1105 replies to this topic

[Spottedlaurel]

Sierra shot was a fluke, but probably works better than if I'd been walking along the path. Apparently it's a regular there, alongside Green Park.

The Sherpa has been on here before, but without the world-weary dog.

Putting the photos on Flickr and them being seen earlier is probably the only downside, otherwise I think it works really well and for seeing a huge range of photos, and having your own seen by a wider audience, it surely can't be beaten?


Former Garage (?), Langer Road, Felixstowe by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


Pavilion Garage and Flats at Undercliff Road West, Felixstowe by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I'm still accumulating garage shots, to tie in with old ad's or dealer stickers I've found. Don't know anything about the top one, but it may have been an old Datsun dealership (and doubtless others before that). I need to check a dealer listing for the exact address. The second always seemed rather glamorous, on the seafront at Felixstowe. I'm pretty sure fuel was sold there at one time (I vaguely recall it might be BP).


1986 Bedford CF2 Crewcab by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This possibly outodes the Sherpa, in that it could carry five chainsaw-men to their chosen auction/autojumble/steam fair.


1981 Mercedes Benz 300D (W123) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

More seaside glamour.


1991 VW Polo Coupe (1043cc) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Are we still allowed to call this Pogweasel pink?


1993 Mazda 323F 1.6 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Prior to this my children had never really noticed a car with pop-up lights, it became the subject of discussion after this was seen where I drop them off for school.


1997 Toyota Camry 2.2 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I make no apologies for posting this, its owner is clearly a person of discerning taste. Anyway, in stopping for this, quite by chance this drove the other way...


1965 Auto Union 2dr (1175cc) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Another one Trigger has seen at a show.


1976/77 Reliant Kitten by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This is one of the many Reliants belonging to that garage in ChinaTom's village.


1989 Ford Escort 1.6GL Estate by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1990 Ford Escort Bonus 90 3dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Just realised that these virtually complete the Mk4 set, with the Orion and 5dr Ghia posted above. Van, 3dr estate and cabrio to go.


1981 Mercedes Benz 380SL by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Excellent 1970s toilet suite colouring.


1992 Toyota Camry V6 Estate - Dilemma! by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Viewed this as a potential purchase. Had great history, but somehow it didn't quite seem right.


1964 Francis Barnett 250cc by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I know nothing about bikes, but this seemed worthy of a quick photo.


Accord, Fiesta and Charade by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1984 Honda Accord 1.6EX 3dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1983 Honda Accord 1.6EX 3dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Droolworthy Accords (Trigger may have posted photos of one of them before). The blue one came from a dealers called Gilberts of Catford. I Googled them and Streetview shows a couple of interesting Hondas outside, then somehow I found another photo with slightly older cars outside. They still seem to be Honda specialists, but I imagine the days of them being sold there new are long gone.


Ford Escort Chairman & Volvo 240GLE by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Ah, here's another of the Mk4 family.


1973 Morris Marina 1.3 Coupe + 1989 AWD by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1973 Marina + Old Trailer by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Chuffed with this find out in the barren wastes of North Suffolk. Cartell and the DVLA said the trailer's registration came from a 1975 'Leyland AM' model unknown, 1798cc, which came off the road in 1989. Any guesses?


1991 Rover Metro 1.1 3dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Still on SORN.


1982 Land Rover SWB County petrol by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I seem to remember M&S doing a chocolate bar that had horizontal layers of white chocolate through it.


1986 Mitsubishi Colt 1.5 5dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

These are popular over on OJC.


1995 Rover Montego 2.0i Countryman by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1990 Citroen BX16TGS auto by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

And finally, a couple of AS favourites to finish off this update. Looks like I'm back as far February now, still another 3-4 months to go.

[michiel]

GR8 PL8 4 'THE DOOD'

(Edit: also good for undertakers over here - 'dood' in Dutch means dead, de Dood means Death as in the Reaper)

[mattblack]

Leyland AM = Austin Morris?

