroduced the MG TF in 2008, but only for the Chinese and British market. Time is going to learn how long MG remains alive ...