Large family cars

AUSTIN A99     Stand 102

Although using the same basic body style as the smaller Farina models the A99 seems to look a better-balanced car. With the Austin Healey 3000 engine and disc brakes at the front this could well be a desirable six-seater.

Price : £1,149.

BORGWARD ISABELLA    Stand 156

Having a very strong following in this country and in many others the Isabella range is expected to be unaltered. These fully independently sprung 1 1/2-litre cars have astonishing performance for their capacity and a good deal of passenger and baggage space.

Prices : Isabella, £1,198; Isabella TS, £1,375; TS coupe, £1.928.

CITROEN 1919 AND DS19          Stand 104

Still well in advance of most other family car designs, the Citroen needs no changes and those that have been made are designed to enhance the car’s reputation even further. One of the few firms to study the safety aspect of car design, Citroen offer a specially designed seat as an optional extra. This is the ” Belbrace ” safety seat, which has an integral safety harness which springs back into the seat when not in use. When fitted the wearer can move about normally but a sharp jerk will lock the harness. A much-needed innovation, which other manufacturers should copy. A pity that Citroen did out see fit to make it standard equipment.

Prices: ID19. £1.486: DS19, £1.695: Safari estate. £1,851.

FIAT 1800 AND 2100     Stand 138

Introduced last year, the two large Fiats have gained a quick reputation as brisk performing saloons with better-than-average road-holding and steering. The 2100 is seen with a sliding roof at Earls Court for the first time.

Prices : £1800, 1,347;  2100, £1,309; 2100 special, £1.598.

ZEPHYR AND ZODIAC    Stands 98/99

Following on from Ford’s extensive rally participation with disc-braked Zephyrs, 9 3/4-in. Girling discs are now available on the front as optional extras at a cost of £29 15s. Owners of Mk II models can convert their cars for around £40. The cars remain unchanged and offer remarkable value.

Prices: Zephyr saloon. £865: Zephyr convertible, £936; Zodiac £957; Zodiac convertible. £1.238.

HAWK AND SUPER SNIPE    Stand 114

If we say that the new Snipe is the first British car to feature four headlamps, some of our readers will no doubt contradict us; at least it is the first to follow the present American trend for dual headlamps. The Snipe is fully described on page 899. The Hawk is now fitted with disc brakes as standard equipment.

Prices : Not yet available.

MERCEDES-BENZ 220       Stand 120

Nothing new from Mercedes will be seen at Earls Court and the range continues entirely unchanged. With the memory of Mercedes raving victories fading fast the 220 series still sell well in this country despite high prices.

Prices : 220 saloon, £2,249; 2205, £2,490; 220SE, £2,724.

Peugeot 403 and 404          Stand 115

Since last year the 203 model has been dropped and the 404 introduced, although the latter in no way replaces the 203. Although joining the Fiat and B.M.C. range in external appearance the 404 retains the personality of the 403 with several improvements, including a new 1,618c.c. four-cylinder engine developing 72 b.h.p.

Prices : 403, £1,129; 404, £1,297.

RENAULT FLORIDE    Stand 111

A difficult car to classify, the Floride probably appeals more to the sporting enthusiast than the family man but its restricted performance prompts us to incIude it in the family-car class. This year the gear ratios have been altered slightly and the convertible now has the hood fixed permanently at the rear.

Prices : Convertible, £.1,217; fixed-head coupe, £1,238.

ROVER 80 AND 100 Stand 139

Although introduced last year we still have not been afforded an opportunity to test either the 80 or the 100. They both continue without alteration.

Prices : 80, £1,365; 100, £1,538.

STANDARD VANGUARD      Stand 141

Addition to the Standard range for 1961 is the six-cylinder Vanguard Luxury Six. This consists of the Michelotti-styled Vanguard fitted with a new six-cylinder o.h.v. unit having a capacity of 1,998c.c. and bore and stroke of 74.6 x 76mm. giving 80- b.h.p. at 4,400 r.p.m.. The chassis will have longer rear springs and revised damper settings and a four-speedI gearbox as standard equipment. The four-cylinderr Vanguard continues with the above chassis modifications and no increase in price.

Price; Vanguard £986; Vanguard Six, £1,021; Vanguard Six estate car, £1,134.

VANDEN PLAS PRINCESS Stand 140

Previously known as body builders, Vanden Plas now rank as manufacturers and occupy a stand in the main hall. The Princess 3-litre introduced last year continues as the prestige car of the Farina-line models and is exhibited alongside the 4-litre long-wheelbase limousine.

Prices : 3-litre, £1,397; 3-litre Automatic, £1,467; 4-litre, £3,047.

VAUXHALL VELOX AND CRESTA      Stand 130

Externally similar to 1960 models, the latest Velox and Cresta models feature new 2.6-litre engines giving 113 b.h.p. at 4,800 r.p.m. The rear axle ratio is up to 3.9 to 1 and 14-in. wheels are fitted, which should put the two large Vauxhall models near the 100-m.p.h. mark. To handle the increased power a larger clutch is fitted and 9-in. brakes are fitted at the front with 10-in at the rear. Hydra-Matic automatic transmission is available as well as the Laycock-de Normanville overdrive.

Prices : Velox, £929: Cresta, £1,014; Velox Friary estate car, £1,222: Cresta Friary estate car, £1,109.

VOLGA        Stand 150

This Russian car was introduced at last year’s Show and is now distributed in this country by Thomson and Taylor, of Cobham. The Volga appears to be unchanged and offers a very complete specification for a reasonably modest price, such items as metal radiator shutters, heater/defroster, radio, and large tool kit being included in the basic specification.

Price : £1,113.

VOLVO 122S      Stand 158

No details of any changes to the Volvo range have reached us at the time of going to press but it is expected that the 1800 sports model will be displayed on the Volvo stand.

Pr ice : 1225. £1.299.

WOLSELEY 6/99 Stand 110

One of the 100-m.p.h. saloons which have prompted B.M.C. to give their sales staff advanced driving lessons, the Wolseley 6/99 is fitted with the 3-litre ” C ” series engine giving 112 b.h.p. and Lockheed disc brakes on the front wheels.

Prices : 6/99, £1,255: 6/99 automatic. £1,326.