Spotted's Spottings (2025 France holiday #1 28/07/2025)

1.3k · May 30, 2011

Leyland AM = Austin Morris?

Another Marina, replaced by the coupe when it died?

14,030 · May 30, 2011

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

Also regarding OOD:

May 30, 2011

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

14,030 · May 30, 2011

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?

May 30, 2011

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!

11,605 · May 30, 2011

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.

2.5k · May 30, 2011

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....

14,030 · May 31, 2011

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

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

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.

9,989 · May 31, 2011

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.

1.5k · June 3, 2011

Awesome spots, thank you.

13,338 · June 3, 2011

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.

14,030 · June 11, 2011

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

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.

14,030 · June 11, 2011

Few more...

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.

9,989 · June 11, 2011

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

No number plate lights?

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..?

14,030 · June 11, 2011

Ta.

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

13,338 · June 11, 2011

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.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSaD4qQSdObsPedCbNy30CfO-W-CZpbe73Mk5XlcfmXKE2Pw5NqqQ

9,210 · June 11, 2011

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.

1.2k · June 11, 2011

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....?

25,804 · June 12, 2011

The Cav banger looked depressingly solid...

5,311 · June 12, 2011

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?

1.4k · June 12, 2011

1994 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.8 Club by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Nice Impian!

14,030 · June 12, 2011

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.

3,314 · June 13, 2011

+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

14,030 · June 13, 2011

HereÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s one I prepared earlier:

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

Apparently this was back in 2006, but I think theyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve had the Laurel a good while longer than that.

5,311 · June 15, 2011

^ Ah, great stuff.

14,030 · August 22, 2011

OK, I still have more Ã¢â‚¬ËœnormalÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ spots to update, but for now hereÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s what I believe to be the choice items from this yearÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s summer holiday to France. Brittany this time, travelling through the countryside from Dieppe, so thereÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll be a bit of Normandy, Loire and other stuff too for those who know their departements.

IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m going to kick off with what I thought were my top three finds, but thereÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll be others which I think will also be of interest...

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 isnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢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

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

Peugeot 604 V6 SL by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Forgive me for multiple photos of this gem, seen on the first full day. If I hadnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t seen anything else worth photographing IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢d have been happy. But I did see much, much more...

14,030 · August 22, 2011

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

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.

14,030 · August 22, 2011

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

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

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?