Good cars you don't see any more?

[Stylo]

I'll start it off, How many Mitsubishi 380's have you seen in your travels today ?

[Kickaha]

I'll start it off, How many Mitsubishi 380's have you seen in your travels today ?

I thought you said good?

[Berries]

Can we merge this with the Leyland thread?

[DMNTD]

I thought you said good?

That right there is a fair point!

How many 240Z's has anyone seen lately?

[mossy1200]

I'll start it off, How many Mitsubishi 380's have you seen in your travels today ?
Found one.

[merv]

My first car was a Hillman Hunter and you don't see many of them around these days - shame eh!

[ellipsis]

My first car was a Hillman Hunter and you don't see many of them around these days - shame eh!


...no...

...

[mossy1200]

My first car was a Hillman Hunter and you don't see many of them around these days - shame eh!

Mine also. Grey one. Paid $400 from a workmate and sold it for $400 a year later. I liked the old vinyl smell when it got hot in the sun. It struggled to maintain 100 and was more happy doing 90 odd.

[Stylo]

Nothing wrong with a 380, had an XR6 company vehicle, replaced with a 380 a little while back.

The Falcon was an exercise in patience, rattled and squeaked, the disc brakes were warped from new and there always seemed to be a draft coming from somewhere hinting at a bad assembly issue somewhere down the line. Went Ok though though, between the petrol pumps.

Don't have the 380 anymore but still remember how smooth and quiet it was, slightly ugly though.

When did you last see a 380 ? I've been looking for the last 3 weeks and I've seen 3.

[Motu]

My first car was a Hillman Hunter and you don't see many of them around these days - shame eh!

I swapped a '76 CB750 for a Singer Vogue (Wood trim Hunter) in 1986...the Vague jumped out of 2 gears and pumped oil through the air filter, the Honda was in perfect condition with new tyres and a Walker 4 into 1 - I thought I did well out of the swap. Someone smacked into the Vague, the insurance company paid me $1,000, and I sold the car for $800...and bought a MkI Austin 1800 for $800 with a recon engine. Bikes weren't worth a lot back then.

[Kickaha]

My first car was a Hillman Hunter and you don't see many of them around these days - shame eh!
No, we had one client that had a fleet of them, I'm not sure if they really were a step up from the Imps they had before them

[Tazz]

My first car was a Hillman Hunter and you don't see many of them around these days - shame eh!

My friend has one his granddad bought new.

It may have a supercharged Toyota 1.8 in it now though....just to make it bearable :laugh:

[mossy1200]

I swapped a '76 CB750 for a Singer Vogue (Wood trim Hunter) in 1986...the Vague jumped out of 2 gears and pumped oil through the air filter, the Honda was in perfect condition with new tyres and a Walker 4 into 1 - I thought I did well out of the swap. Someone smacked into the Vague, the insurance company paid me $1,000, and I sold the car for $800...and bought a MkI Austin 1800 for $800 with a recon engine. Bikes weren't worth a lot back then.

Post Hunter I bought a mitzi mirage 1244cc with quick shifter gearbox. High low ratio in every gear more like an overdrive in each gear. Second low quick shifting into second high was like driving a rally car. That thing ran on the smell of an oily rag.

[rustyrobot]

Mk2 Escort... kiwi made in Wiri.

First car I bought for myself ($200). Did many a covert trip from the back field of school to Georgie Pie at lunch time (even came back some times). 1 buck pies! Lent it to my flatmate who drove a 50km round journey with the handbrake on. Never ran the same after that.

Haven't seen one in the wild for ages.

308131

[DMNTD]

No, we had one client that had a fleet of them, I'm not sure if they really were a step up from the Imps they had before them

LOL! The Imp was one of the most fun cars that I have ever owned...a go kart with a windscreen

[mossy1200]

Had a BMC freeway station wagon. It rolled onto its side in the main street of Oamaru once when we got a puncture. Was ok it only scratched the door handles though. Got that one from Smash palace wreckers for $275 with rego and wof. Sold it back for $100 when they ran out.

[Motu]

High low ratio in every gear more like an overdrive in each gear.

I used to love twin stick trucks - none of this air button on the lever stuff. So I used to drive them like a 680 Leyland Hippo, splitting each gear....used to be able to do it with one hand, upshift the main box and down in the 2spd. Although like an Eaton 2 speed, you end up with 3rd high being the same as 4th low.

[scumdog]

Can we merge this with the Leyland thread?

Hoi, don't mix that sort of car with the great Marina!:bleh:

[scumdog]

My first car was a Hillman Hunter and you don't see many of them around these days - shame eh!

Mine?
A 3.3 Vauxhall Victor, (Only 16,000 miles when I bought it.) in it's day it was fairly quick.

[skippa1]

Escort mexico and/or rs2000
cosworth sierra
xu1
rx3 or 2
mk 3 zodiac
holden brougham
ht and Ls monaro
2000e mk 3 cortina
v6 capri
mitsi colt 2000 coupe
datsun 180sss, 160sss violet, 120sss

to name a few

[SPman]

Showoff!

My first car was an Austin Big 7 - cost me $80 with a spare engine and 4 spare wheels/tires. Sold a near new YL1 Yamaha to buy it. I was flying and needed the money - Piper Cubs were expensive - $5/hr.

Our neighbour's got an RS2000 sitting next to the barn, waiting.......waiting.......

[mossy1200]

v6 capri




Aways wanted the early shape 3litre.
What about the bad guys one in Shaker Run.


<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x15la7s" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x15la7s_shaker-run-1985-pontiac-firebird-trans-am-replica-1980-vs-ford-capri-silhouette-racer-mki-1975_auto" target="_blank">Shaker Run (1985) Pontiac Firebird Trans Am...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Z-cinema" target="_blank">Z-cinema</a></i>

[scumdog]

Mine?
A 3.3 Vauxhall Victor, (Only 16,000 miles when I bought it.) in it's day it was fairly quick.

Oh, forgot, Morris Marina ute - you don't see many of THEM these days...:msn-wink:

[mossy1200]

v6 capri




Aways wanted the early shape 3litre.
What about the bad guys one in Shaker Run.

Was pre yellow line days for the hill


<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x15la7s" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x15la7s_shaker-run-1985-pontiac-firebird-trans-am-replica-1980-vs-ford-capri-silhouette-racer-mki-1975_auto" target="_blank">Shaker Run (1985) Pontiac Firebird Trans Am...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Z-cinema" target="_blank">Z-cinema</a></i>

[swtfa]

Ford panel van... ;) Favourite '75 Mazda RX3

[Voltaire]

Cars I went to view but never bought....
NSU Spider
http://ipocars.com/imgs/a/h/l/t/f/nsu__spider___like_new_1966_1_lgw.jpg

Corvair Monza
http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs48/i/2009/220/f/f/1966_Chevy_Corvair_Monza_by_Partywave.jpg

Type 3 Karman Ghia
http://gomotors.net/pics/Volkswagen/volkswagen-karmann-ghia-type-34-03.jpg

of course none of them were in this sort of condition....

Still like the Corvair Monza

[zooter]

Valiants are getting thin on the ground these days. My old man had one for a good long run. There was some problem with the electronic ignition module that burned out, wrecker said when they are all burned out there won't be any more Valiants left running.

[haydes55]

Nissan S-Cargo, '89 1600cc beast.

2 seat belts, 12 people.... The only auto car I've ever owned. Went to a school tennis day with a broken leg... After losing (obviously) we loaded my snail car. As we were leaving, the assistant principle gave us the dirtiest look.... Never heard any more about it.

I chucked a mattress in the back and used it as a campervan over new years with the ex. Good times.

I've barely seen any around anymore.

[Motu]

I pushed a Ranger out onto the verge, and rung the council to tow it away....there was a 318 in the boot. When we bought our section on Waiheke Island, after I cleared the gorse we found 3 Morris Series E's in the middle. I used a Suzuki SJ410 and pushed them onto the section next door....someone else's problem then. Over there back then people used to drive their cars to the tip and leave them there. Keep an eye on the incoming, and get what parts you need.

[skippa1]

Xw v8 fairmont
valiant charger
318 valiant coupe
ht monaro
fiat 125 and 124 sport
mini cooper

[Moi]

Renault R16 and the rear engined R10...

What about a Rambler Rebel...

[AllanB]

You guys have owned some crap.


I had a Morris 1000 when young. Wish I kept it. They are around but fairly few now.



Happy with my AUIII XR6 - mint. Lots of rough ones around, I'm starting to get guys come up and compliment mine and reminisce about theirs. Not 'old' as a 2002.


Escort 1600 - cool when I was 16. Crappy now. RS2000 is collectable.


I owner a SE 1600 Corolla way back, heaps better than the escort of similar years. Have not seen one for years.

