781 KG

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I've just finished reading a road test on a 1983 VW Golf GTI 1.8.

Apparently, it tipped the scales at a paltry 781 KG..........

What the f**K are they making cars out of today? Mrs Opti's 2003 Corsa 1.2 weighs in at  a Billy Bunteresque 1000 KG. The latest Corsa is even more of a fat bastard.  

[Elite Pete]

It's all the ABS, Airbags, Climate Control and all the other pap they've added over the years

[symes]

Dont like new cars-all the ones round were I live seem as big as miggys boot  and you now ya gonna look g a y driving one- Funny my 5ltre rover lighter than mig

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I reckon it's a conspiracy involving the car makers and steel plants!

[symes]

No modern cars cost a fortune so to entice you to buy one they put all sorts of gizmos in them-cant remember maker but on advert you could have internet/wi/fi

[aaronjb]

ABS, airbags, electric windows, side impact protection (heavy crash bars), carefully designed crumple zones with reinforced areas elsewhere, the big dashboards that we all expect today, 19283712 speakers, stereo, electric seats, lumbar support, lots and lots and lots of sound deadening.. Plus the 300Kg of lead in the boot.

None of that was in a 1983 car of the kind you're talking about here

[martin42]

im glad ive gone to the escort cabby,no abs/tc issues to worry about,get in and drive it as it was meant to be,none off this drivers aid crap,which the new transit i have at the moment does,hill start wtf is that all about,i dont need it,and if you cant do 1 you shouldnt be driving,bit like the parking assist WHY!!!! if you cant park then you shouldnt be driving,its all part of the test these days,more weight,electrical gadgets etc dont do it for me

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

ABS, airbags, electric windows, side impact protection (heavy crash bars), carefully designed crumple zones with reinforced areas elsewhere, the big dashboards that we all expect today, 19283712 speakers, stereo, electric seats, lumbar support, lots and lots and lots of sound deadening.. Plus the 300Kg of lead in the boot.

None of that was in a 1983 car of the kind you're talking about here

That's true, Aaron and I certainly wouldn't wish to wrap an old motor round a tree..........but even accounting for modern safety features the cars of today still seem weighty.

I've just googled the weight of a MK3 Zodiac from the sixties..............1256 KG.....

[aaronjb]

I suspect most of the weight difference is really in the 'creature comforts' we've all come to expect than the safety features, myself..

Just think back to how spartan the interiors of cars back then really were (he says, wracking his brains to remember what the Allegro was like!)

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I suspect most of the weight difference is really in the 'creature comforts' we've all come to expect than the safety features, myself..

Just think back to how spartan the interiors of cars back then really were (he says, wracking his brains to remember what the Allegro was like!)

Are you admitting to  ownership of an Austin All-aggro, Aaron?

You're a braver man than I.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Cars are larger, safer and have considerbly stiffer chassis's. Bolt on all the extra's we all must have and the result is much greater weight.

Golf Mk1  - 3.7m x 1.6m
Corsa C - 3.8m x 1.65m (hatch)

[aaronjb]

Are you admitting to  ownership of an Austin All-aggro, Aaron?

You're a braver man than I.

Keep up old chap.. I've admitted to it several times here over the years  

1978, same age as me, donated by my Granddad complete with the dual controls he had installed as a driving instructor years before.. leaky, slow, bouncy but a wonderful first car back in 1996

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Are you admitting to  ownership of an Austin All-aggro, Aaron?

You're a braver man than I.

Keep up old chap.. I've admitted to it several times here over the years  

1978, same age as me, donated by my Granddad complete with the dual controls he had installed as a driving instructor years before.. leaky, slow, bouncy but a wonderful first car back in 1996

I can talk. As a young stud about town, I once owned an Austin Princess 1700.....Shhhh keep it to yourself.

[Kevin Wood]

Are you admitting to  ownership of an Austin All-aggro, Aaron?

You're a braver man than I.

Keep up old chap.. I've admitted to it several times here over the years  

1978, same age as me, donated by my Granddad complete with the dual controls he had installed as a driving instructor years before.. leaky, slow, bouncy but a wonderful first car back in 1996

I can talk. As a young stud about town, I once owned an Austin Princess 1700.....Shhhh keep it to yourself.

Oh, same Engine as my Morris Ital..

Oh, 5h1t! I said that out loud, didn't I?

[omega3000]

Always wanted an Austin Princess