Every spring and autumn, the Norwegian Veteran Car Club organizes its market at Ekeberg Camping. Car parts, sausages and various spinning goods are sold among beautiful vintage cars.
The Ekeberg market filled the entire campsite. The top was reserved for car-related items. Below there were large and small stalls on both sides of the road selling sausages, smoked salmon, jellies and more in several flavors. Come and buy! People were in a market mood and the threshold for a chat was pleasantly low. There was also a good atmosphere between all the cars – both those parked in the luxury car parking lot and cars that the car clubs were showing off.
Follow me on a walk among the cars!
American cars
1959 Pontiac Catalina Safari 389 V8.
1956 Chevrolet Bel Air that has been in Norwegian ownership since 1960.
1953 Buick Special with Norwegian history. First owner was the Norwegian Shipping Employers' Association SAF
1952 Studebaker Champion at EAC (Eight Amcars Club).
1964 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk 289 V8 at EAC (Eight Amcars Club).
Cars for sale
1964 Ford Fairlane 500 Sports Coupe 260 V8.
1964 Ford Fairlane 500 Sports Coupe Hardtop with Ford's 260 V8 - a current engine that is also used in the Ford Mustang, among other things. Manual transmission and trailer hitch. Price 245.000,- Inquiries should be directed to Kenneth at 99114650, Høitomt Auto in Askim. Link to advertisement.
1953 Ford Zephyr Six.
This Ford Zephyr with original paint and patina from 1953 caught my interest. The car is said to be virtually rust-free! It has a newly overhauled engine, propeller shaft – and everything new in brakes, front suspension, new tires, lights, windshield and interior carpets. Price 65.000,- inquiries should be sent to nordlietom@gmail.com or phone 91108507.
European cars
1965 Mercedes-Benz 190.
Left: 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250 S. Right: 1965 Opel Kapitän.
1988 Citroen CX 22 TRS.
1973 Fiat 130. These cars were expensive in the 1970s. Luxurious interior. This car has an automatic transmission.
1962 Ford Taunus 17M van at Ford M Club.
Sports cars
Sunbeam Tiger at the Ekeberg market in 2025. They were delivered with 260 V8 engines from Ford.
1970 Datsun 240Z.
Pre-war cars
Front: 1930 Ford Model A Roadster. Rear: 1929 Ford A Pickup.
Detail from Ford Model A pickup truck.
1930 Austin 7 owned by the same owner since 1971!
Austin 7 interior.
moped
Puch Monza 50cc.
When you turned 16 in the 1970s, this would have been high on your wish list as an alternative to the Tempo Panter. Strangely enough, such gadgets still bring back fond memories.
Long wait if you need the car while the software is being updated. Photo: Standret / Depositphotos.com.
If you initiate a wireless update of your car's software, you should make sure that you will not be using the car for a long time and that you are not blocking other cars.
We were visiting a couple of friends. While the guys were doing some gardening, the ladies went shopping in the couple's Volkswagen ID.3. When they returned, they parked in the driveway so as not to disturb the gardening in the yard. When the owner put the car in Park, she was asked for the first time about upgrading the car's software. "Yes," she clicked, thinking "Why not?"
An hour later, the entire group was supposed to take the car to a reserved restaurant table in the city center, but were greeted by the following message: “Updating your Volkswagen… It may take a while.” The car was not drivable and we could not take spring car because it was locked inside by the host's car.
The solution was a taxi and a laugh-out-loud conversation about places and times where you absolutely should not initiate a software update.
Update of Volkswagen's ID series. Photo: Volkswagen.
Update may take a long time
An hour should be enough, you might think? The upgrades to our Tesla Model 3 rarely take more than 30-40 minutes. The taxi driver had the same experience with his new Tesla Model Y. But according to Volkswagen, the update can take 3 hours – maybe shorter – maybe longer. This is not unusual for car models that are updated over the air (OTA). The time is affected by mobile coverage or Wifi quality, the size of the update and how cars handle downloading and updating. If the car downloads updates while it is in use, the car does not have to be immobile during the download. Furthermore, the update can go faster if the car can be disabled incremental update – that is, it downloads and updates only the parts of the system that have changed – not the entire system.
