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Jon's Spotting Thread. USA Road Trip.


Jon

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Actually, who am I kidding? I've got plenty to be getting on with but why not use that time more wisely by updating an internet thread full of stuff of mostly little interest to the forum users?

 

 

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Here's an overview of some stuff, taken mostly because I liked that shadow bit bottom of frame.

 

 

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James Dean spec AMC (Rebel Without Its Doors!!!!!!!!!!!) which I think was only recently cut up by a fire brigade to remove a patient. I bet it only took two minutes, unlike working on stupid solidly built modern cars.

 

 

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This tasty 125 was part of an annual meet up of members from the forum mentioned earlier, which I wasn't aware was quite so local. What was nice was that the owner had turned up to remove bits from a Fiat 2300 wagon, as he was restoring one and found out about the existence of the Horopito one from a photo I'd posted up on here previously! No idea if it's been posted elsewhere but it was nice to think that my efforts were actually useful to somebody.

 

 

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Another of those shots taken with a particular forum member in mind. I've got to say that, although heavily influenced by period US models (which I like), I don't have much love for these Crowns, most probably because they're far less bonkers than their predecessors and I also can't get to grips with those annoying double swage lines down the side. Would look miles better without them.

 

 

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Scruffy photo suits scruffy Subaru. Sadly, I've never seen one this old actually on the road.

 

 

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This is probably more colour-accurate, however. My sister's first car was one of these later Leone models, a 1980 V reg one with the unusual trait of being FWD. Had the same single light front end of this one, too. Within a few months, it looked pretty much like this one, after she rolled it somewhere out in the countryside.

 

 

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I captured this for tow reasons: 1.) I was quite excited at having encountered a UMM but in actual fact, it was just an FJ40 Land Cruiser with its front end flipped round. 2.) How massive does that Hillman Imp look on top of that Hilux Surf?!

 

 

 

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Seeing this did not cure me of my S1 want affliction. Sniffing round it only made it worse, tbh.

 

 

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Naturally, I had to have a sit inside, for maximum wistfulness. At least I could console myself with the fact that this one had a buggered bulkhead, which isn't on my wish list.

 

 

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MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH, I LIKE GRASS.

 

 

 

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I just couldn't bloody let it go, could I? Actually, that bulkhead doesn't look too bad, from the outside......

 

 

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I don't remember this Valiant ute being here before but it obviously was. At least poor memory of such things makes return trips more interesting.

 

 

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Another sight for sore eyes, to all those UK based Carlton, Senator and Monza owners, annually plugging away at the strut tops for the MOT. I didn't look but I bet they were immaculate, just like the ones on mine.

 

 

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Have some more Subarus, for good measure. I like the purposeful scaff bar on the later wagon.

 

 

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I've still yet to see an Allegro over here, outside of a museum, scrap yard or Trademe listing.

 

 

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Trying out an HQ or derivative is still a bucket list thing but according to period tests, I may have shot myself in the foot by owning an early Commodore, since it represents such an improvement in ride and handling. Not that all that guff always matters when driving an old car, really.

 

 

 

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We're in to the new addition, a fresh field only in its infancy of being filled when I last visited. So where the hell did they unearth this from?

 

 

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Scrap yard window graffiti was extolling the virtues of this Samara's Good Motor or some such, presumably to the 0.7 people interested in replacement engines for a Lada Samara in New Zealand.

 

 

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100% Pure Yankee, best of American Pontiac Le Mans. Look at those wheel arches - absolutely no rust whatsoever! Apart from a lack of tyres and crap paint, I really couldn't see anything wrong with this. Shame, I suppose.

 

 

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This is how the grass is kept to a manageable height, in case you wondered.

 

 

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I've seen 4x4 van versions of these (see previously on here somewhere) and ute versions but never a 4x4 ute version. Makes a lot of sense, really.

 

 

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Here's the Trader up close. Previously seen at the front of the building where the Rebel now resides, when it had its wrecker body on the back, still. Shame someone didn't remove the gopping grill adornments at the same time.

 

 

 

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Had this been a bit more complete, I think I'd have found it hard not to resist trying to buy this Transit, mostly for the interesting ute body on the back.

 

 

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A real man's Nissan Patrol. Wouldn't say no to one of these if the price was right. I'm not a real man but I don't think that would matter too much.

 

 

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Ivan The Terrible Jeep. Presumably, there's a Cherokee with an Alvin The Plainly Inaccurate Lada sticker on the back.

 

 

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Lorry line-up. What more is there to say, really?

 

 

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In the opposite to ending on a high, I'll finish for now with this Audi 80, again captured because I haven't seen one in ages. Funny what a bit of time not seeing something does to you; it made my day the time I saw a MkIII Fiesta locally a few years back.

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Just seen this. JEALOUSY is the word for a trip to Horopito without me :-(

 

That Ford utility that was identified as a Zephyr is not. It is a US Ford, probably Canadian built as were many of the rhd new Fords sold here.

The blue yankee that had you stumped is a Chev from about 1950. I thought a first look that it was a Chrysler (Plymouth/ Desoto) which were imported in rhd style from Belgium in the 50's. Anorak mode....check the window glass for the makers logo markings, they will have the word Belgium beside it !

