9 famous cars your father probably drove
Dads and their motors form a special and evocative image of our upbringing. And with Father’s Day upon us once more, it’s time to think about our dads and what they drove. For me, I remember listening to medium wave radio and sitting on the part vinyl seats in my father’s Mark IV Ford Zephyr. Not just any old Zephyr, it was a V6 Special with the black vinyl roof, dark metallic blue paint and chromed grille. Of course we view these older cars through rose-tinted spectacles. How many times do we think ‘they were great…I wish I could have one today’? The reality of course was much different.
Looking through rose-tinted spectacles at the past
My father’s Zephyr had started to rust before it was three years old. But I loved it and to this day, the sound of a V6 engine with its distinctive thrum always takes me back.
While we’re wistfully remembering a Vauxhall Victor, Ford Granada or Morris Marina behind a smoky exhaust pipe of nostalgia, let’s not forget how much technology has advanced. The cars had no air bags, no antilock brakes and no air conditioning.
Many modern cars will go 20,000 miles between services and that’s often just to replace the oil and filters and give the car a once-over. Older cars needed servicing much more regularly and invariably required engine tuning and suspension lubrication as well as oil changes.
Adventures
It’s not just about the car: it’s the family outings, the places visited, the people we met. Maybe it’s the arguments with siblings, the strange dent in the door you made with your bike (but didn’t admit to) or the hours spent on the hard shoulder awaiting recovery services. However you remember your dad’s car, it will be forever linked to the man himself.
Top dad cars
It doesn’t matter what your dad drove as long as it triggers the memories. And if you are privileged to still have your dad around, have a chat about the cars of your youth.
Here is a selection of our favourite dad cars from the past.
Citroën GS
Single spoked steering wheel and able to drive with any single wheel removed? That’s the quirky and clever Citroën GS with its hydro-pneumatic suspension. Definitely one-up in the playground stakes. Luckily, the model has had a total face-lift and has kept up pace with technology, leading the way for over 102 years in the industry. The Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer makes the brand proud with cutting-edge modernity.
Rover SD1
Yes, it looked a little like a Ferrari Daytona but built under British Leyland, it stood a greater chance of breaking down. Still, sleek and comfortable, the big Rover was a top dad car - especially if it had the V8 under the bonnet.
Ford Sierra
The car which started the jelly mould design trend, Ford’s Sierra took a little while to find appeal among buyers, with popularity increasing after a minor face lift. Oddly, it’s those early cars which are sought-after today, along with performance variants such as the XR4i. Ford vehicles have never been so family friendly, with dozens of variants, there is something for everyone. The humble Sierra may be an old favourite, but the Ford Galaxy is just as 'out-of-this-world' for dads today.
Land Rover
Before they were called the Defender, Land Rovers were just known as… Land Rovers. Now, the earlier vehicles (with leaf spring suspension) are called Series models. If you grew up with one of these as the family motor, you will remember fondly the rough ride, zero technology (or even a clock) and that smell of hot Land Rover. You’ll also probably reminisce about just how charismatic and capable they were, and still are, too. Luckily, in the present, the Land Rover journey is plain sailing and their technological features are immaculate. The Evoque is living example of this.
Renault Fuego
For dads after a bit of French style without the quirkiness of a Citroën, it was Peugeot or Renault. For us, the pretty Fuego was a definite hit if your dad turned up to collect you at the school gates. Gratefully, its chic style has been passed down for generations and you will now see crowds forming around the Peugeot 3008 estate, the 508 Hybrid or the renowned Renault Clio hatchback.
Volvo 240
Is there a more stereotypical middle class bus than the Volvo 240 estate? Built like a tank (and handled like one) but comfortable and a perfect load lugger for families, this famous car is deemed as Sweden's biggest movie star. From the late 90's Freaky Friday to the early 00's Two and a Half Men, the Volvo 240 has been shown in many recent movies too. And dad can feel smug that they’re now considered cool, being a popular choice for the custom car scene. The Volvo Xc60 smirks at its grandfather with valley of attributes that make the 240 look inferior.
Volkswagen Beetle
The 1970s, flower power and yes, the Volkswagen Beetle. Cold in the winter, uncomfortably hot vinyl seats in the summer, the Beetle was always basic but a design classic so receives our vote. It never fell from the top of the automotive mountain, even if long hair and over-grown beards did fall out of fashion. You will see the VW more earnestly today though, from the cities choice, the Volkswagen Polo to the modern day hippie, the Caravelle.
Vauxhall Calibra
If your father managed to side-step the humble saloon car in favor of the two door coupé, this was definitely cool. The Calibra was Vauxhall’s sexier take on the Vectra but the downside was you probably spent your time in the cramped rear with no opening windows.
Jaguar E-Type
Maybe the E-Type was the car you wanted your dad to have. Those slinky looks and a top speed of 150mph, the E-Type really was something in the 1960s and remains a true motoring icon today. The Jaguar E-pace, though similarly named, is nothing like its predecessor as it is a bold, sporty looking SUV with the its large interior making it more suitable for the family. Though the legendary status of the Jag remains the same.
My dad’s car is faster than your dad’s
If you were lucky, your dad drove an identical model to a famous film car. Morse’s Mark II Jaguar? The Ford Capri in The Professionals? Or perhaps the Rover 216 which came to grief in Father Ted. Maybe even an Audi Quattro driven by Gene Hunt in Ashes to Ashes.
Whether or not your dad owned one, drove one, or was merely just a fan of famous movie cars; there was always the playground braggart whose dad had seen one better. It might have been the 2.3 litre Ford Cortina rather than the lowly 1.6 (or - heaven forbid - the 1.3) on your drive. But mention that to your dad at your peril: his car would always be king.