Points of view

Sir,
As a new reader to your magazine, I feel must congratulate you and your staff on its interesting range of articles. But I must protest about several opinions and facts in the May and July issues.

In the May issue of Motor Sport you claim that the Morris Marina is a giant step backwards. I agree that in no way could the car be considered advanced, but BLMC are in business to make a profit, and not to satisfy the whims and fancies of the motoring press. The conventional Hillman Avenger and Mk. 2 Cortina are great financial successes, and if I was to mention the VW Beetle….?

The statement on page 721 of the July issue that “the only substitute for a Capri is another Capri” left me astonished. But on second thoughts, I agree with you. If I owned a Fiat 1600 coupé or BMW 2002, I wouldn’t consider substituting it with a Ford Capri.

Finally, superb car though it is, the Lotus Elan Sprint is not the fastest car to 60 m.p.h. as you claim. In 1969, Paul Frere stated that he reached 60 m.p.h. in 5.8 sec. in the Ferrari Daytona. Motor tested the Aston Martin DBS V8 this year, and found it capable of reaching 60 m.p.h. in 5.9 sec. Though that extra second is of somewhat academic interest, and though the Sprint is many thousands of £’s cheaper, you must give Mr. Ferrari and Mr. Brown their fair share of the credit.

D. Foster.
Tadley.