Nice to hear someone discussing cars who's not afraid to say that driving pleasure has got nothing to do with willy-waving horsepower stats, unusable acceleration, and gadget quotient. Iain's interested in a car's ability to put a smile on his face, and that means lightness, handling dynamics, proper suspension tuning and driving technique. Old-school stuff. No track-day specials. No useless amounts of power or multiple layers of tricksy driver-aids which do it all for you and flatter your ego as long as you promise to shut up and sit still and behave yourself. Just loads of driveable machines which put the guy at the controls in control. What a refreshing change. Face it: if you're not having fun in a car with 90 BHP, you're not driving it properly.😁
Right! And not necessarily even impeccable driving dynamics but just that elusive "smile factor" which is often difficult to quantify. We like different things and have different budgets so what is the perfect classic to one can be totally wrong for someone else, and that's ok. It is often a combination of nostalgia and looks which can both be very subjective. These days it seems so many just recite spec sheets to prove their car is the best. There is probably nothing perfect about my classic car, but she is perfect for me and that is what matters 🙂
@@EleanorPeterson agree totally. One of the most entertaining cars I have driven was the underpowered, low-tech, VW Up that we bought for my daughter. I could keep my foot down in that, without the risk of harming anybody, with no risk of any damage to my driving licence. And the feel of the gear shift in that little VW Up (very positive, short, direct) was rather better than in my mid-engined, rear wheel drive, German, two seater, embarrassingly ….
Great Sunday evening viewing as always Iain , the 1909 Silver Ghost was the late Lord Montagu's favourite car , and it was adapted slightly to carry his own oak coffin to his funeral in 2015, what a wonderful tribute a piece of fabulous and quiet machinery can give to its late custodian who was instrumental in saving it in an earlier life.
I remember blasting around in a Pug 309 GTi back in the day - could not agree more ,it was an absolute hoot to drive ...amazing! So light , to think the new EV Mini is 1.6 tonnes shows how ridiculous modern cars are regarding weight.
A super idea to be presented that way, a very interesting selection of beauties and "not-so-beauties" combined with - as usual for your workshops - a ton of technical and historical background! Thank you very much!
Fabulous overview. The M5 as E28 and that engine are absolutely majestic from a very beloved BMW era. The shark-nose, the M88 power plant, the dashboard were all so typical. A BMW was a genuine recognizable piece of driving machinery, especially on the Autobahn. The SD1 was truly something else as well. Very elegant and of course with quite the wink to the Daytona indeed, but so poorly executed at assembly. Things improved but they could and can be a handful in terms of maintenance. However the British police did love them to bits, and before they changed to Volvos the SD1 was therefore made a profound British icon by the police alone. The design is still timeless. Thank you so much again for this wonderful overview.
@@iain_tyrrell _Opel GT._ ~ absolutely wonderful. With you on the _SD1._ - I had one years ago that was very worse for wear and desperately in need of an engine rebuild. A friend had an EFi Range Rover on lpg. that was written off by his insurance so we bought it back and converted my Rover with a donut tank in the spare wheel well. I loved that car but the tin worms loved it more and I couldn't fund the extensive restoration required for MOT. so I sold it to another friend who put my engine etc. in his Mk1 Hilux monster truck. Those were the days!
Ive always loved the SD1, had three, many years ago, and not seen one in many years, but even today, an SD1 would fit in with modern cars, for size and aesthetics, and as Ian said, the boot and seat down boot area really has not been beaten with any modern car since
The SD1 was a great car, especially the fact how the doors would never fall off. It's very well known for having doors that stayed on the car at all times.
I’ve always loved Bristols. In more ways than one. But an all time favourite car, is the X/19. I nearly bought one in 2018 just before finding my Kalahari Desert Alfasud Ti, but 6ft, didn’t fit. Since then I’ve learned the spare is behind the seat. So, left at home I might fit. And your tip for 110bhp, really appeals. Best video yet, Iain
This episode was great fun! You couldn't get the grin off your face most of the time. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint is definitely my favorite. It's a gorgeous looking !
Great content as usual, I had the privilege to drive the M5 E28 , here in South Africa just when it was released . Awesome vehicle. Thank you for sharing.
Great video! The Bristol! Oh my goodness! A video of one these please?? If possible....Maybe a 412/603, a Beaufighter or a Britannia/Brigand?? The Peugeot 309 Gti was also a joy!
Excellent Video Iian ! Re the Rover SD1 in 78/79 my Boss bought a Red SD1 and later I was part of the design team for Rover"s Solihull Factories Building Integration, and I remember driving there, and seeing a Field next to the factory FULL of Body in White SD1"s. Unfortunately it was Raining and the field was FLOODED and was for weeks ! If you took the door cards off, you could usually see the water-line on the door interiors ! Luckily, I have driven a 1960 Rover P4 100 for the last 49 years ! Stay Roving ! Stu xx
Well done Sir as always! We look forward each week to your wonderful videos. Your work and descriptions, help to free us from our imprisonment within the mundane. And yes Sir I couldn’t agree more about the fact that Driving Pleasure has less to do with power and torque and horsepower and all that, but almost everything to do with the “soul” of the machine that one is driving. BTW, that Alfa is a dream!
