Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

What cars spring to mind that were commonplace even in recent times, but suddenly seem to have all-but vanished from the roads?

Because of their rapid disappearance, will any survive to be preserved in decades to come? Or will no-one really care in the future for bog-standard, non-performance, cars of the 2000s and later?

The recent thread about Sierras offers up one suggestion (RS excepted), I'd also suggest the deeply uninspiring Chrysler Neon as a car that I used to see quite regularly, but never do now.

RJ
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[kevin2306]

Strange you should post this.
On the way to work today I saw a Citroen Xsara estate. not sure when I last saw one considering how popular they were.

Kev

[ukdave2002]

Dont know about a Sierra being modern, as of last week we have MP's who weren't even a twinkle in their fathers eyes when production of the Sierra ended

The oldest Sierras must be 33 years old now, if one goes back a further 33 years to the late 40's there is a quantum leap in terms of styling, build techniques etc...a Sierra wouldnt look too out of place in a modern line up or drive much differently to a much newer vehicle, probably why there is less interest in cars that are 33 years old today, than there was of cars 33 years old in 1982...if then makes sense?

In the same camp are all of the mainstream cars from the late 80's onwards, when did you last see a Cavalier or a Mk1/ 2 Astra or a Mk3 Escort?

I did look at a Mk1 Astra GTE not so long ago, and have always hankered after a Sunbeam Lotus....as you say its only the performance models that attract much attention.

We will probably all be kicking ourselves in 20 years time when Sierra's fetch silly money!

Dave

[Penman]

Hi
When did you last see a Nova saloon?

The hatchback had 5 seats but could only carry 2 persons luggage when the back seat was in use, while the saloon could easily carry holiday luggage for all occupants.

Others not seen recently the rear wheel drive versions of Toyota Starlet and Nissan Micra
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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[Ellis]

Chrysler Neon. Oddly enough I saw one on MayDay bank holiday Monday, a white example but that was the first one I have seen for years.
There are still quite a few Mark 2 Nissan Micras in daily use around here including the 2000 X registered one that belonged to my mother.

What seem to have disappeared are Chrysler PT Cruisers, the Japanese grey import muscle cars such as the Mitsubishi GTO, Mitsubishi FTO and Nissan 300zx. Pajeros are thin on the ground now as well.

When did anybody see the last model Ford Escort even the 6th generation ones last built in 2004?

There's one silver Mark 3 Escort still in use locally. A Y registered 4 door 1.6 Ghia now passed from mother to daughter. It's in pristine condition too.
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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

[Rootes75]

I used to have a Mk1 Astra, i liked it a lot as it was a car you still had to 'drive'. I always wanted a Mk1 GTE.

Does anyone remember the Belmont?
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[ukdave2002]

[mikeC]

Come to the impoverished East Midlands! I have seen all the models mentioned so far in daily use locally, except possibly the Mitsubishi FTO and the early Toyota Starlet - I'm not sure I would notice one of those if it parked on my foot

There are any number of cars from the eighties and early nineties round here; the cars that do seem to have disappeared are the late nineties cars - R, S, T & V-reg cars - which I suspect may be falling like flies because of more and more complex electronics...

[Rick]

[ka]

We had the unfortunate pleasure of owning an Orion.
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KA

Better three than four.

[Rick]

[clan chieftain]

There is an immaculate 1985 Orion just down the road from me and it is in daily use and a Lada Riva.
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The Clan Chieftain

[Dipster]

This thread must be aimed principally at the UK members. Because once you get to sunnier and drier climes things change a lot. I spend time in Portugal and used to spend quite a bit of time in Malta. In both countries you will see cars of quite an age in great condition. In Portugal in daily use too.

Malta also has quite a few medium to heavy trucks that fit in to the venerable bracket but not always in such great condition, at least to look at. Not so in Portugal.

Portugal has so many older cars due to the quite high taxes applied to new cars. Thus they are often out of reach of many. Perhaps that is also the case in Malta, I do not know. The supply and demand thing comes true and older cars still have value and are valued.

There must be many other countries where older cars survive in daily use.

[ukdave2002]

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

I may have mentioned it before but in the early '80's my friend had an Opel Manta "A" that I coveted. It was a stylish motor that I thought would have a following, but I do not recall when last I saw one.