I remember it won a design award, back in the 1980s. I also remember the estate could be had with self-levelling suspension, which was quite innovative at the time.
I think that the estate was quite a good product compared to the Sierra & Cavalier models. The VdP EFI Montego estate was higher spec than either Ford or Vauxhall could offer, with the Cavalier only being available as a 1.6 in base, L or GL trim.
Sold ‘em new. They were roomy and quite good value against Sierra /Cavalier. But that’s where the positives end. Check out the panel / trim fit in the opening shots - this is a new car, in a promotional video! These cars were hastily designed,woefully inept, then poorly built by a work force who couldn’t care less. I had a demonstrator that creaked, rattled and squeaked, leaked rain water into the cabin, and went through 3 clutch cables in less than 5000 miles. It’s not hard to understand why so few remain today - best forgotten - no need to ask why there are no volume uk car manufacturers left.
I was thinking exactly the same with those panel gaps and shut lines on the opening shots, but then thought I was being a little harsh on a 40yr old car, but yeah, they were pretty dire weren't they! Ambitious, but shit 😂
I had an MG Montego, I simply replaced the grommet on the clutch cable at the bulkhead and used marine grease on the fork cable end correct. I did 178k miles and only replaced suspension and brakes.
Great cars . Had these mgs and vp. Never had problems. Used to drive long distances. Never broke. Only people who say negative things of these cars. Is people who don't know how to check oil and water.
Always wanted the Sierra to have the integrated wash/wipe feature seemed like a real loss to an otherwise pretty good car, otherwise I will take the ford any day thanks lol
The car that could have been so much more, sadly it didn’t quite hit the quality, seemed so advanced at the time then you get the later cavalier in 1988 then suddenly the montego and maestro seemed like old hat dinosaurs, I had a couple of 90s Rovers and they were great and vast improvement over the older Austin - Rover cars of yesteryear
Can see the tag line now: “do you wish your already ugly, outdated and badly built Maestro had a tacked-on boot with a weird rear quarter light and a slightly different front end? Montego - the car for you!” 😂