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Actually, who am I kidding? I've got plenty to be getting on with but why not use that time more wisely by updating an internet thread full of stuff of mostly little interest to the forum users?

 

........................it made my day the time I saw a MkIII Fiesta locally a few years back.

 

Don't worry Jon, I found it interesting.

 

Regarding your final sentence, I like to think I'm fairly open-minded but I'm not sure if this day will ever come for me.

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I think it's all about geographical context though, as Fiestas weren't sold here until the early/mid 2000's (whenever the model which the Fusion was based on was launched), so seeing something that's always been of low value car-wise yet shipped to NZ from the UK/Ireland shows some real commitment from somebody, back in the day. A bit like whoever imported a Carlton 2.0GL at 10 years old, which I've previously spotted. Plus, it's also a bit of nostalgia without having to go home to experience it; rather like if I were ever to see Birds Eye Potato Waffles or Findus Crispy Pancakes in the local supermarket freezers.

 

 

OK, terrible, unattainable food nostalgia over with, it's time to trawl further along. As you'll have seen before, these J-Type Bedfords are seemingly still in healthy supply in NZ, just not so much on the roads as before.

 

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Something old and unidentifiable (to me) but taken because of the presence of the yellow plate, which is the type that were phased out and replaced by black plates in the early/mid sixties, so evidence that this had not seen the road for a long while and has probably sat there for most of this time. Actually, I'm going to guess it's a Hillman or a Vauxhall, for no particular reason.

 

 

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It was a nice touch from the original owner, opting for a rust camouflaging shade of orange on this Datsun.

 

 

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Poor scrap memory strikes again, as I remember photographing the Transits previously but don't recall the home made cabriolet Cortina ute, Surely my brain wouldn't dismiss such a thing?

 

 

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Again, I think it's a context thing here; I've only seen one Savanna for sale in NZ, down in Christchurch, so am guessing they weren't a sales extravaganza. Indeed, I've seen far more 21 Turbos offered than one of these, so a worthy spot in my eyes, unlike a Corona wagon of similar vintage, for instance.

 

 

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Austins through the ages. Many of us malign modern cars over their 90's counterparts due to their size and weight etc. but I reckon it would've been worse for an old duffer looking at an Allegro or such in the 1970's. Where's the big wheels, long suspension travel, leather seating and durable metal grille? It hasn't even got a starting handle hole!

 

 

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I make no apologies for heavy Transit content (actually, this is a single axle SWB, so not the case!!!!!!!!!) but I documented this mostly because it looks to have been moved from another area for some inexplicable reason. Also, I like the line of stuff behind, that sort of look like toys to me.

 

 

 

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I'm also pretty sure that this B1600 was part of a depressed looking double act, with one being stacked on the other, so again, if that's the case then some stuff does get moved on. I also thought it made a nice photo, too. Nice hub caps.

 

 

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Why don't people go to the effort of nice paint jobs and pin stripes on new vans any more? Even if it were just done with vinyl, I wouldn't be fussy. Suppose the lines of a Renault Master aren't quite so interesting, either.

 

 

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Looks like someone's had a good go at this Transit but I can't be too upset as it is a scrap yard after all and they've also taken its pig nose front, which I'm not a fan of. But how solid does that front end look!

 

 

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I reckon all couriers who rush around these days (i.e. every single one of them) should relax a bit and take a pilgrimage to Horopito, to see this Luton Hiace with their own eyes. I bet it's a 1.6 for ultimate misery. Perhaps they could write a commiseration note for their less fortunate brethren and then drop it into on of the utes a few doors down. 

 

 

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Sometimes there's no better reason to take a picture of something, other than the fact it has a home made number plate. Which is definitely the case with this Falcon ute.

 

 

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White is a bit boring for one of these XB Falcons and the rest of the cars sharing its space is a little uninspiring but I do like the tail lights on these and it took ages to get a shot due to stuff being in the way out of shot, so have this as a reward for my efforts.

 

 

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I could stand and stare at scenes like this for literally minutes. Shame about the modern dross in back of shot but if this were out on its own, I reckon I'd print off a copy of this photo, it's that nice. Has any spotter done that to any of their digital spots?! Do tell, if so.

 

 

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This is quite a jolly scene, isn't it? I'd actually wandered around a few times trying to find the seam of Alpines buried in there, thinking they'd been removed but obviously that's not the case. Phew!

 

 

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It's funny that NZ willing bought J-Type Bedfords until the early 1980's and CFs seemed to out sell Transits by quite a margin, yet the HA was shunned. I'm guessing the Escort van was too good a competitor and it just got quietly forgotten, plus I don't think these were assembled locally.

 

 

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I'm not often a fan of cars with bumper removed for sportiness or whatever but I must concede that a Chevette with the front one missing does look rather good. Only thing is, a racy front end doesn't really suit a small 4 door saloon IMO, so it's a bit wasted. All nice shades of blue they're in, though.

 

 

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Marina/Triumph West Side Story style snarl-off. I don't really know what happens in that film after the first 15 minutes as the musical element rendered it unwatchable to me.

 

 

 

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Here's a Crown I can get down with. In this environment, I'm not sure it'd be possible to take a crap picture of one of these.

 

 

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Another view of the mountain with a very pleasantly green 120Y wagon and a small bonus of a couple of Skylines bottom left, the one nearest being JDM and the one next door an Aussie model.

