Thread: So is this what the disco was based on originally

Originally Posted by cartm58

you can what you want about the French but nothing beats a Citreon D series for sheer design inspiration and mechancial innovation 50 years ahead of its time

I won't argue with that - I've driven them on and off for 45 years, owned one since 1978 (74 model) - currently have it stored, still in excellent condition, but I couldn't afford to keep three cars on the road, and since it is getting hard to get parts for, it is the one that had to go.

In 1975, when they ceased production, the only changes needed to the 1955 design to meet safety requirements was antiburst door locks and seat belts.

Think about a few of these points compared to current offering - windscreen pillars narrower than the spacing of your eyes - full vision forward with the bonnet open and back with the boot open - a flat tyre does not pull to the side, even under heavy braking with your hands off the wheel - brake pedal movement is zero, and the pedal is closer to the floor than the accelerator - self levelling suspension that doesn't have short lived airbags - long travel suspension - very accurate wheel location (no rubber at all in the suspension, suspension arms are on tapered rollers) means very long tyre life and very precise handling.

On the other side of the coin - by modern standards they are noisy - the long wheelbase and small turning circle means it is very easy to sideswipe things if you aren't careful - the sides are not parallel! makes backing straight an art - special hydraulic fluid is very hard to find - parts hard to find (much harder than Landrovers the same age).

John

Am I the only person who used to have a Rancho ?

It was a long time ago now but I remember it being metallic blue and the rear body all plastic. The rest of the car rusted at express speed. It was only 2wd despite it's looks. Driver's seating position was quite low with the passesngers in the back sat higher. I remember having fat tyres and driving resonably well (but my memory my be faded). It was parked in the shed one winter's night when the shed blew down and crushed it. Remember towing it to the scrap yard, roof all squashed.

Had a Meastro van as well, absolute shocker, all tinny, under powered and 'hollow' feeling. The Escort van was always the best with the Astra van a bit quicker, but lower roof height and the alloy heads being a bit fragile.

Always wanted to put XR3i engine, gearbox and suspension on an escort van. Never did though, but I bet it would have been quick.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

special hydraulic fluid is very hard to find - parts hard to find (much harder than Landrovers the same age).

European Autocare in Batt St, Penrith has the stuff you need. They have a stack of DS in their yard for spare parts, etc. Denton is a nice bloke, too.

I used them for Peugeot stuff for my daughter's '89 405 (thankfully sold even though it was a very good car to drive).

Ron

Did you lot know that the Disco Holds the Guness book of records for the quickest car from idea to production.
Cheated really as it was just a new diesel engine and a new body on a range rover running gear

saved LR's **** though----

Originally Posted by Reads90

Did you lot know that the Disco Holds the Guness book of records for the quickest car from idea to production.
Cheated really as it was just a new diesel engine and a new body on a range rover running gear

Was it faster than the original Landrover? May 1947 the idea, July 1948 first production - and it saved the company's bacon. I suppose you could say they cheated as they used an existing engine and gearbox and copied a lot of the rest from Willys, although the chassis and the bodywork construction methods were both completely new and original; this from a company that had never produced a commercial vehicle, let alone an offroad one.

John