Only read about half the thread but trying to find a picture of a 1961 Vauxhall Cresta (in case no one has mentioned it). My Dad used to let me drive his. Loved it.
I had an Escort Mexico. Traded it in for a Triumph Stag. Mistake. Couldn't keep the damn thing cool. Also had a Herald convertible. Broke in two on the A453 near Tamworth.
We're currently staying on a farm in Oxfordshire and look what's parked next to the farmyard:
Wartburg!! My favourite of all the old eastern bloc cars.
The first ever rally I went to watch was the 1974 Lombard RAC and there was a works team of these entered, running some way down the huge entry. After we’d been up in Ennerdale forest to watch the leaders come through I remember driving home in the rain and peering out of the back of my Grandad’s Avenger Estate to see one of the factory Wartburgs tipped on its side in a lay-by to make it easier for the mechanics to fix whatever mechanical trauma was ailing it.
So today was our last day in the Oxford area visiting our daughter. We decided on an afternoon at Stonor Park, an old stately home with gardens, deer park etc. On arrival we discovered we were sharing the venue with the Bentley Owners' Club shindig. The reek of privilege hung over the place but oh, some of those cars. Clearly not really for this thread, but there's nowhere else. These are not super high resolution as the files were too big, but if anyone wants geeky detail I'll put a higher res one up:
Actually a fair few non-Bentleys snuck in there, even if you exclude the Smart car. The aluminium finish one driven by the silly sod in the baggy cap who thinks it's 1925 said Napier-Railton on what I assume to be the exhaust cowl(?).
Wartburg!! My favourite of all the old eastern bloc cars.
The first ever rally I went to watch was the 1974 Lombard RAC and there was a works team of these entered, running some way down the huge entry. After we’d been up in Ennerdale forest to watch the leaders come through I remember driving home in the rain and peering out of the back of my Grandad’s Avenger Estate to see one of the factory Wartburgs tipped on its side in a lay-by to make it easier for the mechanics to fix whatever mechanical trauma was ailing it.
We used to have tons of them; they were so easy to play about with. My father and I changed the engine of one in the carpark at Hartshead Moor services on the day of the Charles-Diana marriage. It took us less than two hours...
Spotted this yesterday. Now up front, what can’t be ignored are the lowered suspension and Ferrari sticker. But those aside, it’s been beautifully restored/preserved.
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