can I have the name of your company please? and the files when you have finished
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Company name is birmingham, i am not done yet as i dont know whether to keep the 2.0 i6 fwd or go for v6 rwd
Ardent ive got you down for 31/45 I will write a full review tomorrow if you like. the results are updated
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i believe i have sent the .car already @Imperator
← this isnt part of the ad its just incase you dont have the grill mod im using
February, 1954, What Car? Magazine
Corporate news section:
Stop Press!!! Ardent maintains lead over Bogliq!!!
In a reveal that, frankly, surprised nobody, Ardent’s market share is still ahead of Bogliq at 4th place! Despite releasing a product that was broadly comparable with the upsized Bastion, Ardent used its superior market presence to maintain their lead over Bogliq’s best efforts.
New Bogliq CEO, Klaus Gtemburg, had a lot to say on the matter…
"It wasn’t surprising that Ardent got the jump on us this round. They were already ahead and the upsizing of the Bastion proved to be less effective than we hoped. The rebadged Belfast also didn’t set it’s market on fire, people were confused and resale values were hurt.
But the big killers were two-fold; Bogmatic and the 1952 re-style of the Ardent Starlight. The Bogmatic transmission fiasco damaged our brand image while the Starlight made our Belfast look like ameteur hour at the OK corral!
My vision is to reforge Bogliq Automotive by focussing on our core value of buying better when you buy a Bogliq. In short, the buyer gets what they want AND need with a Bogliq, not just window dressing and disappointment.
As for Ardent, I believe our new strategy will speak for itself, the people will decide and Ardent will be reduced to an irrelevant, niche, product owned by nostalgic American servicemen! Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’ll be no further comments…"
Strong words by Bogliq’s new CEO, but we’ve heard this talk before. Proof will be in the pudding so hold onto your hats, we’re going on and adventure!!!
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March 1, 1954
Cincinnati Enquirer, Business Section
Last week, Ardent Motors Corporation received a little bit of a black eye, given to them by Eastern European manufacturer Bogliq. Stronger than expected sales of the Bogliq Belfast, coupled with weak European interest in the Ardent 400-series, prevented Ardent from reaching its stated goal of widening the sales gap between the two companies.
Though the 400 series automobiles have found great success in theome markets of the United States and Canada, it seemed to be a bit too big and lavish for some markets in Europe, notably Italy and Spain.
We sat down recently with Jack Chancellor, CEO of Ardent Motors, regarding these recent revelations.
“This is a mere minor setback in Ardent’s global marketing and sales plans,” Chancellor told us when asked about the shocking sales revelations.
When we pressed for details on how Ardent plans to deal with flagging European sales growth, Jack Chancellor was at first reticent, but then tipped his hand.
“Wait for the New York auto show in a couple weeks. You’ll see the answer. Its name is Wren.”
Slightly cryptic, ever confident. Gentlemen, that is Jack Chancellor.
“God damn it, John,” Jack fumed. “I have told you, Stanton’s way is the way forward.”
Stanton stifled a grin, doing his best to keep a professional facade while the CEO of Ardent Motors berated its outgoing Chief Engineer. A position that would be his in only a few months.
“Mr. Chancellor, you’re gambling on a new tech…”
“Enough, John!” Jack slammed his fist down on his desk. Silence enveloped the room. The aging executive took a hard look at the two designers as he lit another cigarette, an ever-present adornment as of late when he spoke. “Stanton’s way is the future. It’s the way Europe is going. Now, if we’re going to beat these Moldovans in Europe, we can’t win with big boats, now can we?”
John Case didn’t respond.
“No, the Wren is for Europe. We can sell a few here at home, maybe transition the domestic market as the Starlight winds down its life. See what comes out of the 200-C project as a possible replacement in the future.”
“The Wren is the answer,” Stanton echoed.
“Shut up,” Jack shot back. Stanton seemed to shrink in his seat. Jack leaned back and thought for a moment. “You two pulled it off together, despite yourselves. You managed to work through your differences, and this is where we’re at. John, you’ve been the rock of Ardent for so many years. You’re going to go out on top. Internationally known, not just a hero at home. And Stanton, remember these past few years. At some point, some young gun is going to be on the hunt for your position.”
Stanton smirked. “I’ll show him who’s boss.”
“You’ll respect him and teach him what you know. And what John taught you,” Jack glowered, sending the younger designer into the back of his chair again. “More than half of the shit that’s happened during this design phase has been due to your ego. Now, you bring in money here, so that’s allowed. But only as far as I tolerate it. If others start checking out because you can’t shut your mouth, you can book yourself a one-way ticket back to Boston.”