 

 

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This put me in mind of one of those motor show cutaways. Any guesses what it is?

 

 

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It's that Corolla, up top. I must admit that it took a few seconds to fathom myself, looking at it from the front but it being parked in the Toyota zone did help things along.

 

 

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Just as I prefer MiniMetros over the slightly later ones with recessed lamps, so it is with MkIV Cortinas and Cortina 80s. The colour palettes probably help too but like the Metro, I'd be hard pushed to describe the differences without having one in front of me to point at. Anyway, as wonderful as this looks in brown, it seems the damage at the back is much worse than the punt at the front. Sad.

 

 

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I know Trigger had umm'ed and aah'ed over putting the trim line back on the side of his Cortina but I don't think he ever considered a moss ledge.

 

 

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Snapped before but what the heck; these would appeal to a lot of people over here. Interesting that no one refers to this MkI 626 here as a Montrose. Must be a British thing.

 

 

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Oh look, another HC Viva estate. These are almost a bit boring now.

 

 

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Final one for now and taken only because of the Turbo-yet-steel-wheels combo that is a favourite of mine from JDM cars. I like the way the market wasn't forced to get a plush interior to match their top spec motors. Power to the people!

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Wot no 626 photo? You gave us two Cortinas instead...

 

How very eagle eyed of you, SL! Someone's still taking notice, so here's the picture I'd mentioned, with bonus 929/RX9 action. I'm guessing 929 myself.

 

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I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't stand musicals.

 

LOL @ Morris Adult. NZ just looks like paradise to me.

 

One of my favourite films is Blues Brothers, which is technically a musical due to sporadic outburst of song but for some reason, I forgive it this. At least it's not all jazz hands and rah rah rah lyrics and all of the impulsive songs are at east performed by their original artists.

 

NZ has elements of paradise but I must admit, so does a lot of rural Scotland. Many Britons who visit NZ should probably pay a bit more attention and visit these areas on their relative door steps; I know, as I'm one of those people! Not as much abundant shite though, I must admit.

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Yeah, I can appreciate that they're sought after wherever they're sold but I just think that the flat nose is so much prettier - especially the facelifted ones of the early 70's, which came with the full size indicators, replacing the half indicator/side light ones of the originals. As usual though, I'm just being fussy and wouldn't kick any out of bed.

 

If this were nearer and just a little bit less rusty, I reckon it'd be hard to resist clicking buy now (£900!) on this:

 

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http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/ford/auction-1052754193.htm

 

I suppose I could forgive a pig nose when it's got the 3.0 petrol motor behind it!

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I can almost guarantee that this Cortina droppedhead utilitiser is actually a 2 door coupe from the first day of production and subject to early Cortina tax of 20,000 %. But someone chopped off the roof, threw away the doors to make access easier, then drove around the farm for an hour or two until it folded in half after a jump over a drain.

 

 

I'll get me coat.....

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Stunning scrapyard pics 8) 8)  I love it... When it comes to musicals, I quite like 'Oliver'...

 

And in answer to the question that doesn't need answering, regards Ford tractors...it all became part of 'New Holland' which was then bought by Fiat and it became Case New Holland Industrial...Happy to help...

 


 

 

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Beside the Charade is this very characterful Hiace-based Deliboy, which is mine free for the taking - but even I'm not that silly, as it's properly rooted (slight pun). Now, I say Deliboy as I'm pretty sure that's what they were marketed as, although a quick Google mostly brings up images of the rounded later uggers version, which unlike this one, does not look like a Japanese version of a Citroen H Van after Citroen had concluded some time in the early 1980's that such a thing was hideously outmoded.

 

I've only ever seen one of these in a 1980s Tamiya catalogue...

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

If I get reincarnated I want to be one of those sheep.  

 

Any close ups of dashes and plastics?  I wonder how they've faired?  Crispy no?

 

I only took one interior shot and didn't think it was worthy but, since you've asked, I've uploaded it, so see below. Interiors really can suffer here but it seems that purpose built carpets protecting the dash tops are a thing of the past, which is a shame.

 

 

Stunning scrapyard pics 8) 8)  I love it... When it comes to musicals, I quite like 'Oliver'...

 

And in answer to the question that doesn't need answering, regards Ford tractors...it all became part of 'New Holland' which was then bought by Fiat and it became Case New Holland Industrial...Happy to help...

 

 

I've only ever seen one of these in a 1980s Tamiya catalogue...

 

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Thanks for the appreciation! And also the info on the Ford tractors factoid - it's funny that such a recognisable marque would get swallowed up, especially since Fordsons were so popular in the early days of horse replacing.

 

And thanks also for revealing the proper name of those boxy Hiaces, since I couldn't work what to type into google to work out their name. I'm sure I've seen the Tamiya model before but I'd love one of my own to build, though probably wouldn't want to pay the prices they're worth. Incidentally, does anyone know what the company is that the Quick Delivery is decked out in on the Tamiya box? I'm guessing some sort of postal/courier firm but alll I know is that they seem to have had a fleet that came in all shapes and sizes and with imports of Japanese commercials to NZ, it's not unusual to see the remnants of the livery. Indeed, I've regularly worked off a 4 axle Isuzu truck from the early 90's, which still has the same cab colours and also the running Sumo on the large rear mud flaps.

