Car tourism

Car tourism - on a trip by car, or on holiday with the purpose of studying car museums, carspotting, car fairs and exhibitions.

Shopping and Spotting

Posted 23/07/2022 by Terje Bjørnstad

We are in London to spend a few days with our daughter and her partner in Greenwich. Carspotting wasn't really on the agenda, but when the others chose to visit Harrods, I chose to trawl the streets for nice cars until we could meet again for lunch.

Black belt in carspotting

London carspotting offers many interesting photo objects. In the central city districts, there are generally few opportunities for "off street parking" as the buildings were erected before mass traffic. Also, as a consequence of the high property prices, many old stables and workshops have been converted into housing - not garages. Add to that the fact that many are mega-rich and eccentric - and prefer vehicles that no one else has. Carspotting is not just for "geeky" boys. I myself am 63 years old and wander around with a journalist's camera, snapping pictures and chatting with like-minded people. The finest cars are well known among car spotters. The most serious ones post pictures on their own websites with all the information. Here are the stories of 5 cars that I came up with min round of London carspotting and searching online.

London Shopping and Spotting - practical tips

McLaren GT V8 SSG

I had to go up close to find out it was a McLaren. There is basically little about the McLaren GT that oozes brand association. There is nothing here that does not have a function.

General information about the McLaren GT

Drive: 4,0 liter V8 engine with electrically activated twin scroll turbo, dry sump. 7-speed SSG (Seamless Shift Gearbox).
Performance: 620 HP
Torque: 630 Nm

Top speed: 326 km/h
0-100: 3,2 seconds
Weight ready for driving without driver: 1 kg

About this car

It has previously been advertised for sale for £162.950 through a McLaren dealer near Southampton. They state that the car is from 2019 (September in ht. registration number). The odometer read 8250 miles. The advertisement is not dated, but several carspotters state that they have seen the car in London and the south of France during 2021. I am guessing that the car was sold around the turn of the year 2020/2021. The equipment list consists of, among other things:

Elite Namaka Blue lacquer
MSO Bright Pack (glossy trim over the side windows, gloss black diamond-cut, forged rims and polished titanium tailpipes).
B&W sound system
Sports exhaust system
Reversing camera

Sources

McLaren public web pages
Harwoods Group dealer site
autogespot.com

Bugatti Chiron Sport

Estimated value of this supercar is 3,0 to 3,5 million USD! The car has been flown in from Kuwait while the owner is staying at one of London's luxury hotels.

General information about the Bugatti Chiron Sport

Drive: W16 engine with quad-turbo.
Performance: 1500 hp
Torque: 1600 Nm @ 6000 revs
Top speed: 420 km/h
0-100: 2,4 seconds
Weight ready for use without driver: 1977 kg

About this car

Assumed registration year is 2018 based on the registration number. The car is left-hand drive and is based in Kuwait. It has been flown into London during the owner's stay here.

Sources

Bugatti.com
Same car featured on autogespot.com

Jaguar XJ 5.3C

The most beautiful XJ model is without a doubt this gorgeous coupé variant without a center pillar. It is based on the XJ with a short wheelbase. The model year is 1975 – one year before it was replaced by the XJS.

General information about the Jaguar XJ12 5.3C

Drive: V12 5,3 liters with 3-speed automatic
Performance: 254 HP
Torque: 408 Nm @ 3500 revs
Top speed: 225 km/h
0-100: 7,9 seconds
Weight ready for use without driver: 1835 kg

About this car

I found an ad on the site Car-from-UK. There the car was for sale in Cheshire as an unfinished restoration project. The work looked OK in the pictures. According to the seller, all that remained was to freshen up the interior, replace the roof covering and give the car a new coat of paint. Probably quite a few more not mentioned. The car was not MOT approved and had to be collected with a trailer. The car was originally red. The price was set at £5.850, but I don't know when the ad was posted. A Japanese carspotter posted pictures of the same car in November 2021, then in the same British Racing Green color and with the same rims. An interior photo shows that the original seats have been retained. A photo from a rogue African site shows the same car in black paint. It is unknown whether this is "photoshopped" or whether the car was first repainted in black.

Image from previous advert (Source: car-from-uk.com)

Sources

Advertise in car-from-uk.com
Same car featured on Japanese carspotter site

Ford Cortina 1600E

Once upon a time I could overhaul Kent engines blindfolded. When a Ford Cortina mk2 1600E came sailing past outside Harrods, I wasn't slow to take pictures!

