Re: Car of the century

[Chris.Prael@Eng.Sun.COM (Chris Prael)]

From: Matthew Killick <m.killick@per.dem.csiro.au>
> Subject: Re: Car of the century
> 
> Scott Fisher says
> 
> >1.  While Sir Alec Issigonis' Mini (another choice) was in 1959 the
> >first car to use the transverse FWD layout, Honda's use of it in the
> >1973 Civic -- the first by a company outside of the British
> >Phlegmsucking Leyland oligarchy of dunces -- moved it out of the realm
> >of oddball or niche cars (such as Saab, Audi, and Lancia) and into the
> >global market.

The 1973 Honda Civic was produced for 5 or 6 years and only enjoyed
significant sales in its native Japan and the west coast of the United
States.  The "cult car" Mini has been in continual production since 1959 and
is now a close third behind the Volkswagen Type 1 and the Ford Model T 
> 
> Errr.  Fiat 127, introduced around 1969.  FWD, tranverse engine with
> in-line gearbox, all-independent suspension, hatchback.  Fiat 128,
> introduced around 1970, ditto minus the hatch (available as 2 and 4 door
> saloons, wagon and Coupe) but plus SOHC.  Both sold in millions and set the
> mass market standards of the day.  VW used the 128 as the Golf benchmark.
> 
> >4.  Virtually every automobile in the world today owes its platform,
> >layout, and execution to the transverse FWD setup that the Civic, if not
> >invented, then certainly proved in the automotive world.
> 
> I disagree.  Fiat invented and proved it.

Come now, FIAT copied BMC and Honda copied BMC and FIAT.  And before either
FIAT and Honda jumped on the BMC band wagon, the Mini was a massive sales
success in Europe.  Saying that either FIAT or Honda invented or proved 
the concept of the transverse fwd layout is drivel.  

When you say that someone INVENTED something you assert that he/they is the 
FIRST to do it, not the second and not the third.  

As to proving the concept, FIAT and Honda were simply the next manufacturers 
to read the tea leaves that BMC and Issigonis had left there for everyone to 
see.  Further, neither of the me toos sold half as many cars as the number
of Minis built and sold.
> 
> >...

Another thing to note is that unlike the FIAT and Honda me toos, the Mini
had a very successful career in small sedan racing and international rally
competition.

Chris Prael