Spottedlaurel Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Earlier this year I did a quick search for old Datsun photos on eBay and stumbled across a bit of a collection which was available at a rather decent price: My scanner's going to be busy..... by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr As predicted, my scanner was busy and as of this weekend I've finally managed to get them all done. They might be of interest here? In addition to the above batch I ended up buying a load more from the seller, so there's stuff on Rootes, BL, Lada and other delights. 1979 Datsun Laurel 2.4 auto (C230) HNM86V c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr This is what led me to finding them, a cracking shot of a Laurel just like mine. DVLA says it lasted only to 1987, which is pretty poor (even the Anglia got to 1986). When I started looking at them I thought they were for an early Auto-Trader type publication, but as I've worked through them I think the style of photography is too uniform, almost analytical. Maybe they were taken by someone doing a project, or just an early spotter? I'd love to know, and if anyone here can give more details on locations I'd be pleased to know. I've sussed out some, generally they're in/around Preston. 1979 Datsun 140J Violet Saloon (A10) DWG606V c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr As much as anything, it's the cars in the background that are interesting now (not that this Violet isn't worth enjoying!). Sadly in some cases only one or two photos of each car remain. 1974/75 Audi 100 LS SVY438N c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Predictably, most of the newer cars were locally-registered, but some of of the older things were from further afield. BMW 323i E21 1GYC c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr The plate 1GYC now on a newer BMW, and the tatty Herald's registration is attached to a Mercedes. The Capri had a pretty impressive life in its own right, making it to 2002. As to be expected of photos from this era, there are plenty of Cortinas to be seen in the background of them. 1979 Fiat Strada 75 CL VCK321V c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Stripy! The world was denied the pleasure of this Strada in 1988. 1975/76 Honda Civic NHG170P c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr I got Japanese makes other than Datsun. Check out the very early Avenger in the background. More soon! UltraWomble, Lord Sterling, trigger and 21 others 24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greengartside Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Never knew the story behind these, always thought you'd took them whilst living oop north. Very impressive collection nevertheless! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael t Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Love stuff like this, I'd like to think these were taken by an early Shite spotter who was ahead of his time, sort of like one of us going out now and papping all the the dull modern nonsense that's around today fully knowing that in 30 years time weirdos* like us would be drooling over them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMC Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Great pics, can you work out much of a theme/ themes in the collection or it just at random? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercrocker Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 'Twas me who sold these......Cant add anything to what SL has already sleuthed. I got them on Ebay myself a year or so previously and culled the collection for the 1950s/60s cars in which I was particularly interested. The original seller knew nothing about them either and I bought the whole album in a really heavy ring binder for what I recall being next to nothing. Glad they have found a good home and stayed in AS territory! eddyramrod, Richard_FM, loserone and 2 others 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spottedlaurel Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 Never knew the story behind these, always thought you'd took them whilst living oop north. Very impressive collection nevertheless! Never knew the story behind these, always thought you'd took them whilst living oop north. Very impressive collection nevertheless!No, I can only wish I'd been taking photos of this quality and quantity myself back then. Love stuff like this, I'd like to think these were taken by an early Shite spotter who was ahead of his time, sort of like one of us going out now and papping all the the dull modern nonsense that's around today fully knowing that in 30 years time weirdos* like us would be drooling over themI'd like to think that whoever took them would be pleased they're still of interest. I couldn't bring myself to photograph modern stuff though.... Great pics, can you work out much of a theme/ themes in the collection or it just at random?Covers all sorts of makes and ages, the only theme is the strict front/side/rear views of most cars. The front and rear photos are cropped to a uniform size. Some locations are seen numerous times, and there's an Escort Estate that keeps cropping up in the background that I presume belongs to the photographer (or their parent/partner/assistant). 