Balkan Bucket Bonanza

[Bucketeer]

It needs a table on the lawn, with tablecloth, carrying lots of cheese, a baguette or two and a bottle of wine. Then I could sit there all day staring at the Bristol and arguing about politics with French people.

 

My budget version.

 

 

 

A bit of engine porn.

 

 

 

I've just had a right good chat with the owners, a very nice couple from the Midlands. The history of this car is long and convoluted but the short story is that it was first registered in Portugal and used as a race car, competing in a race alongside a certain Mr. Fangio. It then went to Madeira and was eventually bought by some heathen who wanted to use it as a donor for his AC Ace. More bits including the engine and interior were taken for a Cobra replica before the current owners managed to get it about 15 years ago. They have since been restoring it to it's current immaculate condition, including shipping the engine (which is only a few numbers away from the one it left the factory with) from Japan. A real ballache ensued trying to get it British registered and this explains why it is on a 'D' plate when it is actually an earlier car.

They are heading to an AC meeting further south in France next weekend and have promised to take me for a ride in it before then!

 

 

The only interior shot I have got so far (I was too busy gassing).

 

 

And one last one of a happy 6'5" Bucketlad squeezed inside.

[Junkman]

I'd still shag that tasty yank girl. Anything else would be ungentlemanly.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Fantabulous. Though this forum clearly isn't what it used to be. I'm amazed no-one has asked for pics of the American yet. (I'm not by the way because I'm not a dirty old man. Honest)

nice work bucketronic500!!!! Do you know I thought about asking for a pic of the yank lady then I decided not to on the grounds that i ask that too often and risk looking like a perv.

[Bucketeer]

I'd still shag that tasty yank girl. Anything else would be ungentlemanly.

 

Don't worry, she has already been issued with her complimentary ticket to ride aboard Bucketeer's Love Express.

Destination: Disappointment.

[Bucketeer]

Okay, nobody can say I don't make an effort to please.

 

American girl, in part 3 of 'GURLZ WIV CARZ'.

 

 

Also, in part 3,126 of 'I know nowt and can't get my camera out quickly enough', can anyone tell me what this is?

_{Not the 406}

 

 

And just for any dirty old members who missed parts 1 and 2 of the aforementioned 'DAMES AVEC VOITURES' from way back in the dim and distance thread past, here's a recap.

 

 

[mat_the_cat]

Shit, for a moment I thought the last picture was of my ex!

 

[Bucketeer]

^^^^^  Not unless she was Bulgarian and a complete and utter basket case Mat.

[mat_the_cat]

One of the two...

 

(You'd have to be mad to stick with me for 18 months!)

[panhard65]

The little french car looks like a Peugeot 203 to me. The American bird with the stingray just looks scary, good luck with that one

[Bucketeer]

The little french car looks like a Peugeot 203 to me. The American bird with the stingray just looks scary, good luck with that one

 

Brilliant, great shout. I thought it was a 4CV when it passed but the lack of louvred rear hatch thingy told me otherwise.

 

And on the second point, agreed, but I seem to only attract the slightly less than stable members of the fairer sex, and any port in a storm...

[Junkman]

The American bird with the stingray just looks scary, good luck with that one

 

You are scared of a girl that's about half a mile away?

[Squire_Dawson]

All good stuff, and I for one enjoy your little anecdotes.

[Bucketeer]

Thankee kindly Squire sir, your kind words/lies are muchly appreciated.

 

Today I took a walk to Isigny-sur-Mer, primarily to try and find somewhere/anywhere that would change some of my Great British pounds into Ooro. Mission - Unsuccessful.

Damn you, collective European monetary denomination.

 

Anyway, I also spied a bit of third-rate shite, as usual.

 

 

Quelle couleur!

 

 

Aixam City Sporty. With a tow bar. Optimistic.

 

 

Somewhere in the distance is a Volvo 440 Turbo.

Not in a trespassing mood today.

 

 

A couple of old VAGs.

 

 

 

Microcar M.Go.

I'm excusing myself another one of these 'cos I papped a rear view of the last one.

 

 

205 on hard times (part one). The Anne Robinson 'wink' special edition.

 

 

205 on hard times (part two).

 

 

Fiat Tempra diesel.

 

 

A poor attempt at a Franco-Germanic shite mash-up photo.