Another Marina, replaced by the coupe when it died?

[Spottedlaurel]

What engine would the 1798cc be? I get my B-, E- and O-series muddled up.

Also regarding OOD:

[345DL]

I just spent the entirety of my (rainy) bank holiday afternoon going through all 59 pages in this thread. Thank you so much!!

[Spottedlaurel]

Blimey, well done! I think there would be a good few surprises to me if I did that. From the first page it looks as if the Imageshack ones are still there, was everything else present?

[345DL]

Yes, most are still there. Some occasionally missing, but nothing major.

I live in Cambridge but work in Norwich, so I'm loving seeing all those local plates. I recognise a few of the spots as well. You've inspired me to start taking my camera with me to more places to see what I can find!

[Angrydicky]

Great spots! That Marina is a find and a half, I wonder how long it's been sitting there? Montego Countryman is an extremely rare survivor, especially as tidy as that one

1798cc Leyland AM is a B Series Sherpa.

[brammy777]

As I have said on flickr, those are some great spots you get! That Marina must be one of the best finds of the year, especially with the trailer on it. The shot of it with the AWD equally as mouldy would look great in a book or calender. I have often toyed with the idea of a book with (collectively) our best spots in it, but I think the legalities regarding the numberplates may be a bit iffy....

[Spottedlaurel]

Few more...


1988 Ford Sierra 2.0i GLS by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1996 Rover 825 V6 5dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1992 Proton 1.5 saloon + Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2 banger by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1986 Rover 213SE (automatic) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1991/92 Toyota Carina II saloon by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1985/86 Toyota Camry TD by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

These were all in the put-aside-for-banger-racing section of a friendly local scrapyard. They are still happy to sell bits off them though.


1970 Triumph 1300 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


VW Beetle 1303 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1987 Mazda 323 1.3 3dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1995 Daewoo Espero 1.8CD by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Predictably not so much of interest in the yard proper though. Not a big place, I think they turn things over pretty quickly.


1991 Proton 1.3GLS Aeroback 5dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

These certainly look nicer than the saloons around the back end.


1993 Toyota Camry V6 Estate by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Another Camry I enquired about. Left them an offer, but I think they have an inflated view of what it's worth (especially looking at the condition of the V6 saloon that I subsequently bought, for less than I'd offered these people).


1991 Vauxhall Astra 1.4 Merit 3dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This wasn't as tidy as it first appeared. For the money Trigger's Mk4 Escort is 1000 times nicer.


1975 Mercedes Benz 280SE (auto) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This was a colleague's spot, they know of my tastes.


1967 Vauxhall Viva HB Estate by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1967 Vauxhall Viva HB Estate by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Delightful. Seemingly belongs to the same chap who owns several HBs, another one to come soon.


P8135673 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


P8135678 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

OK, this is utterly out of order chronologically, as it's from my trip to Utterpiffle's in Dusseldorf last summer. Amongst the rather shiny/lovely classics in the Meilenwerk museum was this splendid barnfind. This is a taster of the photos I took there, worthy of a thread in their own right once I get this one up-to-date.


1969 Vauxhall Viva HB 2-litre GT by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Ah, the other HB. It was on eBay not long back, think he wanted good money for it.


1989 Vauxhall Nova 1.2L 4dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Tidy, owner of predictably advanced years.


1989 Skoda 130LSE by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Good to follow this for a few miles.


1978 TVR 3000M by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1978 TVR 3000M by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Surprising town centre find.


1991 Mazda 626 2.2GLX 4wd estate by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1987 Nissan Micra 1.0SGL 5dr (K10) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1988 Ford Orion 1.6LX by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

These from my Camry collection mission back in January, apologies if I've posted them before.


1992 Rover Sterling 2.7 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


2000 Chevrolet Impala LS 3.8 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1997 Honda Accord 2.0 LX (US-spec) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


2005/06 Scion xB by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Saturday shopping spots. USAF bases aren't far away from here so there's usually odd stuff floating around.