[Kickaha]

Oh, forgot, Morris Marina ute - you don't see many of THEM these days...:msn-wink:

Thank fuck for that, although we did have an Austin princess in at work last week and they're probably worse

[Oakie]

Had a BMC freeway station wagon. It rolled onto its side in the main street of Oamaru once when we got a puncture. Was ok it only scratched the door handles though. Got that one from Smash palace wreckers for $275 with rego and wof. Sold it back for $100 when they ran out.

Ahh Smash Palace. I remember them. Played indoor cricket against one of the people there ... big fella ... ran into me and it felt like I'd been hit by a truck.

[ducatilover]

Where the hell are the Borgward Isabellas and Tatras?



I still hope the OP was joking about the 380, absolute shit heaps. Not that Falcodores have been much moar betterer.

[scumdog]

Ahh Smash Palace. I remember them. Played indoor cricket against one of the people there ... big fella ... ran into me and it felt like I'd been hit by a truck.

Probably J.R.

[Hitcher]

Here are some Cars you don't see anymore:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hwE0slNd3Y

[Motu]

Cars pre Jap import have just disappeared...that'd be roughly pre 1990. For me it's all the special tools that every workshop had. Every workshop had a BMC flywheel puller, needed when doing a clutch on a Mini or 1100/1300. They also might've had a BMC lifting hook - this put the engine at the correct angle for removal, then you dropped it on the floor, repositioned the chains, and then it lifted the engine vertical for taking it off the gearbox. We had a Hillman Imp sump cradle that fitted onto a floorjack for removing an Imp engine....another shop had a Bedford gearbox cradle. Hydraulic lifter pullers, J1 Bedford rear hub pullers, no one had the Triumph 2000 rear flange puller. Later on we had the OHC Cortina tappet adjusting spanner, and the 12 spline head stud socket....also the viscous hub spanner used on other vehicles too. Lots more I can't remember this late at night. edit - adjustble reamers with guide....for doing kingpins.

Walk into a workshop these days and they won't know what they are. Last place I worked at they threw all this sort of stuff out, the guys didn't have a clue what they were. (I got some of it.)

[Brett]

I gotta soft spot for things that are German and go fast. Wouldn't mind a McLaren P1 at all...but that's as British as I would go. But I would really go there. Like really really. P1 = yummy. Like really yummy. Like 20 year old single malt sipped out of Taylor Swifts belly button yummy. Only more yummy. Yes, I like the P1. Lots. Big Lots.

[Waihou Thumper]

I had a 1953 E493A Ford Prefect.
3 speed gearbox, vacuum pump windscreen wipers, so the faster you went the slower they went :)
It had a cool propeller handle on the dash for opening the front windscreen up for ventilation...
It was my first car and Mum loaned me $387 to buy it...I had the other $13, as the price was $400.
The perfect car for a Westie going to Massey High School. It had to be parked down the road with the other kids cars and I was cool..NOT!
Not until I got a Mark II Cortina with a Mark I gearbox in it with flor change!
I even had the GT dash. Then I graduated to a Mark III GT, red and black. Bought that off Ted Tracey Motors as I recall. Seriously cool.....:)

[skippa1]

Where the hell are the Borgward Isabellas and Tatras?



I still hope the OP was joking about the 380, absolute shit heaps. Not that Falcodores have been much moar betterer.
I had a borgward isabella........

[mossy1200]

I had a New Zealand made Trekka complete with skoda motor that they installed backwards to a normal skoda so the gearbox was in reverse direction.
Mine had dual rear wheels double width style.

[Laava]

I had a New Zealand made Trekka complete with skoda motor that they installed backwards to a normal skoda so the gearbox was in reverse direction.
Mine had dual rear wheels double width style.

Think you might have misread the thread title?

[5150]

1977 CL Chrysler Charger. 265 Hemi with factory four on the floor. It had a steering wheel so big, I thought it came off a truck. The engine just had a fresh rebuild, and the guy that did it built it to E49 big tank specs with triple SU carbs. That thing was a rocket. Paid 8K for it in about 97, sold it for 15K in 99. Just saw it on TM last year for 90K. One of those cars you will only have once in your life time. Blew V8 Commys off the lights, and gave one BMW yuppy with a genuine E30 M3 a good run for his money between Taupo and Tokoroa. Poor bastard only got as far as the drivers door trying to pass me up the hill (with passing lanes). Then the Charger was gone. I rolled into Tokoroa for gas, and he didn't turn up there till about 2 minutes later. Was red and pissed off. Tried to tell me that his clutch kept slipping so he couldn't make the pass stick.. Just had to have a chuckle. Miss that car like hell.

[James Deuce]

Thank fuck for that, although we did have an Austin princess in at work last week and they're probably worse

There's still one running??????

I had a Sunbeam Talbot for a work car for three months. It was a flash Austin Princess. The gear lever was attached to the linkages with a split pin. This allowed one to randomly select any old gear except, thankfully, reverse. It was nominally a "5 speed" though I could never be sure, because I'm pretty sure I selected at least 30 different forward ratios during my time with it. The pin was replaced three times in one week. Each failure left me pushing 2 tonnes of what felt like a car with no air in the tyres and no wheel bearings through busy intersections. I left the key in it, went home and rang the boss and told him it needed a tow truck and crushing. The slow and agonising death of the British Motor "Industry" took far too long.

Back to the OP, a Mitsi 380 is an utter blanc mange to drive. I've never had a car hit the bumb stops entering a 60 kph corner at 80 kph. Except a Mitsi 380 that is. My overwhelming impression of the 380 is "beige". And horrible. And "Whyyyy?"

[Swoop]

Mini.

Not the new "XXXOS" ones being sold now, but genuine Minis.
I believe a large amount were bought up and shipped to Japan where they were a cult car.


Heading up Lincoln Rd a few weeks ago, there was an immaculate restored Mk1 Cortina. Simply beautiful and the occupants appreciated the thumbs-up I gave them. :niceone:

[MisterD]

Mark 4 & 5 Cortinas - Had a potter around the classic car collection at Omaka aerodrome over the Christmas break, and once the nostalgia had dissipated a bit (I spent half my childhood in the back of them), I was surprised at exactly how few of these are still around considering the number built. Never did brown paint, driving lights and tan vinyl roofs look so good.

[Banditbandit]

Oh, forgot, Morris Marina

Yeah .. here's why ...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSXyIss8bIQ


Valiants are getting thin on the ground these days.

Poofie

http://www.dodaj.rs/f/2Y/Oa/36kxL2uM/prince-valiant.jpg

[James Deuce]

Mark 4 & 5 Cortinas - Had a potter around the classic car collection at Omaka aerodrome over the Christmas break, and once the nostalgia had dissipated a bit (I spent half my childhood in the back of them), I was surprised at exactly how few of these are still around considering the number built. Never did brown paint, driving lights and tan vinyl roofs look so good.

A guy I work with is in the midst of building an electronic fuel injection system for a Mk. V. I've asked him, "why?", but he is unable to provide an explanation that is even faintly rational.

[HenryDorsetCase]

There's a real tidy Rover P6 parked out the back today. 3.5l one with leather interior and all the wood. Straight and tidy too.

[Paul in NZ]

Mark 4 & 5 Cortinas - Had a potter around the classic car collection at Omaka aerodrome over the Christmas break, and once the nostalgia had dissipated a bit (I spent half my childhood in the back of them), I was surprised at exactly how few of these are still around considering the number built. Never did brown paint, driving lights and tan vinyl roofs look so good.

Saw a 4Lt one the other day - it was a vision in pooh brown and tan.... Wonderful - just waiting for a couple of hitmen to make a get away in...

[Stylo]

Saw a 4Lt one the other day - it was a vision in pooh brown and tan.... Wonderful - just waiting for a couple of hitmen to make a get away in...

Imagine a Holden Camira dressed up in the same colours, back in the day it would've matched the drivers walk-shorts and socks.

My old man had a Camira company car, broke down the week he first had it, not sure why but I do remember the vinyl seats burning my legs on a hot day in the back seat. He much preferred his old Hillman Hunter as it 'had more guts' as I remember him saying. Still working on that one .....

[Virago]

There's a real tidy Rover P6 parked out the back today. 3.5l one with leather interior and all the wood. Straight and tidy too.

Never been a fan of the P6, but it's starting to be more desirable now that really good P5's are getting scarce.

[Woodman]

You guys need to spend some time in Motueka if you wanna see the cars you are talking about on a daily basis.


Wolsely utes, the front wheel drive ones, a dairy farmer friend of the families had two of them back in the late 70s/early eighties. Haven't seen one since.

[jonbuoy]

Best to remember them through the Rose tinted glasses of time - it's shocking how agricultural and slow they feel now to drive. I love old cars but let's not kid ourselves into thinking they were "good". Some were just slightly less shit than others.

[Motu]

I had a New Zealand made Trekka complete with skoda motor that they installed backwards to a normal skoda so the gearbox was in reverse direction.
Mine had dual rear wheels double width style.

No, just a different shift pattern from what we were used to, the Octavia was the same, it was just an Octavia with a different body.