Stanton Glass swallowed, forcing back any visible signs of his disdain.
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The cooperative agreement that Olympus had entered into with the German manufacturer was fruitful, and Dale Rathbone was pleased with the resulting product. The sales numbers however did not reflect this. It did well in wealthier parts of the UK, and a little bit in Germany, but France was cold to this new design, as well as most of the rest of Western Europe. Taking the loss, Rathbone agreed to end the partnership at the end of the Gemini’s production cycle, rather than extend it. Looking for a new way into the European market, he noticed that there was a very popular little Italian manufacturer, Giusseppe Auto, that was well received.
Dale Rathbone met with their president, and founder, Giusseppe Ferrari. His eccentricities were readily apparent. Rathbone had expressed his desire to market an executive trim luxury vehicle in Europe, featuring Olympus’s patented Lux-O-Matic transmission. Giusseppe slapped him across the face and shouted “NO! You will not use automatic transmission!”
Feeling the sting of Giusseppe’s assault, Dale realized that he had agreed to a new cooperative agreement that would hopefully result in Olympus becoming a major player in the European market. Rathbone had laid all his plans out on the table for what he wanted in this new model; Giusseppe proceeded to expectorate on every single one.
“What you need is a city car. Here! I show it to you.” Giusseppe barked. His lead engineers laid on the table an existing design for what was called the G-160. "
“But!” Rathbone stammered, “this is your car.”
Giusseppe responded, “I make this car cheap for me, make it fancy for you.”
Rathbone, in disbelief, names the project Karkenos, for the astrological sign of those born in July; since Cancer is an ugly word, and would not likely sell well in the UK, with such a name. In the end, the sporty little city car is given premium accoutrements, and a more smoothly geared 4 speed manual, dubbed the Smoove-shift manual, and all the latest and greatest in safety features. This retails at the time for $1,400, but the car would not be sold in the United States, so the marketing department crunched some numbers, and this is what they came up with:
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Thanks for all the lovely lore, it’s a joy to read!
New York International Auto Show, 1954
Motor Press Release
Today marks a bold new direction for Ardent Motors. John Case, lead designer for the Cincinnati-based manufacturing titan, today passes the baton to his protege, Stanton Glass. Case and Glass teamed together to design a new model. And today, we found out just how big of a revolution it will be for Ardent.
Ardent has just unveiled a small car called the “Wren”, squarely aimed at the tastes of European buyers, as well as entry-level buyers Stateside who are looking for an even bigger bargain than the ever-popular Starlight series.
But this new car is a massive departure from Ardent’s existing engineering. Eschewing a traditional frame, Case and Glass have come up with a single-unit body that provides a unique level of rigidity, while keeping the car’s weight low.
Production is already in progress, and Ardent officials tell us that the first Wren models will be in dealerships starting in October.
Price shown is for Ardent Wren 100 Special. Model submitted, as well as model shown, is the Wren 120 Sport in Sunshine Yellow with Ink Black roof, which has a price tag of $999 in 1955 dollars.
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Can I please enter with the car I posted here and senthere?
British International Motor Show, October 1954
Bogliq Automotive Stand
Proudly presenting the re-defined Bogliq Bastion Deluxe!
- 69Kw of straight six power
- Six adult seats, with seatbelts!
- Smooth shifting Three speed manual gearbox
- 157 Km/h top speed!
- Annual service costs of only $63!
Price to you, driveaway… $853!!! (7917 AU’s)
And for the BIG reveal!!!
The ALL NEW Bogliq Buttress Engage!!!
The best value small car in Europe. Period.
- 31Kw of power
- Seats 4 adults
- 112 KM/h top speed
- Annual service cost of $29!!!
And all this for a miniscule $570 driveaway! (5295 AU’s)
With value this sharp you’d be a fool to purchase anything else!!!
Buy better, buy Bogliq
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sorry i just cant see the company in the list
We at Wasp are greatly confused by the things Europeans consider “cars”, but when in Rome… well we aren’t in Rome, we’re in South Hampton UK, and we’ve built a car SPECIFICALLY for Europe!
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Never heard of South Hampton before, Southampton yes. Only joking lol
The car name is actually the LLA 300s. I realised pretty much as soon as I uploaded the image and CBA to change it.
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I fear I’m going to have to skip 1955 - getting a new kitchen installed, so things are a bit chaotic over here atm.
I was looking at the Wren, and it looked like it was sleepy. I was wondering how you did that, and then I realized it was just how the scene was reflecting off the glass. awesome.
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