Under appreciated speed

[MattC]

Some cars don't get the credit they deserve. The BMW 850i is still something of an unsung hero, and as shown on Top Gear a reliable one. Which others can you think of from the past and the present that don't get their fair due?



280 ZX

Pacer X

[MattC]

The Alfa Montreal deserves more cred, quad cam V8 and 200 hp from 2.5 litres.

[b1ackcr0w]

Daihatsu Charade GTti. It had a tiny 993 3pot dohc, with an absolutely rediculous Turbo on. It had lovely handling and utterly stupid performance. Probably one of the most fun cars I've ever driven.

[JHamilton]

Good topic! I have always loved the 8-series and that Alfa, which I have never heard of before, is a fantastic looking thing!

My contribution is my favorite car as a kid, the Buick Grand National:



While it is slowly gaining respect as the years go by, in its day it was not very popular. It had a turbo V6 instead of a V8 which I think was most people's hang up. In '86 & '87 it was the fastest accelerating car sold in the US. It will still hold its own with a 0-60mph time under 5 seconds. Plus it just looks terrific.

Also of modern cars, the Pontiac badged Commodore and Monaro were not well received here. I am biased because I own one but very few will know just how good those cars are. That's fine with me and I will never let mine go.

[garcon]

One of the quickest point to point cars I have seen in action in the UK is a BMW 335d coupe.

Yes, that's d for diesel. But with a 3.0 twin turbo and around 300bhp it's one hell of a diesel monster. Real world pace on public roads is every bit as fast as an M3.

[MattC]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

Good topic! I have always loved the 8-series and that Alfa, which I have never heard of before, is a fantastic looking thing!

My contribution is my favorite car as a kid, the Buick Grand National:



While it is slowly gaining respect as the years go by, in its day it was not very popular. It had a turbo V6 instead of a V8 which I think was most people's hang up. In '86 & '87 it was the fastest accelerating car sold in the US. It will still hold its own with a 0-60mph time under 5 seconds. Plus it just looks terrific.

Also of modern cars, the Pontiac badged Commodore and Monaro were not well received here. I am biased because I own one but very few will know just how good those cars are. That's fine with me and I will never let mine go.

That GNX is beautiful, I think Car and Driver got 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds out of theirs.

The 1972 -79 Torino related Fords had a good ride and handling balance with their then new separate chassis, had been unibody pre 1972. Anyway, drop in a warm 351, some wide wheels and tires and you have something very special.

Merc Midsize XR-7

[MattC]

Boat tail Rivs don't get the credit they deserve. Great styling legacy from Bill Mitchell's era.



Rotaries kept the '70s interesting, blew up some and drank like a sailor on shore leave, but interesting all the same imo, lol.



RX-7 & Cosmo

[nicanary]

If it's Q-cars you're looking for, look no further.

The Daimler Majestic Major - used by Royalty and senior Govt officials, but it held a secret. Turner-designed 4.5 litre V8 giving 220bhp. Faster to 80mph than a Jaguar MkX, tested by Motor in 1961 and did 0-60 in 9.7 secs. That was a wee bit fast for those days.

And all in "Gentlemen's Club" comfort and grandeur.

[Jim H]

I would say the MG Maestro 2.0 EFI was a very under-rated hot-hatch. My dad had one (1987 D-reg), the only brand new car he's ever bought, and loved it.

The Maestro Turbo was even quicker! Austin Rover boasted that it could out accelerate a Ferrari Mondial to 60mph.

[FastDB2s]

Originally Posted by b1ackcr0w

Daihatsu Charade GTti. It had a tiny 993 3pot dohc, with an absolutely rediculous Turbo on. It had lovely handling and utterly stupid performance. Probably one of the most fun cars I've ever driven.

Some guy in Scotland used to mod them, road test in CCC years ago was very good.

Originally Posted by Jim H

I would say the MG Maestro 2.0 EFI was a very under-rated hot-hatch. My dad had one (1987 D-reg), the only brand new car he's ever bought, and loved it.

The Maestro Turbo was even quicker! Austin Rover boasted that it could out accelerate a Ferrari Mondial to 60mph.

I used to service several 2.0 EFI's in between Four Ashes employments, great car & not that unreliable for a Rover, rust was a problem but I waxoyled them, my customers loved them & kept them for years.

The only Maestro Turbo that I saw was my brother in laws, he was one of the development engineers for them (and the K series 3 cylinder test project) & wouldnt have anything bad said about it.

[GORDON STREETER]

A mate of mine used to tow with a Maestro turbo diesel estate and claimed it was brilliant on speed and MPG and was one of the best vehicles that BL had produced for years . Mind you it didn't have to be that good to be better than some of the stuff they produced

[MattC]

A real shame the Ro80 didn't have a decently reliable motor, because the idea was very good.

NSU Ro80

[MattC]

Rising insurance premiums in the early '70s made people turn to cars like the Olds Rallye 350, Nova SS 350 and S/C 360 Hornet.

SC 360 Hornet

[MattC]

Seeing Risky Business reminded me of the 928, and how much it looked like a squashed Pacer, lol



Porsche 928




Risky Business You Tube

AMC Pacer

[BudLightJaguar]

Matra Bagheera was a three-seater sportscar 20 years before McLaren, though with more conventional driver position. Unfortunately the overall build quality was below any standards.