Blasts from the past. Some more

[55bloke]

Oh, and thanks for the positive comments everyone, glad you're all enjoying these pics.

[keef]

Yes, of course.

Thanks.http://www.flickr.com/photos/14271680@N ... b-and-maxi

In view of the number of pics/threads on which you're asking this question, why not just put up a general enquiry if you can use pics from here, and ask people to just let you know if they have any copyright issues etc?

Good idea.Not usually that number, just having a sort-out.

[andrew e]

PURE SEX

[55bloke]

Isn't it just?! Love the faux J.P.S. paint job too, though I always thought it a bit strange the way it totally ignores the "Lotus stripe" moulding.

[retrogeezer]

Outstanding stuff.....your time and effort in posting these is much appreciated.

[bigstraight6]

I used to see this beautiful 3 window PA quite frequently when I visted my parents in Leeds round about 1980

 

This great pic reminded me of the video for 'ghost town' by The Specials, which featured an identical car being driven around Coventry, the bands home town, with all 7 band members in the car!

 

Thanks for sharing these pics with us 55bloke

[55bloke]

You're welcome BS6. I too recall that video.

[55bloke]

You'll all have realised by now that, next to Mk 1 'tinas, I have a fondness for early '60s Vauxhalls. But, I've always been puzzled as to why some PAs have those wonderful oval tail lamps with the indicators in the fins, and others have much less easthetically pleasing "ordinary" rear light clusters. Can anyone explain why?

[bigstraight6]

You'll all have realised by now that, next to Mk 1 'tinas, I have a fondness for early '60s Vauxhalls. But, I've always been puzzled as to why some PAs have those wonderful oval tail lamps with the indicators in the fins, and others have much less easthetically pleasing "ordinary" rear light clusters. Can anyone explain why?

I think the PA Cresta's lesser stable mate Velox model had the smaller and not so attractive rear lights

[pogweasel]

IIRC the oval type rears were the earlier ones.Later they got a 1-piece rear screen and less fancy lights. Though it might be the other way around of course.

[MrRegieRitmo]

Lovely 2 door GT. Think Reggie might be more interested in what's parked next to it!

 

SWOON!!! (and the 'Tina is a bit of alright too!)

 

The perfect colour + with the graphics too!! - Want!

 

There's more chance of the Cortina still being around somewhere though

[MrRegieRitmo]

This offends my eye more than I can say!! Why would anyone think this is an improvement?

 

I'm not sure it offends me eye as I do like the MkI Capri rear lights, they remind me of Datsun ones, however, I'm not sure why they've been transplanted onto this car as one of the main characteristics of the MkI Cortina is the distinctive & fancy rear lights which are an asset to the car not to it's detriment!

 

It'd be like replacing the hockey stick rear lights on a Hillman Avenger!

[trigger]

I find it quite remarkable when you see old photos like this and find that some of the cars are still on the road.

 

This is still taxed

 

 

This was still on the road until 2005

 

 

And as Garycox said, This Cortina's still tax, Still black and running a 3.8 V8!

 

 

Cheers for posting these up, Really enjoyed looking at them!

[55bloke]

You'll all have realised by now that, next to Mk 1 'tinas, I have a fondness for early '60s Vauxhalls. But, I've always been puzzled as to why some PAs have those wonderful oval tail lamps with the indicators in the fins, and others have much less easthetically pleasing "ordinary" rear light clusters. Can anyone explain why?

I think the PA Cresta's lesser stable mate Velox model had the smaller and not so attractive rear lights

Ah, yes, that's what I thought for a while! And Pog, I don't think it's quite that simple either! Look at this stunner photographed at Graves park last year:

 

So, any more suggestions?

[55bloke]

Trigger- not so surprising, I think, that the Healey's still on the road, they were considered classics already when I took that pic, so unlikely to have been scrapped since. It's great that the V8 'Tina is still on the road- wonder if it's still with the same owner? What's more surprising is that a Mk 1 which survived 'til 2005 isn't still around. Even badly rotted ones are worth big money- I wonder if perhaps it was crashed? Can't think of another reason why it would be gone now.

