I see in today's Telegraph business section that the Chinese owner of the former assets of MG Rover has struck a provisional deal to sell the Austin Healey brand to a team of ex-managers of the failed car maker.
The deal between Nanjing Automobile and GB Sports Car is understood to be part of a tentative agreement to restart production in Birmingham. A final agreement is likely within six weeks.
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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
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I hope not. These old names should remain in the past. We need to look forward not back.
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And here begins round 2. Anyone stupid enough to get involved deserves everything they get.
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I can see the marketing team working on the options list already - uprated cart springs and crackle-black paint on the dashboard...
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And optional oil leaks, whining back axles and grease nipples. Oh gawd give me strength.
BMW tried harking back to the 'good old days' of British motoring with Rover. They soon realised it was going nowehere and jumped ship. Will we never learn.
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There is nothing wrong with the name being resurrected, it just depends on how good the product is. Why are we so dismissive of our heritage?
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Quote from the OED
Heritage - property that is or may be inherited; an inheritance.
This is not heritage, it's nostalgia and as a marketing tool it lost it's effectiveness years ago.
The Bugatti Veyron has resurrected the Bugatti name, but how much 'heritage' is there between a offspring from the VAG parts bin and an original Bugatti? I would venture that there is none.
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Just as much heritage as there is between a modern day Alfa (now under Fiat control) and a Alfa of 50 years ago, I would think. That is no reason to think that there is not still something evocative in the Alfa name. I think there is.
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The austin healey is a good name
#
Far too good for any of the clowns involved in Rover to be allowed anywhere near it.
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RF - currently 1 Renault short of a family
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BMW tried harking back to the 'good old days' of British motoring with Rover. They soon realised it was going nowehere and jumped ship. Will we never learn.
It was rumoured that the Z4 was to be a Austin Healey. Only rumour, but i wonder what the reaction to that would have been.
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I'm more worried about the proposed car that would bear the Austin-Healey name. Going by various sketches and computer images published in the motoring press it would look like a grotesque reto-pastiche of the A-H 3000.
Cheers, SS
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Followed a blue C plate (1965?) 100/6 on the A303 yesterday, going like the proverbial clappers it was.
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Remember when they brought Lea-Francis back?
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Xileno, I'm not personally a fan of Rover or its products but the 75 was a very good attempt at this and would have sold in much greater numbers if BMW hadn't have blighted its launch and subsequently sold the company.
However I have little faith in a small British outfit making a go of producing a decent car bearing the AH name, if it were produced by BMW that might be different.
Doesn't BMW still own Triumph? - now there's a brand worth resurrecting - small quality cars to compete with VW.
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Is TVR still under British control? They produce a decent car, don't they?
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Is TVR still under British control? They produce a decent car, don't they?
Nope TVR are now the plaything of some russian billionaire
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The new Marcos looks nice though.
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I would agree that the 75 was/is a fine car, especially the ZT model. Infact I had a ride in a diesel one only last week, apart from being a bit cramped in the back it was quite a nice car. Unfortunately the rest of the range was weak and the City Rover just awful.
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