 

 

Keep 'em coming!

 

I will but once again, stocks are dwindling.

 

 

Hope nobody minds a few more Horopito snaps - I promise that this will be the last update here, at least until I visit again.

 

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First up, here's that aforementioned interior shot, especially for For Fiats Sake. Note the serendipitous content, too. Within the hour, these nifty little rain deflectors on the windows were snaffled by the Fiat owner for his own 2300 wagon.

 

 

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Early DS remnants, probably Slough assembled but who knows without the dash present to identify it? I also liked the hand painted livery on the J250(?) van behind it.

 

 

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Here's a slightly better shot of it, though the unusual name, wispy font lichen made it a little hard to decipher at first. Seems it's Paul Ekdahl and a quick google reveals that, unless there's two of them, he now runs a homestay B&B business in the Taranaki region and isn't as old as I'd have thought he'd be. I like the strip below that says SIGNSIGNSIGNSIGNSIGNSIGNSIGNSIGN......

 

 

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A previously unknown (to me) Trekka. Apparently, Horopito has one of the very earliest ones in existence sitting there rusting away but presumably no-one's that bothered.

 

 

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Something old, probably American. Or British. Who knows? (I'm guessing STUNO or Junkman)

 

 

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I thought this was a late Studebaker at first but the R A M B L E R  is clearly decipherable on the boot lid, so what do I know?

 

 

 

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One for RetroRides. Actually, I do think something prosaic like this chopped and kept on its original wheels would be pretty neat.

 

 

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Don't see many RHD 600s about. I'm guessing its next door neighbour is the reason why.

 

 

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Quite a nice shot, if I do say so myself. 

 

 

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I've snapped this Simca before but not from the front. 

 

 

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Austin Tasman!

 

 

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Impressive levels of rot on this Datsun which allow you to see the boot floor from the rear wing!

 

 

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Previously unknown (to me) Trekka #2! That makes 3 of them in the yard, unless others are hiding still. Foreground Bluebird does look quite Italian from this angle.

 

 

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I'm trying to think of a relevant Rover pun but can't think of any that haven't been said P4. Subtle!!!!!

 

 

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Just another pleasant scene, without too much to date from the photo, other than the crisp digital rendition itself.

 

 

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Presumably this donated it's rear to an enthusiastically driven sporty Commodore.

 

 

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Another Capri shot and also another photo I was quite happy with. 

 

 

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Austin somethingorother.

 

 

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I find the styling of International commercials either appealing or quite the opposite, with no real middle ground. This is in the former category, in case you were wondering.

 

 

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Albions are Scottish I believe, so insert your own mildly derogatory references of poor foods and parsimony.

 

 

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A good parting shot of Horopito, I reckon. Next time, I promise no scrap yard content, though there should be the odd abandoned thing.

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Just up the road from Horopito, a local forum I'm a member of was having its annual get-together but I put two and two together far too late to bag a spot, so had to make do with dropping by the accommodation when no-one was around and bagging a few spots instead.

 

 

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Now, on the basis of this lowered Cortina, you'll have gathered that this is a forum aimed primarily at old modified cars but don't let that fact cloud your judgement, as my LD28 powered* Commodore is clearly modified and will also be further modified when it finally receives its Holden 308 motor, even if it could have come such equipped back in the day. Anyway, I think this Cortina looks great; my favourite bits are the older style widened steels and the Mk4 grille.

 

 

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A full sized Aussie Valiant wagon. Dig the steels, not personally keen on the convoluted rego plate. Vali-tank? Dunno.

 

 

 

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This J-Type wasn't a visitor, rather a long term resident at the place. One of the members who'd been helping source bits for my Commodore managed to get it running, apparently. Funny to think such a substantial truck weighs only a fraction more than a Discovery 3.

 

 

 

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Untwist those knickers, here's an unmodified lowly spec Mk1 Escort! What a cracker!

 

 

 

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Don't worry, they're only stickers and they do remind me of those ones you used to see lined up in ratty Mercedes 308 campers and their ilk, to denote which particular European towns it'd passed through. 

 

 

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I imagine that at least two forum members will be happy to see this tasty Piazza feature, not including me. From memory, this has been sold from one member to another recently for not very much money, as in less than £500! Think it has some issues but still VFM IHMO. FJUHYT.

 

 

 

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'Van' spec Nissan Gloria. I wonder how much the prices varied between these and plush spec models?

 

 

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I'm going to be a bit controversial here and say that I prefer the saloon shape of these, as the coupe looks just a little dumpy at the rear, especially when lowered. Perhaps the shape actually suits raised suspension and dustbin lid trims, after all? That said, I think the colour is fabulous and very reminiscent of the excellent green that P10 Primera eGTs came in.

 

 

Then it was time to hit the road again, as Mrs_Jon is a good sort and the entire reason we'd gone away for the weekend was to celebrate my birthday in style, visiting a scrap yard and the travelling inland on a previously unventured road, the Forgotten World Highway. The road getting to the beginning of it was also one we'd never travelled before and that was just as enjoyable as the main event, which is worthwhile but not mega mind blowing, etc. The roads are narrow for NZ roads and there's an impressive little tunnel at one point, good scenery and one or two interesting towns, one of which is practically a ghost town, it's that sparsely populated. Not a lot of stuff to spot though. Except this!

