Spotted

Out and about once more...

E30 BMW 3-Series Baur TC. Quite a rarity, and NOT the same as the much more common Convertible that came later. I'd appreciate any more information on them!
A good (E21) Baur site can be found here, and a German BMW Baur Club here.

A Peugeot 305 van. I see this around here loads! The pic doesn't really do the superb wheeltrims justice. Can't be many of these left now - like all vans, I guess they suffer from a lifetime of abuse as "working" vehicles.

Starting to disappear rapidly from our roads nowadays, a first-generation Renault Espace. Still plenty about though, grab one of these genre-defining Matra wonders while you can!

"...and when they met, it was MOIDER!". Hart to Hart Merc looking stunningly well kept.

Another gleaming red retro-Merc. Absolutely GORGEOUS, but not low enough!

A VERY unusual sight. It's a Reliant Ant! They were made from 1967 to 1987, and had a single-piece GRP cab. 700cc of power! Quite an interesting alternative to a new Piaggio Ape. If you can find one.

Spotted

The first in a never ending series of posts.



An E28 5-Series Bimmer (a 528i to be exact) in that lovely shade of metallic green that they used to do them in. Quite tidy, too! The traffic warden was looking confused. I guess he thought the Primera was more worthy of attention.



Someones Mini project, in hibernation for the winter. Wonder what will become of it? Note the high quality axle stands, and the wheelbarrow is probably for carting the piles of rust away with. I pass this several times a week, hopefully I'll get to keep an eye on progress.

An explanation

...of the images across the top. Just in case you were wondering, even though I suspect you probably weren't.

They are, from left to right:

* An image from the box of a 60s/70s "Auto Coffee Maker". I'm not sure what the car is. How cool is that though? Find yourself a nice parking spot, overlooking somewhere lovely. Get the Auto Coffee Maker on, and several hours later there'll be heat in your drink but no power in your battery. Perfect.

* An image from the box of the frankly stupendous Sparkrite Voyager - "The most advanced microprocessor controlled car driving computer". It was basically a horrifically difficult to wire up advanced trip computer. Apparently, it was "Designed to improve driving techniques", and offered amongst other advanced features "Instant FUEL, SPEED and TIME, date at the touch of a button", "Visual and audible EXCESS SPEED alarm", and had "All necessary fitting parts included". I want one. A lot. No idea what the car is, I suspect it's a Ford.

* Two Frenchmen scratching their Berets whilst contemplating the dodgy reliability of a Renault Caravelle.

* A Citroen Ami brochure cutaway pic.

* A rather enticing shot of a lady admiring the plush green velour trim of a Matra Bagheera.

* VW Bay Window camper, PERFECT.

* Renault 18 boot.

* A happy couple enjoying servicing and maintenance on a Sunbeam. Super.


These are all the sort of thing I love best - quirky accessories and motors from the oft-forgotten sections of the retro car world. I see myself at the top of a mountain pass in my Lancia Beta Monte Carlo, parked up with my Auto Coffee Maker on the go. An adoring lady admires the interior fittings and quality of the Italian craftsmanship(!) whilst I fiddle with my Voyager, marvelling at my fuel consumption and wondering how much I can improve on my average speed time. Ahhh. Happy days.

Everyday Electronics

Superb!

I picked up 25 issues for 10p each. AWESOME retro 70s imagery on the covers, and the inside is all yellowy superthin paper and black and white print. Looks like I might have to get busy with the soldering iron, I can see lots of gadgetry potential for the Golf!

I'm intrigued as to what exactly you do with a "Probophone" (bottom middle mag) but I intend to find out...