Been watching Red Riding on Channel 4.
What is the car Sean Bean's character drives in the first episode, set in 1974? It's a big white convertible. I think it's a Peugeot 504 Convertible, but it sounds very throaty and V8 ish.
Here's a clip. Lots of rude words, so (hopefully) the link is a cut and paste one.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXyQqFREnQo&feature=related
Thanks
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My first guess was a Gilbern Invader convertible but have been unable so far to find any rear end pictures to confirm or otherwise.
p
Edited by pmh2 on 13/03/2009 at 08:44
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It's a '74 / '75 Jensen Interceptor convertible, Chrysler 440 cui / 7,212 cc, 285bhp and 390 ft-lb torque (net).
Not quite as quick as the earlier 6.3 litre cars (the 440 motor is heavier and the convertible shell also heavier than stock) but still good for 130mph and 0-60 in under 8 seconds.
That's pretty quick for a 3-speed auto :)
Edited to add link (beware of drooling on keyboard)
www.classiccarshop.co.uk/Cars/jensen_convertible.h...m
Edited by craig-pd130 on 13/03/2009 at 09:07
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Reminds me of when a friend and I had just passed our driving tests - 30 years ago. Friend had saved for years (milk rounds etc) and was looking to buy his first car. We went to the local car dealer and there was a beautiful Interceptor (not convertible - the one with the big curved rear window, exhausts like drainpipes) in the same yellow as in Craig's pics.
It was in budget (just) but the dealer did a good job of dissuading us from buying it - 8mpg, high maintenance etc. Not sure why he did this - maybe he was being genuinely helpful - it would have cost a fortune to keep on the road. Lovely car and sound though.
My friend bought an Anglia instead :(
PS - was there only one manufacturer of speedos in the 60s and 70s? My Herald 1360 and Spitfire had the same type as in Craig's pictures - it just didn't go up to 160!
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I have a period Autocar test of a 440 convertible -- they got a test average of 12mpg :¬)
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Ah a Jensen. Hence the burble, makes perfect sense. Thanks
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Some more data on the Interceptor convertible, all from the Autocar road test of October 1974.
Price inc taxes: £9,800. For comparison, an Aston V8 auto was £11,500, an RR Corniche convertible £16,300, a Merc 350 SL £7,000 and a BMW 3.0 CSi £7,700.
Top speed 128mph
0-60: 7.6s
0-100: 20.0s
50-70 (kickdown): 4.3s
80-100 (top): 7.3s
Test average consumption, 12.5mpg
This is with the detuned (low compression) 440cui / 7,212cc motor with SAE net outputs of 285bhp and 385 ft-lb.
Incidentally, this is still more NET power and torque than the old 383 cui / 6.3 litre V8. That had a claimed 330bhp and 425 ft-lb, but those were Chrysler's GROSS figures (i.e. engine running without silencers, alternator, water pump and other ancilliaries). In SAE net terms the old V8 was around 260bhp / 350 ft-lb.
The 440 Jensens were a bit slower largely because they were around 180 kg heavier (1,800kg kerb weight) -- the equivalent of carring two extra adult passengers.
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