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Post by Richard DAF Webmeister on Mar 22, 2007 22:49:44 GMT
Pease don't think that I've lost the plot here, but I had a real smile at the pictures and website of the forthcoming new Fiat 500! I think it will be a real winner. Just think, if history had been different, and DAF was still around, as the 500 was from a similar era of our early DAFs, wouldn't it have been fab if a new 21st Century Daffodil could come along! Take a look at the Fiat promo video - it shows some fab footage in black and white of original 500s. www.fiat500.comAs I say, don't worry, I'm not losing it - I hope!   |
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Post by howard on Mar 23, 2007 0:11:12 GMT
It's interesting, with the current trend of "retro" cars, to note that most of them seem to miss the point somewhat. You have a Mini which is no longer Mini, a Beetle that doesn't sound like a Beetle (and has no leg or headroom in the back - or an engine for that matter!), and now a Fiat 500 that can (hopefully) climb hills. Technically of course, they are way ahead of their earlier relatives, but I think simplicity was part of their charm when people could work on their cars themselves. Our 500 was on the face of it frustrating and hideous - as kids we loved watching it trying to get up hills. The good old days when there were fewer cars around so you could run back down and have another go. Surely that was part of the "fun" and the character of these cars, however unintentional. What were they, 18hp I think?? Lovely.
I'd never doubt that any of them are bad cars. But, for example, the Randall and Hopkirk with Vic and Bob was technically far superior to the original, but lacked all the charm - and I know which I'd rather have.
There is a 21st Century DAF - but only if you close your eyes very tightly. I was in Sainsbury's the other day, and I heard a very familiar sound - both my father and me looked at each other and said "Daf!!" - of course, it wasn't - it was one of those air-cooled Aixams with the CVT. Had us right fooled, it did!
If Fiat wanted to impress me, they should remake the Fiat Dino out of proper steel - surely one of the most gorgeous looking cars ever!
Anyway, good luck to Fiat - it might even make me forget about that horrible Multipla they did - still scares the shirt off me when I see one!
And thanks Richard for giving us the opportunity to see what it's all about - very interesting indeed!
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Post by Richard DAF Webmeister on Mar 23, 2007 14:06:14 GMT
I'd never doubt that any of them are bad cars. But, for example, the Randall and Hopkirk with Vic and Bob was technically far superior to the original, but lacked all the charm - and I know which I'd rather have. Talking of Randall and Hopkirk - makes me think fondly of FD Victor, VX4/90 or Ventora! Very stylish cars, and quite technically advanced at the time. 40 years since they came out. Eeek! Brings back happy childhood memories when my dad had firstly a 2000 - just like the R+H car with red interior but in storm grey paint, not white, then a honey starmist 2000SL - whose alternator gave up within 2 weeks. Funny how you remember these things. |
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Post by howard on Mar 24, 2007 0:56:30 GMT
I love FD Victors - when I learned to drive, it's all I wanted. I have had lots of FB's (still have 2), and I'm selling an FE I rescued on eBay. I NEVER ever got and FD though - I had to make do with a white with red interior HB Viva (which interesting also supported an -XD suffix on the number plate). Close, but no cigar!
I think it's midlife crisis time - I've been look at NSU Prinz's on eBay......there's no hope for me, is there?!
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