[Motu]

I had a Sunbeam Talbot for a work car for three months. It was a flash Austin Princess.

So was that a Sunbeam Talbot from the '50's, with a big vertical radiator and Humber Hawk engine and running gear (unlikely for a work car) , or a Chrysler Talbot from the '70's, a front wheel drive Simca which would be more easily compared to a British Leyland Austin Princess and something that could be a work car in the '80's ?

First time I drove a Talbot I thought what a great car, love it. Five years later they were utter pieces of crap, one of the worst cars on the road. The gear linkage was a bit nasty, but the gearbox was the easiest to remove of any car - ever. About 5 bolts and the linkage and that was it - the bellhousing, finaldrive, input shaft and axles all stayed in the car, only the gearbox came out. Odd bits of outstanding design crop up in the strangest places, pity no one else decided to copy it.

[cs363]

I had a Sunbeam Talbot for a work car for three months. It was a flash Austin Princess.

Nah, those horrible things were based on the Avenger.
Sunbeam was originally part of the Rootes Group (remember that name?) which was subsequently purchased by Chrysler, the Sunbeam brand got buried and the Sunbeam name survived as a model name for the Chrysler Sunbeam which was the original car based on the Avenger, the late 70's early 80's Sunbeam Talbot was basically the same car, slightly modernised and rebadged.


Back to the OP, a Mitsi 380 is an utter blanc mange to drive. I've never had a car hit the bumb stops entering a 60 kph corner at 80 kph. Except a Mitsi 380 that is. My overwhelming impression of the 380 is "beige". And horrible. And "Whyyyy?"

Totally agree with you on this, had one as a rental car for a trip to the South island a few years back when they were new, would have to be the worst late model vehicle I've driven. A baggy, under braked, beige pudding.

Funny how different peoples views on the same car can be.

[pete376403]

The 875cc Coventry climax based engine that powered the Hillman Imp grew to a 930cc jobbie that was used in the Last of the Sunbeam Talbots built in Scotland. At one stage brand new crate motor could still be purchased for repowering Imps (with a few mods)

[Oakie]

Vauxhall Viva 4 door. Cool wee car which was our first one after we got married. Elder daughter was made in the back seat one Xmas Eve. :)

[scumdog]

Best to remember them through the Rose tinted glasses of time - it's shocking how agricultural and slow they feel now to drive. I love old cars but let's not kid ourselves into thinking they were "good". Some were just slightly less shit than others.

My Marina ute runabout is so simple, nothing flash, complex or technological about it.
And I put $50 of petrol into it once a month. (It's a 1300)

And so far it hasn't shit itself but it's plenty quirky - although to it's credit it's an 'instant-starter', one compression and it bursts into life.

[James Deuce]

So was that a Sunbeam Talbot from the '50's, with a big vertical radiator and Humber Hawk engine and running gear (unlikely for a work car) , or a Chrysler Talbot from the '70's, a front wheel drive Simca which would be more easily compared to a British Leyland Austin Princess and something that could be a work car in the '80's ?

First time I drove a Talbot I thought what a great car, love it. Five years later they were utter pieces of crap, one of the worst cars on the road. The gear linkage was a bit nasty, but the gearbox was the easiest to remove of any car - ever. About 5 bolts and the linkage and that was it - the bellhousing, finaldrive, input shaft and axles all stayed in the car, only the gearbox came out. Odd bits of outstanding design crop up in the strangest places, pity no one else decided to copy it.

Chrysler Talbot based on the Avenger! Thank Mr CS363. That's right. Specially Badged as a Sunbeam by BMC. But an '80s version made from bits left over in boxes. A less wedgy Princess competitor. Made less wedgy with vinyl and trim. There was only about 4 of them in NZ ever. William Collins Publishers owned all of them. Cheap deal. They lasted about a year. Had nothing to do with the Frenchies.

[jonbuoy]

My Marina ute runabout is so simple, nothing flash, complex or technological about it.
And I put $50 of petrol into it once a month. (It's a 1300)

And so far it hasn't shit itself but it's plenty quirky - although to it's credit it's an 'instant-starter', one compression and it bursts into life.

I know what you mean - up until last year my daily driver was a 69 MGB GT - never let me down and a pleasure to spanner on but its a toaster in the summer and I felt like I was thrashing it just to keep up with modern traffic. I've only taken it off the road to do a V8 swap and fit Aircon/insulation.

Took me a day to do what I thought would be an easy water pump replacement on my girlfriends Fiesta. Would have been a couple of hours on the MG. I won't work on anything modern now - those mechanics earn their money and I don't begrudge paying them. Modern cars are hateful things to work on.

[nzspokes]

Vauxhall Viva 4 door. Cool wee car which was our first one after we got married. Elder daughter was made in the back seat one Xmas Eve. :)

No. No there wernt. They were rubbish on wheels. I had 3 of them. One was an 1800 which was okish. Victors were better still, had 3 of them also.

[cs363]

Victors were better still, had 3 of them also.

I used to like watching this Victor (Jack Nazer) do battle with the PDL Mustang et al back in the day:

http://oversteer.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/NAZER-7.jpg

http://www.theroaringseason.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=74&d=1304035323

[sidecar bob]

the gearbox was the easiest to remove of any car - ever. About 5 bolts and the linkage and that was it - the bellhousing, finaldrive, input shaft and axles all stayed in the car, only the gearbox came out. Odd bits of outstanding design crop up in the strangest places, pity no one else decided to copy it.

Sounds exactly like an Audi 80, but they only have four 13mm nuts holding them in.

[ducatilover]

I had a borgward isabella........ You are my new hero, they are dead sexy


There's a real tidy Rover P6 parked out the back today. 3.5l one with leather interior and all the wood. Straight and tidy too.
I really miss my P6, lovely cars. Very interesting design all over them

[rustyrobot]

I gotta soft spot for things that are German and go fast. Wouldn't mind a McLaren P1 at all...but that's as British as I would go. But I would really go there. Like really really. P1 = yummy. Like really yummy. Like 20 year old single malt sipped out of Taylor Swifts belly button yummy. Only more yummy. Yes, I like the P1. Lots. Big Lots.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/news/65286093/kiwi-car-lover-pays-15m-for-mclaren

Hmmmmm.... could 'Southeast of Nowhere' actually be Hawkes Bay?

"Hey honey, you'll never guess what I bought on TradeMe last night..."

[5150]

I used to like watching this Victor (Jack Nazer) do battle with the PDL Mustang et al back in the day


Is that a Charger I see in the background of the second shot?


The old E49 Big Tank Charger is still the only car in Bathurst history to do the whole race on one fuel stop. That is how well they had the thing tuned. Because of it they were like a lap or two ahead of the whole field, and the only reason they lost the race was when the team decided to bring the car in to do the wheel change, and some monkey decided it would be a good idea to fit cold nuts onto hot studs and they seized while he was tightening them back up. Yet in NZ they were cleaning everything up and beating V8 Falcons that Ausies brought from across the ditch.

I still have a soft spot for the old E49s and E38 Chargers. Beautiful cars.

[Paul in NZ]

Imagine a Holden Camira dressed up in the same colours, back in the day it would've matched the drivers walk-shorts and socks.

My old man had a Camira company car, broke down the week he first had it, not sure why but I do remember the vinyl seats burning my legs on a hot day in the back seat. He much preferred his old Hillman Hunter as it 'had more guts' as I remember him saying. Still working on that one .....

Those Camiras really were dreadful piles of poo.... shudder... As for those Opel engines Toranas... gack...

[nerrrd]

Another vote for the Miniiii! I had an ex AEPB one (they painted the logos out with a brush). Loved that car, I'd own an old one now if I wasn't so mechanically inept.

Plus it had a starring role in Goodbye Pork Pie.

[Paul in NZ]

The 875cc Coventry climax based engine that powered the Hillman Imp grew to a 930cc jobbie that was used in the Last of the Sunbeam Talbots built in Scotland. At one stage brand new crate motor could still be purchased for repowering Imps (with a few mods)

The Sunbeam Imps were usually Sunbeam Imps, Stilettos, Chamois or Californians... They were much sportier and better finished than the ordinary Imp... Vicki and I had a 1955 Sunbeam Mk3 as our daily driver for a while. They dropped the Sunbeam-Talbot name after the 2a and ran a Series 5 Sunbeam Rapier which was a fantastic car but full of rust.... We also had a very special pre Hunter Singer Vogue Estate. It was built to special order by the 'Special Vehicles' division (it still had all the original paperwork) with rally suspension, O/D gearbox, driving lights, badge bar and for some reason it flew... Rather than using the lower ration diff from the automatic version that most O/D cars used it ran a std diff so O/D top was really high but it also had the grunt to take it.. I really should have kept that car..

We were involved with the Sunbeam Owners club and had a jolly old time with these worthies...

