That's a long story Bob. The P76 was the last gasp of Leyland Australia which
of course had evolved from the various incarnations the Nuffield and
Standard/Triumph parts of the British Motor industry in this country. It was a
largish sedan (and coupe) produced to compete with the Holden/Ford
Falcon/Chrysler Valiant cars which dominated the Australian market at the time
(early 1970's). It was front engine/RWD powered by either 2.6 litre six or 4.4
litre V8 (ex Rover) and relatively light for its size so it went ok and was
probably more fuel efficient than its competeition. Stopped and handle OK
to........ BUT it was undeniably ugly and obviously quite large at the time of
the first fuel crisis. Like other BMC/Leyland products it had a reputation for
poor finish and unreliability. It did not sell well and eventually sent the
company broke.
There are still some P76 lovers out there and I expect to get some hate mail
over this but that's how I saw it at the time. I still believe it to be a
genuinely car. With most controversially styled cars, you hate them at first,
then get used to them over time. Like the fat-assed Celica, or the XJS Jag.
But 25 years on the P76 is still ugly.
Try this site for pictures - however they tend to flatter it - it is much worse
in the 'flesh'.
http://yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au/~coporal/
Cheers
Vic
"Berghult, Bob" wrote:
> What is a "Leyland P76" ????? Got any pictures??
>
> Bob
> Series IV
> B9405637 LRX
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Victor Hughes [SMTP:v.hughes@student.canberra.edu.au]
> > Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2000 7:57 PM
> > To: J Arzt
> > Cc: Christopher.Albers@bubbs.biola.edu; tjhiggin@chris.iss.ingr.com;
> > alpines@autox.team.net
> > Subject: Re: aztec
> >
> > After all this Aztec talk I just had to see what they looked like (Not
> > sold in
> > Australia, which, after viewing one on the Pontiac website, is a defimite
> > advantage for Australians) Still, you guys never had to suffer the hideous
> > Leyland P76. Please don't send us any Aztecs.
> >
> > Vic Hughes
> >
> > J Arzt wrote:
> >
> > > With one major exception - the Edsel was later recognized as a classic,
> > > something that will NEVER happen to something as unbelievably ugly as
> > the
> > > Aztek. Whoever is responsible for the design should be sacrificed to the
> > > Aztec gods.
> > >
> > > Jon Arzt
> > >
> > > >From: Christopher.Albers@bubbs.biola.edu (Christopher Albers)
> > > >Reply-To: Christopher.Albers@bubbs.biola.edu (Christopher Albers)
> > > >To: tom.hill@att.net
> > > >CC: tjhiggin@chris.iss.ingr.com, alpines@autox.team.net
> > > >Subject: Re: color
> > > >Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2000 11:31:15 -0700
> > > >
> > > >tom.hill@att.net writes:
> > > > >I read an article (http://www.msnbc.com/news/475146.asp?0nm=T25C)
> > about
> > > > >inventory backlog for GM. They have a 184 day supply of Azteks while
> > > > >Chrysler has a mere 23 day supply of PT Cruisers. Why is it when GM
> > > > >produces a "dream car" it's more like a nightmare. Ford and
> > especially
> > > > >Chrysler seem to be spot on with their "boutique" cars (new
> > Thunderbird,
> > > > >Prowler, PT Cruiser, Viper, etc).
> > > >
> > > >I gotta throw in on this one. Without a doubt, the Aztek is the
> > > >epitome of garish ugliness and by far the most hideous vehicle ever put
> > > >into production. I can imagine the words Aztek and Edsel being uttered
> > > >in the same breath all over the world at this very moment.
> > > >
> > > >CNA
> > >
> > >
> > _________________________________________________________________________
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