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Jon's Spotting Thread. USA Road Trip.


Jon

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Congratulations! You've just unlocked the thread special phrase I had forced myself not to mention - Ecto 1! I reckon these are just as susceptible to wankering as Reliant tripods but the attrition rate is probably higher for any large sub-£1000 estate, due to whacky charity rallies.

 

Reminds me of a late '60s Pontiac ambulance that's in the Haynes Museum. To give it some sort of interactivity there's a button that can be pressed which plays the Ghostbusters theme.

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I've a vague idea of wanting to sell the odd photo in a home made frame and so let me know which of these art-wanky photo styles you think may be lapped up by people for a small amount of cash.

 

I have absolutely no worthwhile knowledge of photography styles, settings, technicalities etc but I can offer my half-formed, ill-educated opinion on what I see with my one and a half good eyes anyway. And you asked for it.

 

In the absence of some amazing scenery or something in the background then I think this kind of thing looks great, nice angle  and suchlike and would sell to the satisfaction of all parties easily I would imagine.

 

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I think I prefer the above image but maybe the owners/drivers would prefer a bit closer up/cropped.

Summat like this.

24750827575_06dc894bd8_c_zpsyvnyqpkd.jpg

 

Also, because HUMAN VANITY, I reckon if you got the driver's face clear in the image, he/she wouldn't be able to resist.

 

I really like the next one as well, and this would be snapped up by the 131 owner/driver especially as they are leading the other cars. Human vanity.

 

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I presume you meant you would sell the pictures just to the participants/subjects and weren't talking about knocking up thousands of hand-made frames in your shed or something.

 

HTH but suspect it won't.

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I didn't realise you owned a 9000 Jon, I bought a 2.0CSE for similar reasons then papped it off to my mum because it was a sluggish, wobbly thing. Comfy and very reliable though, it was only weird electrical problems and cosmetic rust that sealed its fate. Some fud bought it for £150 after he'd served a driving ban then realised he couldn't insure it, he sent the scrap man to my mum's house to pick it up. :(

 

Really enjoy this thread, 11/10.

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Reminds me of a late '60s Pontiac ambulance that's in the Haynes Museum. To give it some sort of interactivity there's a button that can be pressed which plays the Ghostbusters theme.

 

I purposely chose not to 'like' this comment, purely on the basis of the audible 'ugh' I involuntary spouted out when reading it. But then I suppose I'm not the catchment audience of said button instillation, since I'd have appreciated the exhibit without its glitzy adornments.

 

 

 

 

 

WORDS ABOUT PHOTOS

 

 

Actually, once again I was having a bit of a brainfart and on re-evaluation, I don't think trying to sell photos of cars would really work. Don't worry, I wasn't trying to make a buck or two surreptitiously out of this thread (which on the efforts/profit scale would rank about as successful as a 'shit weather' exportation business to the UK). Rather, I've always fancied having a bit of a go at picture framing and thought that filling them with my own content could be in interesting side project which would hopefully cover costs. Sales would be local since I live in a touristy town and so of course, generic scenic shots, such as misty mornings over green fields and other cliches that would attract punters. I've even got an outlet or two lined up, so it's a case of just getting round to doing it, like most things in my life in all honesty.

 

What's striking me most though is that actual people (well, yourself) are quite literally reading what I write, which is semi-impressive stuff.

 

 

I didn't realise you owned a 9000 Jon, I bought a 2.0CSE for similar reasons then papped it off to my mum because it was a sluggish, wobbly thing. Comfy and very reliable though, it was only weird electrical problems and cosmetic rust that sealed its fate. Some fud bought it for £150 after he'd served a driving ban then realised he couldn't insure it, he sent the scrap man to my mum's house to pick it up. :(

 

Really enjoy this thread, 11/10.

 

Here's our 9000 in 2010 after a liberal application of polish, which helped secure its colossal selling price of £280 on Ebay.

 

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We owned it for 4 years and about 50-odd thousand miles from memory. It cost £1000 at 9 years old with 92000 on the clock and I'd been hanging out for one for ages; in my heart of hearts, I wanted a metallic blue FPT one and was never a fan of these Celebration wheels or the red paint but I grew to accept these shortcomings. Mrs_Jon took it on within a few months and I bough the AX GT, since I'd had a 1.1 AX as my first car and had aspired to a GT at the time. 

 

Issues included loss of hydraulic clutch, coil pack, some replacement exhaust, new front springs, replacement fuel tank straps and broken electric seat adjuster, along with the usual broken manifold studs where the turbo connected and rust on the front wings. Was a very comfortable car to drive and I'm still wistful on the odd occasion that we pass one over here but after writing that list of issues, I reckon ownership over here would be a nightmare. Like yours, the buyer of mine was a complete nob end and the car went from a reliable everyday motor to scrapped within months. We sold it in June 2010 from memory, should anyone want to reg check it.

 

Anyway, I've since found a few more issues with the Clio and it's currently sans front bumper, so I reckon it's time to stop procrastinating and pissing about on here and attempt to do something constructive instead, so have a photo of a Honda Jazz working for its living as a reward for reading all this tosh.

 

 

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Bonus Nissan Pulsar, if you're into that sort of thing.

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Well, the above photo of commercialised Granny car had another old car in the back of frame - did you spot it?

 

 

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Don't worry if you didn't as here it is. Once again I'm assuming this is worth an eye watering amount of money, since it still retains what look like original steels, topped off with nice red band tyres. Seen over the Christmas period this/last year, I've since seen another one in orange, so even imported cars such as this aren't that unique here! Note how a modern shopping car makes it look acceptably proportioned for the 21st Century.

 

 

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Oh look, it's a Mr bollox doppelgänger, albeit in blue. Nice to see the fantastic trims have remained. I must admit that I've done the touristy thing and succumbed to the urge to have a go on those Segways. Fortunately, my Dad was over to act as a ruse and we were able to share one for 15 minutes, swapping about from time to time. Spectators were agog as the rider of the time performed a number of unimpressive moves and/or rode around in circles incessantly. You really must try it, it's as fascinating as it sounds.

