UK automotive terms

[blades]

I've heard most of the British automotive terms like boot, bonnet, wing, wind screen etc but I heard a new one today for the first time in my life. It is shooting brake which appears to be a term for a station wagon. Even at my age I learn something new every day.

 

[Morning Glory]

I'm not sure many younger people in the UK would know what a shooting brake was although it may well be a class thing. I'm not young at all and although I know the term I wasn't really sure what it meant so had to look it up. I think its a bit of an old fashioned term.

Talking of differences in car terms, there is the spelling of 'tires' - we spell it 'tyres' here in the UK.

What do you call a windscreen in the US?

 

[karadekoolaid]

Originated from the horse-drawn carriages used in the 1890s, to transport "shooting parties" to the grouse moors.

 

[karadekoolaid]

Oh, and don't forget the gear stick.

 

[TastyReuben]

but I heard a new one today for the first time in my life

How about an American one, courtesy of my grandmom and my mom: flivver - that’s a car, but a sort of beat-up, well-used one.

What do you call a windscreen in the US?

We’d call that a windshield. Or a bug catcher.

 

[Morning Glory]

Do you use the term handbrake in the US?

 

[TastyReuben]

Do you use the term handbrake in the US?

Probably more likely to say emergency brake.

 

[rascal]

And what about the dip switch on floor by brake. For full.beam. kids don't know that


Russ

 

[karadekoolaid]

And what about the dip switch on floor by brake. For full.beam. kids don't know that

Oh heck - you're going back a few years now...!!!

 

[Yorky]

And what about the dip switch on floor by brake. For full.beam. kids don't know that


Russ

Mine was to the left hand side of the clutch.

 

[Yorky]

It is shooting brake which appears to be a term for a station wagon. Even at my age I learn something new every day.

This has always been my take on a "shooting brake".

 

[rascal]

Mine was to the left hand side of the clutch.

Same
Russ

 

[The Velvet Curtain]

This has always been my take on a "shooting brake".

View attachment 102889​

Oh look, a half timbered car.

 

[rascal]

Oh look, a half timbered car.

They call that a woody.

Russ

 

[caseydog]

I'm not sure many younger people in the UK would know what a shooting brake was although it may well be a class thing. I'm not young at all and although I know the term I wasn't really sure what it meant so had to look it up. I think its a bit of an old fashioned term.

Talking of differences in car terms, there is the spelling of 'tires' - we spell it 'tyres' here in the UK.

What do you call a windscreen in the US?

A shooting brake is a term used in the classic car world for a type of car that are somewhat like a station wagon. Today, a station wagon would more likely be referred to as an "estate."

As for tires/tyres, the original spelling was tire, both here and in the UK. Later, the British changed it to tyre because it was "More British," or something like that.

A windscreen in the US is a windshield. Your bonnet is a hood here, and your hood is a roof here.

CD