5 Nov 2015 – Driven To Write

Gorfe’s Granadas: 1979 Granada Ghia Sapphire

This is a milestone in Granada history. For the second series of the square-rigged Granny, Ford imported the cars from Germany, writes the chief-assistant-editor (classics), Myles Gorfe.

Impeccable style, incredible grace - that´s the 1979 Ford Granada Ghia Sapphire 2.8 V6: historics.co.uk — Impeccable style, incredible grace – that’s the 1979 Ford Granada Ghia Sapphire 2.8 V6: historics.co.uk

This is a 1979 Granada Ghia Sapphire with a 2.8 litre Cologne V6 and the smartest leather interior money could buy at this price range. Even today it looks smart and modern with its box-pleats and trad wood. Yet it was the top-of-the-line executive cruiser, able to Continue reading “Gorfe’s Granadas: 1979 Granada Ghia Sapphire”

Right. Yes. Indeed. Those Product Plans…Well…

Sometime back we expressed a degree of scepticism about Alfa Romeo’s product plans. What did the good people at Automotive News report on November 4th?

1992-1998 Alfa Romeo 155. Mediocre as this might have been, they were relatively happy times: motorstown.com

You can read the rest of the report at Automotive News which saves me a fair amount of cut and paste-work. However, I will find strength to paste this for your comfort and convenience: “FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne said on Oct. 28 that the company is re-examining Alfa’s global expansion because of the slowdown in the Chinese market. Continue reading “Right. Yes. Indeed. Those Product Plans…Well…”

History Repeats – Again

Hyundai are going to take this opportunity to turn the Genesis nameplate into a stand-alone brand.

With thanks to Eoin for the use of the song title. 2015 Hyundai Genesis: iihs.org

This is worrying. The last time someone tried this, the bottom fell out of the market for prestige cars. I am thinking here of the time Mazda tried to catch up with Honda and Toyota and launch the Xedos brand in the wake of Acura and Lexus. Hyundai bravely envisage a range of six models, with design supervised by Luc Donckerwolke. The cars will have their own sheetmetal and distinctive appearance to separate them from the Hyundai range. Continue reading “History Repeats – Again”