European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 12, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday september 12, 1985 the stars and stripes Page 13 British mini notes its 26th birthday Britain s celebrated mini a car that featured a transversely mounted engine and front wheel drive Long before the cur rent wave of such models was Ever dreamed of. Notched its 26th birthday late last month aug. 26. During these 26 years More than 4,982,000 minis have been produced worldwide demonstrating the Appeal of sir Alec Issigonis classic styling and Origi dial Small car Box on wheels design. Although the car got off to a slow Start when it first appeared in showrooms Dur ing the autumn of 1959, sales quickly boomed when London s trend setters found favor with it. The mini which looks much the same As it did 26 years ago became so Success Ful that its designer Issigonis was knighted for his creation. Raced and rallied during the 1960s and Early 70s in mini Cooper form the cat s rally successes during the 1960s resulted in several world championship wins. Even today the car continues to com Mand More than 1 percent of total United kingdom new car registrations and it dominates its own Small car sector with More than 50 percent Market penetration. The world s oldest mini the first one to Roll off production lines is now on permanent display at the British motor Industry heritage Trust museum at Syon Park Brentford West London. Frankfurt Auto show the 5st Frankfurt International Auto show which opens thursday at the exhibition Center Fairgrounds and continues through sept. 22, is expected to draw re Cord crowds during its 11-Day run with most visitors expected this weekend. New cars from German makers and other european manufacturers As Well As new models from Japan arc featured at the show along with trucks motor Homes and All things automotive. Daily hours Are 9 . To 6 30 ., with hours on fridays extended to 8 30 . A one Day ticket costs 12 Marks about $4but members of nato forces who produce the rec scary identification pay 5 Marks Abo $1.70. Van custom car show the 3rd International Van and custom car show is Friday through sunday at the Auto and technical museum in Sinsheim Germany. The show will feature customized vans and cars plus musical entertainment. Sinsheim located about 20 Miles South East of Heidelberg May be reached from the Mannheim Heilbronn autobahn. Another custom car show hot wheels Over Mannheim will be staged from sept. 27 to 29 at the Rhein Neckar Halle in Mannheim with daily hours set from 10 . To 7  Organizers say the show is Germany s largest in the custom car Field and it will feature custom vehicles from the world s smallest motorcycle to the most Beautiful car in Europe. Randy Barnett the 86 Buick Somerset to Type new for 86 is Buick s Somerset to Type Coupe which comes with Standard 3-liter fuel injected engine that develops 125 horsepower. A 3-Speed automatic transmission is Standard As is a special suspension setup for Good handling. Pontiac trans am for 86 for the 1986 Model year Pontiac has improved its famous trans am Model with a special suspension package and disc brakes All around. Standard engine is he 5-Liler, four barrel v8 that produces 155 horse Power. The big Crown Vic is much in demand by Jan a. Zverina Detroit up1 big cars Are in again. Customers arc lining up for the land yachts that american car makers last Down sized in the late 1970s, and some automakers have begged the Federal government to reduce corporate average fuel Economy requirements so they can build to meet that demand. One such hot Selling luxury Cruiser is the Ltd Crown Victoria from the Ford motor company the car retaining the same body style since 1979. The Large Ltd Crown Victoria not to be confused with its Small Ltd sister May not be Long for this world however As newer front wheel drive Ford designs creep into showrooms. But there is a faction of the driving pub Lic that eschews such modern technology preferring to stay with the Large traditional rear drive models. And Ford has said that it will meet that demand As Long As there is one. While the Crown Victoria will definitely be part of the automaker s 1986 line up Ford will not commit itself beyond then. The Mission of the Crown Victoria nameplate is to remind owners of big car luxury and Quality and it is attached to a car that does just  its Mercury grand Marquis counterpart the Crown Victoria s formal lines and generous Glass area wears Well alter seven years in this age of look alike Suo compacts. Only reworks of trim and a steady creep up the luxury ladder has Dit Ferelli Atco these cars through the years. Urge cars usually mean Large profits for those who make them and with a base Price of $11,627 but loaded up with options to $16,067, this test car proved no exception. Among the extras were the Interior luxury group $1,022. Which includes Power windows Courtesy lights digital clock Lux Ford s top of the line Crown Victoria is shown Here in two door Sedan form. Urn scats with armrests and a Host of other dress ups. Air conditioning $809power seats $227trip computer $215locking wire wheel covers $204power door locks $188and stereo cassette player $168 also contributed to some $4,440 Worth of opt he test car had a $924 discount pack age lowering the sticker to $15,623. In the United slates the discount is offered to encourage customers to buy cars from dealer lots that have options grouped together rather than ordering a car Only with Cus Tomer selected extras. Ford s venerable 5-Litcr, 155-Horscpowcr v-8 engine with Standard automatic Over drive transmission gives the Crown Victoria smooth and silent performance but lakes away Economy with an Epa fuel rating of Only 16 mpg City 23 Highway. Observed fuel Economy however was barely 18 mpg Overall. Inside the Crown Vic is As spacious As a living room and probably As comfortable. A True six passenger Sedan its surprisingly supportive seals Are richly appointed in knit cloth and scads of insulation covered by deep pile carpeting isolates the car from the harsh realities of the Road. Like most luxury cars instrumentation is at a minimum but at least it is Well Laid out in a tastefully subdued dashboard. All Power switches arc right at hand and the Horn is once again Back on the steering wheel where it should be instead of on the end of the turn signal stalk. The trunk s deep carpeted Well holds a wealth of Luggage but watch for the Low overhang of the deck lid. Although most owners will refer maintenance and repairs to a garage changing the Oil filters and spark plugs looks easy be cause of the wide engine compartment. The level of fit and finish is High Al though not As Good ?. Newer Ford products that Benefit from a higher degree of technology and Assembly methods. Even though the test Model had More than 10,000 Miles on the clock and looked somewhat neglected it Rode Glass smooth and was quite agile despite its Large size. All Day cruising at More than Legal Speed limits seemed effortless but Long trips will most assuredly be interrupted by frequent stops at the Gas pump. Ford in t saying when the last Crown Victoria will Roll off the line but he who wants a Large car and hesitates May wind up driving a Small one. For additional details regarding this car prospective buyers May Contact Ford sales representatives at the cafes new car sales Points on various bases in Europe