 

 

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Here's a Bedford CF camper, which is one of those items that Mrs_Jon and myself are very indecisive about owning at some point. She'd like a SWB one without a high roof (a pop top may be handy though) and I'd like one without the bloody back doors sealed shut; why would you get rid of one of a base vehicle's major asset, however nicely it placed a sponge seat? Anyway, despite going to view an affordable SWB with low roof and working rear doors, road legal and powered by an Aussie Ford 302 V8, we still didn't buy it, choosing a trailer tent instead. Therefore, I draw the conclusion that we're just sad old people now.

 

 

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I probably had the notion of being disparaging towards this on here when I lined up to take the photo but actually for a hotrod, it's been quite tastefully modified. I'm still unsure of the smaller front tyres though, as a very slightly higher profile would look better in my books. Presumably, 'my books' are a series of tomes whining about the efforts of others.

 

 

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Ooh, there's a lot of modern stuff creeping in, isn't there? It's all sub-conscious, I promise but I will try and have a bit of a word with myself. Anyway, this get-up depicts not only an acceptably aged drag ute but also gives the impression of what a Vauxhall Omega estate might have looked like had someone lopped the boot roof off. I've got to admit that I think these Holden Crewman utes look a bit crap and they only made one model run of these from memory, so obviously others agreed. What is a shame though is that with these no longer available, there's no 'car' alternative to a double cab ute, which seems to be the vehicle of choice now from those who would have bought Falcons and Commodores 30 years ago, hence why they're both stopping production shortly.

 

 

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Well, this is a lot more prosaic, isn't it? Not a Hillman Minx but a Humber 80, some NZ only model for some reason. I like the light blue roof and the fact that it still exists in such good condition but not one on the bucket list, I must admit.

 

 

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This however, is! I really don't know why but I flipping love MkI and II Transits and even MkIIIs but then I suppose they're all very similar beneath the skin, especially in LWB form. This one is local and for ages eluded my camera - indeed, me and STUNO had undertaken a specific reconnaissance to try and bag this beauty with no success but I happened upon it tucked down a side street recently, so here it is. I'd love to chat to the owners and I'd really love to buy it but I reckon it's not for sale and I'm probably not the only one to covet it. Dreams are free though and it even has my initials in the reg number for tenuous serendipity.

 

 

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Back to the Napier area now, the region that keeps on giving. Here's a Holden ute that has a one tonne payload capacity. Presumably there were no such things as focus groups in 1970's Australia, hence the blunt, snappy title of Holden One Tonner.

 

 

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And here was a jolly sight of what looked like a gentle old couple steeling some shale from the beach. Being a sucker for brightly coloured old commercials with hub caps, this was firmly on my radar, so warranted a stop and a turn around. I suppose the view was nice, too.

 

 

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Anyway, I pretended to be a little incompetent with my camera when I saw them loading up to leave and acted out taking lots of shots of scenery until they bumbled in to shot. They shouted a 'sorry!' from the cab as they tootled past but little did they know I was photographing their excellent Hiace! Got away with it for once! I particularly like the puffing Labrador and hand painted signwriting. Is there a better calling card for a business? Apart from the Leyland 20 I spotted, of course.

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I have absolutely no worthwhile knowledge of photography styles, settings, technicalities etc but I can offer my half-formed, ill-educated opinion on what I see with my one and a half good eyes anyway. And you asked for it.

 

In the absence of some amazing scenery or something in the background then I think this kind of thing looks great, nice angle  and suchlike and would sell to the satisfaction of all parties easily I would imagine.

 

24750827575_06dc894bd8_c2_zpszvsvuxmh.jp

 

I think I prefer the above image but maybe the owners/drivers would prefer a bit closer up/cropped.

Summat like this.

24750827575_06dc894bd8_c_zpsyvnyqpkd.jpg

 

Also, because HUMAN VANITY, I reckon if you got the driver's face clear in the image, he/she wouldn't be able to resist.

 

I really like the next one as well, and this would be snapped up by the 131 owner/driver especially as they are leading the other cars. Human vanity.

 

24123877963_f5ca420d0b_c_zpsrvrmrao2.jpg

 

I presume you meant you would sell the pictures just to the participants/subjects and weren't talking about knocking up thousands of hand-made frames in your shed or something.

 

HTH but suspect it won't.

I was also in attendance Jon and have photos of the Datsun 240GT which I was very taken with!

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OK, backlog supplies are getting low I must admit, so I have possibly a couple of updates left before I'm seriously scraping the barrel to find more, or worse, having to go and do some fresh spotting. I do think there is a reduction in interesting stuff about compared to 5 years ago; STUNO and I each nursed a coffee for the best part of an hour yesterday at a local cafe waiting for the 205 to get a WOF and nothing interesting passed us by, despite plonking ourselves in the window seat for maximum exposure.

 

Anyway, let's not get too disheartened, as I managed to maintain my 100% success rate of spotting an early Ford Laser in Napier each visit, as shown here:

 

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Fancy grill and spot lights point to Ghia or some other plush trim level: Crappy later wheel trims do not.

 

 

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Hot Cordia action shot! I'd walked past the Corona right of frame and thought it wasn't really that interesting but a blurry bronze Cordia included in the deal warranted a click. Loving the steel wheel/trim rings combo but honestly, they really are a challenging shape, aren't they?

 

 

 

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Told you the stocks were getting a bit low - it's not even a car spot! Well, if you disregard the rear of the JDM Celica-based non liftback coupe. I've got to say that I'm a sucker for old painted wooden structures, especially with the gentrification of older buildings and the thoughtless propensity to repaint them all white or varying shades of grey. The rusty wriggly tin is a nice touch, also.

 

 

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This was a jolly scene and is thankfully bereft of said building all painted white or various shades of grey, though the colours aren't as eye popping as they would've been back in the day, I reckon. Still, the road furniture is doing its bit to make up for this and who doesn't like a scruffy Series Land Rover in an urban setting? And hark at the unguarded railway line.

 

 

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I am still warming to the styling of these Valiants (sans crappy spoiler, of course) but the temperature is still relatively tepid. Actually, that's one of those words I hate, tepid. It's that temperature which nothing aspires to be, i.e. not luke warm, not hot, etc. A bit like a Golf Plus, I suppose. I'm here all night, folks.