 

 

I really couldn't get a better shot of this Simca, due to gate+angry dog obstruction. This was taken on tip-toes, leaning over said gate. I will return though, if only to see if it's a suitable candidate for a GaryCox engine rape.

 

 

Yes I know, ANOTHER Microcar MC2. Last one I promise, but I couldn't resist it's spindly little casters.

 

 

If you're thinking (with some justification) that this has been a pretty poor selection of chod thus far, don't fear, I've saved the best* for last.

 

I should first preface this belter with a warning to shite lovers with weak hearts . . . . . . .

 

 

Tick Tick Tick Tick BOOOOOM.

Lada 111!

_{Just me stupidly excited by this then? Oh well.}

[Squire_Dawson]

All Simca content gratefully received.

[hairnet]

zomg lada !!!!!

 

the parts bin handle on the microcar is off a matiz

[Bucketeer]

the parts bin handle on the microcar is off a matiz

 

Fantastic call!

 

This, combined with your colossal crushing superiority at the SF14 pub takeover quiz means you truly are the . . . . . . .

 

[chaseracer]

Check this out y'all. You can keep your C15's, Expresses et al.

205 High top FTW.

 

WANT.

 

[Bucketeer]

A short, lazy update but one with a glorious climax.

 

 

I finally found an Aixam Mega van.

JDM Abaca in the foreground for scale.

 

 

A beautiful beige and brown rose amongst the dreary plastic thorns.

 

 

2.0 Ghia.

 

 

And the 'happy ending'.

An Aixam 400i.

I love the Dimma-esque wide arches and also the opportunity to play 'spot the 205 bits'.

 

[KruJoe]

A poor attempt at a Franco-Germanic shite mash-up photo.

Here, let me fix that for you:

 

 

You're welcome.

[chaseracer]

Here, let me fix that for you...

 

Good to see the 500SExpress again.  It was at the 2CV World Meeting at Kelso on '05, as transport for an automobilia dealer.

[Bucketeer]

I'm leaving Normandy tomorrow and heading South. It's been lovely here but it's time to explore some more and with these last spots I think I've finally sucked the Calvados region dry of all it's chod.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bucketeer]

I've had a good few days traveling Southwards through France. Plenty of walking, and earlier today I got a hitch-hiking lift for 100kms or so in what is quite possibly the pimp mack daddy of moderno-shite, a Ssangyong Rodius. I was hot and tired so didn't pay huge attention, but I can confirm that the interior is not as hideous as the exterior, the seats are comfy, they smell funny (admittedly that might just have been specific to this particular vehicle) and they are very noisy at 140km/h.

I'm currently sat in MacDonalds using their free internet and charging up my phone, laptop and camera whilst nursing the same cup of coffee I bought two hours ago, so I'll keep this post of my spots en-route brief. Pictures, bosh, done, I'm out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get ready for the big finish . . . . . . . .

 

 

 

[Bucketeer]

I arrived earlier this week in what can only be described as 'the middle of nowhere'. The nearest house is at least a mile away and the nearest shop is a two and a half hour walk away. Lovely.

Unfortunately this level of remoteness is not conducive to spotting much chod (or any cars for that matter), however I have been taking some big-ass walks through some of the little towns and villages in this region over the last few days and I've papped what I could.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fleet manager for this tractor dealership deserves a medal.

 

 

 

 

They do some good sunsets round here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only thing I found to talk to today.

 

 

This is where I am staying currently (no, not in the Safrane).

 

Shit rural French internet = shit rushed post. SOZ.

[mat_the_cat]

 

Nice Kangoo! Or am I 20 years too early?

[Bucketeer]

I've seen quite a number of those extended Kangoos, like what you done spotted in France too Mat. Very odd looking things.

 

And no, it's never too early to lust after some prospective future Franco-shite.

[Bucketeer]

I've spent the last week walking West from the Haute-Vienne department of the Limousin Region to my current location in the Deux-Sevres department of the Poitou-Charentes Region. I am finding that walking through South Central France in the middle of summer leaves me constantly drenched, either soaked in sweat due to OMFG 35+^oC temperatures and blazing sunshine or drowned in monsoon-like storms. This had led to a waning in my shite spotting concentration levels, for which I most humbly apologise.

I have however managed to pap a few bits whilst squelching through the countryside and villages and I even made a surprise purchase last night (hazy details below).

 

 

A handsome Bluey waiting at the cemetery gates.

