Classics left to die/rotting pics - Vol 2

[Dapster]

ric p said:

Not sure they are left to die, properly dead, perhaps. Half a dozen Audi coupes that have been sacrificed so others may live.

Tornado Red Quattro with the wide arches. The other 2 are Coupes. Black saloon is an 80 I think.

[Isimmo]

Dapster said:

ric p said:

Not sure they are left to die, properly dead, perhaps. Half a dozen Audi coupes that have been sacrificed so others may live.

Tornado Red Quattro with the wide arches. The other 2 are Coupes. Black saloon is an 80 I think.

Agree. The downward twist of the front chassis Stanton suggests it’s had a substantial impact.

[Mr Tidy]

MarkwG said:

LotusOmega375D said:

They weren’t necessarily lower spec either. Let’s face it, if you’re making RHD spec. for the UK market and a Dutch dealer pings through an order for some RHD cars, there’s no reason why they couldn’t be UK spec. also. It’s only the delivery address that’s different.

indeed: it was about being 100% sure you were getting what you wanted & had ordered. Different countries have a different outlook, the Monza was available in a fairly basic form in Belgium, which you could spec as you wanted; whereas the UK version was quite well spec'd anyway (electric windows, digital dash etc). My colleague bought through an agent that quoted for a car specified as he wanted, but then supplied a base spec car: I seem to recall he threatened legal action, but they sorted it before it got to that point.

It wasn't quite as simple as just a different address, though; some of the manufacturers put a lot of pressure on the continental dealerships not to supply to a UK address, or refused or delayed RHD orders. That tended to soften when they realised it wasn't the total price that was causing the issue, just the taxation differences. The ebb & flow of cross border car supply still happens elsewhere, & perhaps will happen again now we've left the EU, who knows.

I remember it being a big thing in the 80s.

There was a garage called Barwells in Chessington who specialised in imports from Belgium I think, especially Opel Mantas as they were sold as Opels in the UK - Opel "Cavaliers" or Asconas weren't quite as popular when you tried to sell them.

My 1982 Capri 2.8 Injection was an import - it had no sunroof!

[Isimmo]

Wasn’t there something back then with British forces posted overseas, where they could order RHD cars to the specifications of the country they were posted?

[MarkwG]

Mr Tidy said:

MarkwG said:

LotusOmega375D said:

They weren’t necessarily lower spec either. Let’s face it, if you’re making RHD spec. for the UK market and a Dutch dealer pings through an order for some RHD cars, there’s no reason why they couldn’t be UK spec. also. It’s only the delivery address that’s different.

indeed: it was about being 100% sure you were getting what you wanted & had ordered. Different countries have a different outlook, the Monza was available in a fairly basic form in Belgium, which you could spec as you wanted; whereas the UK version was quite well spec'd anyway (electric windows, digital dash etc). My colleague bought through an agent that quoted for a car specified as he wanted, but then supplied a base spec car: I seem to recall he threatened legal action, but they sorted it before it got to that point.

It wasn't quite as simple as just a different address, though; some of the manufacturers put a lot of pressure on the continental dealerships not to supply to a UK address, or refused or delayed RHD orders. That tended to soften when they realised it wasn't the total price that was causing the issue, just the taxation differences. The ebb & flow of cross border car supply still happens elsewhere, & perhaps will happen again now we've left the EU, who knows.

I remember it being a big thing in the 80s.

There was a garage called Barwells in Chessington who specialised in imports from Belgium I think, especially Opel Mantas as they were sold as Opels in the UK - Opel "Cavaliers" or Asconas weren't quite as popular when you tried to sell them.

My 1982 Capri 2.8 Injection was an import - it had no sunroof!

I think my Kadett had Barwell on the number plates...long time ago, though, can't be sure.

[MarkwG]

Isimmo said:

Wasn’t there something back then with British forces posted overseas, where they could order RHD cars to the specifications of the country they were posted?

Yep, still a thing now: the benefit is the tax payable.

[NorthernSky]

Does the spoiler indicate this is anything special?

[Fastdruid]

NorthernSky said:

Does the spoiler indicate this is anything special?

Not the spoiler but the "Le Mans" badge does.

https://otto-models.com/en/ot756/576-peugeot-405-m...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[5 In a Row]

Fastdruid said:

NorthernSky said:

Does the spoiler indicate this is anything special?

Not the spoiler but the "Le Mans" badge does.

https://otto-models.com/en/ot756/576-peugeot-405-m...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I hired a 1.9 diesel (non-turbo!) 405 in 1993 and it had a similar spoiler so I suspect it has little effect apart from visual.
I'm sure the angle of the spoiler meant the front edge was higher so if you could go fast enough (probably not possible in a mighty 1.9D) it would generate lift rather than downforce

[LotusOmega375D]

Well it certainly “takes my breath away”.

https://youtu.be/xIksIfZ9ik4

Quite apt song considering what is being released in the cinemas tomorrow.

[NorthernSky]

Fastdruid said:

NorthernSky said:

Does the spoiler indicate this is anything special?

Not the spoiler but the "Le Mans" badge does.

https://otto-models.com/en/ot756/576-peugeot-405-m...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Ah great info. Thanks. You must have used a magnifying glass to see that badge. I nearly loaded a photo of a close up of it but assumed it was some tacky add-on badge from many years past.

I will share the location if anyone wants to attempt to find the owner and buy it.

[Turbobanana]

Fastdruid said:

NorthernSky said:

Does the spoiler indicate this is anything special?

Not the spoiler but the "Le Mans" badge does.

https://otto-models.com/en/ot756/576-peugeot-405-m...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Yup, Le Mans was a predictable limited edition to reflect on Peugeot's wins at the 24hrs of Le mans in 1992 & 93. It's an Mi16, but the later (slightly softer) 2.0 rather than the 1.9, with the softer dash and better boot access as the sill was lowered. Diablo Red is the colour. Same alloys as the 306 XSi and early GTI-6.

The rear spoiler saw service on all models by the end, but in earlier times was reserved for the SRI and Mi16, and, yes, they are purely cosmetic as the angle of attack is all wrong. People loved them, mind.

[Mr lestat]

On holiday in Dorset I passed this place today, lots of interesting things on the verge outside including what looked like a Ferrari 250 Gto replica. These are from street view but you get the idea

[The Mad Monk]

Wow!

So much stuff there.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tribute+Automoti...

[Mr lestat]

The Mad Monk said:

Wow!

So much stuff there.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tribute+Automoti...

That’s the place

[GTRene]

The Mad Monk said:

Wow!

So much stuff there.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tribute+Automoti...

cool to look around, I see also a MB 300SL body (replica) cool stuf.

[GTRene]

see, also a special hardtop lays around next to the road, but for what? a triumph?

here the 300 SL

[Driveline Shunt]

What the heck with the Scimitar escaping from the garage 10 foot up?

[Mr lestat]

Driveline Shunt said:

What the heck with the Scimitar escaping from the garage 10 foot up?

6 wheeled something out the front. 4 front wheels ?? Bizarre

[The Mad Monk]

The Mad Monk said:

Wow!

So much stuff there.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tribute+Automoti...

I think someone should get down there pronto, take some proper photos and post them on here.