Classic crossword

Clues across: 7. The 1981 to 1998 version of Reliant’s classic three-wheeler economy car (6)

8. US maker of fine prestige automobiles from 1919 to 1931 — only 600 were built but they were considered worthy rivals to Packard, Cadillac, and the like (2,4) 10. Mid- to full-size model produced by AMC in two main series, 1971–’73 and 1974–’78 (7)

11. British racing and sports car builder (1950–’61), its Formula 3 500cc single-seaters achieved championship success in 1952–’53 (5) 12. Compact car, built by the company in clue 3 down, from 1959 to 1966 — well over 500,000 were produced (4)

13. The first phase of the suck–squeeze–bang–blow four-stroke engine cycle (5) 17. Major UK supplier of automobile electrical equipment in the classic era, though US detractors applied the phrase ‘Prince of Darkness’ (5) 18. Popular name for Chrysler’s 1951-onwards high-performance V8 engine, an image-changer for the company (4) 22. Fiat’s 1978– ’88 saloon, known as the ‘Strada’ in some markets — nearly 1.8 million were built (5) 23. UK automobile company, noted mainly for buses and trucks, active from 1896 and through linked companies to the present day, though the name is little mentioned nowadays after much company take-over and restructuring activity (7) 24. Model name used by Holden for higher range cars in the Commodore family from 1984 (6) 25. Ford UK’S small car range, introduced in late 1939 and produced through to 1967, when it was replaced by the Escort (6)

Clues down: 1. Autobianchi’s 1964 onwards frontwheel-drive (FWD) saloon, designed by Giacosa as a test run for Fiat to start using FWD in its mainstream saloon models (7) 2. De Tomaso’s 1970s/1980s supercar, Ford V8 powered and not noted for reliability or durability — Elvis Presley shot his 1971 model! (7) 3. Familiar nickname for the cars from South Bend, Indiana (5) 4. UK post-war sports car, built from 1949 to the early 1960s, often powered by the side-valve Ford Ten motor — several came to New Zealand and raced with some success (7) 5. Odd little microcar, a Uk-built (1959–’62) version of the German Fuldamobil (5) 6. US maker of fine sports and touring cars — remembered in New Zealand for the 1915 racer that had a successful beach racing career before World War II (5) 9. Combined gearbox / final-drive unit (9) 14. Low-production late-’30s V8 luxury saloon, briefly built by Riley before its takeover by Nuffield (7) 15. Old-established French motor company, founded in 1899 and nationalized in 1945 but still going strong (7) 16. Buick’s 1962/’63 to 1970 full-size sports coupé, with 325bhp to 370bhp (242kw–276kw) engine options (7) 19. Aussie racing driver, remembered as the ‘King of the Mountain’ (5) 20. Noted Italian auto company, best remembered for its 1907 success in the Peking to Paris endurance rally (5) 21. Founder and managing director of SS and Jaguar cars, considered by some as one of the finest automobile stylists of all time (5)

Answers to last month’s crossword, No. 249 Across: 7. Trojan 8. Ballot 10. Airflow 11. Loewy

12. Esso 13. Ascot 17. Henry 18. SCAT 22. Crown

23. Karmann 24. Ulster 25. Engine

Down: 1. Steamer 2. Tourist 3. Eagle 4. Railton

5. Allen 6. Steyr 9. Two-stroke 14. Heinkel 15. Octavia

16. Stanley 19. Scrub 20. Corsa 21. Prinz