Automakers and computing power through the ages
Computers have helped make today's cars far more crash-proof than before. They have also made it possible to shorten the development time for new models, and have made it possible for new manufacturers to establish themselves in the market with cars that are as safe as established car brands.
Renault Laguna II was the first car model to receive 5 stars in Euro NCAP. Photo: Renault. Source: CarsWP.com
From the beginning of the 1990s, the Renault very good results in crash tests. They acquired a Cray super-computer and thus gained more computing power than other car manufacturers. It was one of the reasons why the Renault Laguna II became the first model to achieve 5 stars in the Euro NCAP tests.
Volvo has always been known for having a head start when it comes to safety. While other car manufacturers launched models with rounded shapes, Volvo kept its straight and square models. This led many to believe that square cars were safer than round cars. The reason is said to have been that Volvo did not have sufficient computing power to calculate the crash safety of cars with round shapes.
At the very beginning of the 1980s, computers had just begun to be used for the development of car models. BMW used a computer for necessary calculations for the 5 Series, including the development of ABS (optional equipment). They only had one computer in the house, which the engineers had to share with the finance department, and were not allowed to use the computer while payroll and other important runs were in progress.
BMW built good cars even before computers came along.
How long does a wireless software update for your car take?
I have used AI to find out how long an over-the-air (OTA) update takes for various car models. These are only approximate estimates based on what has been published online from both official sources and user forums. Keep in mind that update times are not an exact science. They can vary widely.
Audi Q8 e-tron: Does not have wireless update.
Audi Q6 e-tron: 3-4 hours
Audi Q4 e-tron: Models before 2023 require update to version 3.2 at dealer before receiving over-the-air updates. Estimated time will be the same as VW ID.4.
BMW i3: 20 minutes.
BMW i4: 20 minutes.
BMW iX xDrive40: 20 minutes.
BYD Seal: Few minutes to 2 hours.
BYD Sealion: Few minutes to 2 hours.
Citroen ë-C4: 60 minutes.
Ford Explorer (electric): Up to 60 minutes.
Ford Mustang Mach-e: 45 minutes.
Hyundai Ioniq5: From 9 – 100 minutes.
KIA EV9: Maximum 2 hours.
KIA EV3: Maximum 2 hours.
Maxus Euniq5: 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Mercedes-Benz EQA: A few minutes to several hours.
Mercedes-Benz EQB: A few minutes to several hours.
MG MG4: Does not have wireless update.
MG MG5: Minutes to 1 hour (some experience longer).
It looks like the car meets at Øvrevoll Racecourse are starting to get back on track after Covid. The racecourse is a beautiful place for beautiful cars. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
1969 Morris Cooper S
1969 Morris Mini Cooper
1958 Volvo PV444.
This Volvo PV444 is as beautiful inside as it is outside.
1969 Opel Diplomat B 2.8 E.
No A4 car. Ford Capri 3500 V8.
Ford did not officially make any Capri variants with V8, but there are several Capri and Cortina that have been subsequently rebuilt with Rover's 3500 V8 engine. This engine was well suited because of its low weight. I do not know what kind of engine is in the car pictured.
When the Peugeot 205 GTi was launched in 1984, it was considered by many to be one of the best GTi cars – based on its light weight and good driving dynamics. Now Peugeot is renewing the concept with the E-208 GTi, and is immodest enough to draw parallels to the 205 GTi. I hope this is good news for those of us who experienced the legendary model.
Judging by the pictures, I'm pretty sure the E-208 GTi will be a success in the market regardless of what older car enthusiasts might think. But it would be incredibly fun if the designers at Peugeot Sport really succeeds in carrying on the soul of the successful 205 GTi.
Is there a reason why no automaker has yet launched an electric GTi? First, regular electric cars are more than fast enough for today's roads. Second, the level of equipment is lavish even on affordable cars. Putting the standard car in "Sport" mode transforms it into a sports car.
Or?