General information about the Ford Cortina 1600E

Drive: 1600 GT "Kent" engine, 4-speed manual gearbox
Performance: 82 HP
Torque: 138 Nm
Top speed: 152 km/h
0-100: 13,4 seconds
Weight ready for use without driver: 990 kg

About this car

I saw the car just outside Harrods last Friday. When I searched the sites of the company that shipped it, I didn't find anything at first - not until 4 days later. The car had just been picked up in London. At the weekend it will be auctioned off - i Pickering, about 5 hours' drive north from London. But you can also submit a bid online. The car's odometer shows 38700 miles and the model year is 1969. No price estimates have been given, but normally these cars sell for between £7.000 and £15.000 in England. The car appears to be thoroughly rust-protected throughout Ziebart, although many people do not trust this rust protection. To me the car seemed as good as a pristine mk2 Cortina can be, but it will be well done to find a completely rust-free Cortina.

Sources

Mathewsons.co.uk review of the same car

Mercedes-Benz 230.4

w115 — Mercedes-Benz 230.4 W115 – Ennismore Gardens

"Lovely colour", commented a passerby when I was taking photos. W114/W115 are quite common to see in London. The color makes this car unique.

General information about the Mercedes-Benz 230.4

Drivetrain: 2,3 liter inline four with 4-speed automatic
Performance: 110 HP
Torque: 186 Nm
Top speed: 170 km/h
0-100: 13,7 seconds
Weight ready for use without driver: 1350 kg

About this car

The car has been in the same family since 1982 - native to Hertfordshire outside London. Before them, there has been one owner. It has been dry stored for 17 years. The paintwork is original Silver Thistle Metallic. The information is taken from an advertisement in Car & Classic where the car was presented and open for online auction. The auction ended in March 2021. The winning bid was £13.000.

Image from the ad (Source: caranddriver.com)

Sources

CarAndClassic.com - Ad for same car

Best places for Shopping and Spotting

In London can for shopping time og mocking go hand in hand. Here are some suggestions:

Shopping – Westfields
Spotting – Holland Park, Kensington North
Lunch – In the pedestrian street in front of Westfields
Westfield's shopping center is located next to the stop Shepherd's Bush along the Central Line. There is a Westfields in Stratford by the Olympic Park as well, but it is not as big - and not suitable for carspotting. The area west of Holland Park is a nice spotting area. If you have time, you should also search the underside of Kensington High Road. In this area, fine "youngtimers" are often placed in front of the homes.

Shopping – Portobello Road
Spotting – Portobello Road and side streets
Lunch – In Portobello Road, Portobello Ristorante Ladbroke Rd.
Central Line to Notting Hill Gate. The area is a combination of small shops and street markets. Lots to look at here. In the area's side streets you can find colorful and funny cars.

Shopping – Harrods
Spotting – Knightsbridge, South Kensington, Belgravia
Lunch – Harrods
Stopping place Knightsbridge along the Picadelly Line. Around Harrods there are always some extremely expensive cars. Knightsbridge and Kensington South are good areas for spotting. In Knightsbridge there are a number of cars belonging to embassies and consulates. Along Old Brompton Road there are several exclusive car dealers. Belgravia is an area where there are expensive cars belonging to wealthy Arabs, consulates and embassies.

Shopping – Kings Road, Chelsea
Spotting – Chelsea
Lunch – Around Sloane Square
Chelsea is not very well served by underground stations. If the destination is Kings Road, one can take the Circle or District Line to Sloane Square. If you are along the Thames I recommend taking an Uber ferry (paid like the underground with Oyster or other cards). The ferry will take you to Battersea Power Station. Then you can walk over the bridge straight into Chelsea. This is a prosperous area where you can find a number of classic English-made sports cars - often parked in the side streets of the shopping districts.

Shopping – Oxford Street
Spotting – Marylebone and Mayfair
Lunch – In the side streets of Oxford Street
Marylebone on the north side of Oxford Street is a residential area for business people and "young professionals". It is easy to find newer Porsches, Lambos and Ferraris there - but not so many older, classic cars. Mayfair is on the south side of Oxford Street. There are wealthy Arab kingdoms, embassies and exclusive hotels. High proportion of Rolls-Royce and Bentley company cars, as well as expensive supercars.

