Purchased Spots 1970s on (Random additions 9/11/19)

[Spottedlaurel]

I recently bought a load more old photos off eBay. Taken by a man from Cinderford, Gloucestershire called John Powell who has now died and his son is offloading what seems to be thousands of shots taken over the years (at the time of writing he still has 800 listed, and is adding more every day). Big stuff seemed to be his preference, but to be honest there's all sorts. His son said he was a lorry driver and used to take photos when he was out and about, at shows etc. He apparently owned a few Datsuns himself over the years, so was clearly a man of great taste and wisdom. Seller's username on eBay is mjphotography2016.

 

Here's a selection of what I've scanned-in so far, and if you don't like Datsun/Nissan then there are some others to come.

 

1969 Datsun 2000 Estate, BPX841G (1982) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

If there was only photo I could have bought it would have been this. Beyond the interest of it being a spectacularly rare car (maybe just one surviving estate here in the UK?), it was a former press car that was seen in Autocar:

 

Datsun 1300 (510) and 2000 (130), Autocar 1969 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

What are the chances? DVLA says it lasted until 1986, pretty good going given its early history.

 

1984 Nissan 300ZX 2+2 Turbo B377NNX (1993) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1984 Nissan Cherry Turbo A966LDD (1984) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Sporty(ish). Do like the CA in the background of the Cherry photo.

 

1972 Datsun 1200 Coupe DDD828L (1983) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1974 Datsun 120A Coupe PXS16M (1977) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1980 Datsun Cherry 1.2 Coupe LFH123V (1990) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1982 Datsun Cherry 1.2 Coupe KNY277W (1982) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Classy coupes.

 

1984 Nissan Sunny 1.3 GS Jubilee A936KFH (1995) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1987 Nissan Sunny 1.6 SGX E598HAD (1998) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1987 Nissan Sunny 1.6 ZX 16V, E469PTX (1989) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1988 Nissan Pulsar NX SE, E373NRE (1997) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

'80s Sunnys (Or Sunnies? Somehow that doesn't look right.) The last one is an oddity, looks to be US-spec and that model was notable for having interchangeable rear bodywork.

 

1975 Datsun 160J SSS, JFH202N on rally 4/11/78 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1979 Datsun 160J SSS, WOU85T (2000) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1979 Datsun 140J Violet JDF141V (1982) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1983 Datsun Stanza 1.6 GL Saloon, A584FDD (1984) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

I can only assume the last two photos were of cars he owned/hired, the captions say they were taken up in Scotland.

 

1977 Datsun 180B, WSF323R (1977) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1978 Datsun 180B SSS, TVP205S (20/2/83) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1979 Datsun 180B, EFH270T (1998) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1980/81 Datsun Bluebird 1.8 SSS Coupe, 221DOC (1981) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1982/83 Datsun Bluebird 1.8 GL, ADD247Y (2006) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

RWD Bluebirds. I do like the later SSS model, that's always been a personal favourite of mine. It would seem from DVLA that the older SSS did get repaired after its boulder interface.

 

1985 Nissan Bluebird Maxima 1.8,  C357RWP (1987) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1989 Nissan Bluebird ZX Turbo, F661GYC (2007) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1991 Nissan Primera 1.6 L, H5DCM (1998) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1992 Nissan Primera 2.0e GT, K492CWC (1993) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

FWD Bluebirds, and Primeras. The GT is still taxed and tested, so far it's the only I've found where that's the case.

 

1987 Nissan 300C (Y30), 21/12/99 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Mr Powell's preference seems to have been for bigger cars, so there are a lot more Laurels, Skylines and Cedrics to come.

 

1973/74 Honda Civic, 13/7/74 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1986 Mazda 626 2.0 GLX by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1973 Mazda RX-3 Coupe, 13/7/74 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1973/74 Mazda RX-3, 13/7/74 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1973 Mazda RX-4 Coupe, 13/7/74 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

I think the rally photos were all from the Avon/Motor Tour of Britain.

 

More to come, as and when.

[eddyramrod]

Excellent work sir!

[Vin]

Fantastic stuff. Love that first picture, it's a great looking car in estate form.

 

Lots of Gloucestershire registration numbers as well...

[Station]

God bless you (and the died trucker dad) and Gr9 work!

 

There must be hundreds of thousands of these photos in boxes all over the country.

[JeeExEll]

Superb. Well done. Treasure which will be saved rather than being binned or just lost.