 

 

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Those of you who actually read some of my witterings will understand that this was a major find to me, so I did an about turn and took a slightly closer look.

 

 

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I'm sure it'd have been classed as trespassing but the gate was open and unlike other visitors, my intention was not to nick any bits off it or mindlessly break anything. Looks to me like it has the remnants of one of its original tail lamps, which are worth a small fortune (much like the rest of it, sadly). But what's in front of it?

 

 

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Only another one! You can see that I poked my camera through a broken window to get a better look at this as, although technically trespassing, I do have personal standards and wouldn't feel happy actually going in to the shed to investigate further. Tricky one, as I'd probably be annoyed to hear of someone snooping around my cars on my land, even if it was to get a shot because they thought they were so great. Should the owner somehow find out about my brazen actions, I'll happily offer to buy them in order to make ammends.

 

 

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Have another shot, just because.

 

 

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That day I did take a few pictures of weather worn buildings just because I like them but this one features due to the slightly hidden Ford Laser, in case you wondered.

 

 

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Nice line up of decrepit farm utes finished off proceedings that day, on the spots front at least. I had a very enjoyable day filling my memory card with cars and scenery and I really should do this lark more often. 

 

 

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Back up to date now pretty much and here's another bit of roadside scenery that made me turn back round and get a shot. Love the turrets on military commercials for some reason.

 

 

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Ditto this duo, another turn around for a drive-by shot. Much zooming in of the original shot is the reason for low res quality. I wonder if these are TS3s? They certainly look like heavyweights.

 

 

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Some local spots now - this is only down the road from home and I reckon this would make an excellent base for a house truck. Apologies for those of you without slightly crusty tendencies.

 

 

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Bit of a two-for-one colour coded duo here, though the Corona is bonus background material, I'll admit. The owner of this Cortina also owns an equally immaculate Cortina S in yellow and a 4dr MkII Escort in a very New Zealand market shade of blue/turquoise and always parks whichever one's been driven to work in the same spot. Must make it my mission to spot the whole set.

 

 

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This is a member's car from aforementioned local forum, parked up it the 'staff' area of a local supermarket car park. From memory, it was once an auto but now has a little more power, along with some JDM parts and some tasteful alloys, so once again, very nicely done and all parts retained to return to stock, I think.

 

 

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Now, I'll admit that there's a couple of Brucey Bonuses here, as I'd mentioned these Jeep J20s being used at work previously but cameras on set are very frowned upon, so they'd always remained elusive. However this was parked sufficiently far away from the action to bother anyone but I was still careful, as I didn't want to be 'outed' as the weirdo I am who loves taking photos of old cars.

 

 

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On the basis of that, here was one of the photos I took in order to look normal. Could be a worse view at work that day, I suppose.

 

 

 

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Finally, I'll leave you with this shot which I thought came out very well, especially for a covert one. In fact, savour it, as I reckon it'll be the last for quite a while, as I've fully exhausted all my stock of spots, bar some very old, not all that interesting content. Hope you liked it.

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I've just remembered going to this and found some images, so here's some affordable racing seen exactly a year ago this weekend, since it was an interesting family outing, as my parents were staying with us at the time. Rural NZ is great but most of the attractions can be exhausted quite quickly before it becomes a bit repetitive for those visiting more than once. This night had much on offer for the ticket price - less than £10 each.

 

 

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I've got to admit that I can't remember what each of the cars' categories were called but there were a couple of rounds of each type and these were some of the slower, tamer and presumably more traditional kind of stock car things. Quite good fun.

 

 

 

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I think these were just called 'Saloons' and from memory, they were quite good to watch. Certainly, this man seems enraptured. Was a very good night for spotting men wearing terrible supporters jackets and children with mullets and rats tails.

 

 

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These were Super Saloons I think and looked very much like life sized generic toy cars. Here they are demonstrating their sick drift skills.

 

 

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Here's a quite nice shot spoilt by an errant passing uninterested woman. And the fence, of course; must sit up higher next time but not just for this reason - more of this later.

 

 

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And here they are demonstrating their ability to cause utter chaos!

 

 

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Then there was some jumpy motorbiking. They were actually really good to watch. Note the stock car drivers parked on the track watching from their cars - I thought that was a nice idea.

 

 

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Then it was time for the big boys to play  - the Super Mega Noise Machines, I'll call them. These were very loud and very fast but, like real racing cars, weren't able to be started by themselves, for some reason. Note proper 4WD support vehicles - not a 21st Century car in sight.

 

 

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Here's one zipping about the place. I approved very much of its livery.

 

 

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Here's one with the driver laying on the power out the corner - they were astonishingly quick. My Dad was really enjoying himself and in fact we all were. Except for my Mum. Naturally, that much dirt and that much action does create a bit of a dusty unrest and here's what the stadium was looking like after a while:

 

 

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Watching her shield her face in vein with a shawl or whatever inappropriate holiday garb she was wearing only made it funnier to us revelling in the 'fun' of looking like this:

 

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That mine and Mrs_Jon's leg (we have a set each) and a mate of ours is sitting in front. He's a farmer though, so used to being up to his elbows in filth. And further up actually, at least when he's milking. Ask me how I know.

