Trivia and other useless but interesting items

**Saitch** · 29th March 2023, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by 3toes

Was discussing cars the other day with a mate and it came up about acceleration that a modern car compared to an older car

When I was younger was very keen on a Torana SLR5000. So we are talking mid seventies. Had a claimed 0 to 60 time of 6.5 seconds. A more standard family Kingswood was 13 seconds. The only diesel we could think of for the time was the VW Golf which was looking at a 20 second time

My diesel 4.4 L322 Range Rover does the same in 7.2 seconds or if you can afford to feed it the petrol version 5.0 seconds

Down side would be attempting to keep up with the Torana in the corner at the end of Conrod straight

The average age of a sports car buyer has been getting a year older each year for the last 20 years. Perhaps there is no longer enough difference in performance between a sports car and a more run of the mill car to make it exciting enough to be bothered?

A lot of so called "Sports Cars" these days are more "Show" than "Go". A nephew has a Toyota GR86 and its performance is best described as bland. 0-100 in mid to high 6s. The Celicas were a good example of all show.
His dad's Mazda MX5 is only marginally quicker, but a lot more fun, in my opinion.

**p38arover** · 29th March 2023, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by 3toes

Was discussing cars the other day with a mate and it came up about acceleration that a modern car compared to an older car

Not just acceleration.

In 1971, I bought (new) a 1725cc Hillman Hunter Royal 660 (a rebadged Hunter GT). Differences over the standard Hunter - alloy head, twin carbs, power assisted brakes (bigger pads, too), different exhaust, wood dash with instrumentation, upgraded interior (complete with headrests).

Hillman WA (1 of 1).jpg

Dash.JPG

They were geared quite low. At 70mph (approx 110km/h) on the freeway, the engine revved at 4,000rpm. (I later fitted a Laycock DeNormanville overdrive from a Sunbeam).

Top speed was just on 100mph (160km/h) (indicated) - I know this as I tried it out one night on the straight bit of highway just south of Carnarvon when I lived there).

Today's small cars probably do less than 2,000rpm at 110km/h and easily top 160km/h

**V8Ian** · 29th March 2023, 09:09 PM

Virtually the same car won the '68 London Sydney Marathon, against exotic, specialist and other cars costing twice the price.

**Tins** · 29th March 2023, 09:46 PM

There’s more to that story than meets the eye.

**V8Ian** · 29th March 2023, 10:09 PM

True, but Andrew got the Hillman across the line first.

**Saitch** · 11th April 2023, 06:36 PM

From necessity, I learnt a new word today.

'Frenemy'.r

Noun INFORMAL

a person with whom one is friendly despite a fundamental dislike or rivalry

**Tins** · 11th April 2023, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by Saitch

From necessity, I learnt a new word today.

'Frenemy'.r

Noun INFORMAL

a person with whom one is friendly despite a fundamental dislike or rivalry

Can I substitute fememy for that?

**ramblingboy42** · 12th April 2023, 02:50 PM

referring to the 86's , seems everyone (again) knows Toyota but don't acknowledge the Subaru.

as a racing class I think there may have been more boring things to watch but I cant remember.

I would much rather kart racing as a development class.

**Saitch** · 12th April 2023, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

referring to the 86's , seems everyone (again) knows Toyota but don't acknowledge the Subaru.

as a racing class I think there may have been more boring things to watch but I cant remember.

I would much rather kart racing as a development class.

When chatting next, I'll ask my nephew why he went with the Tojo.

**Tins** · 12th April 2023, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by Saitch

When chatting next, I'll ask my nephew why he went with the Tojo.

Price.

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