One For Classic Car Fans.....

[Bonefish Blues]

An Octavia, no less!

 

[Pinno718]

Never in the history of automotive engineering has two companies benefitted so much from being taken over: Seat and Skoda.

 

[Profpointy]

Never in the history of automotive engineering has two companies benefitted so much from being taken over: Seat and Skoda.

I thought those communist era rear engined skodas had quite an appeal despite the mockery. Very successful rally cars too, and very solidly built

 

[Pinno718]

I thought those communist era rear engined skodas had quite an appeal despite the mockery. Very successful rally cars too, and very solidly built

The Estelle. Yes, you are right but there's no denying that the line up was very dated.

 

[Profpointy]

The Estelle. Yes, you are right but there's no denying that the line up was very dated.

In the 70s and 80s the Cardiff taxi fleet was nearly all Ladas. It seems the licensing authorities had decreed that taxis had to be less that 3 (or whatever it was) years old and the Lada was the the cheapest brand new car that was available; maybe half the price of a better regarded brand's equivalent. The depreciation on a 3 year old ex taxi was going to be brutal regardless so they bought Ladas and accepted they'd be worth nothing afterwards. By contrast, I've been in European cities in 10 year plus old Mercs with half a million km on the clock. (not sure that would work with a modern Merc)

 

[Pinno718]

In the 70s and 80s the Cardiff taxi fleet was nearly all Ladas. It seems the licensing authorities had decreed that taxis had to be less that 3 (or whatever it was) years old and the Lada was the the cheapest brand new car that was available; maybe half the price of a better regarded brand's equivalent. The depreciation on a 3 year old ex taxi was going to be brutal regardless so they bought Ladas and accepted they'd be worth nothing afterwards. By contrast, I've been in European cities in 10 year plus old Mercs with half a million km on the clock. (not sure that would work with a modern Merc)

Someone referred to my W123 series as a 'Portuguese taxi'.

She was beautiful. A pair of Greek brothers who ran the same model as a taxi, splitting shifts between them and therefore, apart from repairs, it was constantly on the move and clocked up 2m+ miles.

'Freida' (big German frauline)

 

[Profpointy]

Someone referred to my W123 series as a 'Portuguese taxi'.

She was beautiful. A pair of Greek brothers who ran the same model as a taxi, splitting shifts between them and therefore, apart from repairs, it was constantly on the move and clocked up 2m+ miles.

'Freida' (big German frauline)

View attachment 766882

I read somewhere that Merc used to make a low-spec model specifically for the European taxi trade without all the luxury features their more bourgeois customers would want. The taxi buyers wanted a very solidly made diesel workhorse but were not fussed about the trim level

 

[Pinno718]

I read somewhere that Merc used to make a low-spec model specifically for the European taxi trade without all the luxury features their more bourgeois customers would want. The taxi buyers wanted a very solidly made diesel workhorse but were not fussed about the trim level

What sort of 'trim level' was that I wonder. It was pretty basic. The one I recall was the 280se version with a few more electrics but mine was similar to a Mk2 Escort - you know, like someone emptied a fridge, put some hinges on the salad box lid (glove compartment), added 4 seats, a steering wheel and painted it matt black.
Mine was ever so slightly posher - some wooden strips placed very [coughs] aesthetically.
I guess they were trying to compete (sort of) with Vanden Plas.

 

[Pinno718]

Freida... sobs 😥

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I read somewhere that Merc used to make a low-spec model specifically for the European taxi trade without all the luxury features their more bourgeois customers would want. The taxi buyers wanted a very solidly made diesel workhorse but were not fussed about the trim level

There used to be a mock leather which lasted forever. Not sure if it's still an option.

ETA
Used to be called MB Tex, has been delisted in the last few years.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I thought those communist era rear engined skodas had quite an appeal despite the mockery. Very successful rally cars too, and very solidly built

I'd happily have a S110/S130 coupe

Someone referred to my W123 series as a 'Portuguese taxi'.

She was beautiful. A pair of Greek brothers who ran the same model as a taxi, splitting shifts between them and therefore, apart from repairs, it was constantly on the move and clocked up 2m+ miles.

View attachment 766882

A W123 Estate, as a diesel/manual, is the only modern MB car, that I'd have - even now!!


That said, I'd love to be able to justify/afford a UniMog
I'd also have early (vinyl seat/steel-wheeled) G-Wagons, the glorious 300SL 'Gull-WIng', or a 50's/60's 'Ponton' saloon

 

[Jameshow]

Someone referred to my W123 series as a 'Portuguese taxi'.

She was beautiful. A pair of Greek brothers who ran the same model as a taxi, splitting shifts between them and therefore, apart from repairs, it was constantly on the move and clocked up 2m+ miles.

'Freida' (big German frauline)

View attachment 766882

I'd love a w123 or w124 estate.


The wiring looks were suspect I. The w124 I believe.

Starts looking at w124s!

 

[Pinno718]

I'd love a w123 or w124 estate.


The wiring looks were suspect I. The w124 I believe.

Starts looking at w124s!

I presume you meant 'looms'.? No, I never found the electrics difficult to work with. A mix of very substantial Bosch and Mercedes connecting blocks that are also oh so familiar on my 944.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Maybe the 'soul', of a Corvette, if not the heart/engine
I've driven them, & would still love a 500

https://www.hotcars.com/this-british-sports-car-has-a-corvette-heart-and-can-humiliate-ferraris/


View: https://youtu.be/5g8NTTwipfA?si=ZEgF8xz_t8WTq7Cm

 

[Gunk]

Turbo spoiler looks a bit silly on the turbo (it houses the intercooler) but positively ruins the lines of this non turbo car. I dont know why they do it.

My old 911 was a rare non-sport - no spoilers