Whatever happened to…the Renault Fuego
As is becoming the trend for PetrolBlog, my earliest memories of this week’s forgotten hero stem from my childhood. Back in 1980, I believed that the world ended on the south coast of England and that English was the only language spoken. As such, I wrongly referred to the Renault Fuego as the Renault ‘Few-Go’. For years I lived in blissful ignorance of my mispronunciation whilst the motoring world pointed at me and mocked me for my foolishness. How was I to know that there was a land called Spain and in this land, the word Fuego translated to fire? But in a sad twist of irony for the Fuego, while I’m now old enough to pronounce the name, there are only a ‘few’ left in the UK today. So less ‘Few-Go’ and more ‘Few-Gone’ then? Read more 
Red i Syndrome – the legacy of Scrappage
So the UK Scrappage scheme is over, bringing the boom in car sales to a crashing end. The country is now littered with unwanted motors, patiently awaiting their fate en route to the great scrapyard in the sky.
We’re all too familiar with the images of old airfields overwhelmed with Scrappage cars, whilst a nosey around the back of many franchised dealers will reveal the sight of 80s and 90s cars that were deemed surplus to requirement by their old owners. I myself have read with sadness the tales of Jaguar XK8s and XJSs, Ford Pumas, MGBs, Porsche 944s, Mazda MX-5s, BMw 528s, Saab 900 Turbos, Alfa GTVs etc that were suddenly less appealing to their owner than a soulless modern hatchback or supermini. One of the most famous cases was that of the 1950s Triumph Mayflower which was sent spiralling into oblivion. Part of British motoring heritage, quite literally crushed. Read more
Whatever happened to…the Isuzu Piazza
Over the course of time, the name of Lotus has become synonymous with many things that appeal to Joe Petrolhead. An evocative range of cars, with just a mention of the names Elan, Espirt, Elise, Evora and Exige bringing to mind images of lightness, delicacy, thrills and fun. Then there’s the rich motorsport heritage to add to the mix, culminating what is arguably the greatest sports car brand in the world. OK, so our friends in Maralleno and Stuttgart might wish to engage in a battle of fisticuffs over this claim, but when the carbon fibre dust has settled, Colin Chapman’s legacy would still carry a lot of weight in the argument. Which, based on Chapman’s vision, may not necessarily be a good thing… Read more
Whatever happened to…the Renault 12
I’d clean forgotten about the Renault 12 until approximately 8.57pm on Saturday 10th April 2010. A Twitter-based discussion over the Triumph Dolomite veered off in the direction of old Renaults. Then, a small debate over the existence of the Renault 13 led me into the virtual path of the Renault 12, a car that has long since left the filing cabinet in my head. But now it is back. Read more
Whatever happened to…the Fiat Strada
Remember the Fiat Strada?
If not, let me jog your memory…it was the car that bridged the gap between the 128 and the Tipo…built between 1978 and 1988…called the Ritmo everywhere other than the UK, US and Canada? Read more
Yesterday’s specials…Lancia Beta Hi-Fi
Now let me make one thing clear from the outset. I love Lancias. My all time favourite car is the Delta Integrale (although I’m yet to sit in one, let alone drive one). The Stratos is generally just another way of saying “uber cool” in my language. The classic Fulvia is about as pretty as a car can get. And of all the cars my Dad owned, his Lancia 2000 Sedan is easily the pick of the bunch, oozing flair, style and individuality. So yes, I love Lancias. Read more