 

About 12 years ago when I was moving house I found a bag of about 25 or 30 undeveloped film rolls I had taken over the years, mainly of cars, since about 1980. General road scenes, cars owned by myself and family and mates, touring the Highlands, period custom cars and vans, local classic car summer events, static and action shots from rally stages.

At the time I thought "short of cash at the moment, will probably never get round to having these developed". So I binned the lot as part of a ruthless clearout.

 

I so regret that decision.

[wuvvum]

That Datsun 2000 wagon could go on the "Cars you never knew existed" thread.  It's quite nicely styled I think, especially from the  back.

[junkyarddog]

Utter and total filth!!!!!!

 

Positively orgasmic!

 

 

Any old Toyota's pics?

[RoadworkUK]

This kind of stuff really ought to be hoovered up by English Heritage. Damn good bit of social commentary.

 

Thanks for saving and sharing.

[Dick Longbridge]

Great shots - thanks for sharing.

I really want a 180b now. My only experience of one was travelling in the back of my brother's mates family 180b back in the mid 80's. It was a lovely looking thing, but the ginger patches seemed to grow by the day.

[Mr Bump]

Fantastic. Some of them remind me of period UK Nissan / Datsun brochures

[seth]

This thread didn't really need anything beyond the first photo. But looking forward to more SL.

[Spottedlaurel]

Thanks all for the interest and comments. The majority of the credit must go to Mr Powell for taking and diligently captioning all these photos over the years - pre-digital days, so he must have spent a fair bit on films and processing. And also thanks to his son for making them available.

 

Seth, I don't know if they're still on there but he added some Borgward ones earlier today. Edit: They are, but they appear to be show photos so are probably of known cars.

[Spottedlaurel]

Any old Toyota's pics?

 

I haven't bought any from him. I do have more Mazda to come, and I haven't got a clue what will be listed next. I've been tempted to purchase a few non-Japanese which I hope will be of interest.....

[mercrocker]

Just trawled through the gent's listings and bought some of the older stuff.    An odd sense of deja vu - he must have been literally stood next to me some of the time as I have taken almost identical shots of some of those Yanks at the same shows.    Its a bit sad to see somebody's life work on Ebay at 99p a go but full credit to his son for making the massive effort to list them.    

[Spottedlaurel]

Just trawled through the gent's listings and bought some of the older stuff.    An odd sense of deja vu - he must have been literally stood next to me some of the time as I have taken almost identical shots of some of those Yanks at the same shows.    Its a bit sad to see somebody's life work on Ebay at 99p a go but full credit to his son for making the massive effort to list them.    

 

An old car of mine and I can be seen in one of his show photos

 

I suppose the same could be said when any of us lot go, with all the ‘stuff’ that we’ll leave behind. It’s a shame he couldn’t see the interest that there is in these old photos (some of which might end up in a magazine), but hopefully the legacy that he left will be of some satisfaction to his family. 

[Oh_dear]

1982 Cherry Coupe. Top Stuff, don't think there are any left in UK any more.

 

Had a black one with silver roof until a transit van parked in the boot.

 

Used to keep fouling the carb, so ended up carrying a spare that I could swap over when it got too bad, seem to remeber get the swap down to under 10 mins.

[trigger]

I thought i had already replied to this but the message has gone (probably because of the forum glitch yesterday), Great photos as usual though, I must say that U11 shape Bluebird is a good looking car now but that 910 SSS Coupe is really something else. Beautiful. 

[Spottedlaurel]

1982 Cherry Coupe. Top Stuff, don't think there are any left in UK any more.

 

Had a black one with silver roof until a transit van parked in the boot.

 

Used to keep fouling the carb, so ended up carrying a spare that I could swap over when it got too bad, seem to remeber get the swap down to under 10 mins.

 

 

1982 Cherry Coupe. Top Stuff, don't think there are any left in UK any more.

 

Had a black one with silver roof until a transit van parked in the boot.

 

Used to keep fouling the carb, so ended up carrying a spare that I could swap over when it got too bad, seem to remeber get the swap down to under 10 mins.

 

Welcome to AS. There's someone local to me who bought and restored one a few years ago, but otherwise yes they're ultra-rare. Do you have any photos or at least a registration of yours?

 

 

I thought i had already replied to this but the message has gone (probably because of the forum glitch yesterday), Great photos as usual though, I must say that U11 shape Bluebird is a good looking car now but that 910 SSS Coupe is really something else. Beautiful. 