I remember going to the launch of the last Talbots.... The local dealer wanted our Mk3 on display at the launch as it was very flash looking and was gutted to find it was not badged as a Talbot... LOL.. The car Jim is referring to was badged as a Chrysler Sunbeam originally and then renamed as a Talbot Sunbeam. The one to get was the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus which actually won a world rally championship but it was not the same car as the masses got.

Like the mighty Marina it was going to be the new car to take on the Japanese and save the british car industry... It was awful of course and another nail in the coffin.

[SVboy]

Somebody mentioned them before- mk 1 Cortinas. Great cars GTs, lotuses.. I had one. I was the 27th owner! We restored it, it was a real honey. How about Escort GTs? Never could afford one back then.

[pete376403]

There were some odd combinations made from the various mergers, eg Chrysler (nee Rootes) had Valiants, Simca, Hillman/Humber/Singer/Sunbeam/etc in the portfolio.
When the XU1 Holden Torana (really a stretched Vauxhall Viva) was cleaning up in Aussie, Chrysler Aust was serioulsy looking at developing an E49 powered Chrysler 180, aka Chrysler Centura , which was a Simca with 215 (IIRC) Hemi 6) - same car also sold in UK as a Talbot but with a 2 litre 4.

[Grubber]

Somebody mentioned them before- mk 1 Cortinas. Great cars GTs, lotuses.. I had one. I was the 27th owner! We restored it, it was a real honey. How about Escort GTs? Never could afford one back then.

Had an RS 2000 Mk 2 Escort.
Fanastic car and went like the proverbial clappers.
Wish i had never sold it, would be worth a mint now.

[Edbear]

Is that a Charger I see in the background of the second shot?

The old E49 Big Tank Charger is still the only car in Bathurst history to do the whole race on one fuel stop. That is how well they had the thing tuned. Because of it they were like a lap or two ahead of the whole field, and the only reason they lost the race was when the team decided to bring the car in to do the wheel change, and some monkey decided it would be a good idea to fit cold nuts onto hot studs and they seized while he was tightening them back up. Yet in NZ they were cleaning everything up and beating V8 Falcons that Ausies brought from across the ditch.

I still have a soft spot for the old E49s and E38 Chargers. Beautiful cars.

I will never forget watching Leo Leonard win the Benson and Hedges 500 at Pukekohe in '73!

[Flip]

I know what you mean - up until last year my daily driver was a 69 MGB GT - never let me down and a pleasure to spanner on but its a toaster in the summer and I felt like I was thrashing it just to keep up with modern traffic. I've only taken it off the road to do a V8 swap and fit Aircon/insulation.

Took me a day to do what I thought would be an easy water pump replacement on my girlfriends Fiesta. Would have been a couple of hours on the MG. I won't work on anything modern now - those mechanics earn their money and I don't begrudge paying them. Modern cars are hateful things to work on.

I still have a Mk3 Midget on the road.

The V8 conversion adds a lot of weight, where you dont want it to a B. There are a lot of bolt in go fast bits available for 1600 B's. My Cooper Midget has big valves, LCB exhaust, med high pistons, scatter cam and has been ported. It runs OK its a bit cammy but goes fast enough to knock the pants off most moderns. It has many of the go around corner faster bits as well.

308178308179

[Bikemad]

I will never forget watching Leo Leonard win the Benson and Hedges 500 at Pukekohe in '73!

what was he driving?............or have you forgotten?:innocent:

[5150]

what was he driving?............or have you forgotten?:innocent:

VH E38 or E49 spec Charger ofcourse :rolleyes:

[swarfie]

I still have a Mk3 Midget on the road.

The V8 conversion adds a lot of weight, where you dont want it to a B. There are a lot of bolt in go fast bits available for 1600 B's. My Cooper Midget has big valves, LCB exhaust, med high pistons, scatter cam and has been ported. It runs OK its a bit cammy but goes fast enough to knock the pants off most moderns. It has many of the go around corner faster bits as well.

Holy crap it would need the "go around corner faster bits" too. My missus has a MKI Midget and it handles like a bucket of wallowing puss :crazy::facepalm:

[Edbear]

what was he driving?............or have you forgotten?:innocent:

E49 Charger! I can clearly see in my mind the front discs glowing all the way down the back straight. His rear brakes, (drums), had gone by that stage. A lot of the cars including the Fords' brakes were red hot!

[jonbuoy]

I still have a Mk3 Midget on the road.

The V8 conversion adds a lot of weight, where you dont want it to a B. There are a lot of bolt in go fast bits available for 1600 B's. My Cooper Midget has big valves, LCB exhaust, med high pistons, scatter cam and has been ported. It runs OK its a bit cammy but goes fast enough to knock the pants off most moderns. It has many of the go around corner faster bits as well.



Fully dressed Rover V8 weighs 20 kg less than the old B series. I havent weighed the ally T5 gearbox against the old overdrive box but its bound to be lighter. Nice Midget!

[Flip]

Holy crap it would need the "go around corner faster bits" too. My missus has a MKI Midget and it handles like a bucket of wallowing puss :crazy::facepalm:

Mine used to wallow a bit, it now has urethane bushes, 3/4" sway bars, Spax shocks, panhard rod and all the springs are uprated and 1" lower. The single best improvement was fitting new swing arm bushes to the front, it made a big improvement for a few dollars. It also has negative camber.

[MD]

I know. I know. It's a stunning, timeless example of perfection of engineering encased in beauty with lines to die for and curves that, well people thought the early Vettes were sexy. Clearly they missed out on seeing one of these. Sadly you just don't see these on our roads anymore. I never took a single picture of mine (I wonder why?) so this is not quite as pretty as I remember my gorgeous pale blue beast.

You want power. Try 850cc with three forward gears! Easier for learners I guess. With so much power more gears would have been wasted.
Funny thing was it ran on a 6 volt system so I couldn't use the fan heater at the same time as the headlights or wipers. Was a bugger on cold wet nights. This example has additional fog lights added. Ha, what a joke they wouldn't have operated.
So who can guess what it was.

[Hitcher]

So who can guess what it was.

A Renault Dauphine?

[Grumph]

A Renault Dauphine?

Ha - that's what he's pictured. The only good one of those was the Dauphine Corvette which ran in early Allcomers saloons. The replica running now is better engineered - and much less wayward...Still fun to watch. But standard ? Bleh....you can have it.

[SPman]

A Renault Dauphine? Indeed yes. They made a very nice Dauphine based coupe as well - the Floride.

I prefer this version


http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa36/JonL_photo/Cars/DSC00121_zpsvl7adgwm.jpg (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/JonL_photo/media/Cars/DSC00121_zpsvl7adgwm.jpg.html)

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa36/JonL_photo/Cars/DSC00123_zpshbotwsxq.jpg (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/JonL_photo/media/Cars/DSC00123_zpshbotwsxq.jpg.html)

[SPman]

Is that a Charger I see in the background of the second shot?

Probably Graeme Addis's Charger - I think it was Leo's ex winning car - but with, basically, a Mclaren M10 rear end grafted into the back. It's still around, as is the Sidchrome Mustang and Miss Victorius is awaiting rebuild to racing condition......

1984

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa36/JonL_photo/Cars/Addis Dec 1984_zpsm4ayxdei.jpg (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/JonL_photo/media/Cars/Addis Dec 1984_zpsm4ayxdei.jpg.html)

1979

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa36/JonL_photo/Cars/Graeme Addis Charger 1979_zpsnadqqm2e.jpg (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/JonL_photo/media/Cars/Graeme Addis Charger 1979_zpsnadqqm2e.jpg.html)

Now

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa36/JonL_photo/Cars/Addis Charger New-Ratios_zpsql61vvda.jpg (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/JonL_photo/media/Cars/Addis Charger New-Ratios_zpsql61vvda.jpg.html)

[Voltaire]

Holy crap it would need the "go around corner faster bits" too. My missus has a MKI Midget and it handles like a bucket of wallowing puss :crazy::facepalm:

and taking up valuable bike room :lol:

[swarfie]

and taking up valuable bike room :lol:

You can say that again. Know anyone that wants one?...apart from retracting seat belts and after market steering wheel it's all genuine MKI Midget, fully reco'd engine including new oil and water pumps, radiator tanks off and flush. Even made new rocker shafts and rocker bushes for it. PM me if anyone...eerr... fool is interested in a piece of Pommie crap....eerrr...history:laugh:

[Reckless]

VH E38 or E49 spec Charger of course :rolleyes:


E49 Charger! I can clearly see in my mind the front discs glowing all the way down the back straight. His rear brakes, (drums), had gone by that stage. A lot of the cars including the Fords' brakes were red hot!

My first wheels was a Kawasaki 250 F11 at 15, First car was a Ford Angelbox.

