Can any car become cool? Escort Mk2 vs Mirafiori 131

30th September 2016

Can any car become cool? Escort Mk2 vs Mirafiori 131

What makes a car Cool?

Personally my favourite cars tend to be very curvy. Lamborghini Miura, Ferrari 250SWB. They are also completely out of reach or mere mortals. The Escort Mk2 and Fiat 131 Abarth due to their competition pedigree (the Lampredi engine in the Fiat went on to become the 2nd most successful engine after the DFV) are now worth astronomical amounts as well.

Sleek and curvy they are not, but to my mind so cool they are off the scale. What's your favourite? Personally I prefer the 131 and rarity makes it all the more desirable. However the sound of a BDA on the limit is still very seductive.

So what makes cool? Is it enough just to have wide wheels and arches and a powerful engine? Or does a car need to have been successful in a motorsport discipline like rallying or racing?

20 years ago I remember a friend asking me to help him buy a car. We went to a used car dealership and they a lot of the usual. I convinced him he needed this Corolla.

Toyota Corolla AE86

At the time the AE86 had nothing like the reputation it has today. It didn't cost much - about £1500 I seem to remember. His mates actually took the piss out of it saying it was a minicab. Living in South London at the time Japanese cars were the most popular for mini cabs. The motoring press praised the engine and the fact it was RWD but I remember clearly the FWD Corolla getting much more attention in the UK and selling in greater numbers.

However look at the legendary kudos surrounding the Corolla AE86 today and it makes you wonder if any car has the potential to become cool.

Well maybe not any car..





What do you think of changing parts from one car to another ? I read recently about a Merc SL500 that had the Mercedes V8 replaced with a JZ Toyota inline six turbo. To my mind that doesn't fit. No matter how fast or powerful it is I don't see that as a fit. Take a Stratos replica - what engine do you use? Busso V6 - not a Toyota V6.

Fitting parts from one make to another can work but it's a fine line if you don't want to damage the vehicles credibility and value. This looks good to my eye...can you spot the origin of the upgrade? Answers on a post card to [email protected]

Porsche 911 Flat Nose with upgraded lights

Here are 2 ice cool cars below that you don't see very often in peoples list of top cars. If anyone has a picture of a their car, that they think is cool, send it in on email and the best one will go on the homepage slide show.

Are you competing in 2017 or doing Track Days?

Then get in touch with Balance Motorsport today for special offers on race prep products - I can sell you any product you see online at Demon Tweeks as well a my own range. Special offers on Camshaft and Valve train and engine rebuilds commencing in 2016.