Author Archive

Epic NI roadtrip, start

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December 5, 2009
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By the time this entry gets published I should be well on my way to Taupo for Leg 1 of my North Island roadtrip.

Just me, a TX3, and a bunch of camera gear…

The aim is to get to Wellington by Tuesday, spend a few days down there, then head back to the land of orcs. However for every meticulously detailed plan there exists an equally large spanner to throw in the works; namely, Leg 2 of the journey was meant to include a stop in the Hawkes Bay but the two people I’ve been planning to catch up with from that area are seemingly out of touch right now. So I may have to fall back to the alternative – which is to hoof it down the Desert Road directly to Palmy, instead of going over the range from Taupo and following SH2 down.

Anyway, I shall (hopefully) update from wherever there exists adequate 3G and/or a proper ‘internerd’ connection!

Laser TX3 Waipapa '07 (by decypher the code)

Western Access (Kihikihi - Mangakino)

: Authors Cars, Events

If I were a rich man

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November 22, 2009
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…I would buy these NOS roof visors (aka monsoons) for the KDR. 30,000 yams (NZ$466) is what they’re going for, which is a bit on the ridiculous side if I’m honest.

Genuine.

But I’m not feeling particularly rich this month having spent quite a bit on the TX3, so I’ll have to pass. Maybe I’ll get lucky and score some 2nd hand ones for a fraction of the cost if they happen to turn up on YAJ.

also spotted this trawl: one genuine brand-new DR30 tail light lens. I didn’t even know you could replace them independently of the tail light housing, but I guess it’s possible with some patience (or if you know a panelbeater willing to undertake the job for you). Start price is 10,000 yen (NZ$156)

I like new old things. Don't you?

: Authors Cars, YAJ - Yahoo! Auctions Japan

Fix It Again Tom

1
November 15, 2009
by

International jetsetter Tomstament has returned to our shores after a bunch of months holed up at some coal mine power station somewhere in the north of England (though before that, he was gallivanting round Croatia, Italy and the likes – lucky bugger). Anyway, I see his time spent in southern Europe has not diminished his unholy love for the Fiat, since it was during a layover in Singapore on his way back to NZ that he sent me a message on MSN asking if I’d like to go see some “rusty Fiat wagon” (his words, not mine!) on the Saturday after his return.

never actually having seen a Fiat wagon of any sort prior to 1980 before, I did oblige… and yeah, ’twas rustastic. But awesome.

'66 Fiat 2300 wagon (by decypher the code)

1966 Fiat 2300 Wagoneer

(more…)

: Car Spotting, Cars for Sale

’80s turbo talk: Ford 1600CVH

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November 10, 2009
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At roughly the same time as Ford of Japan and Australia’s development of the Laser TX3 in their joint partnership with Mazda, their counterparts on the other side of the world were hard at work tooling a turbo hot hatch of their own. Developed with assistance from Ford of America’s SVE (Special Vehicle Engineering) division, the Escort RS turbo promised to deliver a handsome challenge to the likes of hot hatch rivals VW, Lancia and Opel/Vauxhall on their home turf of continental Europe.

Some reckon the Mark III & IV Escort were built on BD Familia underpinnings - but who's to say? Photo courtesy of Ford Club Hannover (Germany)

Drawing from the success of the Sierra Cosworth (YBx) and Mustang SVO (Pinto 2.3) turbocharged engines, the humble 1600 Compound Valve angle, Hemispherical combustion chamber engine was chosen as the base upon which to develop the RS turbo version, possibly showing a certain parallel with Mazda’s similarly sized 1600cc B6T. (more…)

: Automotive Documentation

4-VALVE DOCH RS-TUBRO

3
November 8, 2009
by

Someone with cash needz to buy this, because you knows you wanna. And $10k probably wouldn’t get you one out of Japan shipped and complied with the way our peso currently is. It’s even got the oh-so-leet Jenesis rear spoiler and ADthree end caps, a sign of quality DR30-ness. But are some decent photos of the vehicle too much to ask for?

if you is in Dunedin, go have a look at it and tell me if it’s any good.

K, check. D, check. R30, check.

However do bear in mind that moar dish and moar slam are required with urgency. And Michael will probably give you shit because he’s all about the trip-slat, and this be iron-nose all up in yo’face.

Just hoping it doesn’t end up in the hands of some TC bastard. That would suck.

Nissan Skyline RS-X 1983 for sale on Trademe »

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