Thank you SO VERY MUCH for including and showing the Opel GT!!! I have always loved that car and when I was 16 in 1973 I worked at a Buick dealership and the owner had flown a German mechanic in to work on them. He was very experienced, knew how good they were, and thoroughly tested them out. UNFORTUNATELY he tended to forget that we did NOT have autobahn unlimited speed limits and was often caught by the police. So the Buick dealership owner was able to explain that the Opel mechanic needed to do this to these cars so the police simply told him which part of the interstate to use and turned a blind eye.
Hello Mr Tyrell. I was born 1950 and have a very similar opinion to your best cars. I was jealous of my neighbours Fiat X1/9 when I had a Spitfire. A friend of mine had a Fiat 124 then a 125 and used to do sprints in them. I often visited my sister in 70s when she lived in Holland Germany and loved the look of the Opel GT. I watched John Surtees race at Silverstone in 1963. My son wrote off his beloved 205GT reversing at speed in to a railway arch. And on and on…. Love you channel sir!!
There are not many YT channels I get “Frothy” about but when I see the thumbnail for a new Iain Tyrell on a Sunday I’m always excited to click on and make my end of week complete. Great walk around and interesting insight on these beauties. Thank you.
Thanks for the video, I was impressed that you chose the X/19 and Opel GT, my 2 favorite European cars, I restored a 1980 TR7 way back, surprised you never picked one of those....lol
Loved your comment about your Dad buying a Rover SD1 and it being his first car with electric windows! It reminded me of my Dad arriving home with a Vauxhall Viscount and my brother and I, like you, couldn’t believe it’s electric windows… the height of luxury! 😮 How times have changed! Re the Rover SD1 I do remember driving the ‘jam sandwich’ variety in the early 80’s and quite often after a high speed blue light run we would arrive with smoking wheels as the brakes would be glowing and you had to be careful to avoid brake fade! A great car but not without its flaws!
Excellent video, with a very eclectic choice. So rare to see any model of Bristol on TH-cam. One point, the 412 S1 had the 400 cubic inch (6.6 litre engine). The 383 ci engine you mentioned was fitted to the first three series of the 411 model (the series 4 & 5 had the same 400 ci unit).
Would love to see more Bristol cars on the channel if you can. The 70s, 80s, and 90s Tony Crook era stuff is fascinating to me because the company seemingly had no money and sold very few cars yet managed to come up with new body styles and powertrain options.
Harry's glowing review of the Countach following the trip says it all about the quality of your work and the skills of your staff. The car was in peak condition.
Great video. I loved the Giulietta. Beautiful in white. I owned a 1600 Guilia Spider for many years, but I have to admit the Sprint tops the Spider for sheer elegance. Early lightweight Sprint Veloces must be very rare beasts today. If ever there was a miniature 50's ferrrari ...
Wish I had both my 5 GT Turbo and 205 1.9 GTI. It’s hard to describe how they drove to someone who never owned one but they were bloody fantastic cars.
I love your normal videos but this was great too - its brilliant to hear a commentary at a show from someone who has worked on or has been some way involved in the history of the cars included. Brilliant stuff! I'd love an X1/9.
Watching certain yt-performers, following you Mr Ian Tyrell almost since beginning- today I subscribe for the first time to any channel- your performance and your knowledge with all cars but with the Rolls-Royce was truly from your soul and that deserves all applause! Thank you for inspiring me and many others. You are a living legend!
I believe Jay Leno chronicled a Duesenberg which had been a tow truck at some point. Amazing how some of the most exclusive vehicles can have such varied histories. Love seeing the British cars us Americans didn't get. Fiat X19s are rare but many have survived. Bayless used to be near by and they are a supplier of FIAT parts. They had a swap which they had parts for to put a modern Honda K series motor in them which has to be very quick.
So nice to see a person of great experience and respectability giving credence to cars that are approachable in price. I enjoy hearing about the great super expensive cars but they are so exotic I will only see them from afar. Iain likes the Fiat X19? Rare? Opel GT? These cars were made for export here to the US and are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. For $5,000 a person can buy and drive these cars here in the US. My personal favorite is the Fiat spider 124 wasn't even available in the UK market after 1978? Lots of these great cars are here in the US and and are a incredible value! Thanks for including the cars and we owners in your video. Let's motor!
I was a fan of Peugeots from the era when their tagline was "the drive of your life", so covering 205, 309, 405, 106, 306 and possibly 406. The reason for your big scare (had a few myself in my old 306) was the passive rear-wheel steering, which in those days of lower power was really quite aggressive! But man oh man did they go round corners.
So pleased to hear you like the 412 - alongside an Alfa SZ it would be in the ugly but beautiful ( both Zagato designed) corner of my dream garage ! I would love to see you set up one of the turbo versions (the Beaufighter or its 603 cousin the Brigand) one day as it was one of the earliest turbo cars in UK.
What a lovely car review.The relaxed way of putting car facts by Ian was just amazing.I have subscribed and look forward to Ians next installment.Thank you for a lovely classic car walkaround.
Iain, your surprise inclusion of the Chinese EV just demonstrates your total open-mindedness to new things, which undoubtedly contributed to your success and encyclopaedic car knowledge and why you're so highly regarded. Bravo!