It is here. a dedicated GTi concept could come into its own. To carry the weight, today's best-selling electric cars are built on reinforced chassis that suit tall, heavy cars. However, the weight is easily felt during active driving. This is a challenge Peugeot Sport must have faced during the development of its new GTi model.
Peugeot E-208 GTi
Here is the Peugeot E-208 GTi
The Peugeot E-208 GTi gets an electric motor with 280 hp and a torque of 345 Nm with traction on the front wheels. The stated acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 5,7 seconds. Other factors that contribute to driving pleasure are differential lock, reinforced brakes, rear stabilizer bar, lowered by 30 mm, extended track width 56 mm at the front and 27 mm at the rear – compared to standard models. Driving pleasure is also that it should be possible to choose a driving program where ESP allows greater excesses for track driving.
Lightweight feel
An important feature of the original Peugeot 205 GTi was its light weight. The kerb weight of cars with a 1.6-litre engine was an incredible 848 kg – cars with a 1.9-litre engine were 910 kg. Driving a lightweight with a low centre of gravity and a responsive engine is a very important part of the GTi concept. This allows you to quickly adjust and correct the car when you drive a little too actively. That was possible with the 205 GTi.
It will be interesting to see if Peugeot Sport can recreate the lightweight feel of its new GTi. In comparison, the new electric Mini SE JCW Drives very sporty without feeling the weight of the battery pressing in. The Mini's curb weight is 1658 kg, which Peugeot can match considering that today's 208 GT only weighs just under 1500 kg.
The standard tires will be Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 on 18 inch rims that are perhaps a bit reminiscent of the Speedline rims on the 205 GTi?
A visual GTi
What was the first thing you noticed when you got into the Peugeot 205 GTi for the first time? Was it the steering wheel? The seats? The sitting position? Yes – all the answers are good. What jeg The first thing I noticed was the red floor covering that matched the car's black exterior so well. And of course, the new E-208 GTi also comes with red floor covering. The sporty impression is enhanced by the steering wheel and interior being kept in Alcantara.
Extensive use of Alcantara in the interior and (of course) red floor mats.The interior as it was when the first Peugeot 205 GTi arrived.
Externally, the E-208 GTi will be recognizable by its widened wheel arches, a distinctive spoiler lip and roof spoiler. The model will feature brand new 18-inch wheels inspired by the original SpeedlinesInside, you can clearly see the red-painted brake calipers on the inside.
Range
The battery pack is said to have a capacity of 54 kWh and should be able to provide a range (WLTP combined) of 350 km. The cars will have the option of V2L, where the car's battery can be used as a power source for external purposes.
Peugeot 205 1.6 GTi with Speedline rims.
Peugeot 205 GTi today
In the fall of 1984, a Peugeot 205 GTi cost 105000 kroner. These cars still have many enthusiasts on the continent and in France. Nut-and-bolt restored cars sell for €30000 – 35000. Regular nice cars around €20000. These are classics that will increase in value. During the launch of the new E-208 GTi, Peugeot is using its old legend to promote the new model. It’s all about “taste and comfort” – and age.
Some like the mother, others like the daughter 🙂
Peugeot 205 1.6 GTi with original Pepper Pot rims.Peugeot 205 1.9 GTi
Last Saturday, Gunnarsbøparken in Tønsberg was bustling with activity. We were greeted by cars and two-wheelers in various designs and the sounds of the Opus One Big Band.
It was the local car clubs Tønsberg Automobile Club, Re Motor Club og Stokke Veteran Carriage Club who was in charge of the event. We were in Tønsberg on another errand, but of course we took a quick trip to Gunnarsbøparken. While we were there, new cars kept coming in, while others left. Thus, the cars were gradually replaced to the delight of those who spent time in the nice weather in the park.
Norwegian cars
Several cars in the exhibition originate from Vestfold and neighboring counties. It is about completely ordinary and unsnobbish cars that were on the roads several decades ago. Local historical connections may not mean much in terms of money, but they still add value. We can call it nostalgia.