See

America party in France

Posted 20/04/2022 by Terje Bjørnstad

argelès — Route 66 does not only give associations to the United States. The area here in France belongs to a department with the same number – namely 66.

Every Easter is organized american party in the small town of Argeles-sur-Mer. Then the boardwalk fills with country and rockabilly music and ordinary people line dancing as if they've never done anything else. In between, you can hear the rumble of American vehicles gliding across the seafront.

First exit after Spain

To come to Argeles-sur-Mer you take the flight to Barcelona, jump into a rental car and drive to France. After passing the border crossing, take the first exit and follow the signs for Argeles. The car journey takes 2 hours. Then you can reward yourself with a beer after swimming in the Mediterranean. The beach area stretches several kilometers to the north. In the summer, it is flooded with tourists. Besides the French, hordes of Dutch people have fallen in love with the city. If you get tired of swimming, you can take the car up into the mountainous region inland and visit the towns and sights there, or cycle to the picturesque neighboring town of Collioure or enjoy a fish meal in Port Vendres. The tourist office in town can provide more information. The only thing you have to remember is that you must get off at the first exit after Spain.

France is not just the Côte d'Azur
The houses on the beach

Awakened to life after winter

Fête americaine brings the beach area to life after winter. In winter, the area is not as attractive. Then most things are closed. The city center is a couple of kilometers further inland. Most permanent residents live there, and the shops and shopping centers are also located there. The "America party" was not a tourist attraction. It was for people who live in the area. The tourists come later.

Surprisingly good western atmosphere

The beaches in Argeles-sur-Mer somewhat reminiscent of the beaches in Southern California, such as Newport Beach, although the cowboys there are not the same as those found in France. When I compare with similar events at home, it strikes me how good the western atmosphere is in Argeles. In Norway, line dancing would almost exclusively have attracted women. Here, all age groups were represented in the dance, including grown men, who refused to step out even though the wife insisted on going on. There was also life in the stalls and in the eateries. Good (country) music, barbecue, nice cars and Harleys contribute to a good atmosphere.

American icons

It is worth mentioning that the event was not just a car show. Those who exhibited their cars were local owners - with what they had in the garage. Cars that are not pictured here - but which attracted positive attention - included an original Citroen GSA Break, two Renault 4CVs in "mint condition". Renault 4CV became actually sold in the US, but no one would associate them with America. The fleet of vehicles also consisted of Harley-Davidsons, trikes, vans, trucks and cars that represented American icons.

Join the tour!

Trucks and vans

- It's a Scania, my brother-in-law said as we approached the area on foot. I meant it was "something American", but that var a Scania T 560. Scania's muzzleloader can safely be called a classic. There are some Scania cars in the USA - but there have hardly been any regular imports. But with a V8 engine, there is something American about the car on display. The pictured Chevy C20 Van is not very unusual, but it is unusual to see a car in such good condition as this one. We are used to these cars rusting, and end up with a couple of seasons as Russian cars before they are scrapped. Dodge RAM is also not unusual in our area, but it does very well with the sea in the background. Can you imagine California with a couple of surfboards on the back of the plane?

Corvette

corvette c4 — Chevrolet Corvette C4 next to Ford Mustang mk5 GT

The Chevrolet Corvette generation 3 (C3) from the 70s has a shape that the whole world knows. It is a real American icon, especially with fat "side pipes" like the car in the main picture.

Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson is also considered a typical American icon. Even new models have inherited elements from their predecessors. Thus, almost all Harleys can be considered classics even when they are new.

Other cars

simca ariane — A local Simca Ariane that looks American and has family ties to the Ford Vedette

Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna with old California plates

The Simca Ariane doesn't just look like a car from the 50s - the colour, shape and engine are in American style. The Ford Mustang is an American icon, even in newer versions like this mk5 Mustang GT. The red Chevrolet Laguna from the early 70s with period California plates looks undeniably very American as well.

See

4th of July celebration in Frognerparken

Norwegian Vehicle History Museum

Posted 27/08/2020 by Terje Bjørnstad

Common to all the vehicles in the museum is a documented Norwegian history of previous owners and use.