 

Yes, I noticed a few replies had disappeared. I wanted one of these SSS coupes after a sighting in 1987/88, sadly it's never worked out (yet).

 

I was in touch with the seller today saying how much his father's photos were appreciated. Quoting from his reply:

 

"Im Having a bit of a break from Listing them today as no matter how into cars you are it can become tedious using Ebay, im Pleased the Photographs are being put to use as they had been kept unseen for along time. also it was a good that they got rescued. there was boxes of negatives and around 8 Large (Bannana Box Size) of car magazines that got Destroyed.

 

"As a child when i used to go out with him sometimes it would be abit boring & Frustrating as if we was going somewhere and he'd see something he would go and take a Photograph and write it down. but i can see now why he did it, i occasionally go to shows myself and have several digital images of cars ive taken and i cant remember or identify them when i look back through the images.

 

"i have a A4 Envelope that we found full of Clippings from newspapers and some magazines of cars that ive not had chance to go through yet my partner had a brief look in them and said some have notes on the back that he had made."

 

I shall be keeping a keen eye on his listings......

 

Anyway, a few more:

 

1993 Nissan Primera 1.6 LX Estate, L706FBL (1998) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Even I wasn't photographing things like this in 1998.

 

1981 Datsun 200SX (1988) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Another LHD oddity, presumably US-spec. We used to have a few of them here with USAF people off the bases at Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Bentwaters and Woodbridge.

 

1989 Nissan Silvia Turbo, G400XFH (1999) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1989/90 Nissan 200SX, G265MEP (1996) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Neat that both are G-reg.

 

I've also been buying a few non-Datsun/Nissan photos, so for the sake of variety have these Italian exotics:

 

1968/69 Maserati Quattroporte, WLT18G (1972) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

This must have seemed a pretty fancy bit of kit in rainy England. Sadly it didn't seem to survive long enough to make it onto the DVLA computer system, unless it got re-registered in that time?

 

1982 Lancia Delta 1500, VDD192X (1983) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Mr Powell photographed this one when it was under a year old. Predictably, it's not around any more.

 

1975/76 Lancia Beta, UAA726P (1979) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

A bit of dreamy soft-focus here. Despite this photo being taken in 1979 it doesn't seem to have made it onto the DVLA system - perhaps one of the Betas bought back and scrapped?

 

1982 Lancia Gamma Coupe, WDF772X (1983) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

It seems slightly odd to think that these were ever anything other than an exotic curio. This one was only a year old, so just some thinking person's interesting daily driver?

 

1982 Lancia Gamma Berlina, NAM883X (1987) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Blimey! Even in 1987 these must have been hard to see - I certainly don't remember any. Does anyone recognise the location? Apparently it's Bristol Road, Gloucester. I think some sort of brown plaque should be erected on the verge, to say a Gamma Berlina was once seen at this spot.

[Spottedlaurel]

Mr Powell's son has been listing huge amounts of stuff in the last few days. I have purchased a fair few more, including some rather unusual Toyotas.

 

A few more of those that I have scanned-in:

 

1962-66 Ford Zephyr/Zodiac Mk3, 5681WF (1970s?) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Of its time. Sadly doesn't appear to have survived long enough to make it onto DVLA.

 

1971 Sunbeam Rapier, HFH341K (1982) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Tidy thing, but it only lasted another couple of years.

 

1976-79 Panther Lima, LRP2 (1979) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Good bit of variety here in Cheltenham.

 

Back to the Datsuns:

 

1974-77 Datsun 200L, AMG33? (1992) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

One of my favourites, taken outside the RAOB Club in Gloucester. Predictably the plate AMG33 is now on a Mercedes.

 

1985 Nissan Laurel 2.4 Auto, C158OYJ (1992) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Smart.

 

1987 Nissan Laurel 2.4 SGL Auto, D332TKB (1998) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Unusual to see in straight black paint. This one came off the road literally days after Mr Powell's photo.

 

1988 Nissan Laurel 2.4 SGX, F171YFD (1999) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Good to see he was making use of Lidl for a bit of spotting, just like I do now.

 

1973 Datsun 240K Auto, RJH466M (Pre-1984) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Cor blimey! Only about 2500 of these sold in the UK. Very few survive....

 

1979 Datsun 240K GT Auto, FMY448V (1982) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Gold with a brown vinyl roof (and added Webasto for extra rust potential).