'Twas me who sold these......Cant add anything to what SL has already sleuthed. I got them on Ebay myself a year or so previously and culled the collection for the 1950s/60s cars in which I was particularly interested. The original seller knew nothing about them either and I bought the whole album in a really heavy ring binder for what I recall being next to nothing. Glad they have found a good home and stayed in AS territory!Aha, small world! I wish I'd been able to get the rest off you. I recall some Fords, was there much else I missed? 1975 Datsun 160B Saloon (610) c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1976 Datsun 180B Estate MTB778P c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr I love the look of the estate versions, like they've had a roof chop. Fondly remember the one I had a few years ago as a daily driver. 1975 Mazda 1000 YBV307R c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1979 Datsun Cherry 1.2 Coupe (N10) c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr More funky stripes. 1972 Mercedes 280SE PTD562K c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1972 Mercedes 280SE PTD698K c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr These would both have been a few years old, did our mystery photographer note the closeness of the registrations? 698 is seen in another shot taken at what looks like a Fiat garage, whilst 562 shows that the eBay 'just-washed' look is nothing new. 1978 Colt Sapporo LHG377T c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr How cool does this look?! Does the Wilcock's name in the background ring a bell with anyone? Escort glimpse #1. 1978 Audi 80 GLS HFR834S c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Apparently taken on Pedder Street, with St Walburge's Church visible. Escort glimpse #2. vulgalour, ed5000, Jim Bergerac and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seth Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Apparently taken on Pedder Street, with St Walburge's Church visible. Escort glimpse #2. I used to part the Oxford along there when I was in Preston at Uni! Isn't it funny how the mystery of these photographs existence adds so many unanswered questions. Why, Who etc. Cool batch SL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltraWomble Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 This is the only location I can positivly ID because I went to college there in 1987 This is the corner of Snow Hill and Walker Street looking towards the Adelphi - the building on the left at the time this pic would have been taken was aprt of WR Tuson college ( the civil and electrical engineering dept) though prior to that it had been Trinity School and my father went there in the 1930's/ Wilcocks used to supply lawnmowers and other industrial grade gardening machinery. Now gone and a charity shop ( as is the school - its now UCLAN student digs)walker by Marty Hopkirk, on Flickr This is how it looks today:edit:Wilcocks building todayshiteless by Marty Hopkirk, on Flickr trigger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltraWomble Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Suitably shite pic of the "top" end of the school up the other end of Snow Hill Skizzer, EssDeeWon, mouseflakes and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercrocker Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 @spottedlaurel.....I think you had most of them, the others that were sold were mostly sports car stuff. The ones I kept were 60s Ford - Anglia, Cortina, Zephyr, Zodiac etc. If I can get access to a scanner I will chuck them up on here. Richard_FM 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise2cv Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Suitably shite pic of the "top" end of the school up the other end of Snow Hill I wonder if the owner of the old escort lusted after a much newer car like the Astra or Nova? What a difference 20years make mouseflakes, inconsistant and UltraWomble 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltraWomble Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 ^^^ Astra belonged to a lecturer called Jim Wrathall - Cortina belonged to a lad on my course called Andy - he ended up working on the Metrolink infrastructure design in manchester. michael t and dugong 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltraWomble Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 SL - is there any chance I can nick this pic to use on the Preston Past & Present site? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloth Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 ill take the nova. china blue if anyones interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloth Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 mk1 scrote is aon a w platE? layte plait madnuz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercrocker Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 No, its an M reg.