Success in the huge and lucrative North American market has always been the ultimate prize for British manufacturers, simply because the territory is so vast and the potential returns are so substantial. In the 1950s and '60s UK sports cars - MG, Triumph, Jaguar and Austin-Healey - led the way, creating a new market for themselves with little local competition. The trouble was, the sense of humour required to run an MGB or a TR as a fun car often deserted American buyers when they bought British sedans.
As this list shows, makers of saloon cars had a much patchier record and too many hopefuls have underestimated the infrastructure required in a country where the extremes of weather can be as unforgiving as the buyers. Countless British cars - even good ones such as the Rover 2000 - broke down too often and were poorly served by local dealers. The energy crisis of the early '70s was an opportunity that Britain fumbled by foisting on the Americans slightly worse versions of its cheaper-to-run offerings that were as unreliable and uncompetitive as ever. Japanese makers were left unchallenged and reaped the rewards.
Here we present 10 ways in which British manufacturers have tweaked and rebooted some familiar (and not so familiar) faces for Stateside consumption over the years.
1 Triumph TR250
Bu hikaye Classic & Sports Car dergisinin January 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Classic & Sports Car dergisinin January 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison