Cars that got a bad rap early

I was reading th eposts about classics that get no respect so I decide to do a spin off on that subject. Cars that got hammered in the press or got a bad reputation early but with some newer modern tweaks are really good cars. Specifically I was thinking about cars like the Triumph Stag or the MGA Twin Cam which had the reputations for overheating and poor coling which led to engine problems, but today are easily remideed. Also the Corvair and "Nader handling issues". The exploding Pinto myth. The Fiat acronym, (which I refuse to repeat). I am sure there are many others

MGA Twin Cam - it wasn't overheating, it was burning holes in the pistons. They finally tracked it down well after production ceased. It was due to a float jamming on the centre post because of a vibration period in the engine that happened to equate to what people doing fast highway driving might hit.

Solution - mount the carbs with a flexible mount as Webers do (and for the same reason).

Although these cars were shunned for years because of the reputation for unreliability, that kept prices down. No longer the case as they are appreciated for what they are - the most sporting post war MG made. Equivalent to a Mk 2 MGA or MGB up to 4500 RPM and then zing! pull like a train up to 7,000 (MG should have done what Lotus did and used a rev limiting rotor - more than a few came to grief because they were so willing to rev).

Another example - MGC.

Roundly criticized by the reviewers because of nose heavy handling, the simple and inexpensive solution was a stiffer front sway bar to stop the front wheel from rolling the tires under. The result isn't as handy as an MGB, but it is a far better highway tourer with long legs and more power. The solution, if discovered before release could have made the difference between a success and failure of the model.

The TR8 suffered from poor built quality of the early TR7s. A fantastic car that never got it's due respect.

How about the Fiero's reputation for bursting into flame? That's been fixed long ago, and you're left with a GM equivalent of an MR2.

yes, I had a 1st year Fiero. Drove it 125K and never had a problem. At 125K I hit a deer slightly and messed up the front. I should have fixed it and kept it, sorry I didn't. Not a very powerful car but FUN!

Audi 5000: A groundbreaking car, besmirched by operator error.

maseratiguy wrote: The Fiat acronym, (which I refuse to repeat).

Assuming that FIAT acronym is Fix It Again Tony, I will certainly repeat it.

I have had an absolute love/hate relationship with Fiats. I love Fiats when they run correctly, but I hate that they almost never do.

Rupert wrote:

maseratiguy wrote: The Fiat acronym, (which I refuse to repeat).

Assuming that FIAT acronym is Fix It Again Tony, I will certainly repeat it. I have had an absolute love/hate relationship with Fiats. I love Fiats when they run correctly, but I hate that they almost never do.

I think you could apply the mentality behind that acronym to almost anything Italian and innovative.

Personally I blame the cast iron, pushrod mechanics too (proud?) to admit their lack of knowledge when it came to the maintenance and troubleshooting involved with aluminum, belt driven, OHC engines with early injection systems (or multiple Weber Carburetors).

But, then again, that could be just me...

oh, put me down for Ladas, Trabants, Wartburgs, or "The Yugo".

Basic? Yes

Cheap? yes

archaic? yes

But "Bad"? no.

The Sunbeam Tiger did not get great reviews in the beginning and were bargains for many years. The phenominal escalation of Cobra prices has dragged the "lowly" Tiger up. I could have bought a running one witha hardtop for $400 around 1975.

Jaguar XJS, got off to a bad start with crippling fuel economy in the mid 70's and aweful quality both build and parts. Only sold 1,200 in the first year but recoverd to be selling over 10k a year in the late 80's and soldiered on too 1996. Not a bad run and to date Jag's longest running platform.

Definitely the Porsche 924 belongs on the list. Never accepted as a genuine Porsche, it was to Porsche owners what the TR7 was initially to Triumph owners, if not even more so. However if it wasn't for the good sales numbers of the 924 then Porsche may have gone into bankruptcy back in the 70's.

Assuming that FIAT acronym is Fix It Again Tony, I will certainly repeat it.

I have had an absolute love/hate relationship with Fiats. I love Fiats when they run correctly, but I hate that they almost never do.

I think you could apply the mentality behind that acronym to almost anything Italian and innovative.

Personally I blame the cast iron, pushrod mechanics too (proud?) to admit their lack of knowledge when it came to the maintenance and troubleshooting involved with aluminum, belt driven, OHC engines with early injection systems (or multiple Weber Carburetors).

But, then again, that could be just me...

Actually I was thinking more about the electrics which lose in a comparison to Lucas, the metal which was only painted (protected) on the show side and the leaks and starting issues which are both in the league of a Harley XLCH Sportster. (I often wished Fiats came with a crank starter. That often helped with Lucas problems.) I was used to overhead cams, multiple carbs, etc. long before I owned a Fix It Again Tony.

But as I said, when they started & I wasn't fixing rust or repairing lights & other electric glitches, I loved them.

...Should've fixed it right the first time.

I was going to say X1/9's, which I love but many people have issues with Fiats. I never did. Unlike some other cars, I was never stranded with my Italian friends (Fiat or Alfa), and I've had a bunch. The thing with the Fiat is that you have to understand it, and do your maintenance. My maintenance also included checking and cleaning every ground once a year. I did have one electrical issue once that when you hit the brakes, the lights would go up and down, and not in unison. The problem ended up being a bad ground of course. But my drive home that day delighted many.

The master cylinder was also a pain, but back in the day, you could get OEM parts still, and I understand the newer aftermarket ones do not hold up as well.

They did however rust. You did have to watch for rust, but the good thing about the X, is that it didn't hide it the way other cars can.

I've heard the Superbird and Charger Daytona didn't go over well at all when they were new - just looked too over the top, and some sat on dealer lots for years. Which is all the more incredible considering there were less than 2500 made, total for both. So there was less demand for them than a thousand per year.

The only Fiat I ever bought new was a X-19. That car was the most fun to autocross stock of any car I ever owned! It also was pretty comfortable, regardless of weather.

I spent a week of vacation priming and painting whatever bare metal I could easily access. Never did understand why the factory didn't. Other than the various electrical issues I was always working through, I found it quite an enjoyable car. As I have said before, I loved it when it ran well!

I would suggest an X-19 would make a fine car to play with. Just make sure you can spare the garage space and have a daily driver.

Well it wasn't exactly a "bad" rap, but I remember the 427 Cobras originally took a long time to sell.

spitfirebill wrote: Well it wasn't exactly a "bad" rap, but I remember the 427 Cobras originally took a long time to sell.

Go figure....how times have changed....

Dougie

maseratiguy wrote: The Fiat acronym, (which I refuse to repeat).

Fabricca Italiane Automobili Torino...What's wrong with that?

dougie wrote:

spitfirebill wrote: Well it wasn't exactly a "bad" rap, but I remember the 427 Cobras originally took a long time to sell.

Go figure....how times have changed.... Dougie

Yup. Same thing with the Superbirds.

What about the original VW Beetle when it re-entered production post war. It was originaly shunned as being too old, slow and ugly, but they started up and it slowly gained populartiy until it became the world wide hit that soldierd on into the 21st century.

Yup, see how many of these cars we all would like to have now! It is funny how times and perceptions change.

maseratiguy wrote: Yup, see how many of these cars WE all would like to have now! It is funny how times and perceptions change.

I don't think WE are exactly the mainstream then or now.