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 These are fantastic SL. I loved looking through these... Earlier this year I did a quick search for old Datsun photos on eBay and stumbled across a bit of a collection which was available at a rather decent price: 1974/75 Audi 100 LS SVY438N c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr More soon! As you have noted, in the Flickr blurb, the dealer sticker is Thompson of Hull. The one you referenced, off Anlaby Road, was, circa 1983 a Saab main dealer as my Dad bought a 1978 Saab 99 EMS (BRH 579T) from them at that time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spottedlaurel Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 SL - is there any chance I can nick this pic to use on the Preston Past & Present site?Of course, there may be one or two others and feel free to post them too. I'd love to know if they elicit any memories or further info. @spottedlaurel.....I think you had most of them, the others that were sold were mostly sports car stuff. The ones I kept were 60s Ford - Anglia, Cortina, Zephyr, Zodiac etc. If I can get access to a scanner I will chuck them up on here.Look forward to seeing those you still have. I used to part the Oxford along there when I was in Preston at Uni! Isn't it funny how the mystery of these photographs existence adds so many unanswered questions. Why, Who etc. Cool batch SL. Thanks Seth. I'm hoping you didn't mean you used to strip your Oxford to bits on that road... These are fantastic SL. I loved looking through these... As you have noted, in the Flickr blurb, the dealer sticker is Thompson of Hull. The one you referenced, off Anlaby Road, was, circa 1983 a Saab main dealer as my Dad bought a 1978 Saab 99 EMS (BRH 579T) from them at that time...Glad they're of interest and are managing to evoke some memories from outside the Preston area too. Something you might like here: 1976 Fiat 128 3P SFV740P c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr It lasted to the end of 1986, the Fiorino in the background to 1988. 1980 Datsun Cherry 1.0 Estate BBN705V c.1981 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Always found the back of these with the missing bit of bumper quite intriguing. Newlands Motor Co were based in Moor Lane, Bolton. Early Corolla visible on the right, a little battle-scarred. 1975/76 Mazda 929 Coupe OFV721P c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr I love the look of these 929s (although I seem to recall Mr_Bo11ox saying they're not too exciting to drive). The location of this is Middleforth Garage on Leyland Road, Penwortham: https://goo.gl/maps/FHtoU7gYGAv Not a dealership any more, but at least it remains as a filling station and a number of the buildings around it are still evident. Quite a few cars were photographed here. 1978 Citroen GS X2 VJP268S c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Another one where I know the location, this time its Fairways Garage on Blackpool Road, Preston: https://goo.gl/maps/jtWaQDwEKYk Still a Vauxhall dealership, but redeveloped. Note sign across the road for an Arnold Palmer Putting Course. Not sure where this would have been, but the site over the road is now a VW dealership. The tatty Minor van gets its own set of photos (to follow), and I think we get glimpse #3 of the Escort estate. 1981 BMW 732i Auto GHG427W c.1981/82 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Our photographer managed to persuade someone to wheel out something a bit posher this time, again at Fairways Garage. It still only lasted to 1990 though. Note the VW/Audi line-up over the road, had the dealer just started setting themselves up there? I'll have the Cavalier Sportshatch please. 1979 BMW 316 URN790V c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Sturdy mudflaps on this one. It did a little bit better, making it to 1993. 1980 Datsun 160B WHG682V c.1981 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr These must have been starting to look somewhat old-fashioned by 1980. It lasted the usual 10 years. Sold new by Lytham Garage, apparently based on Freckleton Street, Lytham. A couple of contratsing coupes in the background, with a Scirocco on the left and Alpine/Rapier behind the Datsun. This is another location (as yet unidentified) where a number of photos were taken. 1973 Audi 100 GL OJB463L c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr So much going on here. The Audi is interesting enough, already starting to look a bit tatty so little surprise to see it only lasted to 1983. I recall a couple of scruffy/off-road ones from about this time. But just look at the sea of grot behind it! Note the N-reg Landcrab - someone on Flickr suggested it could be ex-MoD. I imagine the location has been comprehensively redeveloped - I remember wasteland car park like this from the 1970s/early '80s. 1979 Colt 1400 VCK664V c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Eight speeds! 1981 Daihatsu Charade XG FHG775W c.1981/82 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr This one located at a SAAB/Daihatsu dealership. Like the Mirage above, it made it to 1990. 1974 Fiat 850D STF786M c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Radio 1 275/285 The Sound of Happy Motoring indeed! 1974 late for one of these 850s? Dealer sticker for Grosvenor Motors - I think a number of the newer Fiats photographed came from there too. It came off the road in 1983. 