 

1980/81 Datsun Skyline 2.4, GCY1W (1997) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Targa roof conversion on this facelift version. Matt has just sent me a message about it:

 

"The Datsun Skyline 240k GT belonged to a chap who ran a local garage from the grounds of the house it is Parked outside, i dont remember the history of the car to well but my dad knew it very well, im sure the targa roof was how it left the dealer and for some reason i think when the car was quite new it'd needed some work doing but they struggled to get parts for it so it was sat for along time the car hadnt done many miles in it's life and i remember my dad interested in buying it but it was pretty rusty underneath & under the vinyl also the roof had leaked once it was being parked outside. i remeber the car being on the forecourt at chaxhill garage for a long time im also pretty sure it ended up in Harry Bucklands Scrapyard sometime later."

 

1989-90 Nissan Skyline 4dr R32 (2007) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

I love the look of these R32 saloons, in standard form anyway.....

 

1993-97 Nissan Skyline GTS25t (2008) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Last one for today, with added Range Rover content. £1495 seemed like good value for the time, but it's since been scrapped it would seem.

[wuvvum]

 

That's an impressive shot.  Laurel, early Proton, beige Mk1 Fiesta and Renault Savanna all in one photo.

[r.welfare]

I always think of Lidl as a recent phenomenon in this country; this photo proves otherwise! Some great pictures here.

[quicksilver]

I never knew those 240Ks were sold new here. I have models of them (imported from Japan) so now I know I can legitimately get away with putting them among the Cortinas and Marinas in a 1980s scene.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

These pictures have stirred some Datsun memories in the recesses of my addled brain.

 

Not surprised that the White 200L has lost its trims, in 1984 I bought a lovely dark metallic green with a black vinyl roof one , for £40 at an auction. It was the last car and I'd got nothing to drive home in. On the way home I lost a hubcap on the first roundabout. I stopped and retrieved it, thinking it wasn't on properly I put it back on. Ten minutes later another one came off, all 4 went in the boot. Presumably the sole previous owner had never driven it above 40 mph. Later that same night, the now Mrs N, slammed the door during an argument and the window imploded!

I swapped it for a 1300E Escort 2 days later, it was a sunny day and I might* not have mentioned the missing passenger window to the lad that had it.

 

Re 240K GTs, I saw one hit a wall near a double roundabout in Bletchley in the late 80's, the medallioned driver was as pissed as a fart and ran off. It sat there for about a week afterwards.

[Oh_dear]

Welcome to AS. There's someone local to me who bought and restored one a few years ago, but otherwise yes they're ultra-rare. Do you have any photos or at least a registration of yours?]

 

Being the first car, yes I do remeber the reg ULM 55X

[Spottedlaurel]

Thanks all for the interest, comments and stories. A few more that I've managed to scan-in during the week (many, many more to come including some unusual Toyota content).

 

1972 Datsun 240C Auto, DTO887L (2000) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

My old 200L and me (with sunglasses) are in this photo. So is Ratdat, and Joncedric's 240C in the foreground was one of my wedding cars. Neat how our paths crossed, even if it was unknowingly.

 

1973 Datsun 260C Auto, HDD135L (1994) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Bonus Alpine/Solara content.

 

1975 Datsun 260C Estate, JDF819N (1998) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

I know a bit about this car. I think it went through Datman's hands and was then bought by someone up this way. I saw it at a show in 2007, it then went onto SORN in 2008. More recently it was sold to a banger racer, and I believe it has now been raced. No more estates of this generation are known in the UK.

 

1977 Datsun 260C Auto, UDG580S (1978) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1978 Datsun 280C, UDW277S (1982) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1979 Datsun 280C Auto, EDD556T (1992) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

There were quite a few photos of this generation 260C/280C (A.K.A. Cedric). Sadly the last one isn't great quality, but it shows what most big Datsuns looked like in the early-mid '90s when they became popular for racing.

 

1981 Datsun 280C Auto, UDD858X (2007) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Relatively recent photo, and it appears to be on SORN after coming off the road in 2012. DVLA says it has an LPG conversion. Non-original front bumper too, off a Laurel like my maroon one I think.

 

1986 Nissan 300C Estate, C178JYC (1999) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1986/87 Nissan 300C, D350YLU (1989) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Mmmmm, 300Cs. I've had three of them, they have good comedy value with looks barely any different to the previous model but a smooth 3-litre V6 under the bonnet. I really like that photo of the one on the forecourt in Cinderford with a view over Steam Mills, plus bonus Manta "Car of the Week". The latter only made it to 1991 - crashed or stolen I suppose?

