Go Retro Vehicles - Mainten your retro car Easily
Friday, December 1, 2023
  • Login
  • Home
  • Auto Accessories
  • Automotive
  • Car Buying
  • Car Reviews
  • Driving
  • Motorcycle
  • Used Car
  • Vehicles
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Auto Accessories
  • Automotive
  • Car Buying
  • Car Reviews
  • Driving
  • Motorcycle
  • Used Car
  • Vehicles
No Result
View All Result
Go Retro Vehicles - Mainten your retro car Easily
No Result
View All Result
Home Automotive

The fun and challenges delivered by a 1970s British-built Car

Perry Orren by Perry Orren
October 27, 2021
in Automotive
0
The fun and challenges delivered by a 1970s British-built Car
0
SHARES
78
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

We British love our cars. There are over thirty million cars in the UK and more than one million of those are classics. With their charm, their quirks and the feelings of nostalgia they evoke, it is no wonder that many of us raise a smile when we pass a classic motor on the road. The driver always looks so content as they travel along the highway at a stately pace with a stream of impatient yet slightly envious motorists following behind. But they care not for those yearning to overtake as they are immersed in another world.

This is a world where Great Britain still had a thriving car industry, where 50 mph was considered to be zippy and where people looked forward to “getting the car out” and having a pootle on a Sunday.

The most memorable British made cars of the 1970s

When we think of the “British car”, most of us don’t associate with luxury examples such as Daimler or Jaguar. We think of familiar, homely names such as Austin, Hillman, Humber, Rover, Morris and Triumph. They conjure up memories of sturdy vehicles with now obsolete features such as stick out indicators, 8 Track stereos, manual hand brakes, travel rugs, full size spare tyres and the ubiquitous AA road map in the glove box. Static ridden fabrics adorned the seats, and we operated air-con by opening the windows. Ultimately, the cars we travelled in as children are more likely to evoke warm memories, and the Rover SD1, the Mini Clubman and the Triumph Herald all fit into that category.

A treat for the senses

It is said that nothing transports us quite as effectively as fragrance, and it is the smell of a car built in the 1970s which recalls the past. It is a heady mixture of rubber, damp, oil and plastic, which reminds us that part of the fun of driving was our car’s effect upon our senses. Cars then were cold, and they were noisy. They were also highly textural with carpet, leather, plastic and nylon. 1970s body colours were no less thrilling.

British Leyland famously went overboard on their choice of colour schemes offering shades with unlikely names such as ‘sunset orange’, ‘pimento’ and ‘lime flower’. The Mini Clubman is always associated with various garish shades of orange whist Triumph favoured fifty shades of brown. Meanwhile, Rover opted for metallic blues to compliment the orange headlights, but the terrible colours were all part of the fun. These cars had personality, and what could be more enjoyable than driving about in a bright orange car?

When driving was driving

21st Century cars do so much thinking for us. They warn us about tyre pressure, help us park, and tell us if we’re too tired to drive, but back in the 1970s, we had to think for ourselves. We had to manually change gear and reverse parallel park in the days before power steering was fitted as standard. We had to know how to change a tyre, use ladies tights as an emergency fan belt and listen out for odd sounds in case they were the herald of a garage bill.

Driving long distances could be physically exhausting, uncomfortable and slow, but that was all part of the fun too. We were in a relationship with our car, and we had to know her little ways. She may have been a difficult mistress with her frosty windows, her inability to start the first time, and her rust patches, but we loved her and kept coming back for more.

Driving a 1970s car now

There is a thriving market for vintage cars in the UK, and the challenge of owning one now is even more significant than owning one then. If you can get your hands on the model you want, you can expect a severe dent in your bank balance as many are now selling for huge sums. Fuel is now also an issue for some models after the UK Government addressed emissions and introduced E10 petrol that can harm older engines.

Safety is a consideration as modern cars are indeed built to withstand a crash in a way classic cars can never hope to mimic. Vintage rides present further problems in the shape of specialist garage bills and finding parts that may be obsolete. However, they say love is blind, and if you love a car, these practical considerations will pale into insignificance when it comes to driving your little piece of the seventies.

If you would like to drive a 1970’s car the check out Drive Dads Car they have a range of cars for you to choose from. Maybe it’s the Austin 7 that appeals, or maybe the classic Mini. The choice is yours, visit and book your drive today.

ShareTweetPin
Perry Orren

Perry Orren

Related Posts

The Ultimate Guide to Safe Car Buying in the UK

The Ultimate Guide to Safe Car Buying in the UK

by Perry Orren
August 2, 2023
0

Hey there, fellow petrolheads! So, you're ready to hit the road in style with a new set of wheels? Buckle...

Rent a Motorcycle and Explore Spain – An Unforgettable Experience!

Rent a Motorcycle and Explore Spain – An Unforgettable Experience!

by Perry Orren
May 13, 2023
0

Spain is a country known for its fascinating history, beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine, and vibrant culture. However, renting a motorcycle...

Automotive Lawyer to Fix Your Concerns

Automotive Lawyer to Fix Your Concerns

by Perry Orren
April 15, 2023
0

Automotive industry significantly affects the world economy. There are numerous creation and administration businesses which support this industry. There has...

What Should You Expect with Vehicle Servicing? The Top FAQs Now Answered

What Should You Expect with Vehicle Servicing? The Top FAQs Now Answered

by Perry Orren
September 23, 2022
0

If you have a car, you should be fully aware that you need to have it serviced to function well...

UK Residents Looking to Sue Mercedes Over Potential Emissions Lies

UK Residents Looking to Sue Mercedes Over Potential Emissions Lies

by Perry Orren
July 29, 2022
0

A law firm in the UK has filed legal action against Mercedes-Benz for the carmaker’s alleged use of illegal defeat...

Next Post
How to Buy the Perfect Car

How to Buy the Perfect Car

Benefits of a Regular Car Maintenance Service

MOST VIEWED

  • About Teen Driving Education

    About Teen Driving Education

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Will I Need Car Repair Insurance for Used Cars

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Why Buying a Dash Cam Is A Smart Investment Move

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • How you can Know You are Getting Quality Automotive Services

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

RECOMMENDED

Things to Do to Prepare for Your Trip to London, England

Things to Do to Prepare for Your Trip to London, England

September 25, 2023
The Ultimate Guide to Safe Car Buying in the UK

The Ultimate Guide to Safe Car Buying in the UK

August 2, 2023
  • 52.3M Fans
  • 131 Followers
  • 148k Subscribers
  • 647 Followers
  • 23.9k Followers

Recent Posts

  • Things to Do to Prepare for Your Trip to London, England September 25, 2023
  • The Ultimate Guide to Safe Car Buying in the UK August 2, 2023
  • Why Automotive Logos Vary From one Country to another June 15, 2023
  • Rent a Motorcycle and Explore Spain – An Unforgettable Experience! May 13, 2023
  • Automotive Lawyer to Fix Your Concerns April 15, 2023
  • How to Create an Effective Digital Marketing Plan for Your Small Business March 31, 2023

Archives

  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • December 2022
  • September 2022
  • July 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • June 2020
  • April 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • Get Support

© 2022 - Go Retro Vehicles- All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Homepages
    • Homepage Layout 1
    • Homepage Layout 2

© 2022 - Go Retro Vehicles- All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In