I agree - and of course that diesel engine was World-beating back in the 1980s.

I guess the greatest advances regarding 'old v 'new' is safety.

I guess the greatest advances regarding 'old v 'new' is safety......

.....with the impressive reduction in noise, vibration and harshness even in small cheap cars running a close second. My first car was a rusty old 1958 three speed Ford Anglia 100E which at any speed above (and it wouldn't go much above) 60mph was, er, uncomfortable. But - mechanical misfortunes were much easier to repair. When some teeth stripped off the non-synchromesh first gear, it was not too difficult to uncouple the prop shaft, drop out the gear box, take it to bits, and replace the damaged cogwheel. I feel sorry for those who are 'just about managing' being landed with sometimes a four figure bill when something like that happens.

I had a 1957 version of the same car, but with the help of a mate whose Dad had a small workshop we fitted a Minor 1000 gearbox, we fitted a new manifold with twin SUs etc (bits for tuning these were readily available in the 1960s) and that would do 80 mph on the level.