Cyprus spots, and further afield

[gtd2000]

This is the funniest one taken in either Aiya Napa or Larnaca

 

Blue label Vodka was the cause of the memory loss

 

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Great pics, I might be off to Cyprus next month to see my sister who lives near Nicosia - depending on the late-minute deals I can get.

 

I'm quite keen to visit the old Nicosia international airport...

 

 

[Tayne]

.

[eddyramrod]

Thanks for those, gtd, and Leonard, if you find yourself in Paphos while you're here...

[gtd2000]

Nicosia Airport - 1988

 

 

Thin blue line West of Nicosia:

 

 

 

 

[eddyramrod]

Even in highly-developed Paphos it's possible to find an old mouldy Austin (just look in my carport! ) Here's an A40 my friend spotted somewhere over Nicosia way...

 

Some Opel shite: Asconas A, B and C...

 

Isuzu Trooper? Nope...

Vauxhall Monterey? Nope again...

"Handling by Lotus..." on an SUV, ok...

It's a 1996 Honda Horizon, so the badges would have you believe, but open the bonnet and the cam cover says, yes, Isuzu. So it is a Trooper really, rebadged for the Japanese market. This one has since found its way to Cyprus and looks like being cherished for some years to come.

 

Anyone know what this is, or was?

It's a Dutton, an Escort-based kit from the late 70s or early 80s. Does the team think it's a restoration candidate? I could probably set the ball rolling if so, but the decision needs to be taken soon as the field is going to see a cull in the next few weeks.

[brammy777]

How availible are old Escort parts over there? If the answer is cheap and plentiful, the Dutton is worth saving.

That field appears to contain quite a few interesting cars, what else is there?

[eddyramrod]

Escort stuff is not a problem, the field's owner builds Escort/Sunbeam/Mini rally cars, and is helping me with my A40! The field actually underwent a cull in the spring and even after that is still a fascinating place for a wander. All the Minis you can eat, plenty of Kent-engined Fords (and Pintos too), Sunbeams and Mantas dotted about and a lot of interesting "others" too, including actual rally cars, now retired. It's surprising how many will start and run, I've seen it happen! A few even have their UK plates on, such as the white Clubman Estate and the brown 1600E. There's even a Bedford CA ice-cream van...

 

Now some pics from the spring cull, beginning with a scene-setter (you should be able to see the 1600E in this one...)

At the back of the stack in the last shot is a Mk5 Cortina on UK plates; I kept the front plate and it's on my shed door now.

[eddyramrod]

As I was saying about Minis:

This is one we dragged out of storage a couple of weeks ago. I've been helping out with some of the work on it, so it will live again!

Meanwhile, at the other end of the garage, this one belongs to Costas. He's thinking he'd like it in Almond Green with the white roof.

This is his brother's Seat, newly resprayed by Dad. It's all who-you-know, isn't it!

And just some random shite that sits around outside the gate.

[chaseracer]

 

Even on Cyprus, the 'Sud has rotted out and snapped!

[eddyramrod]

Yes, two or three Suds died like that in the spring. There's at least one left, possibly more, but how they will stand up to being moved is open to debate. Meanwhile, have a bike...

...And a tractor...

Both of these are also sitting around at the same garage. I do see lots of old tractors about, as I live in the countryside; much of what they do will be the jobs the good old donkeys used to.

[scoobypete]

Those cull pics are sad

 

noticed a few datsuns,is there any old subarus in amongst all that lot do you know?

[Torsten2001]

Is that bike a BSA?

[eddyramrod]

I haven't found a Subaru yet, and I've scoured the site pretty heavily. I'm there most days, so if one turned up I reckon I'd notice.

 

The bike is a BSA, as far as I know, yes. I'm not the world's greatest authority on old bikes, or any others (nor tractors, even), but you're welcome to drool over whatever I can shoot. There won't be much; bikes are pretty easy to store, whereas cars take up a lot of garden.

[eddyramrod]

On the ebay thread we've been gassing about old Datsuns, so here's one that survived the spring cull. I have no idea how!

And here's one that isn't a Datsun at all...

So what is it? You may well ask...

It's a Daihatsu Charmant, about 1981 and the only one still running in Paphos. I see it around quite a bit, and could even buy it if I was so inclined. I might yet. 1100cc with aircon, how many Shite points is it worth?

[chaseracer]

 

 

Yogurt truck duly crashed.

[eddyramrod]

 

 

Yogurt truck duly crashed.

Errrm...?

[chaseracer]

 

 

Yogurt truck duly crashed.

 

Errrm...?

'Kleenex moment', Eddy. Must be a Midlands expression...

[eddyramrod]

Still not getting it, and my Mum was from Stoke....

[trigger]

So what is it? You may well ask...

It's a Daihatsu Charmant, about 1981 and the only one still running in Paphos. I see it around quite a bit, and could even buy it if I was so inclined. I might yet. 1100cc with aircon, how many Shite points is it worth?

 

That really is quite sexual

[eddyramrod]

And my brother-in-law's name is Mike Jones...!

[michiel]

Jeeeeeeeez, that Charmant!! WOW.

[chaseracer]

Still not getting it, and my Mum was from Stoke....

Ah well, that's north of Stafford. Different world up there...

[mk2_craig]

I have just returned from a week in Cyprus, and can confirm that there is indeed plenty of cracking yad still littering the place. Sadly very little of it still in regular use, but lots parked up in fields and behind garages, etc. I'll post some of it up eventually (I still have Jersey spots from late 2007 to share, so might be a while!)

