Attn: Lord Bickle of Shiteston, Compagno hunter.

[KruJoe]

Following the discovery of the festering example in Yorkshire, several PMs were exchanged discussing the possibility of sourcing of an example (or replacement parts) in Chiang Mai, where I have spotted several in the wild.

Well I'm back in town, today was the first full day here. We were at the local government's transport department making our Volvo legal again, just parking up and...

 

 

I always have my camera to hand. The old boy was about to leave, he had the window down and wasn't in a hurry, so we had a word. We were with him a good half an hour, he was eager to show us around it, clearly a cherished example, his father bought it new back in the day! We made it clear we knew what it was and how special it is. He would never sell it on a whim, but said he would consider letting it go to a real enthusiast. He's confident that it's the only one in Thailand, I didn't wish to break his heart by insisting that I've seen others in the same town!

He does know his stuff though, and has an extensive collection of all sorts that I'd love to see, my wife would probably be more reluctant to make the phone call for me. Of course there'll be a full report if that does happen.

Anyway, this Compagno...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's certainly no concourse winner, but deffo better than any of the handful I've seen. I wouldn't like to say whether it has been 'round the clock or not, but it has been out in the sun a lot for sure. It has had a recent respray in slightly the wrong white, which is far from perfect, but from a few paces looks very smart. NO evident rust. It's almost completely original. The window rubbers etc are in poor condition, and the plastics of the lenses and badges are faded and sun-crazed, but WTF would you expect from this climate? The rear screen is perspex after a clumsy builder did his worst. The stainless and chrome trim could use some work.

The original engine is quiet, sweet and smoke-free. Always sparks right up on the new battery. The manual column change looked slick and positive. Apparently everything works as designed.

 

 

So NB, are you still interested? I have his number, and that of his daughter who speaks good English. I have a lot more photos uploaded too if you'd like to see more...

[dollywobbler]

That's fabulous! Love the ICE.

[eddyramrod]

What a little beauty! Love the column shift... Do we know the origins of the engine? The manifolding reminds me of the good old A-series more than a bit.

[Guest]

Thats nice and different well done on getting the pics and info.

[hairnet]

only ever seen the blue one that clarksono took the piss out of 15 years ago (fecker)

 

never knew they did 4 doors and estate........

 

love it

 

arent they 950cc or something?

[nigel bickle]

Good man! Excellent

 

The northern one went very quiet when we actually came to negotiations. I think that once the owner was appraised of interest-, the helpful thrid party was told to withdraw, sadly. He doesnt answer my emails & since no price was ever mentioned, i cant have insulted him.

 

I'm knee deep in cars at pres- with a totally shafted back.

However, having rebuilt the barn -i do have space.

 

So -without knowing anything of the cost of shipping, or the preceived value there, Yes-of course!!!!!

 

I'll PM you shortly.

[michiel]

Jeesus, that is fab. Go Nigel!

[KruJoe]

Nigel, PM on the way soon...

 

Good to hear from you and glad you like it! Who wouldn't? It's a cutie.

I do have sympathy for your back problems. There is nothing much worse. Do you have a good specialist offering hope of an improvement?

 

About getting this home, as I said a few months ago, I do have a contact at a local shipping company. My sister regularly sends a container full of gear back to Yorkshire from there, mostly wood carvings, furniture and other nik-naks. Various members of the family have put other things in there; my Honda Sonic, old step-thru engines, and a stripped and varnished tree stump the size of a tuk-tuk! The cargo outfit are very helpful with whatever we want to send, so long as it's legal. In the next few days, I'll see if I can call in and have a word, and find some more up-to-date details.

We are 500miles or so north of BKK, but the containers are loaded in Chiang Mai and wash up at Felixstowe, so it's no issue. I think my sister then has a haulage company local to her bring it up to her place after it has been cleared. Anyway, you'll know as much as anyone about procedure once it has landed.

At the risk of boring the other listener, I'll just dump the rest of the pictures I have here, then they're out there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He has some new old stock wiper arms that need fitting, also the screen need the scratches polishing out.

 

 

I have a shot of the chassis plate but that doesn't need to be public.

Any questions? Just ask.

[michiel]

Can you stuff this one in the container for me? I'd rather have a wagon as I would need to sleep in it...

 

[face]

"CAR FASHION GRIFFIN"

 

GGRRRRRRRRRRRRR-800!

[Guest]

the containers are loaded in Chiang Mai and wash up at Felixstowe

 

Where Trigger will see it before you do and post a thread on it.