Andresen Bil på Ski celebrated the reopening of its premises after renovation. On Saturday, it was a vintage car day with cars older than 30 years.
Andresen Bil is a family-run group that sells Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Citroen and Opel. Its roots go back to 1952 when Bjorn Andresen established a workshop in his parents' house. Eventually it became cars and Follo car & bodywork eventually became dealers for Mercedes-Benz and Peugeot. Today they also sell Citroen and Opel, although the company's history with these brands is more recent.
Mercedes-Benz
For those of us who are a little older, it brings back fond memories to be greeted by a “new” 1968 Mercedes-Benz “Strich-Acht” in the showroom. This was not a car that just anyone could take home. The “Strich-Acht” arrived in the showrooms in 1968, and the car in the pictures was the first W115 to be sold in Ski. It went to a truck owner Johannes Enersen, Askim, who only used it for holidays and stately occasions. After Enersen's death, it was taken over by a family friend who repaired some rust damage, before it was bought back by Andresen. A car with less than 40.000 km on the odometer! This is not just any vintage car, but a car with local history. Worth taking care of!
Outside in the customer parking lot were the guests' vintage cars. Here are some of them.
Peugeot
In the Peugeot, Citroen and Opel department is this white Peugeot 504 from 1969. It was the first model year, and this particular car was the first Peugeot 504 sold by Follo Bil & Karosseri. It was delivered to a dentist Olav Day Viken from Ski. He was a well-known personality in Ski. In addition to being a dentist, he was a local politician for the Liberal Party, a visual artist, active in the art community and, among other things, designed Ski's municipal coat of arms. He kept the Peugeot for the rest of his life. After his death in 1980, it was stored and bought back to Andresen Bil in 2015 to be completely restored.
The Peugeot 504 was replaced by the 505 in 1979, but production of the pickup version continued until 1983. Many of the cars are still in use in France. In Norway, pickups have never been a common sight – at least not today. The pickup in the picture was first registered in Norway.
Citroen
The Citroen AK400 was a real workhorse, especially in the countries around the Mediterranean, where many are still in use. The car in the picture is from 1977 and first registered in Norway. The engine has a displacement of 602 cc and produces 32 hp.
Opel
The Opel Olympia between 1967 and 1970 was an attempt to fill the gap between the Kadett and the Rekord. It is clear that the model is based on the Kadett B, but it stood out by offering a 4-door fastback. Although the cars had a coupé shape, they were not made with a rear door (hatchback) – only with a hatch to a closed trunk.
Veteran ambulance
The centerpiece of the car meeting was probably this beautiful ambulance based on the Mercedes-Benz 180 (W120). It is not known where the car was rebuilt. The car in the picture has served in Gjøvik, but is now owned by Oslo University Hospital HF. There is said to have been one similar car in Oslo.
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