Chod in the Freezer

[Norbert]

So my employers thought that it would be a wizard wheeze to send me to Arvidsjaur for a week. This is up in the north of Sweden, about 10 hours north of Stockholm by road or an hour or so’s flight in some proper planeshite (BAe ATP with about a zillion previous careless owners).

Most of the year here is spent in ridiculously cold conditions, so you’d expect everyone to need brand spanking new motors every couple of years, right? Well, the fact that they don’t use salt on the roads, these folk can actually drive and dealerships are few and far between means that, to my astonishment, this is a chod-filled outpost and no mistake.

This lot is all within 500m or so of my hotel, taken on a 20 minute amble before breakfast.

This ‘Tina Taunus was the only car I knew about prior to setting out this morning, having stumbled across it the other evening. Could 2 doors and Taunus name point to it having started its life in the Bundesrepublik? Lack of snow cap points to regular use, as does plugged-in mains heater and wipers left off screen over night.

More fewer-door fun in the shape of this pez-powered late 309, whose owner rightly feels it worth splashing out the extra wedge on a covered parking place.

I only took this one as I’ve a soft spot for the not-for-UK Megane I Estate, because a) it looks so ungainly and b ) one was the first car I ever exceeded the ton in. The Blue pick up demonstrates the whacking great rally spots fitted to loads of vehicles here. I’ve only just noticed the red pick up at the end, which from previous visits I *think* is a converted Volvo 240 Estate – I’ll try to take a better pic tomorrow.

Poor long-range potatocam pic of a Bub-spec Ezzvan, taken in a hurry as it was setting out to no doubt keep its occupants safe from flying reindeer, ski-doos, huge icicles etc etc etc.

Every wrong turning just led to yet more chod. I had to look this one up on the internet – turns out it’s a Mk1 Golf – I didn’t recognise it with reasonable ride height, painted panels, lack of stickerbombing and so on.

Late 80s Aldi 80 1.8S. The spitting mirror-image of Ma_Norbert’s motor about 12 years ago. The fact that she px’d it for a £150 allowance instead of selling it to me for £500 still causes frosty looks over the best china to this day.

How do you preserve a Panda in the wild? Freeze it – simple. I couldn’t get any closer without ending up in at least 3ft of snow.

More crappy zoom-in action to capture this 9000, from the snow cap I’d say it only sees occasional use. One thing I didn’t see this morning, thinking about it, was a 900 – 0.04/10 MUST TRY HARDER.

RWD Volvos, on the other hand, are standard issue and I gave up spotting them after a while. Although Arvidsjaur does have a Scottish-themed pub, the owners have steered clear of stereotyping too much as there’s not a single one of these parked outside. Bah.

W123s are another popular chod choice in these parts, there’s a boy-racer one that stalks town with a huge bank of spots on the front, but this one clearly isn’t a winter-use car from the huge snow cap.

 

To Be Continued.....

[Norbert]

And onwards.....

Ooh look an XR2! If this was in the UK I bet there’d be nothing under those plastic sill covers. OK it’s not mint but I bet this must be the oldest Fiesta in Arvidsjaur, right?

*walks 50 metres* FAIL. BET LOST. Points for Mk1-ness, extra points for beige, and triple word score for strange things either side of the rear window (keeps the snow dust off when driving, perhaps?)

I like to call this one ‘Evolution of Volvo: A Study’.  This study shows that Charlie Darwin was wrong. Evolution Sucks.

You can’t go to Rome without seeing the Coliseum, you can’t go to Paris without seeing the Eifel Tower, and you can’t go to northern Sweden without seeing a tonne of these things.

This 700 demonstrates well the use of mega wattage spots to light up the roads out in the sticks. Every other car has these, it’s like it’s 1983 again and Halfords has just has a sale on.

Little Suzuki hides its charms under a jaunty cap of snow. Is this a Maruti Suzuki? This is, I imagine, about as far away from Indian road conditions as it is possible to get.

626 patiently awaits the spring thaw, next to the world’s easiest CPTC.

Antique van plods away doing the business for antique shop, captured on antique phone.

So that’s what can be spotted between hauling one’s arse out of bed and stuffing one’s face with breakfast in the north of Sweden. More to follow, hopefully….

 

 

[egg]

Great spots. If you see a Volvo 780, do post it!

