The Reliant Robin

Ooh forgot about the "mighty" Trabant.
Then there is also the Syrena

 

@longk

It's a real pity the British motor industry went the way it did, there were lots of nice innovations and ideas.

As regards the Audi Quattro, for me it's certainly a classic but I reckon the purists would argue that they are not old enough and too many of them around.

The old Ford Cortinas are cool but for me the Capri (the 2.8L version not the horrible 1,6L ones) are even cooler.

 

That was a new one on me! Damned cool

 

Below is a pic of the Syrena 103, I reckon if a car manufacturer had to make a modern version of it like Fiat did with it's 500, they wouldn't be able to make enough of them.
It's a really cool looking thing.

 

I once owned a fire-breathing 2litre Crappy! Someone had gone mad and fitted a basically race tuned engine that produced a bit under 200bhp at over 6000rpm! Undrivable because of the way that it delivered its power coupled to a back end that was still using leaf springs. I chucked the leaf springs and modified the back axle to run on four links on birdcages, an anti-squat link and Koni coil over units which improved it no end. Ford could have done that easily.

 

If I'm not mistaken Ford did release later models with all sorts of enhancements.

 

Tell you what, if I could find a Syrena in this part of the world (probably easier finding chicken teeth) and knew more about restoring cars, would do one up like this.

 

To the best of my knowledge they all retained the old cart spring layout. It's possible that the post factory modifiers (Tickford for example) did something about it though.

 

I think that I would keep it as standard as possible externally, but go mad on the running gear!

 

Yup, would be tempted to do that as well but the original engines in those were around 750cc and probably gave out around 40 hp (when new) so changing the engine to anything more substantial would necessitate newer drive shaft, gear box, clutch, suspension, a monumental task.
Actually would probably have to change them anyhow as I can't imagine they are too good to start with.

 

Daf If the drive goes bang, get your tights out

 

Think so but not sure

 

Don't forget the Wartburg