But talking of Chargers in the last years of my Panelbeating Career I worked at Porirua Motor Bodies. We did all the bumps and Scratches for Todd Motors (as it was in those days).
Well Mike Todd came in with an E49 Charger. I think I spent a year on and off on that car. Was a total Paint strip, I didn't put one bit of bog in her, new door panels etc and all factory joins re leaded. It came in and out getting the motor fitted, trimmed etc etc. Farkin Fantastic it looked when finished I'll never forget her.
Also never forget taking it down for a wheel alignment. I was driving a 318 valiant in those days but when I gave the E49 a foot full fuck me I'll never forget how the thing seemed to jump up off the road and bloody went for it, Scary Fast as :)
We also did work on the Whittakers Peanut slab cars to back in the day. The peanuts cooking in their factory up the road would surround the local area.

Ah the memories :)

[Bikemad]

You can say that again. Know anyone that wants one?...apart from retracting seat belts and after market steering wheel it's all genuine MKI Midget, fully reco'd engine including new oil and water pumps, radiator tanks off and flush. Even made new rocker shafts and rocker bushes for it. PM me if anyone...eerr... fool is interested in a piece of Pommie crap....eerrr...history:laugh:

give me a hundy a box of piss and pay for the transport and i'll do you a favour and take it off ya hands for ya

[5150]

My first wheels was a Kawasaki 250 F11 at 15, First car was a Ford Angelbox.

But talking of Chargers in the last years of my Panelbeating Career I worked at Porirua Motor Bodies. We did all the bumps and Scratches for Todd Motors (as it was in those days).
Well Mike Todd came in with an E49 Charger. I think I spent a year on and off on that car. Was a total Paint strip, I didn't put one bit of bog in her, new door panels etc and all factory joins re leaded. It came in and out getting the motor fitted, trimmed etc etc. Farkin Fantastic it looked when finished I'll never forget her.
Also never forget taking it down for a wheel alignment. I was driving a 318 valiant in those days but when I gave the E49 a foot full fuck me I'll never forget how the thing seemed to jump up off the road and bloody went for it, Scary Fast as :)
We also did work on the Whittakers Peanut slab cars to back in the day. The peanuts cooking in their factory up the road would surround the local area.

Ah the memories :)

Yes. The E49 is still my no 1 dream car. You had your Fords and Holdens, but There was nothing quiet like a Mopar to get your blood boiling.

[Reckless]

Yes. The E49 is still my no 1 dream car. You had your Fords and Holdens, but There was nothing quiet like a Mopar to get your blood boiling.

Far out!! did a google for "Mike Todd E49 Charger" an here she is :)

http://nzlifeandleisure.co.nz/on-the-road-charger/

[MD]

A Renault Dauphine?

Quite right Hitcher. Your lanky frame wouldn't fit inside one. That must have been too easy. I thought it was such an obscure rarity no one would know. I was expecting names like De Tomaso, Lotus and Maserati to be thrown around based on its sleek attractive looks.

[Moi]

Saw a Peugeot 404 the other week... but haven't seen a 403 in a long while...

And I thought 403s were indestructible :eek5:

[Geeen]

Just bought myself an XE Falcon ute, still got the original 250 crossflow and carbs..... I am planning on years of work to come :innocent:

[James Deuce]

And I thought 403s were indestructible :eek5:

They're all in West/Central Africa delivering Ebola.

[mossy1200]

Think you might have misread the thread title?
Your only saying that because you were too rich to own a trekka.
I liked mine. Had railway iron welded across the front to knock down things that got in the way. Duel wheels with tractor tred and light weight so it went a few places you wouldn't expect.

Yeah ok it was crap. I admit it.

[Laava]

Hey bro! Don't tell me about crap! I had a Vanguard phase one!

[Virago]

Saw a Peugeot 404 the other week..

Aah, I learned to drive in one of those. Really weird H-gate column shift.


Hey bro! Don't tell me about crap! I had a Vanguard phase one!

You old fart. I had a Phase 3. I drove from service station to service station to top up the oil and check the petrol.

[Moi]

Aah, I learned to drive in one of those. Really weird H-gate column shift.

The first of them had first gear away and down, then lift and lift for second, then down for third, then lift and pull and lift for fourth... reverse was above first...

the later ones had a more conventional H-pattern...

[Virago]

The first of them had first gear away and down, then lift and lift for second...

Patting it into second was a real knack.

[vifferman]

Man, I've driven and had some shitty cars. I learned to drive in an Austin 1800 landcrab. Had a job delivering furniture after school in a Commer van (IIRC). It lurched around something chronic on it's primitive suspension, and if you didn't have the doors fastened back with the leather straps, and braked hard, they turned into guillotines.
Used the meagre wages from furniture delivery (40cents/hour, then 80) to save up for my first bike: 1972 Honda CB175, which I wrote off by t-boning a car that didn't give way. Sold my second bike (MT250) in 1977 and bought an overpriced 1957 Morris Minor 1000. Loved that car! Best memories were doing 70mph on the motorway, past an Escort, and seeing the girl driving do a doubletake and mouth "Oh My God!" as we slowly motored past - me and my mates (and a couple of boxes of beers, natch) going to a concert at Western Springs (can't remember WTF it was, but the overtake's stuck in my head). Another was doing a 4-wheel drift around a corner too fast, leaving lovely black curves on the freshly-laid asphalt. Third memory was after a night on the turps with a mate in Piopio, driving a bit fast, and eventually his repeated "It's a T-intersection!" sank in, hit the brakes and turned right, slid sideways right through the intersection, off into the gravel, still sideways, and hit the curb side-on, rocking the car up on two wheels. Back into first, and off we drove.
How the fuck I lived through all this, I dunno.:facepalm:
Subsequent cars were '67(?) Renault 10 (borrowed from the in-laws), 1974 Fiat 132 (LOVED that car!) ans a series of really boring jappers and other assorted yawnmobiles...

[merv]

I know. I know. It's a stunning, timeless example of perfection of engineering encased in beauty with lines to die for and curves that, well people thought the early Vettes were sexy. Clearly they missed out on seeing one of these. Sadly you just don't see these on our roads anymore. I never took a single picture of mine (I wonder why?) so this is not quite as pretty as I remember my gorgeous pale blue beast.

You want power. Try 850cc with three forward gears! Easier for learners I guess. With so much power more gears would have been wasted.
Funny thing was it ran on a 6 volt system so I couldn't use the fan heater at the same time as the headlights or wipers. Was a bugger on cold wet nights. This example has additional fog lights added. Ha, what a joke they wouldn't have operated.
So who can guess what it was.

Lol, right at this moment I have an original sales brochure for the Dauphine on TradeMe if you'd like to put in a bid:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=836609276

308207

It says the Dauphine was smooth and lively which kind of reflects what you said above Mark.

[jonbuoy]

Strange thing is a 60´s and 70´s sportbikes can still easily keep up with modern traffic. Overhaul the brakes and suspension and they aren´t a bad ride either. Much more capable on modern roads than a 60´s/70´s sportscar.

[Laava]

, 1974 Fiat 132 (LOVED that car!)...

yep, first car I loved driving too!

[Flip]

Strange thing is a 60´s and 70´s sportbikes can still easily keep up with modern traffic. Overhaul the brakes and suspension and they aren´t a bad ride either. Much more capable on modern roads than a 60´s/70´s sportscar.

What are kind of car are you thinking about?

There are a lot of 50 year old Lotus7's out there that are a lot faster than 99% of any modern cars. Most of the E type's will do 130 mph the V12 even faster. Any of the Cooper Minis are suprisingly quick, espcially around corners. Any of the Aston-martins or Morgans are still quick cars. The early 911's were being built in the 70's.

My wife and I were driving in Auckland recently in the Midget. Chris was passing everything on the motorway and I was getting a bit concerned about the speed so I asked her to slow a bit. She looked down and said "Why, i'm only doinh 90".

This is me and Spanky driving from Oamaru to Gisborne. There is no way I can get away from the Lotus it just too fast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX9JOzBb00o&x-yt-cl=84411374&x-yt-ts=1421828030

[ducatilover]

What are kind of car are you thinking about?

There are a lot of 50 year old Lotus7's out there that are a lot faster than 99% of any modern cars. Most of the E type's will do 130 mph the V12 even faster. Any of the Cooper Minis are suprisingly quick, espcially around corners. Any of the Aston-martins or Morgans are still quick cars. The early 911's were being built in the 70's.

My wife and I were driving in Auckland recently in the Midget. Chris was passing everything on the motorway and I was getting a bit concerned about the speed so I asked her to slow a bit. She looked down and said "Why, i'm only doinh 90".

Yeah but they all handle like a two day old salad. My old MX5 would run rings around our MK2 Escort track car and rally car. And the MX5 isn't "that" good handling after 270,000lm.
My old 535i would show any of those older sports cars and that wasn't exactly state of the art either :shifty:

I still prefer driving a salad though

[jonbuoy]

What are kind of car are you thinking about?

There are a lot of 50 year old Lotus7's out there that are a lot faster than 99% of any modern cars. Most of the E type's will do 130 mph the V12 even faster. Any of the Cooper Minis are suprisingly quick, espcially around corners. Any of the Aston-martins or Morgans are still quick cars. The early 911's were being built in the 70's.

