Jon

Likes old cars and other guff.

[Jon @uselessdirge]

@AndrewHofler Here's a later Opel Blitz I spotted several times over the years, at Horopito Motors.

Amazingly, it was RHD! I have photos somewhere of the dash, which looked original to me. So quite the anomaly.

Unusually for Horopito, it's no longer there, so I really hope it was saved.

[Jon @uselessdirge]

@garagehirst Here's a thread about it on Retrorides. I think the guy owned a couple of 5 door hatchbacks, and that metallic blue saloon at the same time.

https://t.co/lZUTQZCVdK

[Jon @uselessdirge]

@RoadworkUK Funnily enough, I remember having a Black Sheep beer in Tallin, for the sheer novelty of it's availability. Think I also had bear curry, for the same reason (back when I ate meat).

How's the Linnahall looking, these days? It was quite tired back in 2006!

[Jon @uselessdirge]

I often think of the snack wall I saw in a Sheffield newsagents a couple of years ago. Hope it's doing well.

[Jon @uselessdirge]

@Snugbucket Not quite! It's a Turkish Otosan Anadol A1, developed by Ogle, on behalf of Reliant (due to their background in fibreglass car bodies).

The proposal was for it to be made in NZ, though.

[Jon @uselessdirge]

@addict_car My parents have a V70 DRIVe, bought nearly new, with the same 1.6 engine, largely due to its then old-fashioned 5-speed box, as my mum was unfamiliar with 6-speed manuals!

Certainly no ball of fire, but it's a very comfortable drive, with smaller wheels and higher profile tyres.

[Jon @uselessdirge]

I'm glad to report that in 2024, I've personally witnessed the existence of a Phonepoint sign at Plaform 9 at York railway station, more than 32 years after the early 'mobile' phone service ceased to operate.

[Jon @uselessdirge]

@000_three Yeah, it's plenty for a daily.

My wife enjoys driving manuals but also likes the fact that her little Renault pulls nicely in higher gears with no effort, or need to change down!

[Jon @uselessdirge]

@000_three Ha ha, that's probably likely!

I've seen a few others over the years, including one in Auckland with a big carbon fibre front splitter.

Saw that same splitter one at Whakapapa ski field!

[Jon @uselessdirge]

@halkyardo I'm far from a computer fan but thought it worth noting that BBC Acorn (and later just Acorn?) computers were a staple part of my school education, circa 1987-97.

At the time, I lived less than a mile from Bishopthorpe Palace. Never visited it, though!

[Jon @uselessdirge]

3 of mine (all different shades/conditions to those advertised)

[Ricks Drapes @PatsCurtins]

Rt this with an ad of your car

“The Hot Rod of Polite Society”

[Jon @uselessdirge]

@dilaedathon I drove by those years ago but couldn't stop for a photo. Glad to see them still kicking about! The Simca (1000?) is especially novel (and buggered!)

[Jon @uselessdirge]

@dilaedathon Ah, right! Very close to the gardens. Must give it a try one day!

[Jon @uselessdirge]

@dilaedathon Wairongomai Valley is also a great walk when you're in that area, and much quieter.

Exploring the old gold mining infrastructure is great, and climbing the funicular incline is always a challenge!

[Jon @uselessdirge]

@thealso Mk2 Cavalier is my guess! If so, fingers crossed for an early one in a bold, solid shade.

[Jon @uselessdirge]

@dilaedathon It's taking some getting used to! I'm certainly babying it at the moment.
Heading out this evening and my wife will have her first ever drive, now it has a useful amount of power!

[Jon @uselessdirge]

After quite a wait, as of this afternoon, my garage has a car in it again.

Slightly ashamed to say I threw money at the situation, as it had sat around in bits for years.

It was last Nissan LD28 powered but has a bit more go now, with a Holden 308 and Celica 5 speed.

[Jon @uselessdirge]

@dilaedathon These are Aussie made Bluebirds - there was even a Ford version, called a Corsair!

Pretty sure these were sold in Japan, and came with a stuffed kangaroo to promote their Aussie roots!