1975/76 Chrysler 180/2-Litre KWK457P c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr A good way to finish tonight. I can only apologise for the blurriness - the photographer obviously got a bit excited here and came over all shaky. I imagine the vinyl roof means it's a 2-litre? It would seem that it didn't even make it onto the DVLA database. dugong, pshome, ed5000 and 8 others 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felly Magic Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Great photos Mr Laurel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Radio 1 275/285 The Sound of Happy Motoring indeed! 1974 late for one of these 850s? Dealer sticker for Grosvenor Motors - I think a number of the newer Fiats photographed came from there too. It came off the road in 1983. Not that unusual SL...They were still selling the 850 alongside it's replacement, the 127. 850 production stopped in Italy in 1971 when the 127 was introduced. That one in the picture will be a Spanish Seat built example just with fiat badging. Many moons ago I was chatting to a chap at a show with an N reg 850 saloon. He told me it was a Seat built example, but he also told me the logic of them still selling them in RHD alongside the 127...Unfortunately I have forgotten what that reasoning was... The 850 was replaced in the UK by the Seat built Fiat 133, which was basically just a re-bodied 850... eddyramrod 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spottedlaurel Posted October 27, 2015 Author Share Posted October 27, 2015 Already nearly a week since I added anything here? Have some more: 1976 Mazda 929 Auto MHG50P c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Could spend hours marvelling at the detail on these. 1975 Mercedes 230/4 Auto HJB894N c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Rare no-pointed star badge option on this one. Like the 929 it was photographed at Middleforth Garage. That white fencing seems to have been common on garages back then. 1981 Audi 80 GLS Auto GHG22W c.1981/82 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Dealer sticker for Fairways Garage. 1977 Datsun 120Y XFR429R c.1981/82 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Bonus bike and van content. 1976 Fiat 128 Special 1300 PKH152R c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Another one for Vin, from Arncliffe's of Hull. 1980 Citroen Visa Club JDJ425V c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Sticker on this one for A&B Motors of Newton-le-Willows. The car lasted to 1991. 1980 Mazda 929 2000 AFV435V c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Sorry, another 929. And that Escort again. 1978 Mercedes 230C FBV868S c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr And again. With all due respect to the residents of this street, the Mercedes looks a little out of place. It didn't last long, only to 1983. Wolseley 2200 worthy of mention, registered JND656N - great to see something like that out in the wild. It made it as far as 1984. Louise2cv, Skizzer, trigger and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex V6 Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Suitably shite pic of the "top" end of the school up the other end of Snow HillLoving the 3 door Ashtray - used to have a similar one many moons ago - such a great shape! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Already nearly a week since I added anything here? Have some more: 1976 Fiat 128 Special 1300 PKH152R c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Another one for Vin, from Arncliffe's of Hull. KH is certainly a Hull number. I remember seeing those 'Arncliffes' stickers although I don't recall them being a Fiat dealer, they may have been though. Most of the cars I saw with that sticker were Japanese, although I can't remember which manufacturer... Without doing further research, there were two Fiat dealers I know of in Hull. The AB motor Company on Boothferry Road, near the old Boothferry Park football Ground, were my Panda 45CL came from, which is now a Carpet shop and the other is Jordans, who are the current Fiat dealer. Jordans were a Datsun/Nissan dealer. Whether they sold Fiat at the same time or took it on after the demise of AB, I don't know... Jordans fact. On mother's day 1985, March 17th to be precise my late mother went out on the morning, on an errand to deliver flowers, to the mother of one of my Aunts, who lived away from Hull at the time. On her return home she was involved in a car crash. An old dear in a Datsun pulled out into her path on Willerby Road in Hull and wrote off her Chrysler Alpine (RVH 249T). She was shaken up but OK...The Police called Jordans to recover the Datsun back to their garage and for covenience that was were the Chrysler ended up too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltraWomble Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 If I wasn't laid up with a leg like a side of ham I'd take some pictures of middleforth garage as it is now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltraWomble Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Our photographer managed to persuade someone to wheel out something a bit posher this time, again at Fairways Garage. It still only lasted to 1990 though. Note the VW/Audi line-up over the road, had the dealer just started setting themselves up there? I'll have the Cavalier Sportshatch please. 