Aston Martin DB6 - 1965

Comparing this dashing freshman with the not-yet—extinct DB5, what do we find? New body shape with sawed-off tail and spoiler, room inside for four authentic adults (ample rear-seat head clearance), steeper screen rake, lengthened wheel- base, new bumper and lamp cluster design, choice of standard or Vantage engine, likewise manual or automatic gearbox, limited-slip or normal differential (no extra charges).

Companion convertibIe - new, too - is called the Volante and is also a no-extras deal. Aston’s third deb is - guess what? - an estate car.

Amphicar - 1965

The ‘go-anywhere' car has putatively been with us since the dawn of motoring, but this one really does go anywhere, if you except flying. Rear-mounted engine is ex-Triumph Herald and drives (alternatively) the back wheels or twin screws. Rather high but otherwise almost conventional body seats four. Road and water maxima are 75 and 7.5 m.p.h. respectively.

Front wheels steer the Amphicar - a German brainwave, by the way - whether on land or water. Suspension is all-independent with an unusual system of trailing arms.

Alvis 3-Litre - 1965

The absorption of Alvis by Rover hasn't cost this finely engineered car its individuality. The accent - and it's one common to Alvis and Rover both - is still on quality and first-class finish. Two models form the range, saloon and convertible, both normally fitted with a 5-speed all-synchromesh gearbox but with the option of automatic. Power steering is another available extra.

The 6-cylinder engine is a conventional and long-established design with a seven-bearing crankshaft and overhead valves operated by pushrods.

Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider - 1965

A car for the young in heart, the life-loving. Own a 2600 and you're SOMEBODY. Low, sleek body has speed in every line. Yet, unlike some very high-performance cars, the 2600 doesn’t ask you to put up with noise or harsh suspension.

Specification points: twin-cam engine with triple two-choke carburettors, output 165 b.h.p. gross, 5-speed gearbox with full-house synchromesh, live rear axle with coil springs and stabiliser bar, servo-assisted disc brakes all round. Maximum speed is of the 'ton and a quarter’ order. Companion model is 2600 Sprint, a shapely GT job with a hard roof.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Super -1965

Launched in the spring, this one is seeing its first Earls Court. In essence, it’s the familiar T1 saloon with extra torque and power wrung from the twin o.h.c. I600 c.c. engine and improved body trim and furnishings. Although road speed is up on the T1's, engine revs. are down, and raised gearing makes for very restful motoring at 100- plus paces. In place of the T.1's singlechoke Solex carburettor the Super has a double-barrel Weber.

Like all contemporary Alfas, this one has five speeds, all them synchromeshed, and disc brakes at each corner.

AC Cobra - 1965

On Stand 109 can be seen what is probably the most powerful car ever exhibited at any British motor show - the 7-litre 475 b.h.p. Cobra. The engine is of course an American Ford V8 as raced at Le Mans this year. The actual car shown has left-hand drive and will not be immediately available in this country. The two other Cobras on view have 4.7-litre engines developing a mere 230 h.p.

A bare chassis is featured. Basis of this is still two fat tubular longitudinals but these have been increased in diameter to 4ins. Body has been widened to accommodate bigger tyres.

1965 Rootes Motors Limited - Motor Show Advertisement

Starting very soon I'll be blogging every car in the motor show review guides from 1965-1978, starting with the AC Cobra from the 1965 guide and ending with the slightly less exciting Volvo 245 DL from the 1978 guide.
Some of the posts will include the comments of the guides' original owner, from the rather predictable 'Good, Great, Fab' for the Aston Martin DB6 to the downright cheeky 'No good. Woman's car' for the Triumph Herald 12/50 and a brutally abrupt 'Ugh!' for the Rover 3-Litre Mk III.
It'll be a little while before I start properly (imagine scanning all 14 guides and you'll get an idea of the task ahead), but believe me it will be worth sticking with because there will be some wonderful motoring memories along the way.
From time to time I'll also include some of the better advertisements from the guides too, and to hopefully whet your appetite here's the Rootes advertisement that graced the back cover of the 1965 guide.