 

 

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Again, a little too modern for usual content but then I remembered that these were supposedly the first people carriers if Espaces and Voyagers are forgotten about. And Nissan Prairies. Remember that advertising at the time for these with that 'famous' family of quintuplet girls? I wonder what they're all doing now? 

 

 

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Actually, this really is quite a dull shot but it features one of those South African or Indian rugged Toyotas converted into a camper, which is a bit unusual. I wonder if they're interesting to drive at all? I'm guessing not.

 

 

 

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Now, I have been quite vocal in my dislike of beige but I think in the above application, it's utterly acceptable, since it's a commercial vehicle popular in desert-like climes. Clap shut rear doors and a distinct lack of decals on said sombre hue point to it van origins and I'd hazard a guess it's an Aussie import. 

 

 

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Late KE70 is a living dichotomy, being enjoyed by young folk but not at all tastelessly modified. Has no-one told them this simply isn't cricket?! Incidentally, this one is very late, having been registered in May '88, so only a few months short of getting an F reg, were it ever imported to Britain. Which it won't be, of course. Yet why do I even care about such inane 'facts'? EDIT: It's currently on Trademe, no bids so far at £1350:

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1025108895

 

 

 

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Here's one I wouldn't usually snap, purely for the benefit of SL. However, I think I've rather been spoiling his OJC tendencies, as it's been a right Jap-fest this time. I will note that the grille marks it out as a later Aussie built one though and it was registered in March '92, so a K plater. 

 

 

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Check out this spot though, I'm truly back in the 'shite groove with this one! Obviously home built and combining a caravan and a ute to make something half as practical as the two bits on their own and what I assume to be an utterly miserable driving experience. And look at the stunning passenger mirror architecture! The drizzle began the second I parked up, which I think was quite fitting. That said, I wholly support the existence of such conveyances on the roads here and long may it continue.

 

 

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This was only a few metres from the Hiace but the rain got a lot worse, so I suffered for my art like a true shite martyr. In fact, I was so rushed that I didn't notice the owner of it inside, about to drive off, else I probably wouldn't have been so blatant. That said, he didn't see me, either. Is £2250 a fair price for this? I don't think it's too bad.

 

 

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Double whammy! Again, due to rain and distracting fellow old car, P6 driver did not clock me either. I don't usually condone P6s on later wheels but the early SD1 'S' wheels don't look too bad here, maybe due to being darker from brake dust. I'd seen it cruising by earlier and had missed it, so was nice to get a second chance.

 

 

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I think I'll finish for now with this prime example of a Mitsubishi Mirage (Colt). Again, the rain added to the general sombre tone of seeing this thing, which I assume is very much at the end of its tenure on the roads. Don't worry, there's plenty of better examples still knocking about.

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Some of us can only dream of having barrel bottom scrapings of such quality. Brilliant.

 

Now get out and do some present day spotting PLSKTHX.

 

We haven't quite made it to barrel scraping levels just yet but it may not be far off! I'm torn though, as I like my posts to offer a bit of VFM and anything less than about 10 mediocre specimens is a bit lacking, by my own personal standards. That said, I don't think I'll quite make this number this time....

 

 

The Mitsubishi Space Wagon pre-dates the Espace and Voyager - 1983 launch vs. 1984 launches for the western tall mono-box cars, but the Prairie pre-dates them all.

 

I dare say the Prairie was the most innovative due to its sliding door and lack of B-pillars but perhaps a 1500cc motor wasn't the best power plant for it. Plus, only 5 seats, so really a people carrier or just a tall Sunny? 

 

 

Ooh, a Cordia!

 

Has the Hiace had its chassis lengthened?

 

Haven't owned any examples of that generation Camry (yet?). I do have a photo of one to come in a future update of my thread, but it's nowhere near as nice as that white one.

 

Surely an earlier Camry is on the cards at some point! That Hiace is defo stretched and I did think it might have different wheels on the back but it looks like it's the originals switched round. Perhaps the caravan slapped on top and extra chassis angle iron all come in under its origianl GVW but I'm guessing not. I'm also guessing that this kind of stuff didn't matter too much whenever it was converted. 

 

 

***** Excellent segway alert *****

 

On the subject of an early Hiace, have I posted this up before? Dredged out from the archives and I've a feeling I've not made comment on it recently, so guessing not. 

 

20121223-IMG_8660.jpg

 

Either way, I think the rears on these vans are interesting, rather like Toyota didn't want to commit to a proper van shape, sticking with the stretched estate car look instead. And these aren't that massive, especially since the Lite Ace was just around the corner at the time that they launched these.

 

 

***** Mediocre segway alert *****
 
 
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Roll forward to some time last year and here's a present day Hiace. More importantly however is an XF Falcon which has been nicely pepped up with fancy wheels and very tastefully applied stripes. It's looking pretty ropey round the windscreen but let's pretend we didn't see that. Ditto the L4ME private plate.
 
 
 
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This professional set up was at the same gig as the Falcon van, which was a speed boat racing day. The bit of ply strapped to the back was the timing clock for competitors to see from the water and the PA system being used was naturally one of the worst I have ever heard/struggled to hear. That said, anything would sound second rate competing with multiple tuned V8s at full bore. Bonus top quality sponsorship endorsement there, too.
 
 
 
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Back to Sunny (then rainy, then sunny) Napier now and this embodiment of sportiness just eluded me but you get the idea. Firmly on the theoretical want list, naturally.
 
 
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Then immediately after, a bit of a WTF moment as this combo trundled past. What exactly has that Discovery been modified in to? I'm thinking some outbuilding accommodation for grand kids or something similar. I did actually pass it shortly afterwards and am pretty sure the extended roof at the front acted as a BBQ canopy, so a nice bit of thinking there. Hopefully this will make Bucketeer feel right at home, as those flats in the background have a very Eastern European design influence.
 
 
 
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And here's what I actually pulled over to photograph. Not that interesting in comparison, is it? The price wasn't actually too bad for a CF but it was absolutely hanging and the rego had expired years ago. Wasn't there a few weeks later, though.
 
 
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This was captured in a quiet housing estate whilst navigating unfamiliar streets to get back to a cheap petrol station we'd just missed. Another of those 60's/70's cars with rear entry petrol flaps. Hu hu hu, rear entry flaps.
 
