MARCH 1968
GENEVA MOTOR SHOW, SWITZERLAND
We finish our tour of European motor shows in Geneva, where for its 38th event, it was all about the mainstream motors taking a bow
Switzerland may not be best-known for building cars – in fact, aside from Monteverdi, you can count its significant car companies on the hands of a cuckoo clock – but the annual Geneva International Motor Show is regarded as one of the major events of its kind. Being held early in the year and in a rather rich and lovely city, it’s a traditional springboard for exotic supercars and luxury machines to be thrust into the world.
But mainstream manufacturers also like to make sure they bathe in any reflected glory. And while there aren’t any supercars in this show snapshot – although the Fiat Dino Spider, with its Ferrari V6 engine, might have come close – there are some super cars to be seen.
First though, let’s spare a thought for poor Peugeot. Its 204 seems to have fallen over in the foreground, and it won’t be an easy job getting that upright again. Actually, it’s meant to be that way – in a novel variation on the cutaway cars often found at shows (such as the sectioned Fiat 124 Coupe on the Fiat stand), the French firm has instead chosen to swap the 204’s roof for a skeletal framework, so visitors can get a better idea of the interior. It was probably best to mount it sideways to prevent any bending in the middle if upright – although, to be fair to Peugeot, it did also make a 204 Cabriolet, so already had plenty of experience of guillotining its small Pininfarina front-wheel drive model.
The motoring in miniature theme continues next door with the British Motor Corporation stand. Except it wasn’t actually BMC now. Even though we can make out the BMC rosette on the illuminated sign beside the red Morris Mini Traveller, BMC had been superseded by the formation of British Leyland just six weeks previously. However, it would take some time for the ‘Plughole of Doom’ logo to filter through.
The not-actually-BMC display includes two other MkII Minis and two MkII 1100/1300s – we think the white four-door is an Austin, while the red two-door is a Morris. It does look like something has fallen off the Austin and is lying on the ground – a very British Leyland thing to happen – but with closer inspection, we think it’s the top of a floodlight partially concealed by the Peugeot placard. Beyond the 1100/1300s are two Renault 8s, one of which is the hot 103bhp Gordini version showing off its larger headlamps, spotlights and body stripes.
With the Ford stand on the left, we finally get to something that was new for 1968. The Escort had only made its European show debut in Brussels in January, so would still have been fresh enough to provoke lots of interest in Geneva. The quite psychedelic stage would no doubt have showcased all the 1100 Deluxe, 1300 Super, 1300 GT and Twin-Cam variants then available. Surrounding the new small Blue Ovals are Cortina MkIIs and a lineup of Ford P7 Taunuses, which were effectively the German equivalents of the UK’s Consuls, Zephyrs and Zodiacs, available in saloon, estate, coupé and convertible forms with 1498cc four-pot to 2550cc V6 engines.
Fiat seems to have brought along its entire 1968 catalogue, in addition to the already-mentioned Dino Spider and 124 Coupe. Adjacent to it is the SIMCA stand, demonstrating its American ownership with prominent illuminated Chrysler Pentastar logos.
And, speaking of logos, over in the top left, you can just make out the Triumph stand, exhibiting Heralds, Spitfires, 1300s and GT6s. Above its reception desk, it is displaying the Leyland roundel, by dint of Standard-Triumph having been acquired by Leyland Motors in 1961. The badge would soon be on half the British motor industry, on account of the latest shake-ups...