Thanks for this video Ian, a nice change…it’s not that I don’t love your normal ones but the cars in your workshop are usually so unattainable for the everyday man, it’s nice to see your enthusiasm for overlooked lovelies like the SD1! Your choices are also spot on, the Bristol 412 has fascinated me since I saw it as a boy in my Daily Express Motor Show Review of 1976! Buttercup yellow, it was mesmerising. I think Zagato did their very best with the unusual dimensions dictated by Bristols dogma of spare wheel placement, and with the Targa roof created something quite unique. I know every time I see one parked, which is not very often, I always take a snap. Maybe you could make some more reviews of this and other cars from “outside” your workshop stock sometimes? We do appreciate your friendly presenting style.
My father Dennis Pritchard had 3 SD1's. The nicest was a 85 silver vanden plas auto. It was fast, handled well, quiet, smooth, reliable and big inside. The bumpers were awful, broke easily, build quality was perfect. Bought from Henley's, near catford.
Excellent review of your favourites Iain. I was most surprised to see you singing the praises for the PEUGEOT 309 GTi ! I had an elderly friend a number of years back who sung the praises of these cars, they were the only thing he drove period. He was quite the character, he designed and built his own motorbikes before the war and raced them at the TT on the Isle of Mann in various classes. During the war he worked for Rolls-Royce in its aero engine division, improving the operational capabilities of the Merlin in its various aircraft applications, especially the Spitfire and Lancaster. He was often sent as the R-R engineering rep to high level RAF/Bomber Command meetings etc and his young age stood out - but such was his engineering skill. When I visited his house in Kent for the first time he mentioned the large pond at the bottom of the garden - that was created by a V1 Flying Bomb or Doodlebug during the war, it was his parents home back then - damn lucky hey! But whenever he turned up at my office, it was always in his favourite 309 GTi. He just loved them. We will not see the likes of people like this anymore, he was a true gentleman as well.
Iain, your first pick is something that makes my knees get real weak. Such a beautiful car and for me it's right up there with the Lotus Omega/Carlton. The Lotus wins for me but the E28 M5 is a real dream car. Heck I would be happy with an M535i Shadow line. The early BMW's, like 2002, E21, E28, and the legendary E24 are becoming more and more desirable as years go by. An E21 323i with the Recaros and that package would do me just fine, but an E24 M635CSI would be just as cool, but that E28 M5 is just gorgeous dear Iain. Edit: And the OPEL GT pick just shows that your picks are not just intelligent, but are acutely aware of the beauty of some classic German GM designs. Deeply impressed Iain!.... The Recaro Classic's in that GT is a perfect pick as both the Kadett Rallye GT/E and the special Ascona's and Manta's had that seat until the Manta went out of production in 88. I know the Manta GSI had it until it ceased production. Great video, a habit of yours lately, so thanks a lot and God bless you and your family and lots of love from Norway.
That was all so very varied and interesting. Thank you. "Like a mini Corvette": 👍 I love the aesthetics of most Italian cars. The small Alfa Romeo was very sweet.
A marvellous selection all just wonderful. It is a reflection of the times that the achievements of John Surtees and Graham Hill are not more widely thought of. I loved the Opel coupe it ‘very’ slightly reminds me of a Toyota 2000 GT (be still my beating heart!). Loved the comments on the Bristol too. I was surprised some time ago to see where the spare wheel was kept on a 410 (?). Also one can see the influence of BMW on the models of the 1950’s and I need to remind myself of how they did not keep that company as wartime reparations. Thank you again.
It was a great show. Lovely to see Harry's Countach there. I wish I'd got to see you there Iain. It would have been great to be able to thank you for starting your wonderfully informative TH-cam channel. The Opel GT, Fiat X-19 and the Rover SD1 are definitely strong favourites of mine. I had an SD1 as a young inexperienced driver. Unfortunately it ended badly, swapping ends in the wet and came off badly compared to the cherry tree it hit. But I still think they're great looking cars.
Laughed out loud at 7.02, I never wondered what Gandine looked like, but of course he wears a gorgeous suit and he knows it. Makes sense, such a great eye for the angular and the curve, as stylish as his designs.
I met Sir John at a practice day at Brands Hatch in 1988. He was riding a Patton, bloody fast he was to. Learned a lot trying to follow him and watching him from the pits.
Excellent video Ian. Random topic: I wonder why no-one talks about the MG RV8 from the 90s. I brought one back from Japan having worked out there. Woodcote green with chrome 'Rover' side marks. Truly jaw dropping ... 🇬🇧
17:30 we had the 1976 CX 2200 Pallas around 1978 in cognac marron metallic.. it was a Bit like the SD1 we overtook a Vanden Plas on the Autobahn the speedo was close to 190 kmh.. then it started cooking and the windows did Not close by Electric fault..
In 1979 I remember as a kid watching the Aphrodite Inheritance, the main character drove a lime green Fiat X19 Abarth, his name was Peter McEnery, but it was more notable not just for the great car, but also Alexandra Bastedo, the beautiful actress famous for The Champions. She was up there with Ursula Andress and Barbara Bach as a kid growing up in the 1970's. Beautiful cars and beautiful women, what a decade.
Nice video, hard to compare, but I fel for the lightness and beauty of the (unspoiled) Alfa Romeo!😍Thanks for sharing this video! Oh yes, and I thought I saw a shot of the Alfa interior in the Peugeot 309 presenting, or am I wrong?