 
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Finally for now, I'd spotted this on the trip to Napier from home, so made a mental not of its whereabouts for the return journey. Didn't have the guts to take a look inside as I was technically trespassing I suppose but didn't vault any fences, etc. Plus, I haven't had any booster injections in bloody ages as I'm a complete woos and hate needles. GR8 4 volunteer ambulance and fire worker.
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That really early Hiace is very alluring. Never seen one like that before.

If it is reading this, I'll be in the usual chatrooms, username Lonelyvanlover123 and I would enjoy NSA fun and load capacity chat.

 

The present day Hiace on the other hand is pretty grim looking. I had also never seen one of those before. It looks like a dog that's run into a patio door or something.

 

Oh and . . .

14in1jp.jpg

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I actually don't mind the front of those modern Hiaces, mostly because they haven't gone batshit crazy with the styling and have retained useful commercial attributes like black plastic bumpers and door mirrors. Posher ones have body coloured mouldings natch but good to see povo looking ones. I also think that small side cab windows and not ginormous windscreen hark back to the 1970's without looking intentionally retro. There's even a widebody version, as below:

 

toyota_hiace.jpg

 

I had my first drive of one a few weeks back and did about 3hrs behind the wheel in one hit. Long enough but hardly an intrepid journey but I was uncomfortable by the end. The Air con worked well and I was sure it was a turbo derv, as it seemed to have a bit of lag between kickdown (it was an auto) and response, plus a narrow band of power. Turns out it was a vvti! I didn't think much of it but thought even less of the flippin' 2wd 7 year old Hilux I did the return journey in the next day, it being replete with keep fit windows, crap radio, no air con and vinyl seats, which on a 30 degree day was not refreshingly quaint, etc.

 

As with other Toyota commercials, Hiace's aren't cheap. Retail on the boggo skinny one is £21k! Therefore, it's been mercilessly copied; behold the individually styled Foton CS2:

 

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This comes equipped with a 2.8 Cummins diesel and manual 'box and seems to be available from a more reasonable £17k-ish for the wide one - I don't think they've copied launched a narrow body. Or, buy Europe's Most Respected Van*, the LDV:

 

world-class-components_image.png

 

The Base shorty comes in at about £16k.

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  • 3 weeks later...

OK, back in to it. I had a few scraps left over from last time and I've been and witnessed an occurrence lately (more of that some other time), so time to do some updating.

 

 

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This should be up that Hirst's street, as it seems to be an updated version of his Japanese taxi, albeit a Toyota. You think that these no-nonsense RWD saloons would be everywhere here judging by what some people still drive but it seems that Kiwi tastes these days are a bit more refined, hence this is the first I've seen.

 

 

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Long range Escort spot surrounded by other tat that was quite uninteresting.

 

 

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This was from the same vantage point and had a slightly more interesting foreground with various old Ford tractors in a yard. I'm assuming that Ford no longer build tractors, as I can't recall seeing anything newer than the types that featured in my Britains Farm collection of the 1980's. It's a rhetorical statement by the way, please don't fill me in with a diatribe of late Ford tractor production, unless you have some juicy facts or something, which I'm assuming you don't. The spot is the old Ford on a container, BTW.

 

 

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Here's a jolly little scene back in Napier (again!), which was the reason I took a photo of this Colt/Mirage. Sullying the shot in top left however is the nose of one of those awful, shit, terrible, horrendous, bad, godforsaken unreliable cars from the 1980's Mercedes range. Anyway, I do like this shade of brown they sold these era Mitsubishis in but I'll admit that I get more excited (note lack of *, I actually mean that) when I see the next generation one in the same hue, as it marks it out as one of the early ones. Bonus extra points when they come with full face stainless wheel trims and black plates, of course.

 

 

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A bit blurry and sadly sullied by Audi and BMW lifestyle conveyances but a pre-war designed Austin still going about its business (quite literally, it had company details on the door) , being driven by a not old woman was worth it, I reckon. Plus, bonus background discovery of the garage that the fantastic yellow Hiace ute advertises!

 

 

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Again, a bit blurry but I wasn't concentrating. Felt a pang of guilt/self loathing after reviewing my shot and working out that this was a hearse but bloody hell, what a tasteful one! Actually, bloody hell probably isn't the best adjective when mentioning a hearse. Sorry.

 

 

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Here's a general taster of the sorts of things you'll see when visiting Napier, though not as many Art Deco related things as you may expect, certainly away from the annual festival they host. But then this is NZ, land of 4 million and they can't all go around in immaculate old cars wearing boaters and those striped sports jackets. And tutus, if the cardboard man behind to the left is to be believed.

 

 

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Clearly I'm going to have to justify breaking my self imposed mid-80's minimum age limit, so this one was for STUNO's benefit, in memory of his late BX of similar specs which was written off but is now back on the road again, having been sorted by a local Citroen and Renault hero.

 

 

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No justification needed here. I reckon I've seen far more late Cortinas of a sporting pretension over here that I ever did in Britain. Love the stripy interior, thankfully spared from being made into a Deco sports jacket.

 

 

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Now here's something very special, to my eyes at least. I've made it clear in the past that a Series I Land Rover is an itch that really needs to be scratched but I've been putting it off for boring reasons such as having no space to store one and having 5 cars and 2 trailers sat about the place already. However, logic plays no part when a want is so great, so I hope to falter to my child-like 'want' tendency at some point. This particular example is an absolute perfect specimen and was also right royally missed by STUNO and philibusmo on their journey down from the airport, despite being given quite accurate directions That said, I've been commuting past this one for years and had only noticed it recently; my excuse though is that I usually pass it between the hours of 9pm and 4am. Consider this a warning, chaps.

 

 

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I can't accurately portray with words my feelings towards this Holden camper, as I don't actually know how I feel about it, other that I'm glad it exists so I can spot it. Note the reverse rims on the back.

 

 

 

 

So, how to top a Series I LR and an Autoshite Epitome spec camper?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Will the world's sexiest standard Morris Marina do?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Check out this motherflipper, it's even been left in a cheeky 'press photo' pose. Dirty thing.

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It's a Nissan Crew! Delete the thread, I'm outta here.

