My copy sent to The Sunday Times for my motoring column of 14 May 1989 (below) was a lament for the MG EX-E shown as a prototype but never made. MG Rover was in decline but the MG’s example was followed by Nissan with the 200SX.. EX-E is included in a full account of MG, model by model, MG Classics, Books 1, 2,and 3.
Read MoreElectric revolution
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria engaged a young national serviceman, Ferdinand Porsche, as his driver. Jacob Lohner was coachbuilder to the monarchy in Vienna-Florisdorf and wanted to make battery-electric cars. So, in 1896 he hired assistant manager of the Vereinigte Elektrizitäts-AG to design one. It was the same Ferdinand Porsche, and his master stroke was to make the wheels electric motors.
Read MorePorsche Prize for Clark
It was 1964 before I got to grips with a Porsche like the one Clark drove. When I joined the road test staff of The Motor I compiled the report on a 1600SC. Its 95bhp doesn’t sound much now but 112mph felt quick in a small wieldy coupe with the engine at the wrong end. It was years before Porsches shed their eccentricity. Americans especially didn’t feel they were getting their money’s worth in a sports car unless it felt dangerous and difficult.
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