In the early ’80s the market for executive cars was booming. While successful city boys were driving Porsches and Ferraris, long-serving senior managers up and down the country also had generous company car budgets but didn’t want to appear so brash. The executive saloon needed to make a more refi ned statement, signifying achievement, dependability and status. The market had changed from the 1970s company car pecking order based on Ford or Vauxhall and envy over GXL or Ghia badges.
By 1980, the British executive market had opened up to continental competitors. Head office car parks boasted French, German and Swedish cars between the Fords and Vauxhalls. Size mattered; nothing less than a 2-litre engine was to be found under the bonnets of these big, imposing motors. The executive saloon market had truly never been so crowded but sadly nowadays, these cars don’t survive in great numbers, excellent though many of them were.
Today we’re pitching the best of British against avant-garde French flair, as we line up Rover’s SD1 next to Citroën’s CX. The Rover came with a choice of engine sizes from an adequate entry-level 2-litre to the mighty 3.5-litre V8, wrapped in a svelte fastback body. Citroën had a tough act to follow when replacing the much-loved DS.
The CX may only have had four cylinders but with fuel injection and a turbo option, performance was never in question. Citroën’s hallmark self-leveling suspension set the CX apart, as did its futuristic styling.
No question these are two great cars that were both innovative and popular in their time. How does their appeal stand up today?
ROVER SD1
Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Classic Car Mart.
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Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Classic Car Mart.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
3D Technology To Preserve Classics?
Traditionally, the unavailability of a critical component has had major repercussions for owners of historic vehicles, putting the brakes on a restoration project or even forcing a historic vehicle off the road.
UPCYCLING
Two British-made modern classics which made credible sporting saloons despite their unlikely origins.
NICHE WORK
A crossover model before the term had even been invented, the original Range Rover could well be the perfect multi-purpose classic.
CLASSIC REVIVAL
Fancy an MGB without the welding and SUs? The much modernised RV8 should fit the bill.
1980s FLEET FAVOURITES
We profile a line-up of popular mid-sized '80s company cars ranging from the ubiquitous Sierra and Cavalier repmobiles through to the king of the company car park, the BMW 3-Series.
Solid State
Although a well-preserved Volvo 120 Series ‘Amazon’ makes a good choice as an occasional everyday classic driver, the range can be confusing. We play the numbers game and reveal some of the Amazon’s main foibles.
Round-Up - 1990s Jaguars
Following Ford’s acquisition of an independent Jaguar in 1989, the Coventry-based luxury car maker underwent a transformation that led to the introduction of a range of capable models that today are reasonably affordable as well as being fun to own and drive.
Myth And Rumour
The Stag may have suffered a poor reputation when new, but in the 21st century it’s one of Britain’s most popular classics – and justifiably so. We take a look at the pros and cons of investing in Triumph’s sporting flagship.
The Full English
An English-built Citroën meets English wine as we enter a slightly bizarre parallel universe.
Tailgate Revolving Doors
Paul Guinness looks back at his experiences from 35 years ago, when he helped to arrange a club stand at the first-ever Classic Motor Show at Birmingham’s NEC