Not all at once

The goal for this Sunday trip was the Norwegian Vehicle History Museum. About a year ago, the museum was opened near the Norwegian road museum at Hunderfossen. The museum manages a large reservoir of cars where only a selection is shown to you at any one time. It gives the opportunity to create separate exhibitions on varying themes. If you visited the museum last year, you will find new things there this year. That makes the place a good destination for Sunday trips - with a freshly washed nice car. The place north of Lillehammer is well suited for day trips from all over the interior. If you come from the Oslo area, you can drive on quiet roads via Feiring and Toten, or highway 4.

Where nice cars meet

On the opening date of 9 June 2019, beautiful vintage vehicles from all over Norway showed up. Several arrived in motorcades. Nice vintage cars still appear in the large car park outside the museum. Since it is no longer free to hold car meets with the public present, the car clubs now organize outings where a limited number of cars drive together and meet in places like this. Also last Sunday, a group of great donors turned up. A group of stylish Jaguars and another group of fat, humming BMWs. A bonus exhibition for us other Sunday drivers 🙂

Outside the Norwegian Museum of Vehicle History

All photos are taken outside. I took more photos than the ones shown here. They will eventually be archived in the Car catalog together with other fine cars.

Where are you going to drive on Sunday?

daimler — Daimler XJ6 Long Edition with vinyl roof.

bmw inland — Beautiful W123 station wagon on a Sunday trip with motorcycles on the trailer.

See

bmw club inland — Photo Saturday – Mustang and Mercedes

Norwegian Jaguar Club — Culture on a Sunday

Norwegian Vehicle History Museum on Facebook

Mercedes-Benz history at Brooklands

Posted 05/03/2018 by Terje Bjørnstad

If you are more than moderately interested in Mercedes-Benz, British racing cars from the interwar period or British passenger planes, I recommend a trip to the disused Brooklands railway in Surrey, south-east of London.

Mercedes-Benz World is packed with automotive history. The first petrol-powered car was a Benz, and the brand has been a trendsetter for the car industry for over 130 years. It is very nice to see. The greatest emphasis is placed on newer models. The entire model program can be studied, including Smart and models that are not imported to Norway. Unfortunately, the new X-Class was conspicuous by its absence. Probably, the production of right-hand drive cars has not started yet.

At Mercedes-Benz World, you can open doors and take a closer look at the great S-Class and AMG offerings without salesmen breathing down your neck. Should you wonder about anything, you can find most of it on the fact sheet, or ask supervisors who are nearby. Mercedes-Benz World is open every day and is free for everyone - and well suited for children.

Smooth driving and track driving

The greatest experience for many is probably the opportunity to drive on a track. You can take almost any model out on smooth and dry tracks. These are great team-building activities, also among Norwegians. It sounds really good on the plain when four AMG models frolic on the track.

Speaking of slick driving, the country roads also offered slick driving after the whole of Great Britain had been hit by -5 degrees and a blizzard the day before. At Brooklands I had the experience of seeing four drivers as actually could drive smoothly. Everyone else who tried out on the track clearly had very little experience with Nordic driving conditions.

Brooklands Museum

Brooklands Museum is right next to Mercedes-Benz World. The two experience sites are aimed at the same type of audience. The remains of the old racing track are still standing, but you will never get to experience the roars of the legendary racing cars of the 30s there. They stand indoors in the museum hall.

It is also worth mentioning the aircraft exhibition at the museum. It is fantastic. The Concorde was not open to the public that day, but I got a good look at the Sultan of Oman's former private jet, a Vickers VC10, – a converted airliner with twin Rolls-Royce engines mounted in the rear of the fuselage. This aircraft is now placed back in almost the same place it was built in 1964. Certainly 14 people must have been engaged in the construction and maintenance of aircraft here. Now, no one, apart from museum staff with roots, enthusiasm and pride in the former British aviation industry - and who happily share detailed knowledge with other aircraft geeks, such as myself - prefers cockpits built with analogue instruments.

Pictures from Mercedes-Benz World.

From Brooklands Museum, with the airfield in the background.

Mercedes-benz enthusiast used cars on display at the track.

This beautiful sight greets you when you go up to the second floor.

The Mercedes-Benz S 500 Cabrio brings thoughts back to the happy 80s, when most people had loose money.

