Classic shows

[59Impala]

I haven't seen an FX3 in the wild for ages, it was in splendid fettle. And hopefully not driven by a Sid James/Sam Kydd lookalike as a certain motoring journalist would say in one of his articles. Anyway this is the final batch of photos.


Very tastefully modified CA with 3 litre Senator running gear and I believe Jaaag steering and suspension. Nice one piece rear door conversion too.



More Eddie peaks! Also powered by some kind of Mercedes engine, probably a dizzle.









Shock, horror, early ADO16 in non rotten condition. It was lovely, miles better than the 20 quid one I owned years ago.

This is a one owner Continental, owner said he was on holiday in the US in 1978, wandered into a Lincoln showroom, couldn't believe the price and bought it there and then. Then he found out that shipping it here would be $350 so would have to get his dad to transfer the money but a chap overheard and said that he owned a large trawler that was going to Scotland and he would ship it for $50. Thus a while later it arrived safe and sound. The car is all original and as nice inside as out. Shame that the bonnet is open though, wish people wouldn't do that unless someone asks to have a look.

1937 Triumph Vitesse but not the 60s version.

[mercrocker]

Great story on that Mark V, I certainly wouldn't have fancied it either on deck or in a fish-pongy hold. It looks well for the intervening half century, though!

Agreed on the bonnet thing although I suppose some folk like to peer knowingly in there but to me it just encourages belt buckles along the wingtops. Nice to see an ADO16 looking that neat, and a comparatively unloved variant too. Early Midget's a beaut, too.

[59Impala]

He did say that he went to see the guy's trawler before he agreed to having it shipped and it was a very large vessel. The car was apparently well protected by various covers too. Not sure how it was loaded and unloaded though. It's also a Cartier edition and all the gizmos still work. I always keep the bonnet of my cars closed unless someone asks nicely if they can have a look.

SIC wouldn't like that Midget, no welding to be done It was a very nice car and these days I guess fairly rare.

[Hooli]

What's the purple thing? That looks cool

[mercrocker]

1971 Buick Riviera, commonly known as "Boat-tail". Supposed to reprise the rear styling of the 1964 Corvette Stingray and the trade-mark belt-dip of the 1954-58 Buicks. Packed a 455 V8 but I think not one of Riviera's best sales years at the time.

Mr Impala will know more than me...

[Hooli]

Oh yes, of course. There was a green one on Due South, I think

[paulplom]

Gas Monkey did a riviera.

[mercrocker]

Well they proper fucked that up.

[59Impala]

1971 Buick Riviera, commonly known as "Boat-tail". Supposed to reprise the rear styling of the 1964 Corvette Stingray and the trade-mark belt-dip of the 1954-58 Buicks. Packed a 455 V8 but I think not one of Riviera's best sales years at the time.

Mr Impala will know more than me...

Indeed the sales figures took a dip for the 1971-3 Rivieras averaging around 34,000 per year. I like them, they go quite well with loads of torque and are very comfortable. All had the 455 V8 with autoboxes. My favourite Riviera would be a 1965 GS with the 425ci Nailhead V8 and dual carbs, great looking car and they are pretty quick too. A black one would be lovely especially if it had had a power disc brake conversion fitted.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

That is so nice. It's what I want to see at classic car shows, not 1994 Escorts and rubbish like that.