 

 

After a couple of hours of solid action, it was time for the finale, which was the demo derby. I was a little apprehensive to see this as a feature, as I was worried that there would be a few rare specimens being raced but it seems that there just isn't the cache of such a thing in NZ; rather, it's a nit more genteel and I do think there are a fair few novices involved.

 

 

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It may be a rarity in Britain but these Colt wagons are still a common sight here. Not as common as the other shapes but still enough.

 

 

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It probably wouldn't be too unusual to see one of these still delivering Domino's Pizza still - or Domino's as they call themselves nowadays, according to their annoying adverts. Beetlejuice's daughter seems to be enjoying the show.

 

 

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Here's one of those ugly Ford Taurus things - presumably those terrible coachbuilt estate conversions of Jaguars and the such (excluding XJ-S Eventer) were the inspiration behind the styling of the wagon version. I think those complaining of the Scorpio's styling in the 1990's should've been shown this as the alternative. That would've shut them up.

 

 

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Unusual to see this here, as there's still plenty of enthusiasm for these, due to RWD tax.

 

 

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Here's a Mitsubishi/FUSO truck washing down the track to slow things down a bit and generally make it less of a spectacle. Again, these and their ilk are still a common site.

 

 

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Slightly sad to see a Camira but then it was a late, uggers JE one, so no loss.

 

 

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Don't worry, it's a common-or-garden Integra, not a Type-R. Glad to say that the early Samara did not have the indignity of being bashed to oblivion - it expired unscathed in to the safety of the middle bit of the oval within a handful of laps.

 

 

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I'd say that this early 1980's Cosmo (or more likely, 929) was the most interesting/sad to see. Nice shot of Barrett-pose spectator, though.

 

 

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As you can see, it was quite a large line-up. Barrett-pose man seems to have found his friend, Bad Supporters Jacket man.

 

 

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Anyway, shiz got real and stuff got messy, albeit at a relatively slow speed due to aforementioned mud and also a 1ft high ramp that all drivers had to jump over; naturally, this became a bit of a car park, due to the high number of entrants and the poor handling conditions.

 

 

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Plus, these stock cars were involved to deal out penalties to those who didn't jump the ramp or did something else a bit naughty. I'm not sure really, as it was all a bit of a recipe for a bit of wanton destruction without an adrenaline rush for those watching it. Perhaps it was a hard act to follow all the high powered stuff of earlier but I think I'm not really that into the demolishing part, as it all seems a bit silly. I can understand most of it is past its best and is due for the crusher anyway but not that long ago, my CRT TV gave up the ghost, so I took it down to the tip where its fate is decided by someone else. I could've attacked it myself with a sledge hammer of course but I'd have felt like a bit of a tit; maybe in this context, the idea of having a bit of a competition changes things and it's a bit of harmless fun (unless you get hurt), so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, as I'm so very liberally minded.

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Thirty two out of ten, Ay plus plus plus, Gee Arr nine, etc.

I'm running out of compliments but what I will say is that this is one of the very few threads that I would happily (and might well) read through again from start to finish.

 

 

Then it was time to hit the road again, as Mrs_Jon is a good sort and the entire reason we'd gone away for the weekend was to celebrate my birthday in style, visiting a scrap yard and the travelling inland on a previously unventured road, the Forgotten World Highway.

 

 

 You can see that I poked my camera through a broken window to get a better look at this as, although technically trespassing, I do have personal standards and wouldn't feel happy actually going in to the shed to investigate further. Tricky one, as I'd probably be annoyed to hear of someone snooping around my cars on my land, even if it was to get a shot because they thought they were so great.

 

 

I hope you are a bit more fulsome with your praise to Mrs Jon's face.

 

I have this dilemma quite a bit too. I usually err on the side of slightly trespassing, situation dependent, but often feel a bit dirty afterwards and have to bathe in TCP. I have had a few conversations with people (and angry dogs) who have discovered me papping their junk and struggled to explain/convince that I really do love their old crock. I'm with you on not going inside anywhere though, that's too much, and if I do step down someone's drive or whatever I try to do so adorned with my best cheery smile and least threatening gait. Not always easy when you're a 6'5" grumpy faced skinhead.

 

. . . . in the vain hope that spotting threads will become popular again. 

 

I'm not sure they're necessarily less popular now, I think maybe the same amount of people like them but with many more members it's just a lower percentage of the overall membership.

Plus it doesn't help that the threads inevitably get buried under an avalanche of 'look what I saw today' one picture threads, 'does anyone have any headrest polish for sale' threads and a multitude of other threads that could and should just be posts in pre-existing threads. And of course the 'what would your car taste like if it were a fruit' kind of space stealing tripe. Oooooh, I feel possibly my first rant in the Grumpy thread thread coming on.

Just be aware that there are many of us who appreciate the time and effort that goes in to yours and other spotting legend's threads.

 

Keep up the good work and if you've run out of good work to keep up with then thanks for a thoroughly entertaining read.

 

EDIT - Why was Des O'Connor replaced by Bruno Brookes? Is it something the police are now investigating?

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To answer all your questions Mr. Bouquet-ear, I do have a very forgiving wife, though I obviously must do something right, as she got a bit misty-eyed at a wedding we attended this weekend; she explained that she was just hoping they'd be as happy as we were! What a soppy (but very lovable) bugger!

