It’s that time of year again, when we reminisce about the good old days and look back at the things that made Christmas special. And for petrolheads, there’s nothing more special than the memories of Autocar’s Concorde ‘road test’.
Yes, that’s right, in the days when we still had the legendary supersonic airliner in service, Autocar managed to convince the powers that be to let them take the Concorde for a little spin. And being the car enthusiasts that they are, they naturally wanted to see how the Concorde would perform on the road.
Of course, the whole thing was a bit tongue-in-cheek, but that didn’t stop the Autocar team from giving it their all. They wanted to see if the Concorde’s famous speed and agility would translate to the tarmac. And let’s just say that the results were, ahem, interesting.
With its sleek, aerodynamic shape and powerful engines, the Concorde certainly made an impression on the road. But as you might expect, it wasn’t exactly the most practical vehicle for everyday use. The noise, the fuel consumption, and the sheer size of the thing made it a bit of a handful.
But that didn’t stop the Autocar team from having a blast. They pushed the Concorde to its limits, taking it on high-speed runs and putting it through its paces in a series of ludicrous tests. And while it may not have been the most sensible thing to do, it certainly made for some entertaining reading.
In the end, the Concorde’s road test may have been more about the spectacle than anything else. But it’s a perfect example of the kind of irreverent, off-the-wall journalism that makes Autocar such a beloved institution. And even today, we can’t help but look back on it with fondness.
So as we gear up for another Christmas, let’s raise a glass to Autocar’s Concorde ‘road test’ and all the other classic automotive antics that have made the season so special. After all, what’s Christmas without a healthy dose of petrolhead nostalgia?
