UK Cars Trivia

1. Which major manufacturer of parts for British sports cars became jokingly known as the 'Prince of Darkness'?

From Quiz British Sports Cars

Answer: Lucas

Quality and reliability was not always the best at Lucas and parts had a tendency to fail in use, e.g. eletrical systems.

From Quiz The Austin Champ

Answer: 1951 - 1956

In 1947 the Army issued a specification for a light truck to replace the American Willys jeep which was then in use. This was to reduce dependency on foreign vehicles and the cost involved. The Nuffield Organisation responded by building three prototypes of a vehicle known as the 'Nuffield Gutty'. Testing revealed a number of defects, and the design was modified by Government engineers at the Fighting Vehicles Research and Development Establishment. About thirty prototypes of the improved design were built by Wolseley Motors Limited, which was a part of Nuffield, under the name 'Wolseley Mudlark'. After further enhancements the design was finalised, and a contract awarded to the Austin Motor Company to supply 15,000 vehicles to the Army. In order to increase profits, Austin was given permission to produce a civilian version, and eventually about 500 of these were built. The military version was designated 'Truck, 1/4 ton, CT, 4×4, cargo & FFW, Austin Mk.1' and the civilian model was sold as the 'Champ', but soon the civilian name was used throughout the Army, albeit unofficially.

From Quiz A-Z of British Cars

Answer: Avenger

The Hillman Avenger was a moderately successful design. There was a sporty version, with a matt-black bonnet, called the Avenger Tiger. To keep production costs down, the engineers from Rootes Group (Hillman's parent company) maintained a light body shell. The result of this was that a fitted sunroof was not an option on the Avenger, because making a hole in the roof tended to make it slightly floppy!

From Quiz The Land Rover Challenge

Answer: Maurice Wilks

Maurice Wilks was the chief designer for the Rover Car Company and worked on his prototype on his farm in Anglesey. He was inspired in design by the wartime Jeep that played a major transport role in World War II.

From Quiz The Hillman Imp

Answer: 1963

The Hillman Imp was manufactured under the Hillman brand name, by the Rootes Group. The Imp was assembled in Linwood, a small town in Renfrewshire, Scotland, 14 miles south-west of Glasgow.

From Quiz Triumph Spitfire

Answer: 1962

The Triumph Spitfire Mark 1 hit the streets in 1962 and continued up until 1964. The engine was from a Triumph Herald with the addition of twin SU carburetors for extra performance. The running gear was also taken from the Triumph Herald. The steering was Rack-and-pinion with Independent/Coil Springs at the front and Independent/Transverse leaf springs at the rear.

From Quiz BMC Mini

Answer: Alec Issigonis

Alec Issigonis was born in Turkey (1906) with a father of British nationality and a Bavarian mother.

From Quiz UK Cars

Answer: Maserati Ghibli

Although the lower models in both the Lancia Delta and BMW 3-series range were sold in right-hand drive, the top models were only available as left-hand drive; all subsequent M3s were sold as right-hand drive in the UK. The Fiat Barchetta was only ever produced in left-hand drive form despite it being marketed in both the UK and Japan.

From Quiz Aston Martin Cars

Answer: Lionel Martin

Since 1994 Aston Martin has been part of the Premier Automotive Group division of Ford Motor Company, though Ford announced in August 2006 that it was considering selling the firm.

From Quiz British Leyland Cars of the 70s & 80s

Answer: Allegro

The Allegro looked unfortunately tubby and rounded, which was in sharp contrast to its more angular predecessor. It is regarded today with some affection, I believe, and there is an owners' club.

From Quiz Triumph TR7

Answer: 1976

Because of production problems, the UK and Europe didn't get the car until 1976 while the first cars were imported to North America in 1975.

From Quiz Cars - The Ford Capri

Answer: Colt

The Capri was to be the European version of the US Mustang. The design operation was was codenamed "Project Colt", but Mitsibushi had copyright of the name Colt, and so the Capri was born.

From Quiz British Sports Cars

Answer: Daimler Dart

This car was a departure from the usual luxury salons produced by this manufacturer. It was largely constructed of fibreglass with an alloy V8 engine. The car was originally designated the Daimler Dart, but the name had to be changed for the American market.

From Quiz The Austin Champ

Answer: Fitted for Wireless

There were two versions of the military Champ. One was the basic cargo version and the other was designed to carry a radio transmitter/receiver. These were designated FFW (Fitted for Wireless), later to become 'FFR' (Fitted for Radio). FFW/FFR vehicles differed from the 'cargo' version in having additional batteries and cabling, and minor body modifications to accommodate the radio set. They were also fitted with a modified generator; this incorporated a two-speed automatic gearbox which allowed high electrical output at engine idling speeds. This gearbox was lubricated by circulating the engine oil through it. A 'failure-free' warranty is an arrangement set up between a designer and a manufacturer to ensure maximum quality, and has no relevance here. 'Future force warrior' is an American military term to denote a high-tech infantryman amounting virtually to a one-man army. 'Fat-free weight' is the weight of an animal body (usually human) excluding all subcutaneous body fat.

From Quiz A-Z of British Cars

Answer: Bentley

Walter Bentley came to prominence during the First World War as an aero engine designer and producer. He set up his racing car company in 1919 and this came of age by winning four consecutive Le Mans races between 1927-31. In 1931, Bentley became part of Rolls-Royce, before being bought by BMW in 2003. Famous Bentley names were the Continental, the Corniche and the Mulsanne. Rolls-Royce in turn became part of the German Volkswagen Group in 1998.