My first experience with Electric Windows was with an SD1 predecessor ? the Australian/British P76 Targa Florio with Alloys, power aerial, huge boot and Go faster stripe with the Rover V8/Auto I got my Licence in this Car and we saw its ability to overtake a SLR Torana and a Ford GT on a long straight stretch of Road in Country NSW around 74. Let's say over 100 M.P.H. easily. Very comfortable with plush seating and fairly good handling.
As a young mechanic of 18 i was towed by a 1909 silver ghost i was in a V12 lagonda my boss said its got fresh petrol in so when we get up some spead pop it into gear and let clutch out low & behold it started up it had stood for 30 years amazing.
2:26 hearing an M5 being described as compact and lightweight is hilarious in today's context. How the M5 and BMW as a whole have fallen from grace is a business and engineering case for the books.
Some of my personal favorites and a few I'd never heard of. Thanks. The Fiat X1/9 is really undervalued for such a fun car that is so easy to own. Finding one that isn't about to break in half is the challenge.
Sorry to correct you, Iain: The Opel (pronounced Ople, not Opal) is based on the Kadett B, not the Ascona A or Manta A nor the Cavalier/Ascona B. Nonetheless another great video!
That show had such a wide variety of vehicles I'm sure it would have been difficult to pick out your top ten, but these are some really interesting choices. Personally I'd pick the SD1, the Fiat X1/9 and the Peugeot 309 GTi as a daily driver. That new MG sports car is also lovely and I'm glad to see MG making a sports car again and not just crossover type cars.
Harry’s Countach is such a testament to your skill, knowledge, craftsmanship, dedication, and quality! Congrats Iain to you and your skilled team back at the shop! That Lambo is spinning like a top!
I bought a 309 GTi back in 1993 (reg number E309 HPF) an ex-Hartwell demonstrator. Easily one of the best cars I've owned, out of a very large number!!
Wonderful to see and hear you praise such beautiful but at the same time still affordable cars. You are used to driving multi-million dollar jewels, but haven’t lost touch…..thank you Iain!
An eclectic selection and very interesting. Many congratulations to the team for their work on Harry's Lamborghini Countach, it really is a testament to their skills.
I remember lusting after the Opel GT when it was new. It came well before the Vauxhall Cavalier, though. The Viva and Victor were the contemporary Vauxhalls
The 1909 Rolls Royce, I trained as a coach painter for my first job. I got my city and guilds in it and loved it.i hand painted some champion cars. But the market disappeared for it, and I ended up as a painter/decorator.
It is nice to hear you praising your employees. Thank you for recognizing them.
It is, but it's disturbing to hear trade unions being disparaged in another breath. Please could you elaborate, @iain_tyrrell ?
0:47 Harry's Countach
2:07 BMW M5
3:28 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2
6:26 Fiat X19
9:26 Opel GT
11:18 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint 1964
12:52 Peogeot 309 GTI
15:07 Rover SD1
17:39 MG Cyberster
19:42 Bristol 412
21:44 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost 1909
You are welcome!
Why would we want to skip parts of this?
@@JayBee-cr8jm For rewatching. Like page numbers of a good book you enjoyed.
@@boredstrayingtheinternet2557 Sure...
Thank you, I love having the readable list!!!
@@JosephTrombley As opposed to the unreadable list?
Nice to hear someone discussing cars who's not afraid to say that driving pleasure has got nothing to do with willy-waving horsepower stats, unusable acceleration, and gadget quotient. Iain's interested in a car's ability to put a smile on his face, and that means lightness, handling dynamics, proper suspension tuning and driving technique. Old-school stuff.
No track-day specials. No useless amounts of power or multiple layers of tricksy driver-aids which do it all for you and flatter your ego as long as you promise to shut up and sit still and behave yourself.
Just loads of driveable machines which put the guy at the controls in control. What a refreshing change.
Face it: if you're not having fun in a car with 90 BHP, you're not driving it properly.😁
that was very predictable
Right! And not necessarily even impeccable driving dynamics but just that elusive "smile factor" which is often difficult to quantify. We like different things and have different budgets so what is the perfect classic to one can be totally wrong for someone else, and that's ok. It is often a combination of nostalgia and looks which can both be very subjective. These days it seems so many just recite spec sheets to prove their car is the best. There is probably nothing perfect about my classic car, but she is perfect for me and that is what matters 🙂
@@EleanorPeterson agree totally. One of the most entertaining cars I have driven was the underpowered, low-tech, VW Up that we bought for my daughter. I could keep my foot down in that, without the risk of harming anybody, with no risk of any damage to my driving licence. And the feel of the gear shift in that little VW Up (very positive, short, direct) was rather better than in my mid-engined, rear wheel drive, German, two seater, embarrassingly ….
Absolutely! A classic Mini is about as much fun as anyone needs!
Great Sunday evening viewing as always Iain , the 1909 Silver Ghost was the late Lord Montagu's favourite car , and it was adapted slightly to carry his own oak coffin to his funeral in 2015, what a wonderful tribute a piece of fabulous and quiet machinery can give to its late custodian who was instrumental in saving it in an earlier life.
Thank you
I remember blasting around in a Pug 309 GTi back in the day - could not agree more ,it was an absolute hoot to drive ...amazing!
