Top-tier All-Mechanical Vintage Models
In the world of classic cars, there are numerous models that stand out for their unique features and historical significance. Today, we'll delve into three such vehicles: the Mercedes-Benz W110 200D, the Citroen 2CV, and the Ford 103E.
Let's start with the Mercedes-Benz W110 200D, a vehicle that departed from the norm in many ways. Unlike its contemporaries, the W110 200D did not feature a stop solenoid or a heater plug light. Instead, it relied on a mechanical handle and a glowing coil of wire on the dashboard to start the engine. Powering this unique vehicle is a compression ignition diesel engine, specifically the OM621 four-cylinder indirect injection diesel engine. Despite its unconventional starting mechanism, the W110 200D was not common in the UK, with many on the market being imports from Europe, South Africa, or North America.
Next, we have the Citroen 2CV, a car not designed for speed but for practicality and affordability. This back-to-basics economy car, produced from 1948 to 1990, offers a unique driving experience. Its flat-twin engine can start on a handle if needed, and parts for it are easy to source and fit. The 2CV's rifle-bolt gearshift, soft suspension, and tenacious grip make for a driving experience unlike any other.
Lastly, we turn our attention to the Ford 103E, a small, economical vehicle that filled a void in the used car market after World War II. Intended to provide a low-cost entry to the Ford range, the 103E was an economical and hardy little machine. The Ford 103E Popular, produced from 1953 to 1959, was a basic car even by the standards of 1950s economy motoring. It featured a thermosyphon-cooled side-valve engine, six-volt electrics, and a single vacuum-powered windscreen wiper, among other simple amenities.
The Ford 103E proved to be a reliable vehicle for many, providing cheap wheels for the next generation when they turned 17 in the following decade. It's worth noting that the Range Rover Classic 2-door, produced between 1970 and 1980, also offered a bit of luxury in addition to its off-road ability. Designed with a starting handle and a hole in the front bumper for manual starting, the Range Rover Classic 2-door was a historically significant and off-road capable classic car. However, the starting handle and the hole in the bumper were removed from the vehicle in 1980.
In the realm of classic watches, the manufacturers of all-mechanical watches built from the 1950s to the 1980s in Germany included the VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe. This company produced various mechanical wristwatch movements, including the Formwerk, round hand-wound calibers, automatic movements, Spezimatic, and Spezichron. After German reunification in 1990, the company continued under the name Glashütter Uhrenbetrieb GmbH, producing mechanical watches under the brands "GUB" and "Glashütte Original," the latter featuring in-house manufactured calibers like the GUB 10-30.
If the heater plugs failed in the W110 200D, it could be started with a starting handle, a kerosene-soaked rag near the air intake, and a lot of effort. While these vehicles may seem quaint by today's standards, they offer a glimpse into a time when automobiles were simpler and more rugged, and watching them in action is a delight for any classic car enthusiast.
