Found an old video tape with this on, probably the best uk car advert there has ever been. They just don't make them like they used to. Russ Swift FTW!
I worked for a cab firm in the early 1990s, we had a 1.6 sierra, cavalier and montego- the montego was the one we all used to fight over. it was the most comfortable, best handling and fastest. a good car
I've had my fair share of S series engines. They were quite a good engine, better than the 2.0 O series in my opinion as they had a non-interference combustion chamber so if the timing belt ever failed, you'd just fit a new one and be back on your way. None of this bent valves crap you get with modern engines. However, the engine wasn't without it's foibles. The oil seperator was placed at the front of the engine with the exit pipe on the front of the sump below the bumper line so the water vapour which would blow up the seperator pipe would cool down due to the outside temperature and you'd get mayo in the oil filler cap. They (the dimwits at Austin Rover) thought a good solution would be to tie wrap a "jacket" around the pipe work, but the only snag was that they couldn't fit the jacket low enough down the pipe to protect the inlet against the elements!. They did correct the issue after around 6 years of fobbing us off with crap, with the 16HE unleaded version. They redesigned the sump to feature the oil seperator at the rear, problem solved. The other issue was oil leaks from the timing belt rear cover, between the block and head, because some bright spark at austin rover thought it would be a really good idea to hang the engine in the car on one side by allowing the cylinder head to take the weight.......very clever!. But in spite of this, I still preferred this engine over the 2.0 O series as it had a shorter stroke and was more willing to rev, plus being a non-interference design vs O series, and the head gasket oil leaks were far worse with the O due to the designer probably popping out to the pub between designing the block and head. The oil ways didn't align!. The fuel injected 104bhp motor they fitted to the SD3 216SE, VP and Vitesse was the best iteration of this engine. I loved my 2x 216 Vitesse's I once owned. However, the Cavalier "Family 2" engine was way more refined and had much better gearing for motorway cruising and overall the Cav was the better car. So I'd have chosen the car I have never owned (but test driven), the Cavalier.
I chose one as my first car.. the legroom was the best (I am 6'2" tall) and the dashboard looked rather modern. Handled surprisingly well. Cheaper than the Sierra to run. Rusted at the wheel arches like a bastard though....
Russ Swift just stunned his audience at the Singapore Motor Show 2024. Another 2 more evening shows at 5pm and 8pm. And I paid my ticket not to see pretty models or sexy automobiles on display but just to see this fabulous Russ burning some rubber!
I had a Montego for years. If it wasn't for the damn rust I'd still be running it. 2 litre Perkins Prima with turbocharger, over 50 mpg, comfortable. Fantastic!
Looks like they sold that actual car to an unsuspecting punter , E438MHN silver montego was on the road until 2000 according to DVLA , wonder if the owner had any idea it had been through all this stunt driving?
The Rover 213/216 was smaller and had a more respectable image than the Montego that was the ideal car for Hyacinth Bucket. I couldn't imagine Russ driving one like a maniac. There are only about 400 Montegos still running in Britain today.
@lewis72: But it *was* a similar price to a 1.6 Sierra and Cav. All the major manufacturers had cars at that price point and trim level because it was the most competitive position in the whole range, attracting both fleet buyers and junior execs wanting their first company car. Rebadging the VP to 1.6L would have made it look too expensive compared to other 1.6Ls, toys or not. But the Montego VP was two litre anyhow, which placed it in a completely different bracket.
when are they making a 'love it' button? This is easily the best advert i've ever seen. /my favourite bit is where he slides the front end 'round with handbrake on. Now to practice that with my parent's car! :D
The montego was a good car especially the diesel one they went forever but in my opinion the sierra was better having had 2 of them both never let me down. :)
Haha!! They daren't show or make anything like that anymore. It would be condemned and banned for being seen to promote dangerous and inappropriate driving. I wonder who the actor is in the car, what became of him and what he does now?
I like how they assume that just becasue it's badged "1.6L", it's comparable to the Cav. & the Sierra 1.6L. They should have compared on price. I mean, they could have just rebadged their VP to a 1.6L and then rattled on about leather seats and the like.
too bad my father bought a red used 1,3l one...and unable we were to restore it so we recyled it for 100 euros...the car that in 96 starting to learn driving...