 

Good to catch up with you Eddy; regrettably I never got enough time to come and check out the tat hoard but I will gladly share with you the locations of interesting stuff I clocked while driving by. Didn't snap it all due to the need to keep herself reasonably happy!

[eddyramrod]

At this point I just want to say: top bloke Craig! What a shame we didn't get more time to talk business (or in wife-speak, ramble on and on about old cars). I bet you never expected to spend your afternoon in the company of a bunch of authors, did you?

 

Speaking of which, what would be the collective noun for authors? A chapter, perhaps?

 

Now how's that for a thread hijack, and it's even my own thread anyway!!!!!

[eddyramrod]

OK, back on topic, it's about time for some new spots.

Let's begin with a Minor, which is for sale... it runs beautifully, quietest A-series I've ever listened to! With a bit of luck, that steel sunvisor wll be coming off, for my A40...

These two are rentals. The green hatchback is a Maruti, a recycled Suzuki Alto made in India. The little 4x4 is a Perodua Kembara, which is 1.3 and automatic. I've driven a couple of these and they're actually quite acceptable, but being a discounted oriental maker will always qualify as shite!

Mk1 Escort 1100, anyone? This one has been restored and is awaiting export... to Blighty!

And here's a Mk3 Tina being broken for parts. Who says cars don't rust here???

Tasty Mk1 isn't a parts car, this one is for restoration. It has the column shift and bench seat, which must be bloody rare now! First car I ever drove was a column-equipped Mk1, but a two-door.

Here's a shite classic, the ol' Yugo 45! Not the only one in this yard, but probably the best. Looks quite healthy.

And after the Mk1, here's a previously-restored Mk2. I've seen this one out and about, so take no notice of that flat tyre (now you'll all look! ).

It's still got the V8 and auto box...

Metro and Sierra being stripped. The Sierra has/had a 2.0 Pinto, which at least will live on, most likely in a rally Escort.

 

I'm seeing old cars all the time, but often can't just stop to shoot them. Like today; while being driven about by an estate agent I spotted a Mk5 Cortina Estate in a farmyard, then realised there was a Mk2 Estate with it. But Gina wasn't about to stop until she'd got us to the house she was showing us... Never mind, I can remember where they are, so when I'm up that way again I'll whip out the Kodak.

[Tayne]

.

[eddyramrod]

Yes, in many ways; aka Toyota Cami. The Daihatsu uses a Daihatsu engine, both the others use the Toyota one, which is reckoned to be superior. Not having driven the Daihatsu version I don't want to spread this as definitive....

[Split_Pin]

 

These used to be my favourite car in the early 80's when I was little. I remember a friend had a rotting one in his garden which we used to play in too. It had the early chrome grille and it was an F-reg. I went off them a bit recently, as every one I saw was a rally version, with 'Forest' arches etc, or a sporting version at least.

 

Seeing this one has reminded me why I liked them so much though, completed standard 'L' spec and non-sporting. I really hope the UK owner keeps it exactly as-is.

 

Thanks for sharing

[eddyramrod]

You're right about the chrome grille, Iain, I think this car is too old for the black version. The "EB" registration places it as a 1968/9 car. It should also have the good old-fashioned chrome hubcaps too.

 

OK, let's have some pics...

Datsun posted previously, on the way to a new home where it will, apparently, be restored. This was the day we collected my Granada, which was the return-load.

Now, welcome to my country Estate...

...or in fact several Estates! Mk3 Tina to start, and Mk2 Scrote next to it...

Hadn't seen an Avenger Estate for a long time, until I came here...

Likewise a Chevette Estate, and I owned one years ago. This is ex-British Military Police.

Herald Estate isn't exactly common either, but sadly it's very rotten.

Escort van with windows. Not quite a proper estate, I know, but I thought it was worth including.

Now here's a van-with-windows that definitely does qualify, the Mini Estate is well established. I reckon this Clubman is a viable project, and I can just see it returned to showroom-stock. It would be a shame to hotrod this.

And here's a van without windows! I first saw this some time last year, and then it disappeared. Last week it showed up at the garage where most of these snaps were taken. Seems to be clinging to MoT by the skin of its teeth, it really needs to be mine (for about 100 euros) and spend a few months in therapy. I have a big soft-spot for small vans, as we had one for quite a lot of my childhood (not just one; they were changed at intervals).

After a van you should probably have a pickup, so here's a Nissan that's extremely typical of Cyprus traffic.

This pickup is somewhat less typical, although you do see the odd Minor still in use. I often pass another pickup, also laid-up, so they were probably a relatively good seller here. Small commercials were, Cyprus was a very rural economy for a long long time.

Have a couple of Hunters. Yes, I know the bottom one is a Minx, but it's close enough, I've had these, and still like them.

When first seen, we thought this might be a parts donor, but it turns out to have a really strong shell, and a Pinto!

...Whereas this one has no engine at all, nor interior, etc etc. It does have potential though...

Random Chevette saloon...

Not a convertible, a Herald saloon with the top removed.

These Mitsubishis are everywhere, as are their descendants.

Anyone fancy a 205 GTI?

...Or how about a Fiat 124 Coupe? There are two in this yard, both pretty rusty.

And finally, after all this decay, something to cheer us all up: two bloody gorgeous Jags that entered the event I organised for Paphos Classic Vehicle Club last Sunday.