So light , to think the new EV Mini is 1.6 tonnes shows how ridiculous modern cars are regarding weight.
A super idea to be presented that way, a very interesting selection of beauties and "not-so-beauties" combined with - as usual for your workshops - a ton of technical and historical background! Thank you very much!
Thank you too!
The Alfa Romeo what a beautiful car.
My sunday is now complete, cheers from Detroit.
I am glad Harry convinced Ian to make these videos. Easily in my top 10 of TH-cam channels.
That BMW M5 is just stunning. Thank you for sharing the video, Iain. An absolute golden age of cars.
IMO the E28 is still the best-looking M5 of the lot.
Fabulous overview. The M5 as E28 and that engine are absolutely majestic from a very beloved BMW era. The shark-nose, the M88 power plant, the dashboard were all so typical. A BMW was a genuine recognizable piece of driving machinery, especially on the Autobahn. The SD1 was truly something else as well. Very elegant and of course with quite the wink to the Daytona indeed, but so poorly executed at assembly. Things improved but they could and can be a handful in terms of maintenance. However the British police did love them to bits, and before they changed to Volvos the SD1 was therefore made a profound British icon by the police alone. The design is still timeless. Thank you so much again for this wonderful overview.
Thank you too
@@iain_tyrrell _Opel GT._ ~ absolutely wonderful. With you on the _SD1._ - I had one years ago that was very worse for wear and desperately in need of an engine rebuild. A friend had an EFi Range Rover on lpg. that was written off by his insurance so we bought it back and converted my Rover with a donut tank in the spare wheel well. I loved that car but the tin worms loved it more and I couldn't fund the extensive restoration required for MOT. so I sold it to another friend who put my engine etc. in his Mk1 Hilux monster truck. Those were the days!
What a delightful and eclectic selection. Thanks Mr T.
Ive always loved the SD1, had three, many years ago, and not seen one in many years, but even today, an SD1 would fit in with modern cars, for size and aesthetics, and as Ian said, the boot and seat down boot area really has not been beaten with any modern car since
Agreed. Still a very handsome machine.
Looks a bit like the Reliant Scimitar.
The SD1 was a great car, especially the fact how the doors would never fall off. It's very well known for having doors that stayed on the car at all times.
I’ve always loved Bristols. In more ways than one. But an all time favourite car, is the X/19. I nearly bought one in 2018 just before finding my Kalahari Desert Alfasud Ti, but 6ft, didn’t fit. Since then I’ve learned the spare is behind the seat. So, left at home I might fit. And your tip for 110bhp, really appeals. Best video yet, Iain
Thank you!
This episode was great fun! You couldn't get the grin off your face most of the time. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint is definitely my favorite. It's a gorgeous looking !
Great content as usual, I had the privilege to drive the M5 E28 , here in South Africa just when it was released . Awesome vehicle. Thank you for sharing.
Great video! The Bristol! Oh my goodness! A video of one these please?? If possible....Maybe a 412/603, a Beaufighter or a Britannia/Brigand??
The Peugeot 309 Gti was also a joy!
Excellent Video Iian !
Re the Rover SD1 in 78/79 my Boss bought a Red SD1 and later I was part of the design team for Rover"s Solihull Factories Building Integration, and I remember driving there, and seeing a Field next to the factory FULL of Body in White SD1"s. Unfortunately it was Raining and the field was FLOODED and was for weeks !
If you took the door cards off, you could usually see the water-line on the door interiors !
Luckily, I have driven a 1960 Rover P4 100 for the last 49 years !
Stay Roving !
Stu xx
At last you have featured a Bristol Iain. Well done sir. I hope you get one in to work on soon,
Well done Sir as always! We look forward each week to your wonderful videos. Your work and descriptions, help to free us from our imprisonment within the mundane. And yes Sir I couldn’t agree more about the fact that Driving Pleasure has less to do with power and torque and horsepower and all that, but almost everything to do with the “soul” of the machine that one is driving. BTW, that Alfa is a dream!
X1/9, Opel GT, Giulietta - what a wonderful trio!
Thank you SO VERY MUCH for including and showing the Opel GT!!! I have always loved that car and when I was 16 in 1973 I worked at a Buick dealership and the owner had flown a German mechanic in to work on them. He was very experienced, knew how good they were, and thoroughly tested them out. UNFORTUNATELY he tended to forget that we did NOT have autobahn unlimited speed limits and was often caught by the police. So the Buick dealership owner was able to explain that the Opel mechanic needed to do this to these cars so the police simply told him which part of the interstate to use and turned a blind eye.
_WOW!_
What a story! Those were the days….thank you too
That Alfa ❤
Hello Mr Tyrell. I was born 1950 and have a very similar opinion to your best cars. I was jealous of my neighbours Fiat X1/9 when I had a Spitfire. A friend of mine had a Fiat 124 then a 125 and used to do sprints in them. I often visited my sister in 70s when she lived in Holland Germany and loved the look of the Opel GT. I watched John Surtees race at Silverstone in 1963. My son wrote off his beloved 205GT reversing at speed in to a railway arch. And on and on…. Love you channel sir!!
There are not many YT channels I get “Frothy” about but when I see the thumbnail for a new Iain Tyrell on a Sunday I’m always excited to click on and make my end of week complete. Great walk around and interesting insight on these beauties. Thank you.