My wife and I were driving in Auckland recently in the Midget. Chris was passing everything on the motorway and I was getting a bit concerned about the speed so I asked her to slow a bit. She looked down and said "Why, i'm only doinh 90".

This is me and Spanky driving from Oamaru to Gisborne. There is no way I can get away from the Lotus it just too fast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX9JOzBb00o&x-yt-cl=84411374&x-yt-ts=1421828030

Half the performance specs given on cars in the 60´ss and 70´s were exaggerated, strap them on a dyno and you would be very disappointed at what the real RWHP is. MG quoted 95BHP for the 1.8 B series - a well tuned stock MGB engine is more like 60-70 RWHP. A Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost makes a genuine 125 BHP at the wheels and weighs the same as a chrome bumper MGB. It would paste the MGB around a track or in a drag race. Probably spank both an early 911 and an Etype on the track as well. Cars have come a long way since the 60´s and 70´s - except in style and character. Minis handled well compared to what was around at the time but not by modern standards.

[5150]

Far out!! did a google for "Mike Todd E49 Charger" an here she is :)

http://nzlifeandleisure.co.nz/on-the-road-charger/

This was our baby. Still kick my self for ever agreeing to sell it. :facepalm:

308213

[Smifffy]

Half the performance specs given on cars in the 60´ss and 70´s were exaggerated, strap them on a dyno and you would be very disappointed at what the real RWHP is. MG quoted 95BHP for the 1.8 B series - a well tuned stock MGB engine is more like 60-70 RWHP. A Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost makes a genuine 125 BHP at the wheels and weighs the same as a chrome bumper MGB. It would paste the MGB around a track or in a drag race. Probably spank both an early 911 and an Etype on the track as well. Cars have come a long way since the 60´s and 70´s - except in style and character. Minis handled well compared to what was around at the time but not by modern standards.

Nostalgia ain't what it used to be.

[jasonu]

what was he driving?............or have you forgotten?:innocent:

He drove the PDL Mustang among other things.

[Banditbandit]

Good cars you don't see any more

Yeah - they may have been good in their day, but now we have more efficent and better engines, better brakes, better suspensions ... BETTER cars .... that's why we don't have those old cars ...

That's why you do;t see them around any more (the last survivors sit in people's sheds where they can shed nostalgic tears over them ...)

All those old cars you "wish I'd kept" ??? Remember why you sold them in the first place ... something better came along (sometimes after these "good old cars" BROKE DOWN and became too expensive to fix) ...

[Dadpole]

Yeah - they may have been good in their day, but now we have more efficent and better engines, better brakes, better suspensions ... BETTER cars .... that's why we don't have those old cars ...

That's why you do;t see them around any more (the last survivors sit in people's sheds where they can shed nostalgic tears over them ...)

All those old cars you "wish I'd kept" ??? Remember why you sold them in the first place ... something better came along (sometimes after these "good old cars" BROKE DOWN and became too expensive to fix) ...

Stop that you bastard. I am currently enjoying a trip down motoring memory lane with series two of The Sweeney...

[Banditbandit]

Stop that you bastard. I am currently enjoying a trip down motoring memory lane with series two of The Sweeney...

I can see why ...

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k17/paulr_666/undies.png

[scumdog]

Yeah - they may have been good in their day, but now we have more efficent and better engines, better brakes, better suspensions ... BETTER cars .... that's why we don't have those old cars ...

That's why you do;t see them around any more (the last survivors sit in people's sheds where they can shed nostalgic tears over them ...)

All those old cars you "wish I'd kept" ??? Remember why you sold them in the first place ... something better came along (sometimes after these "good old cars" BROKE DOWN and became too expensive to fix) ...

Hmm..I drove my '66 Thunderbird, '55 F100 hot-rod and my Marina ute in the last couple of days, enjoyed every minute.

Add the value of all three together and I suppose I COULD buy a new BMW or similar - but I'd be bored shitless and would think of the constantly plummeting value of said BMW...and IF it got to the stage of needing repair I certainly couldn't do it myself - and couldn't afford to pay to get it fixed either.

I get to drive brand new cars regularly and can appreciate some of their features - but can also exist quite happily without those features.

[Flip]

Half the performance specs given on cars in the 60´ss and 70´s were exaggerated, strap them on a dyno and you would be very disappointed at what the real RWHP is. MG quoted 95BHP for the 1.8 B series - a well tuned stock MGB engine is more like 60-70 RWHP. A Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost makes a genuine 125 BHP at the wheels and weighs the same as a chrome bumper MGB. It would paste the MGB around a track or in a drag race. Probably spank both an early 911 and an Etype on the track as well. Cars have come a long way since the 60´s and 70´s - except in style and character. Minis handled well compared to what was around at the time but not by modern standards.

Thats kind of funny because I would never buy a Ford Ecoboost, not ever. My old (1275) MG makes 78 HP at the rear wheels, I don't believer that the dyno it was tuned on has ever been calibrated but thats what the graph said. A friends Cooper S with a 8 port cross flow makes 110 HP, its technically a track car but has plates and rego. Some of the new std Caterum 7's (Lotus 7) have 300+HP and weigh 600kg, there is even a V8 that is 2x Hyabusa top ends on a common crank case that makes 400HP. The design of the Lotus 7 is now 50+ years old.
My old MG compared to the cars of the time say a Morrie minor or A 40 is heaps faster. Comparing a 50 year old sports car with a modern fast hatch is like comparing the 1200kg Ford Fiesta with 125HP with a 600kg Caterum 7 with 400 HP.
One of the biggest improvements in the last 50 years has been in the tyres. Modern tyres grip better and last longer, espcially in the wet.
I have owned a few vintage bikes and I do agree that many of the bikes from the 60's were very trick. I had a 63 T100 Daytona (sports model of the 500 tiger) It was a very good bike. I am still kicking myself for selling it. But even a 160 kg T100 with 42 HP is a similar gap to a modern 600cc at 150 kg with 130HP.

[Banditbandit]

But even a 160 kg T100 with 42 HP is a similar gap to a modern 600cc at 150 kg with 130HP.

Yeah .. my Meridan Triumph 650 Thunderbird (1963) would get to 110mph ... (took a while but it did get there) ... my Suzuki Bandit 650, I've been to 185 kph and then changed into top gear (and not been on the red line) ... (and a bandit is not a sprotsbike ... only about 80 horses .. )

[Reckless]

First time I did the ton (100mph) was down Ngauranga gorge on this Kawasaki 250 F11 on Nobblies.
Well thats what my memory says?? Must have been Reckless back then LMAO :killingme

308237

[jonbuoy]

Thats kind of funny because I would never buy a Ford Ecoboost, not ever. My old (1275) MG makes 78 HP at the rear wheels, I don't believer that the dyno it was tuned on has ever been calibrated but thats what the graph said. A friends Cooper S with a 8 port cross flow makes 110 HP, its technically a track car but has plates and rego. Some of the new std Caterum 7's (Lotus 7) have 300+HP and weigh 600kg, there is even a V8 that is 2x Hyabusa top ends on a common crank case that makes 400HP. The design of the Lotus 7 is now 50+ years old.
My old MG compared to the cars of the time say a Morrie minor or A 40 is heaps faster. Comparing a 50 year old sports car with a modern fast hatch is like comparing the 1200kg Ford Fiesta with 125HP with a 600kg Caterum 7 with 400 HP.
One of the biggest improvements in the last 50 years has been in the tyres. Modern tyres grip better and last longer, espcially in the wet.
I have owned a few vintage bikes and I do agree that many of the bikes from the 60's were very trick. I had a 63 T100 Daytona (sports model of the 500 tiger) It was a very good bike. I am still kicking myself for selling it. But even a 160 kg T100 with 42 HP is a similar gap to a modern 600cc at 150 kg with 130HP.

Chipped Ecoboost in a Midget could be fun - engine weighs just under 100kg. Tyres brakes, engine and suspension have all improved massively.

[Stylo]

First time I did the ton (100mph) was down Ngauranga gorge on this Kawasaki 250 F11 on Nobblies.
Well thats what my memory says?? Must have been Reckless back then LMAO :killingme

308237

I had a Bighorn 350 and that was good for about 80 on a good day, not sure about 100 on an F11 mate.

My DT400B was a much better bike but , probably not any faster.

For the record, my old man had an HQ Premier 253, took it out one Friday night and floored it on a back road to see how fast it would go. Maybe 95mph tops, didn't quite make the ton.

My mate's dad had a VH Ranger 245 'small motor', that was a better car by far ...

[pete376403]

Maybe the nostalgia about old cars and bikes is because it reminds you of what you were and did at that time. I know I really hated the Bighorn I had at times (if it wasn't crunching the rotary valve then the flywheel was coming off) but I'd have one in a heartbeat now, if I could. And 80 MPH (indicated) sounds about right for top speed when it was going.

