Rootes arrows spots--22.08.2010 update

[Guest]

Here is a car I have only ever seen when they were advertised new.

First the pics then the history lesson-I bring you "the mighty sao penza!!!".

 

The real deal (mazda 323) seen also today.

 

 

The history lesson from wikipedia.

The Sao Penza was a car sold in the United Kingdom in the early 1990s by Automotive Holdings, a subsidiary of Mazda Cars Ltd, the official UK importer. It was simply a rebadged version of the Mazda 323, imported from South Africa, where the 1985 model was still assembled by Samcor (now Ford Motor Company of South Africa.) Both saloon and hatchback versions were available with a fairly basic specification.

 

It undercut the Mazda by nearly GBP2000, but owing to the dated design, unknown brand, and poor build quality, it was dropped after only a few years on the UK market

 

I may aswell hang my camera up now as unless I find a polski fiat it cant be bettered surely???

[mk2_craig]

Here is a car I have only ever seen when they were advertised new.

First the pics then the history lesson-I bring you "the mighty sao penza!!!".

BRILLIANT!

 

Probably on the same level as the mk1 Pony you nailed the other day!

You've got to be looking a bit harder for a Sao though - registration year letter probably the most obvious giveaway

 

I wonder how many embarassed Penza owners have disguised their 323 clone using secondhand Mazda grille and badging?

 

When these were new, my local Mazda dealer sold these alongside another example of nineties far eastern shite - the Asia Rocsta - saw a very derelict looking M-reg example near a friend's last summer - must go back and photograph that

[retrogeezer]

Great spot - I haven't seen one since they were sold new either.They were sold near me alongside the other infamous rebadged Mazda, the Kia Pride.

[Spottedlaurel]

Wowzers! Haven't knowingly seen one for absolutely ages. Pictures duly saved.I rather like the A-plate one you saw, given that it's pretty muce the same as my old 3dr one that Mat.T now owns. Looks to be in quite good nick - keep your eye on it should it come up for sale! They drive brilliantly, a very underrated car IMO. One day I will have that silver one I see near work........

[Guest]

I rather like the A-plate one you saw, Looks to be in quite good nick - keep your eye on it should it come up for sale! They drive brilliantly, a very underrated car IMO. One day I will have that silver one I see near work........

Will do. Agree about been underrated I had an A plate 1500 estate once-it was a hoot.

[r.welfare]

Good work. I heard that they stopped selling them because they couldn't supply them with cat-equipped engines. I seem to think that 'serious' mags like Buying Cars and What Car thought they were a good deal at the time.

[Mat.T]

wow! i've seen quite a few references to the Penza but never actually seen one, saying that i probably wouldnt have noticed if i did see one.Good spotting, the 323 does loook nice.

[MrRegieRitmo]

I take it the Sao Penza was only ever based on the MkIII 323 & none of the ones either before or after it?

[Guest]

Update time brings you......

 

Old bimmer

Younger out of favour bimmer

MK1 Astra

Lancia y10----l.h.d

Wonderfull minor

Pantry's Estate and saloon

Wheelclamp

And if this was car porn here's the moneyshot!!!

[Guest]

Nice to see the Lada Estate owner taking security seriously with the wheelclamp, shame about the paint matching skills on the other one!

[55bloke]

Love the replacement door on the Lada estate!! Presumably from a different model?

[ChinaTom]

Just to nip back to the Sao for a mo, I recall hiring one of these in South Africa, but I think it looked more like the Kia Pride / Mazda 121. Memory fades. I stayed in a hotel in Jo'burg that looked out over a car dealership and I am sure it was Sao (didn't it have a squiggle over the 'a'?). This was back in 99. Someone can correct me here, but wasn't Sao actually owned by Mazda?Edit: Sorry Sorry - just read it in the post above.

[michiel]

Hhnnng at the 104, shame 'bout the bonnet (or hasn't it been shut properly?).

[MrGav]

A friend of mine's wife owned one of them Sao's about 10 years ago, haven't seen it for ages though. Looks like the owner of that Lada estate is a closet Volvo fan after looking at the grille!

[mk2_craig]

The Lancia Y10... are those Autobianchi badges? Must be very rare in this country.The mk1 Astra: you managed what I never did - a photo when it wasn't moving

[Guest]

More??? OK

A Local garage has a Fiat 500-early model

Ford Escort Mexico replica-he also has it on ebay......

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ESCORT-MEXICO-MK1 ... dZViewItem

And a "tastefull" Ford Capri its a 3.0 too

Also on the bay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-CAPRI-3-LITR ... dZViewItem

However I love this-donations accepted

1954 Consul spotted at morrisons

Scabby festa or is it festering scab

And a Gilbern saloon

Yes the greenary is inside too

[Guest]

We have.................................

Triumph 2000-on sorn next to a garage premises

Ex BT Fiesta van there too.

Opel badged senator hasnt moved in a while. On sorn too....

Alfa 146 on sorn at another garage

Astra auto-old boy bought it for the number plate(his sons initials) but he diddnt want it

But I had stopped there for this

1966 Humber Sceptre

He's owned it 30 years

At his age now its too much for him to do

So will be for sale as is-still started/moved often very little rust/rot.

[bigstraight6]

That Zodiac has made me come over all unnecessary! what a stunner, one of few cars that looks good in white I would love to own that if I just happened to have 8 grand burning a hole in my pocket! (I would still keep the not quite so good one I own now, being rather attached to it!)Possibly more in my budget would be the Sceptre, any idea how much the chap wants for it? it doesn't look to bad from the pic's....

[pogweasel]

Aye, I'll start a bidding war for that Sceptre with BS6, deeply lovely

[Guest]

The guy wants £250 for the humber. Its still started and run on stands often. Was regulary treated underneath so minimal work required there he thinks.1725CC With overdrive seats splitting a little Bumpers need replacing car in primer/roof sprayed in blue. A good project for someone-practical classics says upto £400 for a project like this. If it wasnt for s.w.m.b.o It would be in my garage

[Guest]

Update time

Today I fell in love again

Just admire the beauty and condition.

Owned a few in the past-great cars

Mitsy colt mirage

Been there since 99

240 spotted on a playing field

Hyundai dumped at the rear of a garage-been there ages!!

[reallyloud]

That 240 is dangerously close to a candidate for the oval. That 120Y is very neat. But then again I would say that. Is it known within the club Mr Gates?

[michiel]

Gorgeous Dat!

[mk2_craig]

White Mk1 Fiesta is either a Supersport or a very good replica, year letter is correct, only 3000 built and rather collectable now.I see that yellow Capri horror apparently made over 500 quid on the Bay

[mouseflakes]

I bumped into an old friend of yours the other day Mr Arrow.

 

[Guest]

I bumped into an old friend of yours the other day Mr Arrow.

 

Am I missing somthing?????????

[mouseflakes]

How could you forget? (click for a reminder)

[Guest]

How could you forget? (click for a reminder)

[MrRegieRitmo]

Update time

Today I fell in love again

Just admire the beauty and condition.

Owned a few in the past-great cars

 

Wow, what a time warp car - you so rarely see these in good condition. Come to think of it, you so rarely see these at all!

[Guest]

Couple more from today

MK2craig-This May still be here on your return

Golf gti for sale-needs fuel pump&t.l.c

1600GTI Peugeot 205

Disastra gte ragtop

Tiny