 

I do still feel a little bad for the snooping round the Land Rovers but that was an extra-special case since I covet them so greatly. It's human nature to push the boundaries of risk assessment when the stakes are high but rather like those who save somebody's life then play down their efforts, I feel that I'm no hero, rather I'm just doing something that anyone else would've done. For those of you reading this with absolutely no concept of sarcasm, I must highlight that this last paragraph was basically a waste of your time.

 

I think you're right - this thread probably is of interest to the same 8, maybe 9 regular visitors, so for their benefit and for the justification of owning a fancy camera,  I'll trek on with the spots. However, I genuinely have scraped the barrel clean/dry for now (I'm not sure what the barrel had in it), albeit 4 semi-interesting photos that just won't upload for some strange reason. Don't hold your breath in readiness of their excellence, as they're standard fare but I'll persist with them simply because they're being so stubborn.

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  • 1 month later...

I'm back! I've been and done a thing, so here's some photos of the evidence of doing so. First up, the elusive few photos from earlier in the year:

 

 

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Here's an interesting garage I encountered whilst friends were over from Yorkshire. They know there's no denying I like crap old cars, so stops to see things like this became quite expected. Nice to see the sign for rust treatment is itself quite rusty.

 

 

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The SD1s were interesting to see but I still find these XJ40s a little to new to be sitting in unkempt surroundings growing lichen. I know it's a Daimler but you know what I mean. 

 

 

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It also had a second hand junk store thing attached, too but I didn't go in due to having no cash on me. There was a bonus shop across the road selling cold cans of Cherry Coke, though; ideal for a sunny holiday and not so easy to source in NZ. Thankfully they took cards.

 

 

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Round the back though, things were much more like it!

 

 

Anyway, that was very exciting and well worth the wait. Back to last weekend now and there was an annual swap meet on at a local-ish car museum, so I thought it was worth a visit. It was only the third meet apparently but there seemed to be plenty of buyers and sellers in attendance, even when we turned up 3 hours after the gates had opened. We even had to park 3 streets away, which was a clear sign that we were in the Big Smoke. Here's a selection of the stuff we passed on the way to the old car bits:

 

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Brilliant! The truck, not the photo, which is disappointingly soft.

 

 

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Marvellous as these rear ends are, they do look a little bit sad at this angle.

 

 

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This Commodore was taken at this angle to hide the terrible modern wheels but everything else was very nice, especially the reg plate, since mine is JL3150. Look at the little V8 badge on the wing - I wonder if that's original? 

 

 

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This brazen little hussy was parked in pure pose mode and didn't it know it. All in all, I like it. I think.

 

 

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Thank American V8s of yore being aurally noticeable, or this Rebel wagon would have snuck past unspotted. FH plate and RHD point to this being sold new here. Very, very nice.

 

 

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I don't think I remember ever seeing a Beetle looking this tidy back in the day - it's even got comedy rear camber, to boot. Talking of boot, how the heck do you get in this one with that massive screen in the way? Good luck lifting the spare out without causing a hernia.

 

 

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One of the many different ways VW worked out how to sell the Beetle.

 

 

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On the same day I'd spotted those crusty Rovers et al a few months back, I missed out on a Jensen Healey sitting out in a field on a back road, so seeing this one was nice to make up for this. Some decrepit old Toyota in front, obviously of no interest to anyone on here.

 

 

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Look at this Monaro! It's equally exciting to see as it is depressing to witness so many silver moderns in back of shot.

 

 

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There's a Doppelgänger of this Commodore wagon down in Wellignton, though I don't know which one came first. Must admit I like the other one more, since it's retained its black plates. Interestingly, those steels are Police spec Holden rims as seen on the latest models and those 5 stud centre caps are the same ones that feature on my '79 Commodore. Enthralling stuff, eh?

 

 

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I like this but I must admit that the colour scheme reminded me on those awful chocolate lime sweets. What the hell's a RUCA?

 

 

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What a lovely backdrop. I remember posing in front of one of these in the Windermere, circa 1991. However, I had to pose in a certain position to hide all the front end damage it had suffered. What a story.

 

 

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They're bloody everywhere, aren't they? Unsure of my verdict re: wheels. 

 

 

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Loooooong. Features a tow bar from a Corgi Junior.

 

 

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Seconds later, this rolled on by. Another great example at tow bar craftsmanship.

 

 

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Don't think I've ever noticed the ginormous badges on these Borgwards before. Anyway, I'll leave it here for now.

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That Borgward above was one of the first cars seen at the event car park but there was plenty more of interest. I don't think anyone could begrudge a post that began with a brown Triumph, especially one such immaculately turned out and sitting on stainless trim beshod wheels, too:

 

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This was a proper treat to see, though I must admit, as nice as it is to see it surviving, I wonder what you do with a fully restored ex-ambulance such as this? Drive it around, I suppose. It does look fairly massive, doesn't it?

 

 

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Actually, looks can be deceptive - it seems that a full size Aussie car of yore is about the same size as a Suzuki Kizashi. Pointless fact: upon checking I'd spelt 'Kizashi' correctly, it appears that it's a Japanese word, meaning "a sign of great things to come". On that basis, the replacement for this car should be quite good, then.