Facts

Mercedes-Benz World:
https://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/

Brooklands Museum:
https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/

How to get there:

By train:
South Western Railway from Waterloo station, London to Weybridge, Surrey. Travel time 30-40 minutes.
From Weybridge you can walk on the marked "foot path" (1 km). Go up to the roundabout by the main road. Keep to the right without crossing the road. Walk parallel to the railway, first along a parking space, then on the marked path. The path crosses the railway at one point. Continue along the railway until you cross the river, then turn left under the railway bridge and you will see the museum grounds. You can also take a taxi from the station. There is a taxi rank at the station.

By car/taxi from Heathrow:
Take the M25 south. Turn off at the A320 towards Woking and Chertsey. After leaving the M25, the road will be signposted all the way to Brooklands. Distance from Heathrow is approx. 20 km.

See

Ferrari holiday

Posted 07/04/2017 by Terje Bjørnstad

Virtual Ferrari experiences.

Ferrari land

Today, April 7, opened Ferrari land - a newly built wing to the popular amusement park PortAventura Park in Salou, one hour south of Barcelona. The main entrance is built like a solid red Ferrari sculpture.

The attractions and experiences are designed around the Ferrari theme. A ride on a roller coaster is of course conveyed as a driving experience with a Ferrari. More options for more or less realistic driving experiences, including driving simulators. Among the quieter pursuits in Ferrari Land is the experience museum where you can get to know Ferrari through the ages - the cars, the man and the legendary racing team. If you are a Ferrari lover, you can shop for authentic Ferrari effects, including clothes.

Salou is a popular holiday destination, not least for the Spanish themselves. There are nice beaches down towards Cambrils. Ving sells package tours where you land at Reuss Airport, just a few minutes away. You can also combine with a stay in Barcelona. From the airport (BCN) take the air train from terminal 2 to Sants, - from there train to Salou. The train tickets are popular, so it can be worthwhile to pre-order the day before Renfe.es - or rent a car at the airport. Follow the signs for Tarragona, then signs for Salou and PortAventura.

This is how Ferrari Land markets itself

This is my dream...

The amusement park's website
Ferrari Land videos on YouTube

Rome - the good life again

How will supercars like Ferrari survive as an electric car? Does Ferrari have an ace up its sleeve that can replace the feel of a well-balanced V12 engine? Ferrari Roma has something that could be decisive. **See more**

The cars in Kensington

Posted 27/03/2017 by Terje Bjørnstad

Kensington is not only famous for its green spaces, - its Victorian and Edwardian architecture. There are few streets in the world where the luxury cars are so close together. Few have garages. The original stables in the back streets have long since been converted into homes, small shops or business premises. Therefore, cars must be parked along the street.

Several of them have already been caught by car spotters and spread on social media. The diversity is great. Italian sports cars, British classics, German prestige cars, vintage cars and a couple that look like they've been in Wacky races. If you explore the small, narrow back streets, you can find places where the owners of local vintage car dealers have placed their cars on the street for public viewing. Within Kensington you will find no less than two authorized Ferrari dealers and one Lamborghini dealer. Norway has - by comparison - none.

This is Mecca for car enthusiasts. I chose not to include pictures of newer, German cars. Here they are so close that they would have filled the blog pages on Terje's cars right up until Christmas.

Aston Martin Rapide S. Probably the world's most beautiful 4-door vehicle. 6,0 liter V12 produces 552 HP.

Early spring in Kensington. This great T2 camper is a decorative element together with the fruit bloom.

1963-66 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III with its lovely Spirit of Extacy.

The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is a rare sight with a 5,7 liter V12 mounted just behind the front axle.

Ferrari California T probably bought from one of the Ferrari dealers in South Kensington.

It can hardly get more British than this. This is probably the last Limited Edition, 1275 ccm from 1990-95.

Ferrari California (closest), Lamborghini Quattroporte and Ferrari 599 GTB (the red one across the street).

Mercedes Benz 200 (W115) facelifted model with wide grill has been in these streets for several years. I think the color Signal Orange suits the brick facades well.

Wandering through Holland Park I found this beautiful W126. I had almost forgotten how great the over 30 year old design actually is!

Near Holland Park I found this Fiat Nuova 500 L. Ideal car for getting around London.

Lightly patinated 1994-2000 BMW 3-series (E36) convertible.

This 1998 Infinity Q45 with a retrofitted Bentley grill makes tourists smile. Pictures of this donning abound on the web.