From Quiz The Land Rover Challenge

Answer: Plentiful supply left over from aircraft production

Land Rovers were bodied in an aluminium alloy called Bermabrite which was in plentiful supply after the war when the Rover factory returned to car production from wartime aircraft manufacturing.

From Quiz The Hillman Imp

Answer: 874

The engine used in the Hillman Imp was a modified Coventry Climax fire pump engine. The all-aluminium engine was fitted at an angle of 45° to enable the engine to fit behind the rear wheels. Another advantage of having the mechanics arranged this way, was it also helped to counteract the oversteer handling characteristics of rear engined cars. The modified engine would become Britain's first all-aluminium, overhead-camshaft production engine.

From Quiz Triumph Spitfire

Answer: 1147 cc

In 1967 the engine size was increased from 1147cc to 1296cc. The engine was taken from the Triumph Herald 13/60 and Triumph 1300 producing 75bhp in twin-carburetor form.

From Quiz BMC Mini

Answer: 1959

Alec Issigonis, was asked to use the engines from existing stock, so he designed the Mini around the old engine. The only difference was he mounted it in a transverse position, and the gearbox under the engine.

From Quiz UK Cars

Answer: Merak

The Marak was in fact a 1970s Maserati model. The Colt model is a small hatchback, the Lancer is a family saloon most famous for the extreme Evo versions and the Starion is a coupe from the 1970s.

From Quiz Aston Martin Cars

Answer: Volante

The Aston Martin Volante is a soft top.

From Quiz British Leyland Cars of the 70s & 80s

Answer: Vanden Plas

The Vanden Plas versions of standard Austin cars were aimed at 'retired executives' who were downsizing as part of adjusting their lifestyles.

From Quiz Triumph TR7

Answer: Bullet

All through production the TR7 was called Bullet but was changed to follow on from previous Triumph sports TR2 to TR6.

From Quiz Cars - The Ford Capri

Answer: "The car you always promised yourself"

Not the catchiest of slogans, but the thinking behind it was that the Capri was desirable and attractive, and most of all affordable. You could buy the most basic model and it could still look like it was top of the range.

From Quiz Icons of the British Automotive Industry

Answer: The assembly line

William Morris started his business life with bicycles. From there he moved on to motorcycles and eventually began selling and renting other manufacturers' cars. World War I interrupted his car manufacturing but after the war his business boomed going from 400 cars in 1919 to 56,000 by 1925. The MG brand came about in the 1920s and there are varying theories on exactly how it came to be. But all theories credit Cecil Kimber as a driving force behind the brand. He joined Morris Garages in 1921 as a sales manager. By 1925, the MG brand was established. William Morris is credited with introducing Ford's concepts of mass production into the UK, most notably the assembly line. He built or purchased numerous factories over time from 1919 to 1925 and bought out many competitors as well as suppliers of components. This question was assembled by Phoenix Rising member tazman6619.

From Quiz British Sports Cars

Answer: Triumph TR6

The Triumph TR6 was fitted with the Lucas mechanical fuel injection system for the UK market only. Cars manufactured for the US market had twin carburetors to comply with federal emissions standards.

From Quiz The Austin Champ

Answer: The vehicle was expensive and proved too complicated for combat work

The Champ had excellent cross-country performance for its time, largely due to its short wheelbase (seven feet) and its all-round torsion bar independent suspension (designed by Alec Issigonis, who was also responsible for the Morris Minor and later, the Austin Mini). On the other hand, it was mechanically complex and required special tools, which made it difficult to maintain in the field. In 1951 a cargo Champ cost about £1200 (over £30,000 at 2012 values), with the FFW costing £100 more. This was twice the price of its competitor, the Land Rover. As a result the contract with Austin was terminated early and the British Army, which had been using the Land Rover since 1949, adopted it as its standard ¼ ton truck in 1953. Apart from being cheaper, the Land Rover was easier to maintain and generally more practical. Champ production continued, however, until 1956. The Champ had a simple Jeep-type flat hood and additional weather protection was afforded by clumsy canvas side screens. Troops did prefer the Land Rover for its enclosed cab, although this is unlikely to have been a major factor in its selection. As a consequence of the withdrawal of the Champ from military service, they were all sold by auction in the middle to late 60s, usually at prices representing a fraction of their value. I myself bought one in 1967 for £25 and ran it for several years with very little trouble.

From Quiz A-Z of British Cars

Answer: Cortina

When the Ford Cortina was introduced in 1962, the pattern for success was immediately established: simple, straightforward engineering dressed in a conservatively styled body (plus a hint of Americana) with lots of room for a family - or a sales rep! It was produced in five different marks over the next 20 years. In the 1960s, sporty models within the Mks.I & II range including the GT and Lotus versions. The Mk.III epitomised the 1970s, with its famous 'Coca-Cola bottle' lines; its 2000E version offered luxury and power on a modest budget. The Mks.IV and V saw a return to simpler lines before being replaced with the Sierra in 1982.

From Quiz The Land Rover Challenge

Answer: Ninety, One Ten and 127

The model names where changed to reflect the wheelbase of each model. Curiously, the Ninety and One Ten differed from the designation of 127 for the extended wheelbase versions.

From Quiz The Hillman Imp

Answer: Rear

All the Imp variants had the engine at the rear. Other manufacturers at that time using engines at the rear was the FIAT 500, 600, 850, 126,133, NSU Prinz, Renault 4CV, Dauphine, Caravelle, R8, R10 and of course Porsche with the 356 and 911.

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Last Updated Nov 01 2025 5:51 AM

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