 

 

I have continued colossal quadricycle lust.

 

 

With all the walking and sweating there is little chance of getting one of these, even if I were to consume a skipload of Fray Bentos..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I did find someone else to talk to. Quite a one-sided conversation though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've been struggling to remember if we ever got a 1.8i Mk2 Cavalier in Britain. I had a 1.6 myself, and I know of the SRi and SRi130 but really can't recall a Mark 2 in 1800cc flavour.

 

 

Just out of shot to the right, behind the minibus, was another minibus and around twenty children waiting to board who were all staring at me, hence the rushed photo and subsequent digit intrusion.

 

 

Two nights ago, as usual, I found a suitable spot to camp and retired. Early the next morning, ten minutes after I took the photo below, a French guy appeared in the woods walking his dog. We got chatting and he very kindly invited me to stay at his place for a couple of nights.

 

 

I went to his house and met his missus and we had a very pleasant and definitely less than sober evening. This morning I have awoken to the realisation that  sometime in the haze of booze yesterday I have agreed to buy a car from him. I think we decided on 200Euro and I think I had a plan of selling it on again to make a small but very welcome profit (with his blessing). I managed to get a quick photo at sunset whilst I could still stand up.

 

So anyway, welcome to my new motor (subject to test drive once my hangover clears).

It's diesel too, for extra clattery goodness.

 

 

Anybody want a LHD diesel Golf, collection from deepest darkest France? Didn't think so. Nevermind, I'll find some Frenchie with a penchant for ananas.

[garethj]

That's the way to buy a car!  My wife's brother had a Mk2 turbo diesel Golf and it was good, if tedious.

 

But better a cheap ride than a free walk.

[Jon]

Nice Golf! Isn't a white diesel Golf the type of car that many are willing to get into loads of debt to own* nowadays?

 

I'm sure that the 1.8i Mk2 Cavalier was sold in the UK, seen mostly in the CD models and possibly the cabriolet. I'm pretty sure Mcoli had an LS one or something though a while back. They're supposed to be pretty quick, especially for its time, when the 'i' badge on the boot lid meant something.

[Skizzer]

I think we need to organise you some sort of prize for buying a car off a bloke you met because his dog sniffed you out of your tent in the woods.  That's just genius.

[Bucketeer]

^^^^^  It pays to pong, Skizzer.

 

I've had a day out today in the new ride, and it's not really a bad little thing. It's rather slow and the suspension feels like it's mad from granite and it rattles a lot but I've bought cars a lot worse than this one for more money in the past.

The hamlet I'm staying in consists of seven houses, all owned by members of the same family, They're very friendly and welcoming but they don't half drink a lot and expect me to too (and I don't like to disappoint). At a birthday party last night for someone's daughter, amongst the boozy fog, I was told of the recently deceased patriarch of the family who loved old cars and kept around twenty in a big old barn nearby. This piqued my interest immediately. I didn't press too hard for information as there is some family strife and arguments at the moment regarding his estate but apparently there is much old French, American and other stuff including "the same type of car Kennedy was assassinated in". Needless to say I and my camera are giddy at the prospect of seeing this bunch of French barn find gold and I will be trying all I can to get a poke around.

 

I took a few more photos of the new beast this morning before going out for a potter about.

The guy who sold it to me said the old German and Scottish stickers on the back were there when he got it, around ten years ago.

 

 

It all looks remarkably straight and rust free.

 

 

 

The only rust I can see is a tiny bit under the number plate. I personally wouldn't care a jot about any rust but for resale it's good that there is so little.

 

 

My old and new forms of transport. The boots in the foreground have done about 4,000 km so far, the Golf considerably more.

And I'm still undecided about which smell worse inside.

 

 

I found a big annual brocante/flea market in a town in the area whilst I was stretching the Golf's legs.

 

 

There was a lot of tat but a lot of interesting stuff too.

Many many models, some overpriced but some shitely bargains.

 

 

 

Having only quite recently foisted my old models on the AS populace it was easy to keep my money in my pocket around the model cars but it was less easy around some of the mightily tempting French motoring literature/porn.

 

 

 

Wandering around the huge market with a head swimming with Golf powered travel opportunities I pretty much completely forgot my primary AS function - taking pictures of chod - so apologies but all I papped today was a battered 626 saloon.

 

Will do better next time.