Thank you too
Brilliant video...I love to listen to someone with that amount of knowledge in detail and depth. Well done!!
Thank you- very glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for the video, I was impressed that you chose the X/19 and Opel GT, my 2 favorite European cars, I restored a 1980 TR7 way back, surprised you never picked one of those....lol
Loved your comment about your Dad buying a Rover SD1 and it being his first car with electric windows! It reminded me of my Dad arriving home with a Vauxhall Viscount and my brother and I, like you, couldn’t believe it’s electric windows… the height of luxury! 😮 How times have changed! Re the Rover SD1 I do remember driving the ‘jam sandwich’ variety in the early 80’s and quite often after a high speed blue light run we would arrive with smoking wheels as the brakes would be glowing and you had to be careful to avoid brake fade! A great car but not without its flaws!
Excellent video, with a very eclectic choice. So rare to see any model of Bristol on TH-cam. One point, the 412 S1 had the 400 cubic inch (6.6 litre engine). The 383 ci engine you mentioned was fitted to the first three series of the 411 model (the series 4 & 5 had the same 400 ci unit).
Would love to see more Bristol cars on the channel if you can. The 70s, 80s, and 90s Tony Crook era stuff is fascinating to me because the company seemingly had no money and sold very few cars yet managed to come up with new body styles and powertrain options.
Agree entirely. Would love to see a Bristol 410 or 411 featured. Loved the top 10 choices.
Thank you for adding the SD1, I had the SDX in Midas gold with velour trim. A great family car.
Harry's glowing review of the Countach following the trip says it all about the quality of your work and the skills of your staff. The car was in peak condition.
Great video. I loved the Giulietta. Beautiful in white. I owned a 1600 Guilia Spider for many years, but I have to admit the Sprint tops the Spider for sheer elegance. Early lightweight Sprint Veloces must be very rare beasts today. If ever there was a miniature 50's ferrrari ...
Wish I had both my 5 GT Turbo and 205 1.9 GTI. It’s hard to describe how they drove to someone who never owned one but they were bloody fantastic cars.
I love your normal videos but this was great too - its brilliant to hear a commentary at a show from someone who has worked on or has been some way involved in the history of the cars included. Brilliant stuff! I'd love an X1/9.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Watching certain yt-performers, following you Mr Ian Tyrell almost since beginning- today I subscribe for the first time to any channel- your performance and your knowledge with all cars but with the Rolls-Royce was truly from your soul and that deserves all applause! Thank you for inspiring me and many others. You are a living legend!
How lovely- thank you
I believe Jay Leno chronicled a Duesenberg which had been a tow truck at some point. Amazing how some of the most exclusive vehicles can have such varied histories.
Love seeing the British cars us Americans didn't get. Fiat X19s are rare but many have survived. Bayless used to be near by and they are a supplier of FIAT parts. They had a swap which they had parts for to put a modern Honda K series motor in them which has to be very quick.
Was thinking the same thing. So beautiful it was ugly. And a Gator roof blasting over UK roads.
So nice to see a person of great experience and respectability giving credence to cars that are approachable in price. I enjoy hearing about the great super expensive cars but they are so exotic I will only see them from afar. Iain likes the Fiat X19? Rare? Opel GT? These cars were made for export here to the US and are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. For $5,000 a person can buy and drive these cars here in the US. My personal favorite is the Fiat spider 124 wasn't even available in the UK market after 1978? Lots of these great cars are here in the US and and are a incredible value! Thanks for including the cars and we owners in your video. Let's motor!
I was a fan of Peugeots from the era when their tagline was "the drive of your life", so covering 205, 309, 405, 106, 306 and possibly 406. The reason for your big scare (had a few myself in my old 306) was the passive rear-wheel steering, which in those days of lower power was really quite aggressive! But man oh man did they go round corners.
So pleased to hear you like the 412 - alongside an Alfa SZ it would be in the ugly but beautiful ( both Zagato designed) corner of my dream garage ! I would love to see you set up one of the turbo versions (the Beaufighter or its 603 cousin the Brigand) one day as it was one of the earliest turbo cars in UK.
Thank you Ian for showcasing my Dad's Rover, he had same car. I so so badly wanted him to buy one. I wish he'd kept it.
What a lovely car review.The relaxed way of putting car facts by Ian was just amazing.I have subscribed and look forward to Ians next installment.Thank you for a lovely classic car walkaround.
Thank you and welcome!
Thanks a lot, lovely little Alfa the star for me. Cheers.
Iain , I’m going to pretend the electric MG thing never happened, you mentioned it once but I think you got away with it 😂
lol- totally understand
@@iain_tyrrellit took me the same way - electric, Chinese mass produced….but it looks great and is very compelling!
i found it interesting
Yep, not a Thoroughbred......
Who knows, every other company is starting to put the brakes on full EV strategies, perhaps MG will put a petrol engine in the Cyberster? 🤷♂️
Thank you. Nice selection.
Iain, your surprise inclusion of the Chinese EV just demonstrates your total open-mindedness to new things, which undoubtedly contributed to your success and encyclopaedic car knowledge and why you're so highly regarded. Bravo!