1992 Peugeot 309 GRD Turbo by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1990 Vauxhall Astra 1.4GL 5dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1986 VW Scirocco 1.6 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1990 Nissan Micra 1.0LS 5dr (K10) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Random bilge. Micra owned by a technician at the Nissan main dealer.


1993/94 Bedford Midi by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Excellent name, proper signwriting.


1974 Jensen Interceptor 7.2 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Concluding this update, another surprising thing to find.

[KruJoe]

Ooh, another superb haul. Winter is great for revaling hidden gems, when all the undergrowth dies back.
The battered 309 workhorse is a joy to see. I bet a 1.8td shifts nicely too. Those 205 Roland Garros(?) wheels rather suit it.

[Gompo]

Awesome spots, thank you.

[Lord Sterling]

Great spots there Spotted. I bet the Rover 825 ended up there due to HGF. Could yield a few useful bits for Chris/Earl/RoadworkUK. The 2.7 mk2 Sterling (G2ALG) looks quite nice aswell.

[Spottedlaurel]

Right, back on with this while the internet is working. Might upload them in small batches, so I don't end up losing a load of photos and text I've prepared as happened last weekend...

I realised that the silver 323 in the scrapyard I actually photographed when on the road a few years ago, should be some way back on this thread.

Jumping back to the present:


1987 Jaguar XJ-S 3.6 (Banham XJ-SS) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This was certainly a surprise. Sounded rubbish though, more like a Pinto than a straight-six as I commented to Wuvvum.


Former Allen's Garages Renault garage, Cromer by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Interesting place, never noticed it on previous visits to Cromer.


Photo of a photo - Poppy Line Railway Sheringham-Holt, Norfolk by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Great photo seen at one of the stations on this heritage line, my copy doesn't do it justice.


1992 Rover 820Si by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

For LordSterling


1989 Ford Fiesta 1.4 Ghia by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Tidy example, sold new by a fairly local garage in North Walsham.


1994 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.8 Club by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Ouch.


1991 Rover Maestro 1.3LX by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Maestro from that identity crisis time, they were no longer an Austin but while DVLA has it down as Rover their name doesn't appear anywhere immediately obvious. No disrespect to the Maestro lovers on here, but when the 200-series was available you have to wonder why people still bought these (price presumably?).


2000 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Odd.


1995 Toyota Camry 2.2i by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This chap is quite clearly the coolest guy in Cromer.


1995 LDV 400 Fish & Chip van by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I seem to recall that the fag-wielding old lady didn't take advantage of the OAP special menu.


1990 Ford Scorpio 2.0 auto by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Really not sure that a 2.0 auto is the right combo for this.


1984 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible 2.6 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1984 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible 2.6 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1984 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible 2.6 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Three photos are required to convey the full splendour of this beast. With his blue badge, the driver was even able to park in the disabled bays outside the charity shop - does life get much better?


1980/81 BMW 635CSi by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

GreenGartside has also seen and photographed this one.


1989 Saab 9000 now & then by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Another car I've previously seen on the road...


1989 Saab 9000 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

As recently as last December.


1995 Ford Transit 4wd 190 TD LWB by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Suggestion on Flickr that this could be ex-electricity company. I suspect now used as a gun bus on shoots.

Must hit submit while I can.

[Spottedlaurel]

Few more...


1990 Toyota Carina II 1.6GL 25th Anniversary by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1990 Toyota Carina II 1.6GL 25th Anniversary by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


Toyota Carina 25th Anniversary seatback logo by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This is a delight. One owner from new, local car. I think for the right money it would be available, I went and had a chat with him just last night but he won't let it go for peanuts (and I really don't need anything else on the driveway right now). Hopefully he'll keep it until his value of it drops and my ability to pay for it converge somewhere in the middle.

Actually, I'll leave it there for now as I've got a busy day coming up and I'm now unsure of what I have and haven't uploaded.