[danthecapriman]

It's great to see old chod in conditions like this, still being used. Who needs modern cars.

As much as I like all the Volvo's, the early 244 in yellow is lovely, the best one yet for me is that 2 door Taunus.

 

Keep em coming please.

[mercrocker]

Fantastic to see all that stuff being used in that kind of weather.   By the way, the white Merc is actually a face-lifted W114/115 that preceded the W123.   They rotted in the sunshine so I wouldn't fancy its chances axle deep in wet stuff!

[Norbert]

Fantastic to see all that stuff being used in that kind of weather.   By the way, the white Merc is actually a face-lifted W114/115 that preceded the W123.   They rotted in the sunshine so I wouldn't fancy its chances axle deep in wet stuff!

 

Damn it! One of my colleagues back at UK base is not only into his chod and an occasional visitor here, but also has a W115 (and loads of Saabs, and a Trabi....) so I now have stick to look forward to when I get back

 

The thing is, it isn't actually that wet, as it's simply too cold for water to exist outside in liquid form, the snow will simply brush off those cars leaving them dry instantly. It also means that it isn't that slippery as snow-packed surfaces seem to grip up again below -10 or so (I'm guessing using the same mechanism that makes your lips stick to an ice lolly). I wouldn't like to be here in about 6 weeks when it thaws though, I bet their drainage is good......

[forddeliveryboy]

Fantastic to see all that stuff being used in that kind of weather.   By the way, the white Merc is actually a face-lifted W114/115 that preceded the W123.   They rotted in the sunshine so I wouldn't fancy its chances axle deep in wet stuff!

 

Except that the colder it is, the slower any corrosion takes place. So it's when the weather turns warmer here in April and May that bad rust starts to appear suddenly, helped by accumulations of salted mud in the crevices.

 

Superb posts btw, Norbert - I'd feel very at home up there with trailing mains cables to the front oft he cars and so much old stuff in daily use.

[Norbert]

So where was I? Ah yes, wandering about town in the snow trying to pap old motors. First up, a couple of unfinished bits of business from yesterday:

The chavved W123 as discussed yesterday. Last time I saw this it was travelling at a constant 90deg drift down the High Street and the front was the same colour as the rest of it. Those 2 facts might not be unrelated.

Front end shot is disappointing – it used to have 3 times as many front lights as this.

Here’s a better shot of the red pick up from yesterday, showing that it is indeed a 240amino 240chero Hacked-about 240 Estate. Can’t fault the owner for organisational skills – note the spare panels stash tucked against the wall.

Another shot of the white Mercedes from yesterday, showing that it is a stacklight as Mercrocker said.

Not chod as such, but unusual to see something this rakish and sporty here unless it’s a prototype.

Sorry for the pic quality, the Pugs came out to play today but this one stayed in a gated car park.

Another 626 – the saloon cousin of the one from yesterday. Today seemed to be a day of matched pairs, as you will see as I go through.

Neither vehicle here is shite, but this must be the first time I’ve seen a demountable camper like this in Europe. ‘Easy Campers’ sounds like a Yellowcoat trying to calm down a bar brawl.

I know I put a Volvo moratorium in place, but I saw this one from afar and it called to me like the sirens calling Jason on to the rocks because it looked like it was beige. As you can see here, I had a similar success ratio to Our Jase because it was only a trick of the light.

Another one I didn’t recognise without its usual UK add ons – in this case L plates and School of Motoring stickers down the side. Did these have headlamp wipers in the UK or is that a Swedish thing?

 

More to come……..

 

 

[dean36014]

How do the electrics work for the engine heaters? Is it connected to an individuals house or are they public ones available to use in exchange for pound notes? 

[Norbert]

How do the electrics work for the engine heaters? Is it connected to an individuals house or are they public ones available to use in exchange for pound notes?

 

See that little grey box in front of the micra in the last photo? Open that and there's 2 standard wall-type sockets in there. Plug the 2-pin end of your lead in and the other end- a 3 pin female jobby- into a socket somewhere about the front of your car. I thought at first they were engine heaters too - actually they just plug into a low-power blow heater inside the cabin (usually front passenger footwell). Without this its quite easy for a car to freeze up on the inside when people get in after a cold night, plus the heat it gives out keeps it dry inside and, unless it's really cold, relatively frost free outside. To stop engine freezage I think they just use low temperature oils and winter fuels (especially diesels) in the cold.

