CHASING CARS
ASKING £22,950 PRICE
ENGINE 1585cc/4-cyl/DOHC POWER 150bhp@6700rpm TORQUE 112lb ft@6500rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 120mph 0-60MPH 7.8sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 20-29mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, five-speed manual MoT October 2023 ODOMETER 97,554 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
Stoke up the twin cam ‘four’ and it settles to a muted rumble; power from the over-bored engine is plentiful and it responds well to the throttle. The steering feels light but weights up nicely as you input controls. It feels as though it wants to pull right under braking but this could have been down to the badly cambered test roads because it doesn’t pull or wander conventionally and the steering wheel centres properly as you come out of a corner. Rough roads fail to upset the car or disclose any clonks or rattles. The gearbox feels strong; the synchromesh on fourth is a little weak but it shifts smartly.
BODYWORK CHECK
The unique two-tone metal flake silver over yellow works on this car; it was re-painted in the ‘90s. The bumpers work well to tie the colour palette together and are free of pitting, corrosion or scuffs. All of the brightwork and badges around the car are tidy and clean. A brace of Lucas fog lamps are neatly mounted beneath the bumper and retain their caps. The wheels are well maintained with few marks to their edges and the painted sections are in good condition.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The headlining is immaculate and free of any sagging, nicks or tears. The upholstery is remarkable with materials holding up well and showing no sign of age. The dashboard is in a similar state, though with a few cracks to the lacquer of the walnut and a more modern radio/cassette player though it’s well judged and sits well in the dash. The labels for the many switches read clearly and haven’t faded. The carpets are tidy and the windows operate well. All of the dials read well and th
