nigel bickle Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Cooo! Bit quiet on here at the moment -and I've nadgered my back so thought- whilst I can sit up for a bit -that I'd spread some news!! I've now got 2 60's Isuzu's!With Michiels help -I've just agreed terms on a Florian, near Amsterdam.http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/florian/Haag2web.jpgOff the road for a couple of years -with sticky brakes (read seized) and very faded (Michiels pics) compared with this photo -I'm off to get it late Feb -and A frame it home. Around the same time -21st Feb , the Bellett I bought last autumn is finally ready to come home. Vendor has overhauled the engine and got it running nicely, replaced the wheel cylinders so it stops, replaced part of the exhaust to quieten it,and added a new(er) battery so it'll start!.http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/bellett/d5a9_1.jpgStuffed full of spares including 2 Florian wings its on a Sydney boat out on 21st Feb -here around early May! Marvellous! I've got 2 Fiats sitting in Melbourne -there just arent ANY spaces on ro-ro's! Bearing on mind they move over 2,000 cars each fortnight -I find it amazing. Still -down to 4th in the queue so it shouldnt be long now. Lots more going on -which I'll discuss when I can spent more than 10 mins sitting up. Age -its a bastard, isnt it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiel Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Whoohoo! Sorry to hear about your back, I always have to watch what I do/lift etc. and that hasn't even got anything to do with age... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 I'll live. Slipped a couple of discs carrying an engine over Xmas. Just out, post op ,and got to rest a few days.Nothing serious, just a bit painful and a flamin' nuisance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reallyloud Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Wow. Just wow. Another set of mythical cars I've seen pictures of, but never seen. Congratulations for doubling the Isuzu saloon population in the UK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiel Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 The official first date of registration for the Florian is 18-01-1972 by the way. Did I point you to this bloke's site already? He helped me a bit in finding the owner, and if you need help or spares you can always send him an email, he's happy to help fellow Isuzians. He knows his Belletts and Florians, and when he finishes his Bellett Sport he might sell the Florian, hopefully I'll be in a position to buy that one whenever it may be... http://home.hetnet.nl/~dcc/florian.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 That Florian is a thing of almighty beauty, I would like to come to your house for a personal viewing and demo of it! Just wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spottedlaurel Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 That’s excellent news! The Dutch Isuzu is the one that Michiel had in a spotted thread? Well done both of you, a testament to the power of this place. Hope to see it for real one day.Great to hear about the one on its way from Australia too.I’ve a feeling there has been the odd old Isuzu in this country in the past. Think someone may have attempted to import them in the late 60’s, possibly connected to this there were one or two used in saloon car racing. One of these came up for sale in relatively recent times.Think I’ve got snippets about all of the above at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Do you know what, I'd never even heard of an Isuzu Florian. You truly are the king of obscure tat! I like it - it's quite neat and stylish for an early '70s Jap. Could almost be Italian... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiel Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Credit where etc.: Stoterstangen90 was the first to post pics of the Flo'! Thanks to him and some bloke on a Dutch forum I found out where it was exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KruJoe Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I was just wondering what progress Mr NB has been making on the Florian. It has certainly scrubbed up well for that photo! Heroic work, as always, Sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiel Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 The shiny pic was taken a few years ago when the owner of the blue Florian went to take a look at it - it had always been garaged by the elderly owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 Being a sceptical old Hector; I expect it'll need the usual pile of problems sorting...But it'll be Springtime then, warm sunny DRY long days. Feels like a lifetime ago!Thanks Michiel -will look at the site. All seems to be prov sorted for weekend of 15-17 Feb. Wife involved -as its her birthday and I've always promised Amsterdam....... tee-hee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratdat Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 That's a great buy. I've only ever seen one Florian ever, and that was in a scrapyard in Finland. It might be older than your one I think. I expect it's still there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 No -I'd never seen one either- which makes it an ideal purchase. It'll be the first one ' home' -hopefully sorted before the Bellet turns up!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiel Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 As far as know there are 3 Florians in Holland, soon to be 2 / (mixed emotions and all that) Isuzu was actually the first Japanese brand to be sold here, I've got a Dutch magazine from 1963 which has a test of the Bellel. They sold a few to taxi firms, who liked the diesel engines apparently. Next goal: find a Bellel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 I'll have one of everything in those pictures Michiel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiel Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Don't you mean 'I have one of everything'? (I've just emailed a guy selling two original Dutch Bellel brochures, yay!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 Lets argue about it when you find them. Go on -you know you want to... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewp Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 The styling "improvements" of the later Florians was certainly a contradiction in terms. Better add me to the list of someone else who has never seen a Florian in the metal too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 ^^^^ WTF has happened there! Surely thats not come like that out of the same factory as the Bickle-shape one. Awful!!!I had never even heard of a Florian till this red one got posted up on here. What other old isuzus are existing then? I only knew of the Bellet and the Piazza. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reallyloud Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 There's this GM badge engineered special. Probabily known to you, buts a nice looking car. BELLEL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiel Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 They made these too: Several generations of Minxes: 117!!!11![/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiel Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Prototype Gorgeousness! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewp Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Don't forget this one, the V-Cross! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoterstangen90 Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Wow, the florian in Mijdrecht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoterstangen90 Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 congrets Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mash Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Wow, Florian What a great buy Nigel. So jealous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiel Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 And for my next trick... I posted this pic on a Dutch forum, thinking there's no Contessa left here. No way. Can't be. Boom! Got a reaction from a guy who owns 2 (TWO!!!!) Contessas, one an original Dutch car and one Belgian. They have to be restored but are complete, and I don't think he'll ever sell them. He's a bit of a Michelotti fan, has a Fiat 130 coupe and a Dolomite as well. I are trying to get him to come to JCS, so maybe he'll get one running by then... some pics here: http://www.hinosamurai.org/Contents/projects/future_project_netherland/future_pj_netherlands.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I like that Contessa. I know Hino make wagons, didn't realise they made cars. Was it for very long Were they ever sold in the UK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 Does look nice -doesnt it. Quick polish and service -ready for the summer.Collecting late Feb -making a weekend of it -if anyone fancies a beer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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