 

 

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I was a little upset to snap this Chevette, as quite frankly it represents the pinnacle of shite spotting and so every other image you'll have seen before and after this one will be sullied with the notion that this one has it trumped. I'm presuming they don't have breakdown cover, as I can't see an  A        A   badge! MY AMAZING HUMOUR HAS RETURNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

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Goatee beard hat man is presumably wondering why I'm carrying on with this lark in light of recent events but I reckon an early Crown wagon and a 1300GT are still a decent bunch to snap. Fun fact: this very 1300GT was sitting in the dentists car park when I went to have all my wisdom teeth pulled out 3 days before Christmas. It didn't make the procedure any more fun, in case you wondered.

 

 

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Here's the front. My verdict: not as interesting as the back but when did you last see one, if you ever have? I do like the red band tyres and I think the wheels are a bit of all right, too.

 

 

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Here's some actual footage of the swap meet in question, featuring an old man in trailer, old ladies perusing tin decorated as tram (neither bought it) and generally very little motoring stuff. What a wonderful Falcon ute, though.

 

 

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Admittedly, most others did have actual car bits but rather like a good car booty, I think you have to get there early to snag the swag. Just made that ditty up but feel free to use it. Nice F100 - these were built and sold in Australia, along with the one that replaced this series, until some time in the 1980's.

 

 

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Time for a break now, so let's gawp at this wonderful CF Jumbo, replete with hand painted wares on its flanks. I'm not sure how much it'd cost to buy and run an ice cream van but I reckon it'd be hundreds and thousands!!!!!!!!!   !!!!!!!!! 1

 

 

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Now, I know that Citroen H vans selling crepes and VW buses selling coffee is all the clichéd rage but the one thing they're capable of is actually hiding all the associated catering crap that no-one wants to see, unlike this half-arsed attempt. It's even under a bloody tent, FFS! Just use a table (instead of a whole vehicle) to prop your coffee machine on. However, some redeeming marks on the scoreboard for a genuinely old tripod and not some brand new Lambretta thing that's never seen the road; this one had some genuinely ancient WOF stickers in the windscreen. Also, that background Hiace was incredibly mint but too new for here, soz.

 

 

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Turn back a few pages and you'll see another of these excellent Victor estates, sitting in a mates' shed. I'll place an imaginary wager that they're the only ones in NZ, so lucky old me spotting them both. I was going to alert the owner of this one to the existence of the other but then I remembered that I couldn't be bothered with the inevitable long conversation that would have ensued.

 

 

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Hey, look, another orange F100! Lack of mods make this one look much older but also much better for it. I'm a sucker for dog dish hub caps and giant 'roo bar. Not really much a necessity here though, I find.

 

 

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Were I to own an ageing Mercedes, I reckon I'd want one in this sort of condition. Thankfully, despite it being a prime Hipster conveyance, it seemed to be owned by some ordinary folk. No massive beards and silly spectacles were to be seen in the vicinity.

 

 

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At this point, we'd made our purchases (car badge on leather fob key rings x3, Bibendum tie pin and a ceramic insulator thing from a pylon which I want to use as a lamp base) and were heading back to the car to drop them off, before taking a look at the museum. Traffic had come and gone however, so there was still some stuff to see, like this XC ute. Marked down for being beige and not an XA or XB (I just prefer them) but all that was forgiven since it was still sporting those dashing trims. Yum.

 

 

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Then I quite literally crossed the road to bag this amazing Cherry. Must resist reference to the green coloured Muppet. I actually had to be a little careful, since it was parked outside a Sunday School, it was chucking out time and I was nosing around with a big camera in my hand. Maybe I should get a smart phone....

 

 

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Here's the front end, for good measure.

 

 

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Ignore the old duffer-mobile in the background and check out this unmodified manual 325i instead! OK, so it's not a 2-door (I refuse to call the E30 ones coupes) but it's an earlier one with the chrome bumpers. In fact, there's a super-early 2-door Henna red 320 round the corner from home which I really must bag, as I've convinced myself it's one of the NZ press cars. I'm sure I read that Henna red had been discontinued before E30s arrived in NZ,

 

 

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Another of those Bluebird 'van' models parked up next to a Chevy ute. One of those scenes that could only be NZ, I reckon.

 

 

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If anyone wondered what ever happened to permanently sunglassed niche television presenter Magenta Devine, it appears she's happily ignoring interesting old Corollas in a tinpot country. Mrs_Jon was audibly pleased to spot another Clio 172, even if she is a bit weird and prefers the updated front on hers to the original front of this one.

 

 

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Once the cool factor of rear louvres has become a little passe, the only logical step is to look to the side windows for cover, as this Commodore owner has done. Though a pleasingly well presented late 'first shape' Commodore (if you ignore the fact that the saloon changed shape at the rear after 4 years or so), it had all got a bit naff by this stage, as facelifts often do by the end. Plus, that spoiler needs to be sorted, for the sake of my OCD.

 

 

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I'd say that pretty much all Rancheros were lookers and this one's no exception. You can see where Ford Australia got the idea for the door window shape of XA/B/C utes, too.

 

 

Next time, you'll get to see some actual museum exhibits, though I always seem to make these posts just before bed time, so you'll have to wait a bit.

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