[caspernz]

VH Valiant, 265 and 3 speed auto. Bench seat was the coolest part, get all snuggly on the front seat and all :love:

Come to think of it, maybe it was the gal I was dating at the time instead of the car :innocent:

[Swoop]

Stop that you bastard. I am currently enjoying a trip down motoring memory lane with series two of The Sweeney...
Cor blimey! A few are appearing out of the woodwork around here!
You had better order up a series of The Professionals!

Chipped Ecoboost in a Midget could be fun - engine weighs just under 100kg. Tyres brakes, engine and suspension have all improved massively.
Which is precicely the problem.
I'm looking for "something" which eliminates any form of electrickery or computers, of any sort, between my foot and the carb/s.
Modern stuff be damned!

[98tls]

He drove the PDL Mustang among other things.

Never forgotten watching/hearing that thing at lady Wigram when a young fella. Had some nice old Falcons inclusive of XT/mint XW ute 351 etc but the one i miss still was an XYGS bought over from stralia with everything why the fuck i sold it i will never understand.Currently driving a BA XR8 ute which to be honest is about as enjoyable as a wet flannel in comparison.

[98tls]

Speaking of old coons heres one that was nice in its day,photo was taken in 74, ute (shitty pic ) was a 72 XY with 351 Cleveland etc etc,the old fella had everything for it dash/grill even the shaker never fitted though.

[JimO]

Hmm..I drove my '66 Thunderbird, '55 F100 hot-rod and my Marina ute in the last couple of days, enjoyed every minute.

Add the value of all three together and I suppose I COULD buy a new BMW or similar - but I'd be bored shitless and would think of the constantly plummeting value of said BMW...and IF it got to the stage of needing repair I certainly couldn't do it myself - and couldn't afford to pay to get it fixed either.

I get to drive brand new cars regularly and can appreciate some of their features - but can also exist quite happily without those features.
like the lights and sirens?

[SVboy]

Mk III Zephyr. Lowered, Ward mags, Ta radials, Impala shifter, raised compression, triple [Stromberg?] carbs, 3/4 race Kelford cam, extractors w twin tailpipes, Primer brown paint. Nirvana in those early 70s ChCh days! Thread closed.

[98tls]

Mk III Zephyr. Lowered, Ward mags, Ta radials, Impala shifter, raised compression, triple [Stromberg?] carbs, 3/4 race Kelford cam, extractors w twin tailpipes, Primer brown paint. Nirvana in those early 70s ChCh days! Thread closed.

Wasnt white by any chance?If not no matter,had a mate with a quick (by the standards of the day)MK3.Duh just re read your post,as you were...

[Grumph]

Much to my surprise today I saw an agressively driven P76...very tidy too.

Ah, hot Mk3 Zephyrs, there was a dutchy down Colombo st had a very tidy one with a 289. Drag raced it too. anyone remember "Black Pepper". very nice Mk3?
Mate had an A35 with a 1650 Ford, Webers etc etc...Dropped the clutch in reverse leaving the burger bar in the square and dropped the propshaft out...noisy..
Then there was another mate who had a morrie Minor with a fullrace 1650 ford and suspension mods by Hec Green - used it as his daily driver and raced it in the early days of OSCA too. Fun times.

[SVboy]

I lived just down the road from trevor Crowe. Great variety of cool cars-70s Vette, Jenson Interceptor mk III, V8 Avenger, 120Y SSS [the wifes car!] used to go sideways past our house, esp in the wet!

[Paul in NZ]

I had a 63 T100 Daytona (sports model of the 500 tiger) It was a very good bike. I am still kicking myself for selling it. But even a 160 kg T100 with 42 HP is a similar gap to a modern 600cc at 150 kg with 130HP.

Train spotter hat on..... T100T Daytona was made (for public consumption) 1967 to 1974... It was most likely a SS....

[Reckless]

I had a Bighorn 350 and that was good for about 80 on a good day, not sure about 100 on an F11 mate.

My DT400B was a much better bike but , probably not any faster.

Well it was my first bike and first transport and a loooong time ago but the memory sticks with me and I did say DOWN the gorge.
I'm freakin sure I did it on the last straight approaching LV martin (are they still there)?
I remember just making it on the speedo and being scared shitless :eek:
But saying that I cant remember where the bathroom is anymore LMAO
I dont know if the gearing was changed but we rode road in the week and Horrokiwi in the weekend.
I googled the F11 dash and the speedo does make it to a hundy?
But hey its not a pissing contest just reminiscing?

308265

[Flip]

First car I did 100 in was a Mk10 jag.

[SPman]

I lived just down the road from trevor Crowe. Great variety of cool cars-70s Vette, Jenson Interceptor mk III, V8 Avenger, 120Y SSS [the wifes car!] used to go sideways past our house, esp in the wet!A mate had an Interceptor Mk 3 did a total body strip for repaint and discovered about 25Kg of factory applied bog to get everything looking right. Also did about 10mpg - you could watch the gauge drop as you pottered down to the shops! Putting in a new worked 383 fixed that - 12mpg but a bit more oomph.
The old man had a Mk 2 Triumph 2.5PI. Not to bad a car, as long as you kept Joe Lucas's mechanical fuel injection adjusted up properly - like - every fortnight! Very comfortable on a rough road as a touring car. TR6 cams helped a bit......

[jonbuoy]

Cor blimey! A few are appearing out of the woodwork around here!
You had better order up a series of The Professionals!

Which is precicely the problem.
I'm looking for "something" which eliminates any form of electrickery or computers, of any sort, between my foot and the carb/s.
Modern stuff be damned!

I know what you mean but a few cold winter morning commutes driving/riding with an old school choke and EFI starts to look good again. Fiddling around with summer/winter idle speed and mixture settings soon looses its charm. Fuel injections great as long as its setup for ride-ability and not for emissions.

[jasonu]

The old man had a Mk 2 Triumph 2.5PI. Not to bad a car, as long as you kept Joe Lucas's mechanical fuel injection adjusted up properly - like - every fortnight! Very comfortable on a rough road as a touring car. TR6 cams helped a bit......

Dad had one of those too. It needed the PI tuned just about every time he drove it.

[SVboy]

My dad had a new Triumph mk 1 2000. Had to wait on a list for 3 years to get it! Any colour you wanted as long as it was white with red interior. Lovely car. I had an English assembled Triumph Mk 1 2.5 Pi with full leather. Stunning car (rose tinted glasses firmly on) and the injection was not overly troublesome. Could devour petrol.......

[Madness]

I know a guy through work that just paid $8k for a mk3 Cortina. Apparently in storage for 15 years, it's a 1600 auto with 25,000km and all original but for the tyres & battery. What a cock.

[jasonu]

I know a guy through work that just paid $8k for a mk3 Cortina. Apparently in storage for 15 years, it's a 1600 auto with 25,000km and all original but for the tyres & battery. What a cock.

That sounds like a lot of dosh for something that was never remarkable, innovative or particularly memorable.

[Kickaha]

That sounds like a lot of dosh for something that was never remarkable, innovative or particularly memorable.
It might be memorable for him and that's all that counts

[sidecar bob]

I know a guy through work that just paid $8k for a mk3 Cortina. Apparently in storage for 15 years, it's a 1600 auto with 25,000km and all original but for the tyres & battery. What a cock.

It also depends on how much 8k means to him, it may well amount to fuck all in his scheme of things.

[Dadpole]

Now on series 3 of The Sweeney. Pure motoring porn. Many P6 Rovers and some blaggers using a Transit for a getaway. The bugger wouldn't start - how's that for realism?:laugh:

[jasonu]

It might be memorable for him and that's all that counts

Yeah fair call. But $8k for a fond memory... Maybe he earns lotsa cash money.

[Madness]

Maybe he earns lotsa cash money.

Nope. Life savings, bank loan, etc, etc.

[MD]

The old man had a Mk 2 Triumph 2.5PI. ....

+ 1

Dad had the 2.5 TC version from memory. I was a big fan of Triumph cars. Out of school I soon ended up with a Toledo, then a red GT6, so cool. Then on to a TR6 (had two over the years). Bloody well designed cars TR6 with multiple roof options; a hard top, soft top up, soft top up with rear screen unzipped or topless. Only once did the PI need servicing by the Lucas experts.

[Dadpole]

I had a 2000 Triumph once upon a time. And yes, I did manage to do the classic 'Flatten its nose' when parking against a wall.

[mossy1200]

The old man had a Mk 2 Triumph 2.5PI.

Put a 307 chev into 2.5tc. Went a lot better but was very hard on diffs. Spare diff in the boot with 2 jacks and some sockets. Under a hr on the side of the road to replace one.

[jonbuoy]

That sounds like a lot of dosh for something that was never remarkable, innovative or particularly memorable.