 

So it is! Of course, I consulted Wikipedia just to be sure and apparently it was available with the Nissan RD28 Diesel, presumably up to its demise in 2009. Interesting that it didn't come with a 4cyl petrol like yours. Does Japan no longer have dedicated taxi models any more?

 

 

 

looks like a e494a prefect on top of container, the "S" model mk5 (TF)Cortina was specific to the aus/nz market the uk only got an "S"option pack.

 

the Taunus TC3 (mk5) was avl as an "S" model on the continent (inc optional XR3 cloverleafs).

 

Didn't think it'd take long for our resident Cortina buff to notice and comment! I had a feeling that the S Cortinas here differed to the UK ones, so cheers for clarifying. I've still not captured an Aussie built mk4 with all the trimmings yet (fancy steels, massive bumpers and quite often, 4.1 six motor) but I have seen one or two about. They sure knew how to market that era Prefect with a catchy model code, eh? 

 

Anyway, as a reward and since I try and not reply here without a bit of content, have a V8 Falcon (XC I think; could be an XB) that I caught locally when out and about one night with a camera.

 

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I must say I was quite happy with how this very rushed photo came out (bar the lamp post obfuscation), especially since it had the added effect of disguising the gash modern rims a bit.

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OK, so as promised, here's a backlogged series of photos from an even I witnessed a couple of years ago, whilst my parents were out visiting. The Beach Hop is an annual event at one of the north island's Kiwi holiday hotspots, Whangamata (pron. wong-a-mat-tar, or make the 'w' sound a 'ph' sound if you want to pronounce with a Maori inflection). It's primarily a 50's event, attracting those people who like to dress up in stuff they imagine to be from the era and also drive cars from the time too - with an American influence of course, as is always the case. If you're attending to witness historical accuracy, you'll be disappointed by the lack of stout practical clothing and pre-war Hillmans. Still pleasant enough though and it doesn't coat anything to tag along.

 

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Like I say, a primarily 50's event but anything old and American or full sized Australian is absolutely fine. I think I started off on a personal high with this gorgeous HQ Belmont on colour coded widened steels. Doesn't get much better than this for me, tbh.

 

 

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No, honestly, there were 50's cars there, I promise. Included for overall good condition.

 

 

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No, honestly.....etc. Included as an example of naff stick on Yank tat, which was quite surprisingly absent.

 

 

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OK, I give up. There's probably a 50's car somewhere but just look at this thing, very much all the better for its original trims. Apologies for red Mustang creeping in the back of shot - surely the MGB of the NZ classic car scene.

 

 

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Nope, still no 50's. Nice, though.

 

 

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Not quite to my tastes but just look at all the work that went into this, made from scratch and mounted on a new modern Hilux chassis. Registered as brand new I think, so had to comply to safety standards by having boring modern interior door handles, etc. 

 

 

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LOW 60. Very nearly 1959.

 

 

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If you have to ask why this is included, you probably just don't get it. Rather have cool black plates though but akin to dismissing a nice lady for her poor choice of belt or something.

 

 

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Mk4 Zephyrs are great but ask yourself if you'd prefer one of these instead, made at the same time by Ford. Delightfully not restored.

 

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Not quite so keen on the back, though.

 

 

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I walked past this spot again and it was still there, so deal with it.

 

 

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LOL at wheels but everything else was very acceptable on this.

 

 

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Dressed up Mahindras get the ladies.

 

 

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Resale red doesn't apply to these, IMO. Must-have Mustard is more my bag.

 

 

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LOOK, A 50'S CAR!!! Suicide door 500 may also be one, too.

 

 

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Another shot of the fulth.

 

 

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Creatively duo-brown CF and what appears to be a Morris Cowley ute. Yes, 50's UK porridge!

 

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Another XY Falcon, captured from its best* angle.

 

 

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Included only because I've never seen a Z3 on E30 bottle tops. Works quite well, I think.

 

 

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I've been reliably informed by an esteemed member of this forum that this car is actually a very accurate portrayal of a custom scene which I can't remember the name of now and not at all to be categorised with PT Cruiser line dance editions. I must admit it's a well done job and a dichotomy of outrageous yet reserved. Thought I'd do a bit of South Bank Show type of comment to highbrow the place up a bit.

 

 

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Old Ford scene.

 

 

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Seen old Ford.

 

 

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Scene'd old Ford.

 

 

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Nice try but turn round, take the first exit of the roundabout and go see that other HQ to see how it's done properly.

 

 

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Hopefully the owner's off to tell the owner of the black Camaro how to properly attire an old car with wheels.

 

 

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Down at the beach, with a couple of people added for context.

 

 

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No idea if this had any racing past or ability to live up to its decals.

 

 

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Finally, heading home I had to stop and take a couple of photos of this gorgeous Holden van, as it's pretty much Mrs_Jon's idea of a dream camper, now that she's seen one. That, or a Commer PB or Bedford CF but practicalities aside, this'd win on looks alone, I think. 

 

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Just about perfect but at £6k, waaay too much for our budget. Dreams are free, though.

that white charger mega drool worthy and looks to be a 770 from the vinyl side panel dad had a vh770 in oz when I was tiny I will have one one day

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Wow, those Cedric trims are dire - I'm assuming they're wheel trims and not really, really bad alloys. It's a shame that Nissan stopped trying on the taxi front, as I reckon they had the smarter looking range. But TWO taxi models? Bizarre.

 

Anyway, I'm trying to hold on to the few images left to make numbers up for another update, so no photo to bosh in for my reply. Instead, have a still from the opening credits of everyone's favourite NZ children's programme, Betty's Bunch, which I remember Channel 4 broadcasting in the 1990's during school holidays.

 

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Here's the theme tune, if you want to reminisce:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir4GumMLUYY

 

EDIT: Here's hoping you do get another Charger dangerousdave but if you want one, get on to it quickly as they're horrendously expensive now. Also look out for the one with Autoshite livery a few updates back.

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OK, back in to it. I had a few scraps left over from last time and I've been and witnessed an occurrence lately (more of that some other time), so time to do some updating.