[KruJoe]

Another fine selection, Sir. The Transit looks well weapon.

No number plate lights?

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5814...

Those back lights look much better nailed to a Noble. And is that a pair of baby seats trimmed to match the hood? Horrible.

Heartbreaking to see the final stages of the Saab's life.

On second thoughts, perhaps Nobles use Mondeo saloon clusters..?

[Spottedlaurel]

Ta.

I think they're actually the front seats! They were absurdly large, looked like a couple of tombstones upholstered with leather.

[Lord Sterling]

Great spots as ever Spotted. Thanks for putting the 800 up RAC says its a 820Si auto. Looks to be sat on 16" Rover 600 Ti alloys. Not a fave of mine, the only Mk2 800 wheels I like are the bin lid/bottle-top like Prestige alloys:

http://t2.gstatic.co...lcfmXKE2Pw5NqqQ

[RoadworkUK]

That 825 looks sad sitting amid all that chod. Lord Sterling is right, almost certainly OMGHG(x2)F that cut its life short.

Recently killed Saab 9000 looks sadder, though. I want to give it a hug and tell it everything would be ok. But I'd be lying.

[CIH]

Bloody hell that Carina II looked nice. Be a nice "generation bridge" between the modern Camrys and the Laurel eh ?
Never understood why the Hatch had symmetrical tail-lights but the saloon didn't....?

[chaseracer]

The Cav banger looked depressingly solid...

[ProgRocker]

The Carina II is very nice, especially with it's '25th anniversary' embroidery. It really makes my day seeing a 20 year old Toyota driving around. They were really built well during that era.

Hey SL : I was driving around Diss last Sunday, went down Lion Road towards Palgrave and on the right outside a row of cottages was a light metallic blue 1980s Nissan Laurel. I think the letters in the reg plate were: D*** SNO . Is that one that you have seen before?

[tonedepear]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5031/5801...
1994 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.8 Club by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Nice Impian!

[Spottedlaurel]

Hey SL : I was driving around Diss last Sunday, went down Lion Road towards Palgrave and on the right outside a row of cottages was a light metallic blue 1980s Nissan Laurel. I think the letters in the reg plate were: D*** SNO . Is that one that you have seen before?

Oh yes, belongs to a family of stock cars racers and the father has had that for years. They also have a thing for Bedford CFs, they probably still have a six-wheel transporter and SWB van with twin rear wheels lurking around the place.

[greengartside]

+1

That Laurel's been there for ever as far as I can remember too. The 6-wheeler CF is still there, I'll see if I can get a quick snap of the place

[Spottedlaurel]

Here’s one I prepared earlier:


1986 Nissan Laurel C32 + Bedford CF by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Apparently this was back in 2006, but I think they’ve had the Laurel a good while longer than that.

[ProgRocker]

^ Ah, great stuff.

[Spottedlaurel]

OK, I still have more ‘normal’ spots to update, but for now here’s what I believe to be the choice items from this year’s summer holiday to France. Brittany this time, travelling through the countryside from Dieppe, so there’ll be a bit of Normandy, Loire and other stuff too for those who know their departements.

I’m going to kick off with what I thought were my top three finds, but there’ll be others which I think will also be of interest...


1978-82 Peugeot 104 Z by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1978-82 Peugeot 104 Z by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

What a cute car. Last year I had an incident where I told an old man I loved him rather than his cars (my French isn’t great). Mrs SL forbade me from saying that this year to the young female owner of this dinky little 104.


Ford Transit Mk2 LWB camper by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


Ford Transit Mk2 LWB camper by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Can there possibly be a more oddly-specced Transit? It even matches the AS colour scheme.


Peugeot 604 V6 SL by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


Peugeot 604 V6 SL by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


Peugeot 604 V6 SL by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


Peugeot 604 V6 SL by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Forgive me for multiple photos of this gem, seen on the first full day. If I hadn’t seen anything else worth photographing I’d have been happy. But I did see much, much more...

