British and European Car Spotters Guide - 1965 |
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1965 Geneva Motor Show
ON SHOW AT the 1965 Geneva Motor Show were several specialist bodies exhibited for the first time. Pininfarina had his latest Ferrari based on the new chassis fitted with the 5-liter V12 engine. The nose of this car had a new line featuring a diminutive grille and sharply inclined bonnet, whereas the tail was chopped off as before but with a much slimmer look in profile. Other special coachwork by Pininnfarina was based on the Chevrolet Corvette, Fiat 1600S, Lancia Flaminia 2·8, and there is his safety body design, the PF Sigma, which was shown at Turin in 1964. Frue, the Italian designer, was showing a Lotus Elan G.T. with aluminum alloy and steel coachwork built on the standard Elan backbone chassis.
Three engine sizes for Mini-Cooper S
To extend the competitive scope of the Mini-Cooper S models, both Austin and Morris, two more engine capacities were added in 1965. Both retained the same cylinder bore dimension as the previous 1,071 c.c. engine - 70.6mm. (2·78in.), the swept volumes being adjusted by different crankshaft throws. The 970 c.c. short-stroke unit was aimed at races for the European Saloon Car Championships, and the long-stroke one strengthened B.M.C.'s hand in the British Championship. In addition, an alternative set of gearbox ratios was offered, and with either there was also the choice between four final drive sets. For the new 1,000S the standard final drive was 3.76 to 1, the other options being 3·94, 4·13 and 4·27; for the 1,071 and 1,275 units a 3·44 to 1 ratio is standardized, the supplementary ones being 3·76, 3·94 and 4·13. Gearbox ratio spacings to go with any of the three engines or various final drives were: standard-top 1·0 to 1, third 1·36, second 1·92, first and reverse 3·20. Optional-top 1·0 to 1, third 1·24, second 1·78, first and reverse 2·57. With the standard final drives the 1,OOOS and 1,275S were capable of around 90 and 100 m.p.h. respectively. Other main mechanical details were common to all the S models, and there were no changes in body specification or colors. During road testing, the 1,275S was able to reach 100 m.p.h. in a remarkable short run, proving to have exceptional versatility in top gear, pulling away very strongly from 15-20 m.p.h. The updated Minis were fitted with the then latest Dunlop SP41 tires, combining adhesion with quietness. |
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Also see: Austin Healey Car Reviews |
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The Austin-Healey Sprite and the M.G. Midget were introduced as cheap, small sports cars suitable for young people to cut their motoring teeth on with safety and economy. In their Mark III guise they had in no sense drifted away from this precept, but rather had widened their scope, because of the comfort and convenience offered by improved suspension and weather protecction, so that they were able to appeal to older enthusiasts looking for a small, lively car for everyday use. |
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Also see: Jaguar Car Reviews | Jaguar - A Racing Pedigree | The History of Jaguar |
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This car still holds the title as being the broadest
British production saloon being 1.93 metres across its
rear. It offered independent suspension and power-steering
and was half the price of its rivals. Originally it was fitted with a triple-carburetor
3.8-liter XK motor used in the E-Type, but this changed
to a 4.2-liter unit in 1964 that resulted in more
torque but with identical power which was enough to
push it to 193 km/h even in automatic.
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Opel Admiral |
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Also see: Opel Car Reviews |
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In February 1964 Opel introduced a new range of flagship models as successors to the Opel Kapitän P-LV of 1959/1963. At launch these KAD models (Opel Kapitän, Admiral and Diplomat; also referred to as "The Big Three" by Opel) were available with 2.6 liter or 2.8 liter, in-line six-cylinder petrol engines (100 or 125 PS/99 or 123 hp), or Chevrolet's North American 283-V8 (4.6 liter) teamed with a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission (190 PS/187 hp). The latter engine was supplanted in the saloon by the 327-V8 (5.4 liter) in October 1966 (230 PS/227 hp). As the company's range-topping model, the Diplomat was available only with the V8. |
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Opel Diplomat Coupe |
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Also see: Opel Car Reviews |
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A Diplomat Coupé (with the 327 engine only) was available from 1965 to 1967, in limited numbers. The coupé was built by coachbuilder Karmann and cost DM 25,000 (or as much as 7 Volkswagen Beetles). 347 Coupés were built. |
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Also see: Triumph Car Reviews | The History of Triumph |
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In 1965, the TR4A with IRS or independent rear suspension superseded the TR4. Apart from the rear suspension, which used trailing arms and a differential bolted to the redesigned chassis frame and a number of small styling changes and refinements, the two models appear nearly identical. In fact, an estimated 25% of TR4As were not equipped with IRS, but instead reverted to a live axle design similar to the TR4, which was adapted to fit the new chassis. |
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