[STUNO]

The Vauxhall lights and window thing.It has nothing to do with being a Velox or Cresta..they were both the same!First came three windows and oval lightsSecond came 1 piece window and oval lightsThen thirdly the "beancounter" model..with smaller cost-efficient lighting style.

[55bloke]

I've been showing some of these old photos to my folks, and it's triggered a similar bout of nostalgia on their part. My folks had a camera along on these trips too, and my mum's been scanning some of the boxes full of old prints they've got. She e-mailed me a few today, including these 2 gems. They were taken from the balcony of a hotel in Naples, and show brilliantly the utterly chaotic Italian driving style! I'll always have huge repect for my dad, for having the guts to actually drive his right hand drive Sunbeam Alpine in amongst this lot!!

[Richard]

Holy shit, it's like The Italian Job!

[55bloke]

I know!! I remember we sat on that balcony, drinking coffee, just watching in stunned disbelief!! Look at the little yellow Fiat in the 2nd shot- where the **** does he think he's going?

[STUNO]

LOL LOL.. the fiat in shot 2 SHOT 1..green fiat van.at first glance read MICROSOFT ..did they know something we did not?

[Volksy]

Great shots.. I can almost hear the 'PEEP PEEP PARP PEEP PARP'

[pompei]

Wonderful! I have driven in Naples (a hire car admittedly) and it was quite an experience. I do have to say though that despite all the honking and shoving in there is rarely any road rage of the type encountered here when someone "cuts you up". I was told that the technique is to look the other driver in the eye, and then decide who goes first -- I think avoiding the other driver's eye here is often the safest measure - hey, you looking at my pint/Mondeo etc?

[michiel]

Quality shots! I drove a lwb Transporter in Rome and rural Italy but only saw Napoli from the highway, great fun though.

[seth]

Look at the little yellow Fiat in the 2nd shot- where the **** does he think he's going?

That was my immediate thought!

[Guest]

What can I say but wow, wonderful to see these pics. Your foresight has paid off!

 

Interesting to see how many older cars received reflective plates in mid-life, whereas the opposite is now true, more's the pity - late 60s and early 70s cars look great with tin yellow/white plates, less so with black ones.

 

 

Can't work out what the white saloon at the rear is. Ro80??

[pogweasel]

vw k70 (which was an NSU design anyroad, so close!)

[55bloke]

Further rumaging through the family archives have produced some more- including some of my motoring history, starting with this, probably the start of my love affair with old Fords! I seem to recall that the headlights lit-up, but that can't be true in a pedal car, surely? Maybe I just wished they did?

This is my dad in his 1st car, a Ford 8, which I think is the pre-war car on which the post-war Ford Pop was based? Taken in the late '50s or very early '60s.

And here's me in the same car.

Me again with the car which replaced the 8-I think it was actually an Anglia rather than a Pop. The clue's in the tail-lights.

Hireing this Vauxhal 101 for a holiday to North Wales convinced dad that the Anglia had to go!

To be replaced by this Mk1 estate, pictured somewhere in Spain in '67.

and here's me 10 years later at the wheel of my own Mk1. No laughing please, this was the '70s!!!

[retrogeezer]

Fantastic...can't believe your parents drove to Spain in 67! Brave indeed...And whereabouts in North Wales was that?

[55bloke]

A few more from various holidays:-

France, obviously!!

Spanish buses, 1967

Tunisia, sometime in the mid '70s- sorry it's a bit dark. Ancient Renault in use as a Taxi, and also, a GB plated P6!!

And finally, a couple from Wallsend, 1977:

[55bloke]

Fantastic...can't believe your parents drove to Spain in 67! Brave indeed...And whereabouts in North Wales was that?

Brave is right!! Did it 3 times in that Cortina- it was only a 3 main-bearing 1200, and needed a complete rebuild afterwards! Fantastic holdays though, and great adventures.Oh, and it's Black Rock Beach, near Crieceth (think that's how it's spelt?)