Phil,
OHMIGOSH, you meant the existential "developed in a vacuum", I thought you
meant that "developed in a vacuum" stuff literally. Oh yeah, then I totally
agree - I think there is very little doubt that the commie red Smurf in the
vacuum copied plans developed by some free democratic blue Smurfs (I believe
they were in debasement). So please, pardon my parody questioning the
voracity of your assertion. You may again consider yourself undefied.
Dr "Nothing is created in a vacuum so why argue the point." Doug
An unruly crowd of 69 MGs in my garage
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net On Behalf Of Phil Bates
Sent: Friday, August 22, 1997 3:57 AM
To: doug russell
Cc: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: Jap=Ripoff?
Your message below about the Yugo is totally and 100% incorrect! The Yugo
was a direct rip off of a lousy Fiat that had failed in all markets several
years before 1980 (when the Yugo was introduced). I believe Yugo even
bought the plans and rights on it, but I would have to check a lot of things
to be sure of that.
><< I defy you to find a single car that was developed in a vacuum.
>
><snip>
>
>Ever hear of the Yugo? Apparently it was designed by a communist Smurf in a
>vacuum left in some closet with no light!
>
>Sorry, I promised myself I wouldn't, but couldn't resist, so consider
yourself
>defied!
>
>Dr. Doug
>
>Three complete assemblages of British car parts - 69 vintage.
>
><end snip>
> Elements of any car can be found in earlier cars, the only
> difference is how public the automaker is about admitting it. Not
> that I think it's necessarily a bad thing. I dont' want to deal
> with an automaker that tries to totally re-invent the automobile with
> every new model they build.
> I think that the Japanese have given us a lot of improvements in
> terms of safety, reliability and fuel efficiency. And for the rest
> of the sour grapes, you have to ask yourself who's still selling cars
> in LARGE numbers, and who isn't?
> It's kind of like Bill Gates. Everybody likes to bash him, but
> with $35 billion, he must be doing something right. With the sales
> figures Japanese car companies have, they might be somewhere on the
> right track. As for the Miata being an MG knockoff (Not that you
> said it, Ray, but others have.) Where was the MGB when Mazda
> released the Miata? I think that a Miata is about as close to the
> essence of an MGB as you're going to get, while still keeping in all
> the federally-mandated bells and whistles, as well as the level of
> reliability most people have come to expect. I think the fact that
> they're still selling so well after nine years with the same body
> should tell you something.
> Don't get me wrong, I love my MGB, but I don't think automotive
> design had its birth in England, nor do I think it ended in 1980.
> Scott
> Scott Gardner
> gardner@lwcomm.com
> www.lwcomm.com/~gardner
>
>
> - >>
>Scott,
> You are correct in the statement that no car has been developed in a vacuum.
> But my observation still stands: the Miata is nothing more than a
>replica/repro of the Lotus Elan. Yes, it's updated (it couldn't be sold
>otherwise), and yes, it's a neat little car. BUT.....MG's tried hard to make
>large improvements throughout the companies' existence; in short, no looking
>back. The Miata is a redo of a 60's car.
>As for the grapes.... I enjoy mine and drive it often (well, before the B
>kneecapped me....) It does most things well, but it's not a ground breaker.
>The Japanese auto makers are generally very conservative in their design
>changes. This has served them well for the most part. The fact that the
>Miata is selling well with the same body says a lot about the original
>Lotus......
>Don't know Bill Gates...like his house, though.
>I don't say that auto design began and ended in GB. By 1980, you must
>remember that the B design was 20 years old.....unheard of as far as sports
>cars are concerned.
>Time passed the B by because of short sightedness on the part of several
>people....now the F is here, and the F IS the spirit of the MG.
>Safety Fast!
>
>Regards, Ray
>
>
>
Phil Bates
58 MGA
67 MGB
75 Jaguar XJ12C
66 Land Rover
52 MG TD replicar (VW)
86 Peugeot 505 Turbo Gle
86 Honda Accord LX-i
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