Thanks for this video Ian, a nice change…it’s not that I don’t love your normal ones but the cars in your workshop are usually so unattainable for the everyday man, it’s nice to see your enthusiasm for overlooked lovelies like the SD1! Your choices are also spot on, the Bristol 412 has fascinated me since I saw it as a boy in my Daily Express Motor Show Review of 1976! Buttercup yellow, it was mesmerising. I think Zagato did their very best with the unusual dimensions dictated by Bristols dogma of spare wheel placement, and with the Targa roof created something quite unique. I know every time I see one parked, which is not very often, I always take a snap. Maybe you could make some more reviews of this and other cars from “outside” your workshop stock sometimes? We do appreciate your friendly presenting style.
My father Dennis Pritchard had 3 SD1's. The nicest was a 85 silver vanden plas auto. It was fast, handled well, quiet, smooth, reliable and big inside. The bumpers were awful, broke easily, build quality was perfect. Bought from Henley's, near catford.
Excellent review of your favourites Iain. I was most surprised to see you singing the praises for the PEUGEOT 309 GTi ! I had an elderly friend a number of years back who sung the praises of these cars, they were the only thing he drove period. He was quite the character, he designed and built his own motorbikes before the war and raced them at the TT on the Isle of Mann in various classes. During the war he worked for Rolls-Royce in its aero engine division, improving the operational capabilities of the Merlin in its various aircraft applications, especially the Spitfire and Lancaster. He was often sent as the R-R engineering rep to high level RAF/Bomber Command meetings etc and his young age stood out - but such was his engineering skill. When I visited his house in Kent for the first time he mentioned the large pond at the bottom of the garden - that was created by a V1 Flying Bomb or Doodlebug during the war, it was his parents home back then - damn lucky hey! But whenever he turned up at my office, it was always in his favourite 309 GTi. He just loved them. We will not see the likes of people like this anymore, he was a true gentleman as well.
Fascinating story- thank you!
Iain, your first pick is something that makes my knees get real weak. Such a beautiful car and for me it's right up there with the Lotus Omega/Carlton. The Lotus wins for me but the E28 M5 is a real dream car. Heck I would be happy with an M535i Shadow line. The early BMW's, like 2002, E21, E28, and the legendary E24 are becoming more and more desirable as years go by. An E21 323i with the Recaros and that package would do me just fine, but an E24 M635CSI would be just as cool, but that E28 M5 is just gorgeous dear Iain.
Edit:
And the OPEL GT pick just shows that your picks are not just intelligent, but are acutely aware of the beauty of some classic German GM designs. Deeply impressed Iain!.... The Recaro Classic's in that GT is a perfect pick as both the Kadett Rallye GT/E and the special Ascona's and Manta's had that seat until the Manta went out of production in 88. I know the Manta GSI had it until it ceased production.
Great video, a habit of yours lately, so thanks a lot and God bless you and your family and lots of love from Norway.
Thank you! So very glad you enjoyed it. Bless you and your family over in Norway too!
The E28 M5 looks small and lite compared to the latest version. Better looking too.
Love the 309 GTi. A Goodwood special edition with the green metallic paint and the wooden steering wheel was a dream car back in the day.
Awesome choices in my opinion (except the electric one, my opinion), very interesting. Thanks Tyrrell for this escape.
That was all so very varied and interesting. Thank you.
"Like a mini Corvette": 👍
I love the aesthetics of most Italian cars. The small Alfa Romeo was very sweet.
So glad your on youtube always watch all of your videos
Thank you
I. T. Your style and knowledge are a DELIGHT. Thankyou!
This was simply a real treat!! THANK YOU !
A marvellous selection all just wonderful.
It is a reflection of the times that the achievements of John Surtees and Graham Hill are not more widely thought of.
I loved the Opel coupe it ‘very’ slightly reminds me of a Toyota 2000 GT (be still my beating heart!).
Loved the comments on the Bristol too. I was surprised some time ago to see where the spare wheel was kept on a 410 (?). Also one can see the influence of BMW on the models of the 1950’s and I need to remind myself of how they did not keep that company as wartime reparations.
Thank you again.
It was a great show. Lovely to see Harry's Countach there. I wish I'd got to see you there Iain. It would have been great to be able to thank you for starting your wonderfully informative TH-cam channel.
The Opel GT, Fiat X-19 and the Rover SD1 are definitely strong favourites of mine. I had an SD1 as a young inexperienced driver. Unfortunately it ended badly, swapping ends in the wet and came off badly compared to the cherry tree it hit. But I still think they're great looking cars.
Thanks. Next time!
Wonderful. Thanks Ian.
Excellent presentation, mechanic, craftsman and driver, all in one.
Great vid! Leading Dutch car magazine Autovisie was always very fond of the 309 GTI. A sleeper, back in its days,
Laughed out loud at 7.02, I never wondered what Gandine looked like, but of course he wears a gorgeous suit and he knows it. Makes sense, such a great eye for the angular and the curve, as stylish as his designs.
Love the 309 very underrated and underestimated
I had a S reg (1978) 3500 SD1 in Sahara Beige and Brown Velour. Love it.
your best video. the opel headlights---outstanding. thank you.
I met Sir John at a practice day at Brands Hatch in 1988. He was riding a Patton, bloody fast he was to. Learned a lot trying to follow him and watching him from the pits.
Splendid selection, Iain. I quite like when do remote shoots away from the shop, and hope you'll takes us along for more.