 

I've never been asked for payment for using a plug, I suppose the one at someone's house runs off their supply, for a flat it's included in the service charge and for a shop or hotel car park its included as a customer service. The boxes can be locked though.

[dean36014]

I used to have relations out in Canada and they had block heaters fitted in their cars to save them freezing solid during winter. Just never seen the boxes out in the road before and wondered if they were like the electric car charging points available here.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

The 2 door Taunus was a common sight across Europe once, along with 3 door Sierras - you could buy a 2.0GLSi as a three door.

 

How many (or how few) XR2's came without 'loys in the UK?

[Norbert]

I seriously don't know why there isn't provision for block heaters here as it can get to -30 for weeks on end - perhaps there is but I've never encountered it. I suppose if you are powering your car with it then those providing the power want their share but for a little blow heater (and it is a little one, nothing like the ones you might have tucked under a desk or something) it's not worth bothering with.

[Split_Pin]

Digging the mega sized 'twat lamps' on the front of all the motors there, it's like a step back in time!

 

2 door Taunus is a gem. I suppose with the frosty conditions comes a sort of 'dryness' leading to low rates of corrosion, in addition to the lack of salt usage on the roads?

[Norbert]

The 2 door Taunus was a common sight across Europe once, along with 3 door Sierras - you could buy a 2.0GLSi as a three door.

 

How many (or how few) XR2's came without 'loys in the UK?

 

Probably very few - I don't recall seeing one.

However, I'm guessing with the Swedish XR2 above that the alloys are in the owner's cupboard under the stairs with summer tyres on.

[Norbert]

Digging the mega sized 'twat lamps' on the front of all the motors there, it's like a step back in time!

 

2 door Taunus is a gem. I suppose with the frosty conditions comes a sort of 'dryness' leading to low rates of corrosion, in addition to the lack of salt usage on the roads?

Great isn't it? Mind you I've driven on a 50km country route in a car with whacking great spots and the same route back in a car without - just relying on normal main beam - and I'd take the spots any day, you can see any obstruction (snow drift / fallen tree / reindeer etc) miles off. The lorry drivers are the real pros when it comes to lights though - it's like they've nicked a floodlight from a league football ground and strapped it to the front of the cab.

 

You're right - the humidity is really very low and stays that way for months (although there was a bit of a thaw today). It's loads better in that respect than the south where it gets to thaw temperature regularly and makes everything slushy and slippery and wet and horrible.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Probably very few - I don't recall seeing one.

However, I'm guessing with the Swedish XR2 above that the alloys are in the owner's cupboard under the stairs with summer tyres on.

 

There used to be loads in France in the seventies along with oddities such as the 940 cc Escort Mark I. 

[Norbert]

Next lot – starting with a nice clean 190.

I think the wheels suit it – a few of the barried W123s round here run them as well.

Another tidy car, this 306 dizzler probably wasn’t running on veg in this weather! ‘Systembolaget’ in the background is the government-run off licence, the only place apart from restaurants and bars allowed to sell drinks stronger than 3.5%. In order to further  temper the local’s thirst for alcohol, they’re only open until 4 Mon-fri and until 2 on Saturday. This was the first time I’d ever seen this one open.

200s? 700s? Pah – If you want an old Volvo Estate, this PV544 Duett is the granddaddy of them all. Working for a living as well – yes it was outside the café that it bears the name of, but they’d just unloaded a load of cakes and tablecloths and it was gone 5 minutes later.

A reminder that Volvos were curvy before they were boxy.

Another W123, this time OMG EXTREEM WINTER SPORTS YO gear in the back contrasts with the original exterior down to the wheel trims.

Non-Dubbed Golf 2 was just one of many spots that came from the Co-op car park. ‘It’s all happening at the Co-Op Now!’ the advert used to proclaim – if you’re chodspotting in Sweden this certainly seems to be the case.

2 for 1 deal on Chod at the Co-op.

Another private car park shot – see what I mean about spotlights? Volvo 200 gets in on account of being a round light car. The Jetta seemed to welcome me to THE BOOTED GOLF ZONE over the next hour or so…..

One of 2 red 323 saloons that live round here. Sensible owner leaving the wipers off the screen, even at the back – hang on? Saloon? Rear wiper? *syntax error*

You wait ages for a Golf with a bum and 2 come along at once – in fact 3 as I’d just missed papping a Vento before this.