1961 Volkswagen 1200 with Jan Strange and his beautiful veteran Scania in the background.
At the public entrance stood this beautiful Volkswagen decorated with birch leaves for the occasion.
1988 Opel Manta GT 2.0S1964 Mercedes-Benz 230SL. European bumper and headlights.1960 Mercedes-Benz 190b
1959 Alvis TD21 Series I1959 Alvis TD21 Series I
Alvis is a car brand that you don't see very often, either in Norway or England. They built the cars semi-finished on frames and had the bodies fitted by external coachbuilders. Most of them from Mulliner Park Ward, which also supplied bodies to Rolls Royce and Bentley, among others. Some Alvis cars also had bodies fitted from Swiss Graber.
1957 Volvo PV 444
1956 Opel Captain1956 Opel Kapitãn from Sørensen and Balchen.
1981 Renault 30 TX1981 Renault 30 TX Aut.
1975 Fiat 127
1974 DAF 66 Super Luxe1974 DAF 66 Super Luxe
DAF developed the first continuously variable automatic transmission system Variomatic which is considered the forerunner of today's CVT gear. The special thing about DAF was that you could hear the belts (two pieces) when the cars were driving. In Sweden, DAF was called "Rem-Johan".
1968 Morris 1100 Series II
In Tønsberg, Morris (and other BMC cars) were sold by Morris Autohandel. They sold many cars in the district. The car in the picture was first registered in Norway, but probably in the former Oppland county.
1965 Saab 96
This nice Saab is also first registered in Norway. My father had bought the exact same car from Vestfold Auto. I checked the ownership history of the car in the picture. It has a different history, probably from the neighboring county.
1964 Volkswagen 12001964 Volkswagen 1200
1963 Vauxhall VX 4/90
Vauxhall was a popular car brand in Tønsberg. The dealer Jontvedt Auto located in Farmannsveien. The car in the picture was first registered in Norway, but perhaps from another place in the country. The model VX 4/90 was based on Vauxhall Victor FB but in a more sporty version with upgraded engine, brakes and interior.
1971 Ford Mustang Mach 11957 Chevrolet Bel Air, which according to the vehicle information is equipped with a 350 small block V8 engine.
1938 Citroen Traction Avant first registered in Norway.1938 Citroen Traction Avant.
The Citroen Traction Avant often appears at car shows all over Europe, but it is rare to find pre-war cars. This car was first registered in Norway in 1938. In the interwar years, Citroens were purchased for the police, among other things.
The repertoire of the Opus One Big Band suited the beautiful cars well. In the foreground, a Tempo Trygg.
There was a star-studded selection of cars gathered at Bertel O. Steen's headquarters in Lørenskog for Classic Weekend. Several of the cars are both rare and extremely expensive.
The best or nothing
If you take good care of a Mercedes-Benz for 30 years, it will probably become a classic. It's not just about the cars being attractive, but also about their exceptionally good quality. This was proven by several of the private car owners who came by with their own classics.
PHOTOS
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMGSLS AMG Black Series
The Black Series are cars with reduced weight. This 2014 Mercedes-AMG SLS Black Series is the only one in Norway. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,5 seconds and reach a top speed of 315 km/h.
1973 Mercedes-Benz 200DMercedes-Benz 200D with Lærdal first aid kit
1973 was the last year before the W114/W115 received a facelift for the 1974 model year. Note the first aid cushion on the parcel shelf. These were produced in Lærdal and were popular Christmas gifts for car owners all over the country in the 1970s.
1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT
1977 Mercedes-Benz 280CE1977 Mercedes-Benz 280CE
The W123 is a real quality car. The cars endured many hundreds of thousands of problem-free kilometers and were popular as taxis almost all over the world. Not only was the construction of the cars very solid and robust, they were also assembled under strict quality control. So it is perhaps not so surprising that many are still rolling on the roads.
Mercedes-Benz G Class MANUFACTURE
MANUFAKTUR gives customers the opportunity to determine unique and personal touches for their cars – both exterior and interior. One example is the choice of colors.
