The Dark Wob

"All new high tech machines like these robots" ... Which are Kuka, German made machinery. Interesting to note the heavy investment German industry has made into quality machine tools over the years. Much more than the UK.

Poor old ARG*

They were still harvesting the distrust from fleet and public alike, and released an underdeveloped turd like the Montego.




*Arrrrrggggg!

I remember at the time the newspapers had news of Harold Musgove, the ARG MD, had fixed an oil leak on his new Montego. The impression they tried to give was that here was someone who didn't mind getting his hands dirty.
Mine was the MD's, no doubt specially selected, new car leaks oil. Wouldn't it make more sense to not publicise it, as he would have no doubt decided to, and fix the fucking problem at source.
It didn't help that styling wise it was a munter, only the estate looking vaguely ok.

I didn't think they looked too bad in their day, but it's very rare for the estate not to be the best looking version of any family car.

They were shit. The Sierra and Cavalier were both much better resolved and infinitely more reliable. BL were just not capable of building a good car. Design, yes. Manufacture - no.

I always remember the squeaky rear suspension in my Dad's company car Montego Countryman. Used to drive me crazy.

Didn't annoy my dad though. That was reserved for the Cavalier that broke down very often. Handily though it did have a "mobile" phone fitted in it! Plug the massive lead acid battery in the boot to charge and then plug the handset bit into front.

Most BL cars had no build quality problems. They weren't built at all.

I've got to say that my 1982 MG Metro, that I bought new, had no problems at all until my dad drove it into a skip in the dark in about 1996. It wasn't even rusty.

My dad had a Mastro & a Montego amongst other cars when I got older. They were both ok cars & the only reason he didn't keep the Mastro long was someone kindly* ramming it into a ditch 10 days after he got it.