h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

it's not fair....the great Ford Prefect car seems to have vanished for all eternity!

did it get destroyed by the vogons?

but i've just found a photo of one online!

http://uk.geocities.com/tradcarclub/images/fordpopular.JPG

has anyone seen a real one?

I've seen a real one, but that was a few years back. As far as I can gather, the Ford Escort is the modern Prefect

not quite the same though is it? i mean, ford got his name from something that was passed over for a slightly less nice car really.

But the joke was he thought his name would be inconspicuous, however the Ford Prefect was a very popular car in its time

yeah, but where are they now? i mean, the VW Beetle and the Mini have stuck around. and you still see really old cars on the roads that they don't make anymore.

No idea. Ford cars do have a habit of rusting really quickly, so maybe the few that are left are kept safely in garages now?

that's so sad

they're either dead or endangered and in hiding

For anyone still interested, I believe that I'm driving the natural descendant of the Ford Prefect. It's a Chevrolet HHR!

I can see why the design was so popular.

Chevrolet? UNCLEAN!!!

A chevvy? Was it based on the Ford Prefect then?

A chevy actually based on a ford? Probably not. But the look of a lot of cars are similar at any point in time; fins, boxy, low and wide.

The HHR carries a retro look similar to the cars at the time of the Prefect. The HHR stands for (High Heritage Roofline), an actual description of its ties to the old look.

Well I suppose they're different "brands". But you do see carw of different makes that look remarkable similar coz one lot pinched the other lots designer or something.

You got a picture?

http://www.getchevatgan.com/images/fun/chev/2006-Chevy-HHR-2LT-SA-Studio-1024.jpg

Built like a brick. Wouldn't want to get hit by one.

though can see a similarity in that nose.

I have to admit that I merely saw a similarity in the overall profile, the running board (quite unusual nowadays outside of trucks), and perhaps the fenders a bit.

Overall, as much as I like the HHR, I think I'd rather have the original. Quite an elegant radiator!

However, having a split back seat (both folding down flat) and a folding passenger front seat makes for a nice, large, bit of space for hauling. Not quite a lorry, but useful.

FT, I'm canvassing hootoo for contributors to the Post - would you be interested in writing a little comparison of the Ford Prefect and the Chevvy HHR for inclusion in the Post? I think it would be well received

Sounds interesting.

UTMatt, that's a fine idea. I don't remember ever riding in an FP, but if I can research enough info to sound like I have , I'd be glad to do the compare.

Perhaps I should share my research so that others, driving similar cars, could add their comparison as well?!

Sounds like a plan FT - it could be a regular feature of the Post then - the old and the new.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with!