Probably be able to sell it for the same or more than he paid in 10 years time if he looks after it. Some 80's cars are getting really scarce - even if they aren't remarkable sometimes the rarity factor alone is enough to appreciate in value.

[jasonu]

Probably be able to sell it for the same or more than he paid in 10 years time if he looks after it. Some 80's cars are getting really scarce - even if they aren't remarkable sometimes the rarity factor alone is enough to appreciate in value.

Hopefully he keeps the km's low as that is probably its biggest selling point. Who cares I guess. As long as he is happy with his purchase is the main thing.

BTW I'm on the lookout for a mint low miles Austin Allegro 'cause I got my first blowey in my mates one. Paying up to $12k.....

[scumdog]

Hopefully he keeps the km's low as that is probably its biggest selling point. Who cares I guess. As long as he is happy with his purchase is the main thing.

BTW I'm on the lookout for a mint low miles Austin Allegro 'cause I got my first blowey in my mates one. Paying up to $12k.....

Got a low km 1500 & auto one down here, only about 70,000km or so, quite good but looks likely to have the tin worm in it. For sale but don't know the price.

[ellipsis]

...seems like this thread is more of 'nostalgia for', than a 'good' cars of the past thing...the Renault 10 I had for a while was possibly the most precise handling and most fun car I have owned...dunno if I'd want one now though...if they were real good then, whats left is collectible...if they were ordinary they are now mostly rust...I was given a straight, shiny, 6 cyl Marina to dispose of for a girl who was selling her dad's stuff when he pegged it...I could not believe the amount of calls I took and the money I got for it...that was twelve years back...

[ducatilover]

Hopefully he keeps the km's low as that is probably its biggest selling point. Who cares I guess. As long as he is happy with his purchase is the main thing.

BTW I'm on the lookout for a mint low miles Austin Allegro 'cause I got my first blowey in my mates one. Paying up to $12k.....

I'll give you a gobbie for $12k.

[Laava]

I'll give you a gobbie for $12k.

You're in the wrong thread mate!

[jasonu]

I'll give you a gobbie for $12k.

That would have to be bareback and include a reach around....

[SPman]

Lotus Elan - the first sports car I ever drove - a local farmer friend of dad's had one, a new series 1 (which his sheepdog had already chewed out the taillight wiring - he didn't like being carried in the boot!) I'd had my license for 3 weeks , so he said hop in and take it for a run! Instant love. A mate had one in Sydney in 1970 which we used to borrow - I'd have one in a shot - just replace the rubber doughnut axle couplings with decent universals or something - so maybe - a 26R Elan would be better......

[jonbuoy]

Alfa 33- or pretty much all Alfa's from the 80's - rusty, unreliable, badly built but great to drive.

[unstuck]

Datsun 260c, would love another one.:Punk::Punk:

[ducatilover]

You're in the wrong thread mate!
I think I have had too many Hondas.

That would have to be bareback and include a reach around....

Yep. And two high fives. I'm all about customer service.

[SPman]

Alfa 33- or pretty much all Alfa's from the 80's - rusty, unreliable, badly built but great to drive.
A late build Alfa Sud ti would be good - great little cars as long as you get rid of the tinworm......I had a 2000 Berlina for some time - that was also fun to drive - espec after I replaced all the suspension bushes.

[Paul in NZ]

Hopefully he keeps the km's low as that is probably its biggest selling point. Who cares I guess. As long as he is happy with his purchase is the main thing.

BTW I'm on the lookout for a mint low miles Austin Allegro 'cause I got my first blowey in my mates one. Paying up to $12k.....

Your mate gave you a blowey? Ewwww... Not sure I'd ever want to remember that unless you had way better looking mates than I did.

[F5 Dave]

Mine?
A 3.3 Vauxhall Victor, (Only 16,000 miles when I bought it.) in it's day it was fairly quick.
My first car: a 3.3 Vauxhall Victor
It was Fuked in the way all British cars Fuked themselves. Thought my girl friend might like it. She preferred the bike.
Sold it in '88. Haven't bought another car, no intention of.

Have had 2 vans. Miss my C20, saw one in the weekend.

[MisterD]

I like this thread, it's making me feel young seeing what old stuff you lot had a first cars.

Me, I'd love a Mk2 Golf GTi 16v...my first car was a 1600 GL that had the same 4-lamp grill, 'cos I couldn't afford to insure the real deal.

[Scuba_Steve]

Have had 2 vans. Miss my C20, saw one in the weekend.

FUCK YES!!!
I wants me another late 80's Nissan Vanette C20... I regret getting rid of the 4 I had :crybaby:
http://cdn.sella.co.nz/images/thumb/2/8/p/dr728p-640x500.jpg

[jonbuoy]

A late build Alfa Sud ti would be good - great little cars as long as you get rid of the tinworm......I had a 2000 Berlina for some time - that was also fun to drive - espec after I replaced all the suspension bushes.

Or a Lancia Delta Integrale Turbo never had one but drooled over them at the time. Not sure what happened to Lancia´s design department after that - it would seem they all went blind. All the new Lancia´s are fugly.

[Moi]

Or a Lancia Delta Integrale Turbo never had one but drooled over them at the time. Not sure what happened to Lancia´s design department after that - it would seem they all went blind. All the new Lancia´s are fugly.

If you watch this you might have an answer...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFKxEcQ3r7k

and saw of one these today...

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2236/2509267741_104b041bd7.jpg

[Dadpole]

I passed by Taupo yesterday and saw a couple of the lovely Citroen L15s. There were quite a few around Welly in the early - mid eighties, but I rarely see any round now. Perhaps they have rusted away?

[F5 Dave]

Bit more than a decade ago. . crumbs it was 2. I pulled into a lookout carpark overlooking Turangi and found a bunch of Beardies with photo chromatic glasses and elbow patched suede jackets posing by their cars with the families over there out of photo.

Agh, there's a Lagonda. Wait - Its the Aston Martin club!

[Tazz]

Or a Lancia Delta Integrale Turbo never had one but drooled over them at the time. Not sure what happened to Lancia´s design department after that - it would seem they all went blind. All the new Lancia´s are fugly.

See them pop up from time to time here. Obviously not the brutal rally spec ones but I tried to get all my pennies lined up for a tidy road version that was about 12-14k 3 years ago.

Think the designers went to work for Alfa ;)


http://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/tq/358945606.jpg

[Grumph]

I passed by Taupo yesterday and saw a couple of the lovely Citroen L15s. There were quite a few around Welly in the early - mid eighties, but I rarely see any round now. Perhaps they have rusted away?

Survival rate of those is actually pretty good. They are one of the few cars you can restore with just a grinder, folder and welder....Not surprised you saw some round Taupo, someone in the area used to specialise in restoring them.

[unstuck]

and saw of one these today...



That is one sexy Gazelle. :drool:

PB Vauxhall velox/cresta, miss them too.

[jasonu]

I passed by Taupo yesterday and saw a couple of the lovely Citroen L15s. There were quite a few around Welly in the early - mid eighties, but I rarely see any round now. Perhaps they have rusted away?

The words lovely and Citroen should never appear in the same sentence!!!

[Dadpole]

Wash your mouth out. I still get a serious woody over a DS Safari. :love:

[Laava]

The words lovely and Citroen should never appear in the same sentence!!!

Check this then.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/citroen/auction-780439131.htm

[Moi]

The words lovely and Citroen should never appear in the same sentence!!!

Every Citroen has Gallic charm...

[Edbear]

That is one sexy Gazelle. :drool:

PB Vauxhall velox/cresta, miss them too.

Like this?

[Moi]

That is one sexy Gazelle. :drool:

PB Vauxhall velox/cresta, miss them too.

One of these, OK - not PB, especially with the three piece rear screen...

http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc501/xecute6/AC9088DOPLEGANGERYellowVauxhallVeloxPA_zps6b16f819 .jpg

I wonder if this car is still on the road?

[Edbear]

One of these, OK - not PB, especially with the three piece rear screen...

http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc501/xecute6/AC9088DOPLEGANGERYellowVauxhallVeloxPA_zps6b16f819 .jpg

I wonder if this car is still on the road?

Mate had a PASX. Fabulous car, fast and soft.

[unstuck]

Like this?

I had one that was the color of the racing stripe on that one, with a white roof.:niceone:

[ducatilover]

Wash your mouth out. I still get a serious woody over a DS Safari. :love:

I get a woody over any DS :2thumbsup Fuckin' magic cars those.

I saw what must have been an L15 owners club parked in Woodville a couple of years ago, most of them gently weeping oil on to the road. Damn cool cars, up til fairly recent times they were really good buying as far as a classic/near vintage machine goes.

[Dadpole]

Living on the Pahiatua Track, I often get to see the various owners clubs on their outings.

My favourite was a couple of years ago when the Jag lot went through. I sat on the ride-on and watched a long parade of car porn (and a couple of hopefuls in their mid 2000s).

[Swoop]

Every Citroen has Garlic charm...

Fixed that post for ya.