Top 10: Car of the Year winners
The European Car of the Year award is open to cars available new in at least five European Union states, and which sell a minimum of 5000 per year. The event has grown significantly since the award was first run in 1964, but the spirit of the event remains the same. We've chosen 10 of the best award winners. It’s subjective, of course, so let us know what you think…
1977 Rover 3500 SD1
Forget memories of flaking paint, water-filled gloveboxes and Crumbling electrics – when the Rover SD1 was launched in 1976, it really was cutting edge stuff. With supercar-inspired styling, a 125mph maximum speed, and a bargain list price, the SD1 represented the dynamic future of executive motoring.
The CoTY jury was won over by these very qualities, despite BL’s exciting new car sharing a place on the shortlist with the commercially significant Ford Fiesta. But the SD1 represented so much when it was launched – it was the pride of the UK’s car industry, right down to the impressive new factory erected in Solihull. And for a few glorious months, the SD1 looked like it had all of the right ingredients.
Pete E on 17 October 2016
Looks like my first comment was lost. I bought my Fiat 128 while serving in the forces in Germany, 1970 model. Brought back to the UK and after 93,000 miles decided to upgrade. Dinitrol treated from new, just one small hole in valance when part x'd. It certainly was a grea little car. As I have said, I still have an original hubcap on my wall.David Walls on 17 October 2016
Whilst serving in the MN we took the first Austin 1800 to NZ, arriving in Jan 1964. Needless to say, the wharfies, using our derricks, dropped it from about 30 feet and it never turned a wheel. Signs of things to come.Mv Napier Star Cadet!
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