Mercedes Benz SLR McLarenMercedes Benz SLR McLaren
Mercedes-Benz W108
See
Photo Saturday: Mustang and MercedesMercedes-Benz World Brooklands
Exhibition and "autojumble" at Enfield Playing Ground.
When local English car clubs are invited to meetups, English models that are no longer around today but were common in the 1960s and 1970s appear. We're talking about Austin, Morris, Vauxhall – and fun variations like Wolseley, Riley og Vanden Plas.
Made in England
Last weekend a big event took place in Enfield Town – a few miles north of London. Enfield Pageant of Motoring. It was The Whitewebbs Museum of Transport who invited local car clubs to meet. In addition, the museum displayed its own cars, including old commercial vehicles such as Commer, Austin og Bedford. Bedfords were popular distribution trucks until well into the 1980s also in Norway. The event is held annually to raise money for the small motor museum run by volunteers, the majority of whom claim to be in their 70s and 80s.
English Ford
1975 Ford Granada 3.0 Coupe.1974 Ford Escort 1300E
The uniformed service car for Mid-Anglia Constabulary is one of two remaining 4-door Lotus Cortinas in existence. The car has been restored over a ten-year period ending in 2017. One of the rarities at the Enfield Pageant of Motoring.
1970 Ford Cortina 1600E1968 Lotus Cortina Crayford.
Ford sent cars to Crayford Engineering for conversion to convertibles. They are rare. In Norway there is only one Ford Cortina mk2 Crayford.
Ford Corsair V41967 Ford Anglia 1200 Super Estate
Vauxhall
1974 Vauxhall Viva HC.Vauxhall Viva HC 4-door1970 Bedford TK570.
From left: 1947 Rover 16 P2, Rover P6 and Rover P.1977 Rover 3500 V8.Rover P6 Cabriolet by FLM Panelcraft.
The body shop FLM PanelCraft made convertibles and estate cars for Rover, among others. One of their variants is a Rover P6 Estate. They were also commissioned to make a convertible variant of the Rover P6. Only one prototype was made – the one photographed in the photo above.
"Foreign" vehicles
1972 Mercedes-Benz 350 SE Coupe.Mercedes-Benz 300 SL1975 Buick Regal.
Mercedes-Benz W460 look anno 2025 in the color Cream solid
Few car models can look back on 46 years of continuous production. Now Mercedes-Benz has presented a special edition of its G-Class with associations with the early years, called "Stronger than the 1980s".
Few car models have as long a history as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. When the 500000th car was to be presented to the public in 2023, they rolled out a car with a 1980s look, in the same color as the very first cars in Agave green solid with orange indicators and a contemporary roof rack. It was a W463 disguised as an earlier W460 – the only one of its kind ever made.
Mercedes-Benz G Class with nostalgic roof rack
A tribute to the W460
A modern G-Class in W460 livery was not only a successful celebration of half a million cars – it also created demand. Now the car is coming in limited production – 460 cars (of course) will be produced in three classic 80s colors, Agave green solid, Cream solid and Colorado beige solid. The colors are part of the Mercedes-Benz MANUFAKTUR department where standard cars are individualized with effects – here with effects from the 1980s.
The details that matter
The first things you notice are the classic front, colors from the 1980s color chart, orange turn signals and 5-spoke aluminum wheels from the first cars. If you go closer, you can find the old Mercedes-Benz logo with a deciduous berry on the hood. At the back, you can find the classic MERCEDES-BENZ sign at the bottom right of the rear door. The seats are modern, but the seat cover is in a checked gray fabric that was very popular in the 80s.
Checkered dove grey seat cover
Historical logo with laurel.G Class in 1980s look
Mercedes-Benz has presented a special edition of the G-Class with associations with the early years, called "Stronger than the 1980s".
All images: Mercedes-Benz
Backdated
The term "backdated" (taken from Porsche) is probably a good enough description for the special G-Class cars. Under the skin, of course, there are modern cars – either based on the G450d or G500. Even though they are based on modern cars, the period details attract the attention of anyone who experienced the first model series W460.
Prices
In Germany, the price will be around €160000 before extras. Here, you should really consider ordering the nice, contemporary roof rack.
