'Hard times breed sumptuous cars': The costly stars of the last-ever London Motor Show
More than 50 new cars made their Earls Court debut at the 1976 London Motor Show — its last appearance in the capital before it moved to Birmingham in 1978. In this article from the November 25, 1976, issue of Country Life, writer John Taylor revealed some of his favourite launches.
It is one of the quirks of motoring that hard times breed sumptuous cars. In the depression years of nearly half a century ago some of the world's finest cars were built.
It is equally true that many of the companies that built them were to merge or sink without trace, but that is another story. Yet here is history repeating itself for, as the pound sinks lower on the international exchange, what takes the headlines and steals the thunder at the last London Motor Show?
The new Lagonda costing £24,750.
While would-be buyers almost climbed over each other to buy the Newport Pagnell masterpiece, there were other exclusive cars getting their share of this surprisingly available cash.
Bristol's new 603 coupé and its sister 412 convertible-saloon, introduced earlier this year, were bringing in enough orders to keep the company happy. An output of about three cars a week is small, but that is how Bristol like it, thus maintaining the quality and exclusivity of the marque.
The order book is very healthy, and the convertible-saloon is an export-only product for some time to come with an American dealer having taken an option on a 100.
The Aston Martin Lagonda in production at the company's factory in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, in November 1976.
Across the hall, Panther cars gathered the crowds with the convertible version of their Bugatti-like De Ville, which starts at £30,000 plus options to choice. This splendid combination of a modern Jaguar engine on a massive steel chassis with aluminium coachwork has already been exported, along with its solid- roofed companion.
Panther do not, however, rely on this top model alone. The J72 roadster is still very much in demand, while it has seater with glass-fibre body Magnum mechanical units. Selling at £4,500 it should find a ready market.
In addition, G* the company does a great deal of prototype engineering for the rest of the motor industry and makes coachwork components for long-established coachbuilders such as Park Ward and Vanden Plas.
To return to the first of the exclusive trio, the Lagonda looks like firmly re-establishing the fortunes of the Aston Martin Lagonda company, which ran into grave financial trouble just two years earlier. The new owners have rebuilt the team of crafts-men, many of whom had left, and are now producing the V8 Aston Martin to a higher standard of workmanship than ever. The advent of the Lagonda, for which salesmen were quoting August, 1978, delivery dates was on the stand, should ensure that the Newport Pagnell works is kept busy for years to come.
The Bristol Type 603 is a car that was launched in 1976 by British manufacturer Bristol Cars to replace the 411.
The car itself is a remarkable piece of styling by William Towns, who was responsible for the Aston Martin and also the ingenious Microdot prototype city car shown by BP. The shape of the Lagonda is striking; it is long (17ft 4in) and low (4ft 3.25in) yet provides exceptional comfort for four adults. The power unit is the aluminium V8 engine, built by Aston Martin, which has been used by mission the company since 1969.
Transmission is the Chrysler Torqueflite 3-speed automatic, which has also been used extensively in the past, though a 5-speed manual gearbox may be specified. The other mechanical components are based on previous experience and have been tried on existing cars before being adopted for the Lagonda. The front suspension uses unequal-length wishbones, coil springs and an anti-roll bar, while the rear axle is a De Dion pattern with coil springs and self-levelling suspension; the drive is through a limited-slip differential.
Those familiar with the Aston Martin will know the very strong steel frame which is built on to the platform chassis, and the same formula has been adopted for the Lagonda. Ventilated-disc braking on all four wheels with independent hydraulic circuits and variable-ratio power-assisted rack and pinion steering are further features already used on the Aston.
But it is the bodywork that catches the attention.
The tiny radiator grille is surmounted by a hall-marked silver motif which sets the tone for what follows. There is Sundym tinted glass all round, and the roof has a glazed panel. Inside the car is remarkably uncluttered, with tan leather seating, electric windows and air conditioning: even the radio is hidden from view when out of use. The driving position includes adjustable steering and pedals, cruise control is also incorporated. A single-spoke steering wheel allows a clear view of the instruments.
These are housed on black Perspex panels in front of the driver and in his door, and are completely black when not in use. Conventional dials and switches are replaced by electronic displays and touch-sensitive areas for gear selection, lights and so forth.
The doors can programmed to lock automatically on leaving the car. A nice nod to tradition is the retention of a fly-off handbrake. The instrumentation was designed by an Aston Martin engineer, and features graphic and digital displays.
The speedometer shows either mph or kph at the touch of a switch. Other readings. indicate engine speed, pressure and temperature, coolant temperature, average speed and fuel consumption on a journey combined with a speed/instantaneous fuel-consumption reading and elapsed time and distance. There is a digital clock showing the date, and a total of 16 warning lights. the majority of motorists well-displayed conventional dials, this unique arrangement gives an insight into what may well one day be commonplace, and, of course, it makes the car a 'must' for the eager oil-rich buyers.
Not all Lagonda production is destined for the Middle East, for there have been orders from States and this country. Sitting in the new Bristol 603 after the Lagonda is a return world of the traditional quality car. It is certainly up-to-the-minute technically and has all modern conveniences, but here one is faced by conventional dials set in a bed of polished walnut and black leather. The new Bristol is available in two forms: the 603S has a 5.9-litre Chrysler V8 engine and sells for {19,661, while the 603E has the smaller 5.2 V8 from the same manufacturer and sells at £19,360. Both run on two-star fuel.
The construction follows established Bristol practice in having a massive steel chassis on which is built the restrained and compact aluminium coupé body. This is a full four-seater for adults and very comfortable. Leather seating is standard, and the whole car is handsomely appointed.
This specification includes Torqueflite automatic Chrysler transmission, disc brakes, power steering, self-levelling suspension and cruise control. A particularly good feature is the driver's seat, which is very well shaped and is electrically controlled for fore-and-aft movement, height and rake adjustment. It folds forward and inwards to provide easy access to the rear seats, and the seat belts are mounted on runners to slide out of the way.
The 603 is a logical successor to the 411 which it displaces, and will undoubtedly appeal to the company's select band of customers.