 

1990 Nissan Maxima SEL, G90TAP (1990) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1990 Nissan Maxima SEL, H69BEU (1999) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

First one was taken within its first year, second one a few months before it came off the road. Pretty poor show for a car of that era, but these FWD Maximas were notorious for auto 'box issues.

 

1998 Nissan QX Auto, S618FBW (2001) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Nissan seemed to have solved the gearbox issue by the time these QXs came out - this one only lasted about 10 years on the road, but had done an impressive 370k at its last MoT in 2009.

 

Datsun 720 Pickup, Greece 2006 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

A trip abroad for Mr Powell at this point. I have a Mitsubishi photo from the same holiday.

 

Some non-Datsun/Nissan stuff now:

 

1983 Talbot Samba Cabriolet, A454UEP (1983) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Only two months old at the time of this photo in Cheltenham. May still be around - appears to have been on SORN until 2011, then possibly changed owners but the new one hasn't made a declaration? if it'd been 'properly' scrapped then a CoD would have been issued at this time.

 

1970 Hillman Avenger 1500, WDD541J (1971) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

One of his older photos, although I have a few 1960s ones to come. I'm not sure if that person is trapped in there......

 

1957 Humber Super Snipe MkIV, TYL679 (1976) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

All sorts going on here. Stock car/autograss racer mural on the side? DVLA says it was fitted with a 3-litre diesel engine (so it could use a bit of red diesel off the farm?) and lasted to 1983.

 

1966 Humber Super Snipe, GNV396D (1978) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Good car/house colour match. This is down in Steam Mills, the area visible in the 300C forecourt photo above. Looks like an interesting area for older cars and scrapyards.

 

Humber Hawk Estate and Super Snipes in Scrapyard, Whitchurch (1987) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Do like this shot, although I haven't seen any others from this yard. A batch of ex-Royal Mail Minor vans in the background? The caption says this was taken at Whitchurch, near Ross-on-Wye. Might it be W.J. Furber, as discussed in this older AS thread? http://autoshite.com/topic/7311-wj-furber-ltd-scrappy/

 

More to follow, another day.

[Spottedlaurel]

Some more, with a bit of detective work behind this first photo:

 

1966 Nissan President, NAN526D (1972) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

This is Mr Powell's photo. Given that he didn't live in London I'm impressed/amazed that he stumbled across this ex-Japanese Embassy beast which had then been sold to a private owner. A known car to me, because of this old article:

 

1966 Nissan President NAN526D, What Car? Feb 1977 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Which I eventually found after seeing this photo in C&S back in the '90s:

 

1966 Nissan President NAN526D, C&S July 1995 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Does any of that make sense? Anyway, location for original photo has been identified as the junction between Glentworth Street and Marylebone Road. Streetview from 2008 with bonus Laguna I: https://goo.gl/maps/VGTfXFszHmq

 

No Cartell/DVLA record showing for the President. Maybe re-registered again? A 150 President was banger raced at Swaffham in the late '90s, perhaps the same car? Never heard of any others in the UK, although a few of the following 250-series models did end up here.

 

1998 Nissan Leopard Y33, ICZ9797 (2008) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1999 Nissan Gloria 3.0 Extroid CVT, V957POB by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Couple of other big JDM saloons.

 

1977 Datsun 260Z 2+2, OJK920R (1980) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1980 Datsun 280ZX 2-seater, MDF111V (1988) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1979 Datsun 280ZX 2+2, XTC1V (1985) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Surely that plate would have been worth £s to an XTC fan?

 

1982 Datsun 280ZX 2+2 Targa Auto, VFX543X (1999) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1984-86 Nissan 300ZX, PSR192 (1986) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Get angry about the silver on black plates as you see fit.

 

1991/92 Nissan 300ZX, J2EDM (1994) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

This last one of more interest for the stuff in the background.

 

That's it for Datsun/Nissan from Mr Powell. More Japanese to come, and other makes too.

 

In the meantime, here are a couple of acquisitions from unknown photographers:

 

1973 Opel Kadett and 1974 Datsun 120Y Coupe (1970s) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Somewhere in South Wales? Probably should have put this one in the Cars and Men thread.

 

Hong Kong, early-mid 1980s? by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

And a bit further afield.