 

 

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This should be up that Hirst's street, as it seems to be an updated version of his Japanese taxi, albeit a Toyota. You think that these no-nonsense RWD saloons would be everywhere here judging by what some people still drive but it seems that Kiwi tastes these days are a bit more refined, hence this is the first I've seen.

 

Mega want for that Limeflower Marina!

 

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Long range Escort spot surrounded by other tat that was quite uninteresting.

 

 

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This was from the same vantage point and had a slightly more interesting foreground with various old Ford tractors in a yard. I'm assuming that Ford no longer build tractors, as I can't recall seeing anything newer than the types that featured in my Britains Farm collection of the 1980's. It's a rhetorical statement by the way, please don't fill me in with a diatribe of late Ford tractor production, unless you have some juicy facts or something, which I'm assuming you don't. The spot is the old Ford on a container, BTW.

 

 

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Here's a jolly little scene back in Napier (again!), which was the reason I took a photo of this Colt/Mirage. Sullying the shot in top left however is the nose of one of those awful, shit, terrible, horrendous, bad, godforsaken unreliable cars from the 1980's Mercedes range. Anyway, I do like this shade of brown they sold these era Mitsubishis in but I'll admit that I get more excited (note lack of *, I actually mean that) when I see the next generation one in the same hue, as it marks it out as one of the early ones. Bonus extra points when they come with full face stainless wheel trims and black plates, of course.

 

 

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A bit blurry and sadly sullied by Audi and BMW lifestyle conveyances but a pre-war designed Austin still going about its business (quite literally, it had company details on the door) , being driven by a not old woman was worth it, I reckon. Plus, bonus background discovery of the garage that the fantastic yellow Hiace ute advertises!

 

 

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Again, a bit blurry but I wasn't concentrating. Felt a pang of guilt/self loathing after reviewing my shot and working out that this was a hearse but bloody hell, what a tasteful one! Actually, bloody hell probably isn't the best adjective when mentioning a hearse. Sorry.

 

 

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Here's a general taster of the sorts of things you'll see when visiting Napier, though not as many Art Deco related things as you may expect, certainly away from the annual festival they host. But then this is NZ, land of 4 million and they can't all go around in immaculate old cars wearing boaters and those striped sports jackets. And tutus, if the cardboard man behind to the left is to be believed.

 

 

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Clearly I'm going to have to justify breaking my self imposed mid-80's minimum age limit, so this one was for STUNO's benefit, in memory of his late BX of similar specs which was written off but is now back on the road again, having been sorted by a local Citroen and Renault hero.

 

 

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No justification needed here. I reckon I've seen far more late Cortinas of a sporting pretension over here that I ever did in Britain. Love the stripy interior, thankfully spared from being made into a Deco sports jacket.

 

 

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Now here's something very special, to my eyes at least. I've made it clear in the past that a Series I Land Rover is an itch that really needs to be scratched but I've been putting it off for boring reasons such as having no space to store one and having 5 cars and 2 trailers sat about the place already. However, logic plays no part when a want is so great, so I hope to falter to my child-like 'want' tendency at some point. This particular example is an absolute perfect specimen and was also right royally missed by STUNO and philibusmo on their journey down from the airport, despite being given quite accurate directions That said, I've been commuting past this one for years and had only noticed it recently; my excuse though is that I usually pass it between the hours of 9pm and 4am. Consider this a warning, chaps.

 

 

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I can't accurately portray with words my feelings towards this Holden camper, as I don't actually know how I feel about it, other that I'm glad it exists so I can spot it. Note the reverse rims on the back.

 

 

 

 

So, how to top a Series I LR and an Autoshite Epitome spec camper?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Will the world's sexiest standard Morris Marina do?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

24121526403_7eeaa078e5_o.jpg

 

Check out this motherflipper, it's even been left in a cheeky 'press photo' pose. Dirty thing.

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I saw one of those AU utes on the spotted thread the other day - they still look a bit alien to me when I see them on UK plates! I remember those Falcons being sold in the UK as dedicated LPG - they were sold from a Manchester dealership from memory. I reckon it's all about perspective with this shite spotting lark: seeing a Falcon ute in the UK, I'd definitely spot it, since they were so rare back in the day. Seeing a 15 year old ute round here? I'd have to give it a miss, or I'd wear my camera out spotting them and their ilk. One guy I worked with turned up to work in a 6-7 year old 3.2 Vectra estate, which was quite random to see. Wouldn't make too epic a spot though, I suppose. Give it 20 years and I'll relent!

 

You've mentioned your Falcon and a Mk3 Cortina Bakkie amongst others but I don't think I've seen any photos of these. Please rectify this glaring error forthwith in a thread, or point us in the right direction with a link, if you've posted about them elsewhere.

 

Get to it!

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useless with pics (drives me nuts), some of my fleet are on our local car club site  www.motornutz.co.uk or on www.buysellcortina.co.uk that others have posted.

 

my avatar on bsc is my V8 GT & cortrailer,theres a partial build thread of bakkie on motornutz along with Crayford in (I think its called a banner) +  I think est, ute & blue 2dr are in various show reports.

only one not shown is mk5 saloon that my late father bought new (buried in garage with Crayford).

 

forgot i'm custodian of BJ the fiat 126 that belonged to a very good fiend Richard who we're finishing the resto of for his little boy (after he was taken from us at only 41).

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OK, I've got a nice backlog of future updates courtesy of a little trip last weekend, including a revisit of a favourite place and also venturing on previously un-ventured roads - by me at least, I'm not some sort of intrepid pioneer or anything.

 

With that in mind, let's get back to stuff I'd previously kept archived:

 

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Let's start the ball rolling nice and gently with a borderline is-it-old-enough-or-not Toyota Hilux Surf, which a friend of mine has held onto beyond roadworthiness for the simple job of weed suppression on his land, in the simple form of just driving over them. Turns out it's a 1985 Surf, so no need to slap my own hand for 'modern' content. But pray tell, how does he make the most effective use of this conveyance to suppress said weeds?

 

 

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By dragging this along behind it (not foreground twine tow rope). I say dragged quite literally, as the brakes are seized solid, apparently.

 

 

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Its main redeeming feature to me though are these quite excellent centre caps on very stylish steels, reminiscent of my favourite Mitsubishi rims, seen on Hirst era Sigmas. I've told him I'll nab them before the inevitable scrapping of the Charade, as he's selling up soon.