1979 BMW 316 URN790V c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Sturdy mudflaps on this one. It did a little bit better, making it to 1993 Mine in 1995 Alexg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spottedlaurel Posted March 9, 2016 Author Share Posted March 9, 2016 Before I start any other photo-based threads I ought to wrap this one up. I won't post everything I've scanned and uploaded to Flickr, but here's a selection: 1971 Humber Sceptre PXJ745J c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Usual issue with the towbar installation meaning an awkward relocation of the rear plate. HB Vivas look popular. 1966 Hillman Super Minx TTJ351D c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Sceptre visible in the background of this shot. What sort of person would wander around a car park taking photos of unexceptional cars? 1976 Austin Allegro 1750HL RRN768P c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Sporty! Looks a bit uncared for, but DVLA says it made it to 1988. 1969/70 Morris Minor 1000 Van RFR325H c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1979 Lada 1200 OCW482T c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1978 Austin Morris Maxi 1750 HL NFV441T c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Back to Fairways Garage for this lot. I bet no-one ever called the proper-looking chap by the Maxi anything other than Mr ???????? 1972 MG Midget KRM742L c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1979 MGB GT OEC857V c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Guess what? With terrible predictability, these are the only cars I looked up that are still around. 1971-75 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 MDL21 c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1977 Jaguar XJ-S V12 DCK960S c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1978/79 Mercedes 350 SE NBV796T c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Posh stuff. MDL21 is now on a Quattroporte. 1978 Austin Allegro 1500 SDL Estate PHF627T c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1975/76 Citroen GS Club MHG841P c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1977-ish Fiat 131 Mirafiori 1600 Super TF906B c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1971 Austin 1800 MkII TWL446K c. 1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Back to reality. Landcrab only made it to 1982. Unregistered Mazda 626 Montrose 2.0 c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Unregistered Mazda 323 1.4 SP c.1980/81, Middleforth Garage by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Middleforth Mazdas. 1979 Fiat 127 Fiorino 1050 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1980 Fiat 127 Palio by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 604 just visible behind the Palio. 1975 Humber Sceptre Estate LCK876N c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1974 Hillman Hunter Deluxe 1500 CLG529N c.1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr More Rootes porridge. 1978 Datsun 120A FII Coupe YHH498T c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr That'll do. This 120A lasted until 1992, which was longer than average. Jon, Paul Dupart, Eddie Honda and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulgalour Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Excellent stuff, as I've come to expect. Glad you posted today's update else I would have missed the previous content. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Interesting to see that Mirafiori on BFG plates, as I remember our Cavalier having those in 1987-88 when my Dad was posted to W. Germany. Ours were xxx123B format, unlike those xx123B ones above, which apparently were phased out in the early 1980's, according to Wikipedia. Supposedly they were issued so as to stay under the radar and not attract attention from the likes of the IRA but a RHD car on unique black number plates isn't that covert an idea to me. Especially with a flippin' GB sticker on the boot! Also, that's a bit naughty I think, driving a car in the UK on BFG plates. I'm sure that was frowned upon and I remember Dad reverting to UK plates when we took a holiday to Denmark. Any further clue as to why these photos were taken? Photos of second hand cars from the Mazda dealer with the unregistered 323? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglevan Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 The thread that just keeps giving. Excellant stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 1979 Fiat 127 Fiorino 1050 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr. Interesting. This has a a LHD rear plate and light location. That light unit was only on them for the first couple of years. This is what it became as per my one in the lock-up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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