[Spottedlaurel]

More:


Peugeot 305 GR saloon by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

305 surely worse than Watanabe's?


Simca 1100 van by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Made a change from the usual Renault 4 or Acadiene. I guessed at Simca, did they later do them as Talbot or Dodge?


Lancia Kappa saloon by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Tatty Kappa near Dieppe, sharing forecourt space with:


1976-81 BMW 520 (E12) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


1976-81 BMW 520 (E12) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This mouldy old 520. Looks solid enough under the green though. Sported this dealer sticker:


BMW Interservice sticker by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Which looked distinctly non-French. Any clues?


1954/55 AEC Reliance BGS705A (ex-MOR604) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I've actually got a bit ahead of myself. Saw this traveller-mobile very early in the morning on Madeira Drive in Brighton, when we had a drive along the seafront to kill some time before getting the ferry at Newhaven. Quick internet searched through up an older photo or two, it's been on the circuit for 20+ years.


Old Citroen workshop, Normandy by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Back in France, this garage hid...


Murky shot of a dusty Citroen CX by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This, and a GS, 2CV and maybe others, plus interesting-looking bits.


Renault 5 + Citroens at Quinton Automobile by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Cars in a showroom.


Nissan Micra 5dr (K10) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Only saw this one Micra K10. The French obviously too busy buying 205, 5, AX etc.


Renault 4F6 van by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Saw a fair few of these Lobster-mobiles.


Cheer up Mr MGA driver, it's meant to be fun! by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Grumpy.


Citroen BX14RE (Phase 1) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


Peugeot 309SR + Citroen BX14RE by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Family favourites in non-diesel shock.

More to come later, including something for fans of small Italian cars.

[Spottedlaurel]

Onwards:


Fiat 126 and Renault Twingo by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


Fiat 126 (early?) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This was tucked on the edge of a main dealer's forecourt. This sort of thing seems to happen quite often in France, they seem happy to acknowledge that cars over five years old do exist.


Innocenti 3-cilindri SE by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


Innocenti 3-cilindri SE by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

For added appeal, I think this was actually a diesel.


Renault 9 GTC by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Saw several pre-facelift 9s.


Citroen Mehari by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Also saw several of these Meharis. And lots of towns/villages with the church spire sticking up at the end of an oh-so-French long straight.


Ford Sierra 2.0 hatchback by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Nice old Sierra.


Former Citroen garage, Brittany by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Another old garage, the French don't seem hellbent on redeveloping them like here. Wonder what it might have contained? They'd moved just across the road, be nice to think they'd stashed away some oldies here.


Volvo 360GLT by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Very tidy.


Opel Kadett 'D' 1.6i GL estate by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr


Opel Kadett 'D' 1.6i GL estate by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Sticker-loving Swiss tourists' transport.


Renault 5 Baccara by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Not a Monaco.


Opel Corsa LS 3dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Another tidy car. It certainly rains in Brittany, but do they not use salt?


Nugget decal on Transit Westfalia Camper by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Never heard of a Nugget before. Saw a Big Nugget later in the holiday.


1992 Lancia Thema 2.0 Turbo 16v LS by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Very unexpected. Surely belongs to an enthusiast?


Renault 25 Turbo D by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Still a few of the attractive pre-facelift 25s around.


Citroen Acadiene van + Renault 25 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Tidy Acadiene keeping it company.


Ford Scorpio 2.0 CLX by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Peeling Scorpio.


VW Golf GL Mk1 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Pleasingly honest.


Microcar (Lyra?) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

These little things plentiful, this one seemed epecially miserable though.


Mercedes Benz 190E by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Not rare, but I liked the look of it.


Seat Toledo by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Getting rare in the UK.


Range Rover 2.5TD by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I usually see several of these on a trip to France.


Lada Niva by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Same with Nivas. This one looked a bit sad though.