 

 

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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.

 

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Back to a couple of weeks ago and the warm glow of summer again (I need to look into rectifying this for upcoming posts) and here's a shot of an uninterested woman ruining my shot of a car, which is likely to become an occasional series. We're at a drag race meting by the way, in case you hadn't worked that out.

 

 

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Hey, does anyone remember that achingly wonderful Chrysler 300 I'd posted up previously? Well, here's its front end featuring in a line-up that looks like a car-based equivalent of one of those moody band photos that people liked to do 10-20 years ago, whereby the band members look to be going to the same destination separately. 

 

 

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And here it is featuring in a race against a Falcon. Sadly, old bad-wheels pipped it to the post I think but that didn't really matter, as it was a practise event and so no timings taken. In line with this, it didn't attract that many entrants (or spectators, for that fact - about 50 I reckon!) but unfortunately it still seemingly warranted an awful compère who had a very annoying laugh, which he put to full, speaker-distorting use.

 

 

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This Escort was very quick and had the Jon-approved attributes of tasteful wheels, restrained bodywork mods and a nice colour scheme. It also featured during a bout of normally-coloured weather, it seems. I must admit it was a nice hot day (30 degrees or thereabouts) and a mixture of cloud cover and full, blistering sun. 

 

 

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I'll excuse the terrible front wheels of this Falcon ute in return for its services to frame-filling tyre smoke. I'm not a fan of this sort of mechanical abuse for long bouts but this was only a few seconds and he managed to drive away with all tyres still inflated, so that's a positive.

 

 

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Unlike this guy! He even did it in style, using bona-fide drag racing tyres. Still, that was the end of his day's playing about. Not to worry, I'm not actaully a great fan of these Mercury's styling, I must admit.

 

 

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Mrs_Jon was not a fan of this rod, saying it looked silly and I must admit, although seemingly very well put together, it did look like the chassis had snapped with such severe angles meeting at the bulkhead. Was very fast though.

 

 

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Next time, expect to see more of this kind of stuff and also much more decrepit examples of such things. Can anyone guess where I've been? The yellow Crown should be a big clue.....

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Yes of course, I've taken a return trip to Horopito, in my eyes one of the best scrap yards in the world. Now, I'm sure there are bigger, bolder efforts (most likely in the US) but I bet there are few that would have such a variety of models in one place. Please do disprove my theory but only if you have photographic evidence.

 

 

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This Crown wag is a regular to these pages but I can't remember whether it was still carrying its excellent EZ1 number plates last visit or not. Not sure why it's been moved round to the front part, unless they may think it'll sell or something. Incidentally, that Capri above only had registration expire in 2015, so may still have a bit if life left in it. I'm guessing danthecapriman's will be painted a bit more professionally.....

 

 

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Here's some more Capris languishing about. From memory the fire damaged one camera right was a recent addition too, judging by the reg. Better than being mercilessly crushed, I suppose. Also, get used to an inconsistently coloured sky, as I went a bit filter happy, especially early on in proceedings, as I always find the sun tricky to deal with here. It doesn't help that the opening times are 1000-1600. Perhaps I should ask to nip in early next time.

 

 

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This had been dragged round to the side of the building too, though the field it previously rested in has now been redeveloped with neatly parked modern scrap interlopers, which is a shame only from the point of one or two of them creeping into the back of shot.

 

 

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Once again, apols for the funny sky but I must admit I decided to try and be a little arty farty and feature this incongruously tidy looking Lancer with a nice pretty background. It really is a very nice part of the countryside, this setting.

 

 

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Of course, it wouldn't be the countryside without a Rambler or two! What am I like?!!!!!!!!

 

 

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Morris Oxford with Corona piggyback. I'd like to think that the latter would have been a fitting replacement to the former in period.

 

 

 

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Here's a much moodier shot of those two with a bonus Something American accompaniment. I'm warming slightly to US stuff, mostly because we're planning to take a trip there next year and I'm clinging to the idea of buying something interesting to travel about the place and then import it back. let's see if this plan comes to fruition or not. 

 

 

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Look at my VALIANT effort at editing the shit out of this one! When will I ever learn? Perhaps I'm becoming a hipster and I don't know it. I mean, I took a road trip in a 2006 Mondeo and not the perfectly serviceable 205 GTI sitting next to it on the driveway. That's pretty alternative thinking, eh? 

 

 

 

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Pretty sure that I've taken a shot of this Simca before too but if you tire of such images, you're probably just tired of Autoshite and shouldn't stick ARONDE!!! Boom!

 

 

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This Mercury Monarch is about the era of car I'm expecting to pick up for road trip purposes but whatever it is has be affordable and desirable upon our return. I'm thinking full size 1970's saloon (i.e. anything that would've been mercilessly crashed ad infinitum as a cop car in any film of the time), a station wagon of similar lineage or a pick-up in interesting colours. Only thing is, would I realistically want to get rid?

 

 

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Here's a former Horopito workhorse, a J20 wrecker. These are used quite often on set over here as crew transport and other duties when we shoot rurally and I must admit, this doesn't look an awful lot rustier than those still in use.

 

 

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I think this was a bit brighter in real life but I blame DAT SUN again!!!!! Wow, my 'shite riffing is really on form today!!!!!!

 

 

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Without its B series motor, this Marina Coup is no longer TOP CAT of the range!!!!! OK, that one's a bit tenuous, even for me.

 

 

 

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This is how Duel would have turned out if it had been shot in NZ. I was going to do a pun about magnets/Magnette but I couldn't see the attraction.

 

 

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Not sure what make of car this is - it sure has me STUMPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

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Likewise, I'm short on Jowett Bradford puns, so get in touch if you have any LEEDS! 

 

 

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I like the fact that these Vauxhalls are absolutely jibbered, yet the chrome is still shining away.

 

 

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Something American based but I assume built in Aus, judging by the rear aspect. Looks far too good to be home built but does also look rather look like an afterthought design for outlying markets. On second thoughts, I'm thinking it's probably 'just' a MkIII Zephyr and the lack of bonnet is putting me off identifying it easily. Certainly no US car would run such narrow rims by this era?

