The Mini falls into the same basket as the 205 GTi- a great, revolutionary car, an icon for its time and still great fun in small bursts, but the woolly-headed, rose-tinted nostalgia that surrounds it conveniently forgets several key points-mainly, it too is noisy, cramped, uncomfortable and unsafe. And it is also British... The Mini is remarkably simple to work on, which is just as well, as owners will probably spend more time sticking bits back on it than driving it, and you can always tell a fellow Mini owner by the abrasions on their knuckles from trying to do anything in the engine bay. Imagine if the Germans had made it- it would be much safer, go much harder, not break down, be hideously expensive and have nowhere near as much character... oh, wait...
5. Triumph Stag
The Stag was a great looking car that was assembled by a group of skilled artisans who cared deeply about the final result of their labours, and took great pains to ensure every detail was absolutely perfect on every single component their capable and accomplished hands lovingly caressed. Bollocks it was. Lashed together with sticky tape and wishful thinking between smoko breaks, the Stag was another great idea that was royally buggered by British car industry obstinacy and internal rivalries, and became a shining example of the quality and craftsmanship that led to its lingering demise. Those looks and a thumping V8 tucked under the bonnet promised great things, and it would have delivered too if it had been put together by people who gave a toss, but it was put together by British Leyland. So there you go.
2 comments:
I pretty much think all cars are overrated. They get you where you're going - big deal.
Maybe we're just misunderstood?
Guys are complex creature you know Jay :)
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