The X-Type was the only thing done wrong. Apart from that, nothing really changed in Volvo and Jaguar.
The X-Type and the "rebodied Lincoln", the S-Type too. These are pretty much the only products Jaguar launched under the Ford management. Brands in the Premium Division couldn't make profits if their life depended, and they literally came to a new life when they finally changed ownership for the better.
The LS and S-Type weren't a bad idea - the LS was for the more budget-conscious buyer, while the S-Type was for those more sophisticated. Also, there were the X300, X308, X350 XJs (last one aluminium), X100 and X150 XKs, and I suppose a fair share of Ford engineering went into the XF and X351 XJ.
And still, the Premium Division as a whole, as much as the design houses they purchased in the '70s, were grossly mismanaged. Suffice to say, Ghia and Vignale don't exist anymore (and that's the point here), and the Premium Division brands were all off-loaded to save Ford from bankruptcy...
Just thought I'd pop my head in to say I'm now the proud owner of this lovely 1984 Subaru 1600 GL. One owner and completely original with just 142,000 km.
Nice! I hope you luck with it. (I remembered that the Leone did go under the name 1600, according to an source.)
Yes, it's a Leone. I can't find any info on what it was called where, but the Leone name clearly wasn't used here in any official capacity.
Probably the Japanese name. Here's an example of an car with different names: In countries like Australia, this is called the Nissan Maxima, the codename for it was A33. In the US, it went under the name I30 from the brand Infiniti. The Japanese name was officially Cefiro, although it still shared code-names with all the other renamed versions, but some differed.
Interesting revelation with the Subie. I don't know how this could possibly have happened, but it is not a 1600 GL. I realised this when I started searching for parts online only to find that the 1.6 was not available on GL models. I went straight outside and checked the engine code and, sure enough, it's an EA81, not an EA71. All the VIN numbers match, inlcuding the one listed on the original receipt from 1984, and checking it online shows the car with a 1.8, ruling out an engine swap. I have no explanation other than that the original owner somehow went over 30 years not having any idea what engine his car had. So, I am now the proud owner of a 1984 Subaru 1800 GL.
Yes, that's what the ad said and what I was told. It's also circled on the cover of the owner's manual and underlined serveral times within.
It's a little worrying, but the car works so I guess at least the important maintenance was done correctly.
I spun out while being an idiot. Not my proudest moment. I've already got two new wheels and tires back on the car, everything seems to be in order. A lot to be said for the resiliency of the panther platform.
