Monday 28 March 2016

1976, Cars: Lancia Gamma (γ)

In March 1976 Italian car maker Lancia introduced the Lancia Gamma (Tipo 830) at the Geneva Motor Show. The Gamma, designed by Pininfarina, was Lancia's new flagship after the demise of the Lancia 2000. It was the last car developed by Lancia after the 1969 takeover by Fiat. The front-wheel drive Gamma had a longitudinally-mounted boxer engine (2.5 L (Gamma 2500) or a 2.0 L (Gamma 2000)) with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Predecessor: Lancia 2000 (Tipo 820)
Lancia Gamma Berlina 1
Lancia Gamma Berlina 1
Lancia Gamma Berlina 1
In 1977 Lancia introduced a coupe version, technically identical to the saloon, but with a completely different Pininfarina body. Sergio Pininfarina and his chief designer Aldo Brovarone had to follow the wishes of the manufacturer when designing the Berlina, with the coupe they got carte blanche.
Lancia Gamma Coupe
Lancia Gamma Coupe
Lancia Gamma Coupe
In 1980 the car received a facelift and was called Lancia Gamma FL and all engines were fitted with an electronic fuel injection (Bosch L-Jetronic). The Gamma went out of production in 1984, 15,272 4-door Berlina's and 6,790 2-door coupe's were produced. It was succeeded by the Lancia Thema, a reworked Fiat Croma.
Lancia Gamma FL Berlina 2
Successor: Lancia Thema
Brochures:
Lancia Gamma Berlina (Germany, 1978)

Saturday 26 March 2016

1975, Car Spotting: La Rochelle, France

Left row, front to back:
Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina, Peugeot 204 Coupé, Renault 4, BMW 3.0 CSL (E9), Citroën Dyane, Mercedes-Benz W110 or W111, unidentified coupé probably Ford Capri Mk I, unidentified car probably Peugeot 504, Peugeot 204, unidentified dark coloured car, Volvo 140 Series or 200 Series, Citroën ID/DS, Peugeot 204.

Right row, front to back:
Audi 100 (C1), Audi 80 (B1), Renault 16, Autobianchi A112, Simca 1000 Rallye 2, Renault 5, Ford Taunus L (TC1), Citroën 2CV, Renault 4, Rover P6, unidentified car probably Morris Marina, Renault 12, Citroën 2CV, Volkswagen 1200 or 1300 (Beetle), Renault 4, Renault 16, Mercedes-Benz W114, Peugeot 403 pickup, Citroën Dyane, unidentified green coloured car probably Renault 6, Citroën ID/DS Familiale, after the ID/DS it is getting very blurry.

On the road (far right):
Citroën 2CV panel van and Ford Transit Mk I


Tuesday 8 March 2016

1974, Film: “La moutarde me monte au nez”

The French comedy "La moutarde me monte au nez" (English title: "I'm Losing My Temper") premieres in France on 9 October 1974. The film, directed by Claude Zidi, stars Pierre Richard and
Jane Birkin.

Synopsis
Pierre Durois (Pierre Richard) is bumbling mathematics teacher in a high school for girls in Aix-en-Provence. His father, Hubert Durois, is a surgeon who runs for mayor. One day his students change the content of three documents: mathematics copies to correct, a speech of his father and an article he wrote for his friend Patrick (Henri Guybet) about the actress Jackie Logan (Jane Birkin)...
Jane Birkin as Jackie Logan
Pierre Richard as Pierre Durois
Pierre Richard as Pierre Durois and Jane Birkin as Jackie Logan
Claude Piéplu as Dr. Hubert Durois
Main cast
  • Pierre Richard as Pierre Durois
  • Jane Birkin as Jackie Logan
  • Claude Piéplu as Dr. Hubert Durois
  • Jean Martin as Headmaster
  • Danielle Minazzoli as Danielle
  • Vittorio Caprioli as Film director
  • Julien Guiomar as Albert Renaudin
  • Henri Guybet as Patrick Renaudin
  • Jean-Marie Proslier as Car driver
  • Clément Harari as Harry Welsinger
  • Bruno Balp as Grégoire 
Jane Birkin as Jackie Logan
Pierre Richard as Pierre Durois and Jane Birkin as Jackie Logan

"La moutarde me monte au nez", trailer

Sunday 6 March 2016

1973, Music: ABBA, “Ring Ring”

On March 26, 1973 the Swedish group "Björn Benny & Agnetha Frida", who would later become famous as ABBA, release their first album "Ring Ring" through "Polar Music". The Album was released in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Australia, South Africa, Mexico, Belgium and The Netherlands.

The first song "People Need Love" was recorded in 1972. The 1973 album opens with "Ring Ring (Bara du slog en signal)", the Swedish version of the track, and places the English-language version as track four on side two.

In 1973 the band participates at Melodifestivalen (Swedish preselection to the Eurovision Song contetst) with the song "Ring Ring". Manager Stig Anderson arranged an English translation of the lyrics by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody. The song came third on 10 February 1973, thus never reaching the Eurovision Song Contest.
Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog in 1973
Anni-Frid (Frida) Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog in 1973
Anni-Frid (Frida) Lyngstad in 1973
Songs (original 1973 album)
All songs were written and composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, except "Disillusion", "Ring Ring" (English version) and "I Am Just a Girl".

Side one
1."Ring Ring (Bara du slog en signal)" (Swedish version)
2."Another Town, Another Train"
3."Disillusion" (Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus)
4."People Need Love"
5."I Saw It in the Mirror"
6."Nina, Pretty Ballerina"
Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid (Frida) Lyngstad,
Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog in 1973
Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid (Frida) Lyngstad,
Agnetha Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus in 1973
Side two
1."Love Isn't Easy (But It Sure Is Hard Enough)"
2."Me and Bobby and Bobby's Brother"
3."He Is Your Brother"
4."Ring Ring" (English version) (Benny Andersson, Stig Anderson, Björn Ulvaeus, Neil Sedaka, Phil Cody)
5."I Am Just a Girl" (Benny Andersson, Stig Anderson, Björn Ulvaeus)
6."Rock'n Roll Band"


"Ring Ring" - Live at Melodifestivalen 1973


"Ring Ring" official video 1973