Modern decor and technologyHistorical color from early times: Agave green solid
The original model
For comparison: Here is an early, short version of the Mercedes-Benz Gelanderwagen from Steyr Magna in Graz, Austria. As a curiosity, the edition "Stronger than the 1980s" has a plaque that says "Schöckl Proved" from Steyr's test track in the Schöckl mountain.
The original Steyr Mercedes-Benz W460 (Photo: Terjes Biler. The photo was taken along the streets of Copenhagen)
The camping concept Teardrop Trailers are said to have originated in the 1930s in the United States – with sleeping space for two in the front and an open kitchen in the back. Now they have returned as Lifestyle CampersI've seen them many times along the road, but at eCarExpo I got to take a closer look at one of these vehicles for the first time.
The cart in the picture is hand-built by Lifestyle Camper in Ukraine. The model is called X-Line Premium and has, among other things, a roof rack with awning and Webasto diesel heater. In addition, you can mount a roof tent on the trailer. Then 4 people can go on a trip together.
What kind of camping life do you prefer?
Caravans like this are marketed to a target group that you could probably call “young, active and sporty”. I imagine people who spend their days doing activities – such as hiking, off-road cycling, pole hunting, kayaking, hunting, fishing, mountain climbing, to name a few. Put on the tip, the caravan becomes a gathering place for the evening before a warm, dry and comfortable overnight stay with breakfast the next day – before moving on to new adventures.
At the other end of the camping spectrum, we find those who keep their caravan standing all year round with a pitched tent and a fenced-in deck – like a cabin.
Lifestyle Camper – the kitchen department
Wilderness camping?
Light weight, high ground clearance and tires with a thick tread bring to mind forest roads and off-road driving. In that case, you should know a kind landowner. Camping in nature is not prohibited, but few landowners welcome wilderness campers. Quite the opposite. Small exits and forest roads are often closed with boulders or barriers. I know motorhome owners who have spent a lot of time looking for idyllic campsites, you know the kind you find in brochures. It's not easy. With a little luck, you can find a driveway parking without a "Camping prohibited" sign.
Be prepared that it can be difficult to find a good place to camp in the wilderness. In practice, this means that you have to seek out campsites. In Sweden and Denmark there are large rest areas with toilets and screened areas where private cars can also stay overnight. But not in Norway. According to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Norwegian rest areas are not intended for camping. If you stay overnight in a location clearly visible to everyone traveling along a main road, you may also risk getting unwanted visitors during the night.
Lifestyle CamperThe bed is ready! Lifestyle Camper
Camping is not a bad choice
Even with an outdoor shower and Portapotti, it can be good to have access to electricity, hot showers and toilets. You can still live a nice camping life and enjoy the benefits of a Lifestyle Camper. The trailer in the picture has a curb weight of 723 kg (not the lightest on the market) and a total weight of 1000 kg. The total width at the wheels is 1,98 meters, but the body is only 1,45 meters wide, so that the rear view through the side mirrors is maintained. The chassis is from German KNOTT with torsion suspension, shock absorbers and overrun brake. The frame is galvanized and V-shaped. The trailer in the pictures meets the authorities' requirements for Tempo 100.
Radio, USB, bar - everything you need.Solid roof rack where it is possible to mount a roof tent.
Suitable for electric cars
The small teardrop-shaped caravans are well suited to electric cars – both in terms of weight requirements and low air resistance that does not steal too much range. The photos were taken at KIA's stand at eCarExpo 2025. The towing vehicle is a KIA EV9 with 4-wheel drive that can tow a trailer of 2500 kg. I have taken the liberty of photo-editing two of the photos. The main photo has a "new" background and in the photo below the caravan is clipped together with a KIA EV3 which is a smaller model. It can only be delivered with front-wheel drive but is approved to tow a trailer.
Lifestyle camping (Photomontage)
Kia EV3
Kia EV3Kia EV3
A real "boxy" design! The EV3 is 4,3 meters long, takes 430 liters of luggage and offers a class-leading range of 601 km with a battery pack of 81,4 kWh.