KENSINGTON

Kensington's southern boundary is a line between Harrods and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea FC). In the north, the district extends to Westfields (Shepard's Bush) in the west and Hyde park in the east. Westfields is a huge shopping center with many shops - many very exclusive. You will also find large chain stores along Kensington High Street.
Along Old Brompton Road in the south you will find several smaller shops, cafes and restaurants. Kensington is a quiet district with almost no nightlife. I can recommend the following three hotels: Hilton, 179-199 Holland Park Avenue. Great location for Westfields and Central Line to Oxford Street. Lexham Gardens Hotel, 1 Lexham Gardens, is a cheap hotel, with good rooms and friendly service. Regency/Doubletree, 100 Queens Gate has nice newly refurbished rooms, and good access to shops and cafes.

See also:

Made in Bratislava

Posted 03/09/2016 by Terje Bjørnstad

What do the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Volkswagen Touareg have in common with the old, rear-engined Skoda Rapid? They are all produced at the same production facility in Bratislava. There will also be Volkswagen Up! Skoda Citigo and SEAT Mii, - as well as several earlier Volkswagen models. Before that, several models for Skoda and Tatra.

I have not visited the factory, but Bratislava's Transport Museum, which proudly displays its local car production at the city's old railway station. This is a fairly small museum, although a reasonably large area is required to exhibit items such as steam locomotives, commercial vehicles and passenger cars. There should be several similar museums in Slovakia. And there should be more goodies there.

I had hoped to find a Tatraplan or old ZIL, but found no obvious scoop. The first thing I noticed was a 90's Golf Syncro with campaign livery, which could have been marketed as 'Surf', 'Urban' or something like that. I don't remember. Furthermore, I noticed an Audi Q7 pick-up, and a number of Touaregs, - some in racing versions. The place of production was stated to be Bratislava. Was only the Q7 pick-up produced in Bratislava? No, all Q7s are made in Bratislava. So also Touareg and Cayenne.

I am trying to find out which cars originated in Bratislava. Then I find the brand name "BAZ", which was the original name of the factory. In the era after the fall of the Iron Curtain, before Volkswagen bought all the shares, the Slovaks wanted to continue producing passenger cars and commercial vehicles under the BAZ car brand. They gave the Skoda Rapid a facelift and named it BAZ Locusta. But in the newly wealthy Europe of the time, there was little demand for former Eastern European cars. Several new projects therefore never got further than the prototype stage.

Nevertheless, one prototype project stands out as something that absolutely should have gone into production. Around 1960, BAZ was commissioned to make a light commercial vehicle from Tatra's great limousine 603. They first developed a minibus (603 MB), then a pickup (603 PN). The gearbox and air-cooled V8 engine were moved to the front and provided power to the front wheels. The result was extremely successful. But, the clients, the communist regime, unfortunately turned the thumbs down on the project. Maybe the pamps in the party thought that the vehicles were too nice for ordinary people?

Today the minibus is in the museum. Perhaps the world's most beautiful minibus?

A great Skoda Octavia with decorations on the wheels and extra lights.

Skoda has certainly not been a bad car, but there is no doubt that the best Skodas are those produced before and after the Iron Curtain...

This fine Wanderer stood alongside semi-restored cars from the local vintage car club.

Outside was a Trabant and, of all things, a Saab 99...

This bus was cancelled. — ... while the bus was set up.

One of the world's most beautiful cars is the Tatraplan. I have read that there is supposed to be one in a nearby museum. I am convinced that if Tatra had not ended up behind the Iron Curtain, today's cars would look different. — Tatraplan is one of the world's most beautiful cars. I have read that there is supposed to be one in a nearby museum. I am convinced that if Tatra had not ended up behind the Iron Curtain, today's car park would look different.

See

Bratislava Transport Museum

Around Tobago with the SX4

Posted 11/09/2015 by Terje Bjørnstad

For a Norwegian, Tobago is pure "Fantasy Island". The cars, on the other hand, aren't much to write home about...

Holiday paradise

Tobago belongs to the West Indies and is a wonderful place for a holiday. The island has many nice beaches where you can see the flying fish in the water, the hummingbird in the trees and the crabs at their burrows on the beach. The fruit practically falls on your head as you sunbathe. Now at the beginning of September, the water is around 30 degrees. You hardly know you're walking in.