 

 

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OK, that's enough for one post. Have a nice big Nissan to end proceedings.

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Lots to like in that yard, can you bung the Capri's in the post for me please! That blue mk2 looks like it could be driven out (and it should be!).

 

I'd recommend buying a 70's full size yank while your there, they are a lot of car for not a lot of money still in the US. Anything muscle related has a premium. Once you've had one you won't want to sell it, I guarantee you.

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OK, let's carry on with the unproductivity:

 

 

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This Urvan was here when I fist visited in '08 but was disregarded mostly because I was unaware it was an earlier version with the smaller tail lights. That addressed, it's of course a lot more interesting. I'm such an E23 Caravan scenester.

 

 

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Not sure about anyone else but there's nothing 'Classic' about this shape of Consul, as I'd be more likely to imagine any other shape at the mention of the name - even those mega early Granadas.

 

 

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I'm actually quite happy with how this little scene came out. Spoiler alert: this was not the only ADO16 Countryman seen that day.

 

 

 

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Since I'd taken many photos of the other 850 coupe in the yard which is now in very much worse condition than 8 years ago (surprise, surprise), I thought it rude not to include this one. 

 

 

 

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BMC Adult (a large Minor - geddit?!!!!!!) 

 

 

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Photo quality not great but nevertheless, it's a bloody Austin Kimberley, so deal with it!

 

 

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This was looking incongruously modern amongst the other relics but was defo for inclusion, since SAAB 900s of this era are few and far between, especially Turbos with these fantastic alloys. Very Germanically monotone without the front indicators and actually, I reckon all the black trimmings are reasons why 1980's cars are acceptable in silver. That and the fact that it was an unusual choice back then, too.

 

 

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I know it wasn't one of these used in The Italian Job but seeing this type of van always makes me think: "Get into the Door-mo-beale". But that line shouted stolidly by Michael Caine was at a Thames minibus and not a camper, so we're about as accurate as each other, I reckon.

 

 

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Inside the shed and the first thing encountered is amazing OSF stance, YO.

 

 

 

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Late Vanguard looked more interesting for being viewed at an elevated height, if that made nay sense.

 

 

 

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Here's its back end testing out the break point of some wood planks. The tree rounds in front of the rear wheels are obviously taking much of the load but it's still gratifying that you can wander about environments such as these in 2016. I reckon stricter rules could be round the corner, though.

 

 

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This Triumph is almost too colourful for this backdrop - needs more shade of mustard, IMO. Actually, I'm quite fancying something of this ilk (RWD, saloon, manual, 1970's or early 80's, not too decadent, interesting colour) but it'd have to be cheap, as I don't think it'd stick around too long.

 

 

 

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I'd quite like something like this, too. But not even half as much as a nondescript 1970's/80's manual saloon in period hue. And nowhere near as much as I hanker after a S1 SWB Land Rover. I think I may have mentioned that before....

 

 

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Actually, I'd really like one of these Skodas too, in this sort of condition. I think it'd be ace to keep this as standard looking as possible and bosh in a 1.8 Toyota motor so it could quite easily achieve 100km/h. Like a sort of sleeper but without all that excessive performance malarkey.

 

 

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This was what the Standard was dangling on, for those of you interested in outmoded commercials.

 

 

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What an epic tidemark this must have been back in the day. I bet it was the bee's knees (that's a sort of pun referring to the colour scheme of this and said insect).

 

 

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When I was at school, we had an ancient teacher who had one false leg (we'd casually knock his board rubber off the table on to the floor, just so we could see it flick up in to the air as he bent down on his good leg to retrieve it). He regaled us with memories of the school back in the 1950's, when only two teacher had cars. One was a Standard Vanguard, the other a Javelin Jowett. So that's how I refer to these (internally).

 

 

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A Very Old Thing, displaying an example of the lost art of signwriting, albeit with annoyingly narrow H's. OCD must not have been a thing, back in the day.

 

 

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Previously captured back in 2008 I think but this time brought to you in glorious Technicolor. Don't remember it being an estate, mind.

 

 

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All those things I said about the Skoda but utilising an engine out of a 19, or something.

 

 

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Yeah, I think I'd mentioned something about these being rare over here, which is probably true, as they're all in Horopito instead. It's really got that in-one-piece-but-entirely-buggered look down to a tee.

 

 

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Last seen on the road quite recently, according to the date of the pro-marijuana event it had been part of. These are still worth coin, so surprising to see it languishing.

 

 

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General shed rammle. Someone on a local forum had a very presentable one of those Vauxhalls for sale recently, which needed minor fettling to see the road again. Unfortunately, I was too late to see his updated sale price of $500 (£225), which naturally saw it sell within seconds. Bugger.

 

 

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I hope you appreciate this shot, as it necessitated much discomfort and an inordinate amount of faffing to capture the twinkly lights from rust holes in the tin roof. Holden van another 2008 sighting and I reckon this is where it'll see its days out.

 

 

 

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See that two tone door where a bonnet should be? That was the colour scheme of the aforementioned Vauxhall I missed out on. So, a bit garish, really (sore loser).

 

 

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This put me in mind of that film set in the outback with a brother and sister wandering round aimlessly after a car accident. One word title, can't think of it.

 

 

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In a post-Saville Revelations world, is there anyone who can look at such a statement in a non-cynical manner? I know I can't. This is from some sort of charity rally set-up which seems to attract the same 'competitors' each year and seems faintly ridiculous, if well-meaning. I actually saw a couple of entrants last week; an ex-fire D-Series with very fruity sounding petrol motor and a Mini Clubman with a massive cup cake on the roof. So wacky!!!!!!

 

 

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Made it in to the 21st Century, then. The 1999 route of Napier, Auckland, Taupo could be easily done in a day. 9hrs, tops. Epic effort, guys!

 

 

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Moody Vauxhall. This was quite clearly Luton corner.

 

 

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One way of halving the rust issues on your Vaxhall, eh fellas?!!!!!!! Actually, it does seem to have fared very well, just to rub metal corroding salt into UK owners' wounds.

 

 

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Right, DIESEL do, that's enough FUELLING around for now!!!!!! TANKS for looking!!!!!! 

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