In the first image is that a Triumph Acclaim behind the mini?
Yes it is, that was mine too :) ...I'm baffled as to why does the Acclaim gets asked about so much? Every post someone comments...it was dreadful car in every way!
Don't know if yours was a bad example but I'd heard that it was considered to be a very good car. Don't know if that was because it was a rebadged Honda with a few tweaks for the British market.
I guess it's all relative. Back in the day I'm sure it was good. By the time I owned it, it was creaking. The auto engine was quite interesting as it had some variable "belt" system (can't remember the name) which meant it just pulled through the revs and power bands. You could also use the selector to kick-down in noticeable way. But it wasn't a Mini :)
The TrioMatic/Hondamatic gearbox was a bit of an enigma but quite well regarded if I remember correctly and dear God it was a long time ago! Perhaps yours was just down to poor or lack of maintenance who knows? But as you say and more importantly. It wasn't a mini.