Not for sports cars

With its 300 square kilometers, the road network is naturally limited. Most of the roads are narrow, steep and crooked, with a speed limit of 50 km/h. In many places it is simply not possible to get up to higher speeds. It's left-hand driving, a remnant from the era of British empiricism. Tobaggers like to drive in the middle of the road and are bad at getting out on their own side. Many of the roads have potholes so big that they can knock the wheel off, or smash the tyre. This happens all the time, especially with tourists. But we, who come from Norway, are no stranger to bad roads.

Sunny and Corolla

The cars on Tobago are surprisingly tough. Most Tobagers choose a white Tiida, Sunny or Corolla - in sedan version with automatic transmission, air conditioning and smallest engine option. When these eventually turn into youth cars, they are styled with self-adhesive solar film and fat Monster rims. Since the cars here have low mileage and are not attacked by rust, I had expected to find some great vintage cars in traffic, but unfortunately found none.

sx4 — Traffic picture on the main road. In the foreground: Nissan Almera (front), **Nissan AD** which are affordable and very popular here. They are also available in a more lavish version, called **Nissan Wingroad Wagon**.

Rent a car

None of the major rental car companies are established on the island. Nevertheless, it is safe to rent a car here. Our tiny rental company had some fairly new Suzuki Jimny jeeps. They fit in well in a place with rainforest and sandy beaches, but with four Norwegians they were a little too cramped. We therefore rented a 2009 Suzuki SX4 – 4WD, 1.6 petrol 107 HP with 4-speed automatic transmission.

suzuki-sx4-1 — Suzuki SX4 – "The Grandma Duck car"

Suzuki SX4 – 4WD

But the SX4 was not at all a bad choice on narrow, steep, winding roads through the rainforest. Inside, I quickly felt at home behind the wheel. I got a bit of a 90s feeling right away. The radio appeared to be retrofitted, perhaps stolen at some point in time. But the Clarion system with its large, square front gave surprisingly rich sound where the radio waves were with us.

suzuki-sx4-5 — Very tidy interior in the SX4

In terms of driving, I felt that the car behaved like a typical American compact car. Relatively comfortable for the class, but a slightly vaguer road feel than I can remember from similar Japanese cars such as Sunny/Sentra/Almera and Corolla. Around the sharp hairpin bends, the view was almost blocked by the thick A-pillars, so that I had to lean over towards the middle to get an overview. The combination of steep hills, 4 adults, 107 "old" petrol engine horses and automatic transmission (conventional type) gave little driving pleasure. The automatic transmission often had to downshift to first gear to get power. But all four sat comfortably and had a nice view through large glass surfaces. And, as mentioned, there was good sound on the radio when calm reggae-like rhythms filled the cabin.

Norgesbil

According to the local newspaper suzuki.no Norway seems to be one of the last countries that still has the outgoing SX4 in its model range. If we replaced tropical rainforests and beaches with Norwegian mountains and fjords, I think the SX4 would be well suited both in exposed areas and "inside valleys", - provided you can live with the car's slightly strange appearance. 120 HP and 4WD at a list price of 256 is not bad, - nor is the new SX900 S-Cross at around 4. Nevertheless, I think that the SX300 "Classic" can be an equally favorable alternative as a used one, preferably petrol models with 000 HP or diesel. If you're lucky, you'll find one with low mileage.

- Maybe grandma's old car?

These are the finest Suzuki SX4 "Classic" on Finn.no

bacolet-23

Black belt in carspotting

McLaren GT V8 SSG

General information about the McLaren GT

About this car

Sources

Bugatti Chiron Sport

General information about the Bugatti Chiron Sport

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Jaguar XJ 5.3C

General information about the Jaguar XJ12 5.3C

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Ford Cortina 1600E

General information about the Ford Cortina 1600E

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Mercedes-Benz 230.4

General information about the Mercedes-Benz 230.4

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Best places for Shopping and Spotting

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First exit after Spain

Awakened to life after winter

Surprisingly good western atmosphere

American icons

Join the tour!

Trucks and vans

Corvette

Harley-Davidson

Other cars

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Not all at once

Where nice cars meet

Outside the Norwegian Museum of Vehicle History

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Smooth driving and track driving

Brooklands Museum

Pictures from Mercedes-Benz World.

Facts

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Ferrari land

This is how Ferrari Land markets itself

Rome - the good life again

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Holiday paradise

Not for sports cars

Sunny and Corolla

Rent a car

Suzuki SX4 – 4WD

Norgesbil

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