American cars in the UK - USAF bases?
Discussion
RizzoTheRat said:
Not sure if it's the same at US bases in the UK, but the big ones on the continent have car dealerships on them.
Yep, they even had them in Iraq when I was there (as a contractor that time around)http://www.militaryautosource.com
roscobbc said:
Don't think there's so many active US servicemen in the UK these days........even in 70's and 80's they were more likely to bring a Toyota or some other poxy 4 banger lhd subcompact over here.
Still loads around us (Menwith Hill) as it's an RAF base in name only and quite an active base.urquattroGus said:
Looking for a classic American car, do servicemen in Norfolk/Suffolk still sell stuff off?
Nothing like they did 50-60+ years ago, and certainly not any 'classic cars' although that depends on your definition of classic of course. The massive reduction in US service personnel since the cold war days of the 50's to 80's and base closures mean, there is no longer scrap yards in East Anglia filled with US vehicles.
aeropilot said:
urquattroGus said:
Looking for a classic American car, do servicemen in Norfolk/Suffolk still sell stuff off?
Nothing like they did 50-60+ years ago, and certainly not any 'classic cars' although that depends on your definition of classic of course. The massive reduction in US service personnel since the cold war days of the 50's to 80's and base closures mean, there is no longer scrap yards in East Anglia filled with US vehicles.
aeropilot said:
urquattroGus said:
Looking for a classic American car, do servicemen in Norfolk/Suffolk still sell stuff off?
The massive reduction in US service personnel since the cold war days of the 50's to 80's and base closures mean, there is no longer scrap yards in East Anglia filled with US vehicles.DOCG said:
Hopefully one day it will be reduced to zero. Having another country's military permanently stationed in a sovereign country is inappropriate. I doubt the US would ever allow a foreign military base on their soil yet Europe is plastered with their bases.
The British military has units permanently based all across the world including America. DOCG said:
aeropilot said:
urquattroGus said:
Looking for a classic American car, do servicemen in Norfolk/Suffolk still sell stuff off?
The massive reduction in US service personnel since the cold war days of the 50's to 80's and base closures mean, there is no longer scrap yards in East Anglia filled with US vehicles.
DOCG said:
aeropilot said:
urquattroGus said:
Looking for a classic American car, do servicemen in Norfolk/Suffolk still sell stuff off?
The massive reduction in US service personnel since the cold war days of the 50's to 80's and base closures mean, there is no longer scrap yards in East Anglia filled with US vehicles.When it falls apart, after WW4.
My sister and her ex husband were stationed in Stuttgart twice, in the 90s and he choose to ship a Ford Tauraus 3.2 115 bhp Station wagon, with an 85 mph speedo and a mazda 6?5 iirc
Both s
t US spec cars. They both used to panic if they went over an indicated 60 on the autobahn.
I took him at 130 in a 1.8 seirra sapphire and he almost fainted.
C.A.R. said:
Something I've always wondered but can't find the answer to; why is there an abundance of USDM cars near to USAF operating air bases?
Well, this is the only connection I can figure anyway? Particularly notice it in Norfolk around the various bases the USAF operate from.
Part of me thinks this must make financial sense for the officers using them, because most of them had been fairly desirable cars or pick-up trucks. However, you also see really bland stuff like Camrys and big Hondas that we don't get in the UK market. Where's the sense in bringing something like that over?
Just a boring Sunday evening observation and a curiosity really. Surely it would be easier to buy a RHD car better suited to UK roads?! Seems mad.
It's all paid for. Well, this is the only connection I can figure anyway? Particularly notice it in Norfolk around the various bases the USAF operate from.
Part of me thinks this must make financial sense for the officers using them, because most of them had been fairly desirable cars or pick-up trucks. However, you also see really bland stuff like Camrys and big Hondas that we don't get in the UK market. Where's the sense in bringing something like that over?
Just a boring Sunday evening observation and a curiosity really. Surely it would be easier to buy a RHD car better suited to UK roads?! Seems mad.
They also get fuel at US rates.
The few I knew who were here for a few years actually ended up buying UK cars. I think the novelty wears off driving a F150 round English villages even when you're paying $2.50 a gallon.
ecsrobin said:
DOCG said:
Hopefully one day it will be reduced to zero. Having another country's military permanently stationed in a sovereign country is inappropriate. I doubt the US would ever allow a foreign military base on their soil yet Europe is plastered with their bases.
The British military has units permanently based all across the world including America. Or atleast they used to up to when I left.
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