Vehicle Marques – Did You Know?

ASTON MARTIN	DB4 GT Zagato – only 19 of these Italian bodied models were built. Models – more than 75 percent of Astons are still running or are stored. 11,000 cars in existence of which the AMOC (Aston Martin Owners Club) members own a third.
AUSTIN HEALEY	Sprite – the 1958-61 ‘ frogeye’ sprite was called ‘ bugeye’ in the USA.
BMW	Z1 – the doors disappeared into the broad sills when opened. M1 – the M1 was intended for Group 5 competition but ended up only being used in its own championships
BUGATTI	The EB110 GT was unveiled in 1991 exactly 110 years after the birth of its founder Ettore Bugatti. The 1992 Super Sport model could achieve a top speed of 221mph and a 0-62 in 3.2 seconds.
BOND BUG	The original Bond Bug (1970-1974) was only available in Orange. One of the landspeeder’s in the Star Wars film was built on the chassis of a Bond Bug. The levitation effect was created by angled mirrors hiding the wheels.
CHEVROLET CORVETTE	Named after a small, fast naval escort warship. The 1958 Corvette was available with fuel injection.
CHITTY-CHITTY BANG-BANG	The vehicle for the film of the same name was built by Alan Mann racing in Herts in 1967. It was fitted with a Ford 3000 V6 and automatic transmission. It carried the registration mark of GEN 11.
CITROEN	Built its cars on Slough until 1966. A Citroën was the first car to cross the Sahara in 1923. The 1970-1975 SM model was fitted with two variants of Maserati engines.

DAIMLER BENZ	Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz never met. The Daimler-Benz AG company was created in 1926 as a result of a merger.
DATSUN	The 240Z model was the world’s best selling sports car in the 70’s and 80’s. Early models wore wheels covers with a ‘D’ on the hubcap centres as opposed to a ‘Z’ on later models.
DELOREAN	DMC-12 Gull Wing – the front and rear wheels are actually different sizes. A total of 8,583 were built between 1981 and 1983. 14 models were constructed to European specification and were more powerful due to the lacking of the emission restrictions imposed on the US models. The car became a famous icon as it appeared in “Back To The Future” film.
DETOMASO	The Mangusta (Mongoose) is so named because it eats ‘ Cobras‘ – a reference to the AC Cobra.
FERRARI	Daytona – Out of 1400 built, only 125 were convertibles. Later models can also be denoted by the headlights placed behind a transparent cowling as opposed to pop-ups. 250 GTO – only 39 were built. 308 GT4 – the only production Ferrari styled by Bertone 355 – the door handles are hidden away in the air intakes on the doors. 365 – a 365 California was made between 1966 and 1967 with only 13 examples. Enzo Ferrari used to drive for Alfa Romeo. Formula 1 – the team is unique in that it produces both chassis and engines for its cars. Dino – the name given to many cars was the son of Enzo. F50 – only 349 models will be built. V12 engines – early examples were fitted with British made bearings from Acton. Models – a maximum of 14 cars are made every day.
FIAT	Strada – handbuilt by robots !
FORD	GT40 – There were only 107 models made of which only 7 were road cars. Capri – Only 1,038 of the last model – the 280 Brooklands were made and only available in one colour – Brooklands green.
KIT CARS	Launched in 1947 by Derek Buckler who made his own car on a space frame chassis. Approximately 5000 cars are made in Britain every year of which 20 percent are exported.
MINI	Cooper – the original Mini Cooper can be recognised by its extra small corner bumpers. Cooper Mk II 1275S – launched in 1967, it had twin fuel filler necks.

JAGUAR	XK-SS – Only 16 of these racecars were built. MK X – the last models are recognisable by the chrome side strips from the 420 G.
JENSEN	Jensen Interceptor – the FF (4 wheel drive model) can be recognised by the extra twin side vents. Healey – only 1914 1972-76 Healeys were sold in the UK ( 1 in 4 ).
LAND ROVER	Jaguar Land Rover currently builds Land Rovers in Brazil, China, India, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom. The first Land Rover had its steering wheel in the centre – cost effective for the left and right hand drive markets.
LOTUS	Europa – the 1960’s Europa was originally intended as a hi-tec replacement for the Lotus 7. Elan – the series 4 bonnet bulge was originally installed to accommodate the US – spec Stromberg carburettors.
MERCEDES	Gullwing Sports – the 300 engine fitted was laid on its side to reduce bonnet height and improve the centre of gravity for the car. Wooden wheels – were a factory option until 1939. The first long distance car trip which was made by Carl Benz’s wife Bertha from Mannheim to Pforzheim in 1888.
NISSAN	The Honda NSX was the first all aluminium bodied production car.
OPEL	GT – the similarity to the Corvette is due it being designed by a former Chevrolet man – only 148 were imported to Britain. ( 80,000 sold to the USA ).
PONTIAC	The 1977 Firebird Transam was made famous by “The Smokey and the Bandit” film. Pre 1993 Firebirds and Transams that were capable of double the speed limit were fitted with Speedometers with a maximum of 85 mph.
PORSCHE	911 – the 911 was originally badged as a 901 until a disagreement with Peugeot who were using the ‘ 0 ‘ in their model numbering.
RENAULT	Renault 16 – was the world’s first production family hatchback. Over 1.8 million models were produced.
ROLLS-ROYCE	Claude Johnson was the third co-founder of the company and kept the business running after the death of Charles Rolls. The first Briton to be killed in an aeronautical accident was Charles Rolls at the age of 32.

ROVER	P4 – the P4 Model 100 ( 1962-64 ), had an adjustable gear lever that could be moved from side to side to suit the drivers’ seating position. P5 – the P5 was the official transport for Jim Callaghan, Ted Heath, Harold Wilson and Margaret Thatcher. 3500 V8 engine – was aluminium-alloy made and originated from a Buick V8.
TOYOTA	2000GT – only 337 models were sold world-wide. It appeared in the James Bond film ‘ You Only Live Twice ‘.
TRABANT	Trabant is German for ‘satellite ‘.
VOLVO	P1900 convertible launched with a production run of only 67. 1972 – the flashing seat-belt reminder lamp was introduced.