And breathe……..

 

 

[Squire_Dawson]

Hopefully a Standard Vanguard will crop up (though that is going back a long time), as the Swedes loved those cars.

[Norbert]

The local Volvo crew decide that since they're in the rare position of being able to see the tarmac on the road, it would be rude not to lay some rubber down onto it.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ywCBL0bmOQ

 

 

[wuvvum]

 

36-405andvolvo.jpg

2 for 1 deal on Chod at the Co-op.

What's going on with those reversing lights?  Are they to help you see going backwards out in the sticks?

[Norbert]

What's going on with those reversing lights?  Are they to help you see going backwards out in the sticks?

It wasn't until you pointed that out that I realised they were different to the others in the pics! Perhaps some kind of mid-series, or domestic-market-only thing going on, for the very reason that you suggest?

[Norbert]

Anyone for any more? Anyone? Oh well…..

Battered but unbowed Colt ominously parked right outside the rubbish room (Soprum). E36 next to it looked clean as a whistle, for a long time I preferred the looks of E46s but I think I’m going back the other way now.

Hey look it’s that 323 from earlier! Except it isn’t, it’s the twin one. Rear wiper present and correct here too – must have been a standard thing after all. Apparently Mazda held the crown for highest percentage of MoT-equivalent passes in Sweden for many years, explains all the old ones still going up here.

Completion of the Micra pair follows completion of the Mazda pair. It’s like chod Mahjongg. Think this is an early one as it doesn’t have the large chest freezer like handle on the tailgate I seem to remember them having.

Haven’t seen one of these in the UK for about 15 years! The town’s motor parts and accessory shop is behind me as I took this pic, hopefully the owner was inside stocking up on T-cut for the spring. Interesting LED light-bar take on the need for extra lights, plus you can see the socket for the heater lead just poking out underneath the number plate.

More matching-hubcap W123 action, this time outside the off license.

I can’t do action shots, and as I was on my way past a shop I saw this 505 parked up across the road. In the split second it took me to clock where a Mk2 Golf was parking up so I could get that next, the 505 decided to Pugger off, hence this last minute shot on a rapidly thawing High Street.

And here is the WOB-mobile in question. Could blocking your grille off with an old coffee box be the next big thing on the VW scene? I doubt it, but you never know with Dubbers….

Another Jetta! These booted Golfs are stalking me I tell you. Surely I won’t see any more – surely?

AAAAAAARGH. That roof rack is just waiting to be filled – not sure how pineapples fare in super cold conditions.

Does this mean that mopeds can use the pavement? I’d seen a few Picassos about, perhaps the intention was to keep the two apart.

 

[Norbert]

Last lot I promise.

Cack-handed photo of really rather nice Carlton Omega A.

200 Avant from when Audi made proper motor cars (puffs on pipe, opens bag of Werther’s originals)

Volvo HIAB contraption was spotted only a few hundred metres from the 2dr Taunus. Thankfully, the nearest short oval must be several hundred km away……

Look, I said no more…. Oh, it’s a 2-door? In it goes…….

Pineapple pick-up peeps out from the snow.

XM Estate was another Co-op shot.

Before we leave, let’s see what they’ve got at the souvenir shop. Ooh yes please – damn, it won’t fit in my hand luggage.

Finally, some Liveryshite courtesy of Lufthansa, spotted at Stockholm Arlanda airport.

Thanks for reading!

 

 

[danthecapriman]

Volvo 242, big bumper. Want, badly. Why didn't they sell them here.

[Uncle Jimmy]

Volvo 242, big bumper. Want, badly. Why didn't they sell them here.

They did as far as I know.

Stopped in Arvidsjaur briefly in 2004; I remember a lot of chod; they test rally cars in the deep forests nearby.

[danthecapriman]

They did as far as I know.

Stopped in Arvidsjaur briefly in 2004; I remember a lot of chod; they test rally cars in the deep forests nearby.

I didn't think they sold the 242 over here, I've certainly never seen a RHD one in this country anyway. Same goes for the 142.

[Jon]

What a great thread and nice to have a small potted history of car-related stuff mentioned, too. Hopefully with you having been before, you'll get the chance to go back again!

[Junkman]

Lusthansa being back to stymie bold italic is pure win!