Thank you
Excellent video Ian. Random topic: I wonder why no-one talks about the MG RV8 from the 90s. I brought one back from Japan having worked out there. Woodcote green with chrome 'Rover' side marks. Truly jaw dropping ... 🇬🇧
Wonderful video love the variety thanks again Iain ❤
What a lovely selection!
Loving the Alfa, the Bristol, Ferrari and the Royce in particular ❤🤓
Thanks Iain😀👍
Brilliant. Opel GT and X19 were desired cars of my youth❤
17:30 we had the 1976 CX 2200 Pallas around 1978 in cognac marron metallic.. it was a Bit like the SD1 we overtook a Vanden Plas on the Autobahn the speedo was close to 190 kmh.. then it started cooking and the windows did Not close by Electric fault..
In 1979 I remember as a kid watching the Aphrodite Inheritance, the main character drove a lime green Fiat X19 Abarth, his name was Peter McEnery, but it was more notable not just for the great car, but also Alexandra Bastedo, the beautiful actress famous for The Champions.
She was up there with Ursula Andress and Barbara Bach as a kid growing up in the 1970's. Beautiful cars and beautiful women, what a decade.
Nice video, hard to compare, but I fel for the lightness and beauty of the (unspoiled) Alfa Romeo!😍Thanks for sharing this video! Oh yes, and I thought I saw a shot of the Alfa interior in the Peugeot 309 presenting, or am I wrong?
You are quite correct….. we were on a tight timescale with this one
I bet the Alfa is the one most fun to drive
Miss my old vanden plas SD1 3500 in metallic blue with dark blue velour trim.wish I had it now
Good report, per usual. Thank you sir.❤️
My first experience with Electric Windows was with an SD1 predecessor ? the Australian/British P76 Targa Florio with Alloys, power aerial, huge boot and Go faster stripe with the Rover V8/Auto I got my Licence in this Car and we saw its ability to overtake a SLR Torana and a Ford GT on a long straight stretch of Road in Country NSW around 74. Let's say over 100 M.P.H. easily. Very comfortable with plush seating and fairly good handling.
As a young mechanic of 18 i was towed by a 1909 silver ghost i was in a V12 lagonda my boss said its got fresh petrol in so when we get up some spead pop it into gear and let clutch out low & behold it started up it had stood for 30 years amazing.
Amazing indeed!
Thankyou. Brilliant channel.
What a wonderful selection, Iain. Thank you
2:26 hearing an M5 being described as compact and lightweight is hilarious in today's context. How the M5 and BMW as a whole have fallen from grace is a business and engineering case for the books.
yawn !
How true.
Some of my personal favorites and a few I'd never heard of. Thanks. The Fiat X1/9 is really undervalued for such a fun car that is so easy to own. Finding one that isn't about to break in half is the challenge.
Sorry to correct you, Iain: The Opel (pronounced Ople, not Opal) is based on the Kadett B, not the Ascona A or Manta A nor the Cavalier/Ascona B. Nonetheless another great video!
Thank you
Sorry to correct you, but slight irony that you spelled Iain’s name wrong
@@meanredspider Hahahaha!!!! You´re so damn right! I honestly didn't notice my mistake....
Wonderfully eclectic mix, Iain. Thank you
That show had such a wide variety of vehicles I'm sure it would have been difficult to pick out your top ten, but these are some really interesting choices. Personally I'd pick the SD1, the Fiat X1/9 and the Peugeot 309 GTi as a daily driver. That new MG sports car is also lovely and I'm glad to see MG making a sports car again and not just crossover type cars.
Always learn something interesting from Mr.T, in this case those cool rotating headlamps on that Opel GT.
Harry’s Countach is such a testament to your skill, knowledge, craftsmanship, dedication, and quality! Congrats Iain to you and your skilled team back at the shop! That Lambo is spinning like a top!
Thank you!
Great video and insights. I remember passing you at the show this year.
I bought a 309 GTi back in 1993 (reg number E309 HPF) an ex-Hartwell demonstrator. Easily one of the best cars I've owned, out of a very large number!!
Good to have an eclectic mix, as that is far more interesting ❤
Wonderful to see and hear you praise such beautiful but at the same time still affordable cars. You are used to driving multi-million dollar jewels, but haven’t lost touch…..thank you Iain!
I could listen and watch Iain forever ❤🏴🙏
An eclectic selection and very interesting. Many congratulations to the team for their work on Harry's Lamborghini Countach, it really is a testament to their skills.
Bristol 412 has the rear lights from a Lancia Beta Spider!
Love your top 10 very nice thank you,,,,I would go for the 309
Ian, I love your taste in cars. Well, except for the MG ;-) Very fun video. Thank you very much for pointing these out to us!
Tremendous choices Iain! My father also ordered the Rover SD1 in Midas Gold with beige velour interior. Great car but shocking colour choice 😂
really magnificent video. Ian your knowledge is absolutely amazing
I remember lusting after the Opel GT when it was new. It came well before the Vauxhall Cavalier, though. The Viva and Victor were the contemporary Vauxhalls
The 1909 Rolls Royce, I trained as a coach painter for my first job. I got my city and guilds in it and loved it.i hand painted some champion cars. But the market disappeared for it, and I ended up as a painter/decorator.