|
General Volvo and Motoring Discussions This forum is for messages of a general nature about Volvos that are not covered by other forums and other motoring related matters of interest. Users will need to register to post/reply. |
Information |
|
What makes a "British" car?Views : 2880 Replies : 61Users Viewing This Thread : |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
Jun 13th, 2018, 09:08 | #1 |
VOC Member since 1986
Last Online: Today 21:25
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Leicestershire
|
What makes a "British" car?
Recent discussion in another thread made me ponder?
Many years ago, it was common for there to be strong marque allegiances when it came to purchasing cars. " I'd never buy a foreign car, I've always been a 'Ford' man", or "He always buys a Vauxhall / Standard / Hillman" were oft-heard phrases. Even at the time, although the cars were assembled in Britain, many had some element of 'foreign' ownership about them. In 1978, I bought a new Mini. What could be more British, thought I, it practically has a Union Jack painted on the roof (Some did (!))! Surprise, surprise. On inspecting it the following day, I spied a label under the bonnet stating that it had been assembled in Belgium. As it happened, it turned out to be a much better car than my pal's six months younger version that was built in Britain! So, apart from possibly Morgan and TVR, has there ever been a truly 'British' car since the 1930s, or have we been deluding ourselves all along? Regards, John.
__________________
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana ..... |
Jun 13th, 2018, 11:01 | #2 |
I've Been Banned
Last Online: Aug 10th, 2018 09:22
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Lincolnshire Wolds & West Sussex Coast
|
Depends on your definition, TVR is no longer and Morgan is an assembly of parts from outside the UK, mostly the EU. Even in the past Morgan bought engines & components from Triumph, Ford and Rover, a company like Morgan could never afford to design and manufacture it's own components - neither could TVR or Lotus.
Once British people started to become a little better off they began buying foreign goods, this is well documented...so they began buying foreign cars. UK car makers were much more forwardly integrated than they are today - they were owners of their supply chains, which they are not and haven't been for many years. If this is about"content"then British badges were more British in the past then they are today. Even Volvo in the 70s and 80s used to promote their high British content (even supplying a sticker in the bookpack - I have an unused sticker). I've mentioned this on the forum many times. As long ago, or as recently as the 1980s (depends on your age), many fleets had a buy British policy which meant they could justify buying Nissan Bluebirds once Washington was on stream. So if you want to buy British, or keep British workers in jobs (for now), buy a Honda, Mini, Nissan or Toyota - the models they build here of course ! Jon. Last edited by Prufrock; Jun 13th, 2018 at 11:17. |
Jun 13th, 2018, 12:25 | #3 | |
Premier Member
Last Online: Feb 18th, 2024 17:40
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Hebburn
|
Quote:
A lot of design for them is also in the UK/EU as our tastes & requirements are somewhat different.
__________________
Current 2015 XC60 D5 AWD - Caspian Blue Previous 2012 XC60 D5 AWD - Seashell Metallic Previous 2005 S60 D5 Geartronic - Gunmetal Previous 2001 C70 T5 GT Auto Convertible - Saffron Previous 1999 S40 XS - Silver |
|
Jun 13th, 2018, 12:49 | #4 | |
Premier Member
Last Online: Dec 26th, 2021 13:42
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Crewe
|
Quote:
Ford is an American company who collaborated with the Nazis to destroy Britain so how anyone can suggest they're British is beyond me.
__________________
2002 S60 SE D5 Manual 209000 miles |
|
Jun 13th, 2018, 13:12 | #5 |
VOC Member
Last Online: Feb 9th, 2024 15:31
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: South Lakes
|
Half my Volvo fleet was built in either Hungary or Belgium.
Still Swedish?
__________________
2008 XC70 SE Lux D5 - 1966 Amazon - 1979 C202 Laplander Past: 1997 S70 TDi, 1997 C70 T5 GT, 2003 V70 Bi-Fuel, 2000 Ph2 V70 2.5D, 1997 V70R Auto FWD, 1998 V70R Manual AWD, 2004 XC90 D5 G/T, 2005 S60 D5 |
Jun 13th, 2018, 13:18 | #6 | |
I've Been Banned
Last Online: Aug 10th, 2018 09:22
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Lincolnshire Wolds & West Sussex Coast
|
Quote:
Ford was also a company that assisted in the creation of the arsenal of democracy that helped defeat Germany. It would also be useful to bear in mind that Sweden also collaborated with the Nazi regime in assisting the German occupation of Norway. So let's stay on topic. Jon. Last edited by Prufrock; Jun 13th, 2018 at 13:39. Reason: typo |
|
Jun 13th, 2018, 14:35 | #7 | |||
Premier Member
Last Online: Dec 26th, 2021 13:42
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Crewe
|
Quote:
Explaining why this is not the case is therefore entirely within the topic being discussed. Quote:
Quote:
Here he is receiving his Grand Cross of the German Eagle from the Nazis..... A larger, clearer version is available here. Hitler also kept a portrait of Henry Ford in his Munich office so with respect Prufrock, stop diluting the Ford/Nazi association. Your version of history is like the airbrushed tripe they teach in schools.
__________________
2002 S60 SE D5 Manual 209000 miles |
|||
The Following User Says Thank You to cheshired5 For This Useful Post: |
Jun 13th, 2018, 14:53 | #8 | |
I've Been Banned
Last Online: Aug 10th, 2018 09:22
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Lincolnshire Wolds & West Sussex Coast
|
Quote:
The fact is that Hitler admired Henry Ford for two principal reasons - 1. The admiration of Fordism (i.e the manufacture of automobiles), Volkswagen particularly admired Ford's Rouge plant. 2. Henry Ford, this is not disputed, was an anti semite (it doesn't make him nice, but doesn't make him a Nazi sympathiser either). Henry Ford said, when given the award, that it did NOT signify his admiration or even sympathy for Nazism - this is not my opinion but a well documented fact. Henry Ford also received awards from France, India, Poland, Romania and Great Britain (the first foreigner to receive the James Watt Medal) - the corollary is that your post displays naivety at best for failing to look at the matter in the round. Jon. Last edited by Prufrock; Jun 13th, 2018 at 15:07. |
|
Jun 13th, 2018, 15:15 | #9 | |
I've Been Banned
Last Online: Aug 10th, 2018 09:22
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Lincolnshire Wolds & West Sussex Coast
|
Quote:
Employment at Dageham peaked at 40.000, so jobs for British people, another qualification for buying British, British made. Jon. *sadly no Ford vehicles are assembled in the UK. |
|
Jun 13th, 2018, 15:16 | #10 | |
Premier Member
Last Online: Dec 26th, 2021 13:42
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Crewe
|
Quote:
Back on topic, my point was that Ford isn't, wasn't, never has been and never will be British. This is fact and I have no idea why you're challenging it.
__________________
2002 S60 SE D5 Manual 209000 miles |
|
The Following User Says Thank You to cheshired5 For This Useful Post: |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|