Saloon Appeal

From Moss Motoring 1986

By Robert W. Horzmann, Baldwin, Mo.

There’s no doubt in my mind that the British sports car provides a unique driving experience. As I remember, my driving experiences in British cars, a common trait recurs. British cars generally possess refined road manners and a sporting character. They are delightful to drive and reward the skillful driver with pleasurable experiences. This is true of sports cars and sporting sedans.

I hope that, as a group interested in British cars, we do not fall victim to the narrow vision which has plagued our hobby in the past. We have all seen neglected sports cars. These cars were allowed to decay and went uncared for because they were unfashionable or not valuable enough to rebuild. Austin Healeys, Triumphs, Jaguars and MG’s which were discarded in previous decades are now being rebuilt and are highly prized. We failed to anticipate the simple principle that the value of those relics would increase with age and renewed interest.

I hope that 20-20 hindsight will help us to realize that the sporting sedans of the ’50s and ’60s are suffering the fate of lesser sports cars of our past. The list of potential neglected cars include MG’s, Triumphs, Rileys, Austins and Jaguars. Many of these cars possess desirable characteristics. They offer, in addition, the larger passenger accommodation and luxury not found in the true sports cars.

Sedans were never as numerous as sports cars in the U.S. Those that were imported have largely been neglected and abandoned, so few remain. The phrase ‘badge engineered’ holds no disfavor for sedan enthusiasts, it simply means that because of parts shared by cars of different product lines there is a ready supply of most components. Some knowledge of these kindred components is required. Once mastered it is apparent that many parts are available from your favorite supplier. (Moss, of course).

Your choice of sporting sedan will also in all probability be catered to by a marque club or register of a larger club.

So, do your homework, learn about your favorite marque. There’s a lot to recommend owning a sporting sedan over owning another clone car from the 80’s.

Editor’s Note:

There are many parts, especially electrical items that are common throughout the range of British cars. Most of the mechanical parts found on sports cars were directly appropriated from production saloons. Although our metier is sports car parts we do try to keep as many British cars on the road as possible, and appreciate your efforts and loyalty to your choice.

If you have done some research or have interchange lists that you wish to share we would be glad to have this information. Please do not at this time send inquiries or orders for uncataloged parts.

Our hope is to gather enough information to make some comprehensive listings of Moss parts which we already catalog. We will keep you posted through Moss Motoring. Send your listings to Editor, Moss Motoring, 7200 Hollister, Goleta, CA 93117