British and European Car Spotters Guide - 1962

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1962 Amphicar
Germany

Amphicar

  Also see: Amphicar Car Reviews
 
The concept of being able to drive a car straight down a slipway and into a river has intrigued generations of engineers, but the Amphicar was one of the few to actually work (sort of).
ASA 1000 GT
Italy

ASA 1000 GT

   
 
Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the 1961 Turin Motorshow was the 2 door prototype showcased at the Bertone stand, a car that was designed by Giugiaro with (aledgedly) the blessing of Enzo Ferrari (the engine and chassis were designed at Maranello). Despite thier approval, Ferrari made it known the design would never enter production. But the car was simply too beautiful to ignore, and backers launched ASA or Autocostruzione Societa per Azione . Chief amoung these was the Oronzo de Nora petroleum company, and the ASA 1000 GT would enter volume production in 1964, built at the rate of around one per week. Ultimately the roll of the dice would show snakes eyes, production ending only a few short years later, and ASA disappearing from the automotive landscape forever. Production versions did not have the fairings for the headlights as shown on the prototype, and the only production variant to appear was a Spider version with a fiberglass body, again designed by Bertone, and displayed in 1963.
1962 Austin A40 Farina
UK

Austin A40 Farina

  Also see: Austin Healey Car Reviews
 
Presented at the London Motor Show in October 1958, the A40 Farina replaced the Austin A35, and was then a relatively modern car, with an unusual almost notchback-like shape. The Countryman, which appeared exactly a year later in October 1959, shared the same side profile as the saloon, but was a small estate version with a horizontally split rear opening, i.e., with top-hinged upper door and bottom-hinged lower door. This might today be considered more like a small hatchback. October 1959 also saw the standardisation on both cars of self-cancelling indicators, and in early summer 1960, a flat lid was added over the spare wheel in the rear luggage compartment. At launch the car shared the 948cc A-Series straight-4 used in other Austins including its A35 predecessor. The suspension was independent at the front using coil springs with a live axle and semi elliptic leaf springs at the rear. The drum brakes were a hybrid (hydromech) arrangement, hydraulically operated at the front but cable actuated at the rear.The front drums at 8 in (200 mm) were slightly larger than the 7 in (180 mm) rears. Cam and peg steering was fitted. Individual seats were fitted in the front, with a bench at the rear that could fold down to increase luggage capacity. The trim material was a vinyl treated fabric. Options included a heater, radio, windscreen washers and white wall tyres. The gearchange lever was floor mounted and the handbrake between the seats. The door windows were not opened by conventional winders but used finger grips to pull them up and down, with a window lock position on the door handle. A de-luxe version tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1958 had a top speed of 66.8 mph (107.5 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-50 mph (80 km/h) in 19.5 seconds. A fuel consumption of 38 miles per imperial gallon (7.4 L/100 km; 32 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £689 including taxes of £230.
1962 Lotus Elan 1500
UK

Lotus Elan 1500

  Also see: Lotus Car Reviews | The History of Lotus | Colin Chapman (AUS Edition)
   
1962 Morris 1100
UK

Morris 1100

  Also see: Morris Car Reviews and The History of Morris (AUS Edition)
 
Another Alec Issigonis success story, the Morris 1100 was the saloon version of the already hugely popular mini. For its time, it was also extremely sophisticated, bristling with technical features for car of its size. Front disc brakes were standard, as was the interconnected fluid suspension ("Hydrolastic"), and with a transverse mounted front wheel drive and subframe construction the 1100 was not only spacious and comfortable, but was a great drivers car for the money.
1962 Morris 1100 with Lord Nuffield
UK

Morris 1100 with Lord Nuffield

  Also see: Morris Car Reviews and The History of Morris (AUS Edition)
 
This photo was taken in 1962, and shows Lord Nuffield, then 85, standing next to a Morris 1100.
Renault 4
France

Renault 4

  Also see: Renault Car Reviews | The History of Renault
 
A rugged little hero, the versatile and hilariously simple Renault 4 was a classic car-for-the-masses. And people did like them - over eight million were sold over 33 years.
1962 Rover P5 3 Liter
UK

Rover P5 3 Liter

  Also see: Rover Car Reviews | The History of Rover (AUS Edition)
 
1962 Rover P5 3 Liter, which was fitted with a 2995cc six-cylinder engine developing 115 bhp @ 4250 rpm.
1962 Saab 96
Sweden

Saab 96

  Also see: Saab Car Reviews | The History of SAAB
 
The 96 was first introduced in 1960. The main difference between it and its predecessor was the larger rear window. The engine had grown to 841cc and now produced 38 hp.
1962 Standard Vanguard
UK

Standard Vanguard

  Also see: Standard Car Reviews | The History of Standard
 
1962 Triumph Herald
UK

Triumph Herald

  Also see: Triumph Car Reviews | The History of Triumph
   
1962 Triumph Herald Convertible
UK

Triumph Herald Convertible

  Also see: Triumph Car Reviews | The History of Triumph
   
1962 Triumph Spitfire 4
UK

Triumph Spitfire 4

  Also see: Triumph Car Reviews | The History of Triumph
   
Vauxhall Victor FB
UK

Vauxhall Victor FB

  Also see: Vauxhall Car Reviews
 
The 2nd generation Victor FB ran from 1961 until 1964. It was widely exported, though sales in the US ended after 1961 when Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Buick came up with home-grown compact models of their own. Consequently, the FB only achieved sales of 328,000 vehicles by the time it was replaced in 1964. Mechanically, the main change was the option of a 4 speed all synchromesh transmission with floor change but the previously used 3 speed column change unit was still fitted as standard. The engine was also revised with higher compression ratio and revised manifolding increasing the power output to 49.5 bhp. In early 1964 the engine was enlarged to 1594 cc. At the same time front disc brakes with larger 14 in (360 mm)wheels became an option.
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