[Sigmund Fraud]

Mr.Powell is clearly the Helmut Newton of Autoshite... Many thanks for sharing his brilliant work !

[Spottedlaurel]

The scanning and uploading has been continuing, so it's time for a few more:

 

1973/74 BMW 2000 SA, SAA982M (1979) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

All sorts to ponder here. I was initially most interested in the Laurel in the background, but the BMW is a bit of an oddity. Possibly working as a taxi here?!

 

1977 Porsche Carrera 3.0, PSJ961R (1981) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1976 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4, PHM180R (1987) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Sporty stuff. Both still around and for sale/sold very recently. I think the Porsche was up for just under £80,000. Good ‘80s Nissan content in the Ferrari shot.

 

I ended up with a fair few Vauxhall/Opel photos:

 

1988 Opel Manta GT/E Exclusive, F662OHW (2008) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

This has now been restored. A photo by our own CMS206 shows it to have been fitted an Ascona front end….

 

1984 Opel Manta GT/E, B900OAD (1985) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1979 Vauxhall Cavalier GLS Centaur Convertible, BJW464T (1991) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Surprisingly high price for 1991. It’s still around, which is good.

 

1981/82 Vauxhall Chevette Blackwatch, MOE52X (1983) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1979 Opel Kadett 1.2 City Special, EAD890T (1980) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Kadett or Chevette, what’s your preference? I like the Opel more, but the rear number plate placement bothers me. I didn't remember the Blackwatch Chevette.

 

1979 Opel Ascona 2.0 Berlina, SDN440T (1984) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Very nice.

 

1985 Vauxhall Cavalier Commander, C894TDG (1986) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1984 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6 GL, B113NFH (2006) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1985 Opel Ascona 1.6 GL 2dr, B528KNH (1994) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Odd 2dr first registered here in ’94, doesn’t seem to have made it beyond ’95.

 

1996 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 GLS Police Car, N265ODF (1997) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Anyone remember these in service?

 

1963 Vauxhall Victor FB Estate, RFF737 (1998) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1969 Vauxhall Viva SL, MET412G (2006) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Note the dates, both shots a bit more recent than might be imagined. Neither of them seem to have survived.

 

1982 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 GL, JAB533X (1982) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1990 Vauxhall Calibra 2.0 8v, H522BMG (1993) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Early, basic example?

[Spottedlaurel]

Onto the bigger ones:

 

1979 Vauxhall Carlton 2000, HDU818V (1981) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1977-82 Opel Rekord 2.0 Estate E1, CUX-DC 473 (1982) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1981 Vauxhall Viceroy 2500 Auto, VNW998X (1990) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1982 Vauxhall Viceory 2500 Auto, NHR810X (2004) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

£200 for a Viceroy?! Back then they would have been pretty undesirable. I was picking up Datsuns for £25 upwards at about that time.

 

1992 Vauxhall Carlton Eagle Quest 2.0 Limousine, J204MLE (1996) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1996 Vauxhall Omega Hearse, P34MLA by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Stretched.

 

1957-60 Opel Rekord P I, 8004SC(?) 1960s? by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1963-65 Opel Rekord A, CAH232J (1970s?) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Grey one clearly an import, but not sure about the older model. Did they sell either of them officially in the UK?

 

1970 Opel Rekord 1900 DL, LPO41J (1992) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1971/72 Opel Commodore Coupe by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Opel styling really started to come on at that point.

 

1980 Vauxhall Royale 2.8 Coupe, DHR356V (1993) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

If Mr Powell’s date is correct, there’s a bit of a surprise here as this one apparently didn’t come off the road until 1996.

 

1982 Opel Monza 3.0E ‘S’ Auto, VDF1X (1986) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Unfortunate plate, VD FIX?! Apparently rare for being an ‘S’ pack model.

 

1979 Opel Senator 3.0E CD Auto, PAB528T (1987) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

I miss the days when stuff like this and the Colt were just everyday street furniture.

 

1967/68 Vauxhall Viscount, PXD451F (2002) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Odd one here, no trace of it online but it's a fairly recent photo. Ex-press fleet car?

 

I’m now ploughing through a big batch of Toyota photos, with more Japanese and other randoms still to come.

[Adrian_pt]

Fascinating to see the Olympia. V rare beast in the UK. Here's an estate:

 

I recall reading that "small number" registration plates (ABC12, ABC1A) were reserved for used imports - anyone able to confirm?