The 50th Geneva Motor Show

Always one of the best European Motor Shows, this year’s 50th Geneva Show was packed with even more interest than usual. Star of the Show was the exciting four-wheel-drive Audi Quattro, described elsewhere in this issue, but every corner hid a novelty. 

Ferrari sprung a surprise with their Mondial 8, shown on the left, a revival of a famous model name from the fifties. Maserati had their new Quattroporte as a show centrepiece. Reliant showed their GTC convertible for the first time, and on the more mundane side Fiat introduced a five-door version of the 127. Renault’s new Fuego coupé, in many guises, looked impressive. Mercedes displayed their new range of SLs and SLCs as well as the S-class saloons. 

Gratifyingly, one of the most impressive stands belonged to BL, whose offerings included the new and very well-received, TR7 Drophead and a four-door version of the Range-Rover, to be built for BL in limited numbers by Monteverdi. A period street scene included several cars from BL Heritage, including the Daimler tested by W.B. in Motor Sport last November. 

Peugeot revived Gregoire rear suspension in a bid for a flat floor area in their 305 Break, another Show announcement. Beuttler had a nice “Twin-Top” conversion on a Mazda RX7, with twin removable panels like a Corvette Stingray. Saab introduced a conventional three-box version of the previously hatchbacked 900 range. Lancia’s neat little f.w.d. Delta, Car of the Year, shared the Lancia stand with a revised Beta Montecarlo.

Illustrated here are a few of the more interesting cars and people photographed by the Deputy Editor during a walk round the Show.