Car spotting

Many of the photos and posts in Terje's cars are based on Carspotting - photos of cars along roads, streets and parking lots. The criteria are that the cars are either old, rare or exclusive - and that the photos show the cars from a great side.

Carspotting in Notting Hill and Mayfair

Posted 14/03/2025 by Terje Bjørnstad

In London's old districts, few have "off-street parking." Almost everyone has to park on the streets. This makes them nice places for carspotting.

I just got home after 2 weeks in Broxbourne, half an hour from central London, where I have been renovating my daughter and son-in-law's house. City trips on my own are a nice break from work. I walk around and take pictures of special cars and enjoy the city's food and drink offerings.

Notting Hill is best known for its market, Portobello Road Market. It is a lively market, despite being a tourist attraction. There are stalls selling tourist junk there, but that is not what keeps the market going. When I was there a couple of days ago, the focus was on vegetable sales. If you walk around the streets around the market, you can find special cars. I walked around the streets around Ladbroke GroveThen you can go towards Holland Park or Shepherd's Bush.

Mayfair is a wealthy area where it is crowded with Rolls-Royces. But many of these cars are chauffeured company cars, and not really that interesting. Supercars are often parked by the hotels along Park Lane. The Mini in the main photo was parked between two Rolls-Royces, without looking out of place.

Can you see anything special about it?

This Mini is built by David Brown AutomotiveThey are converting Minis to electric operation under the brand eMastered, but the car pictured has not been converted to electric operation. But notice the bodywork. It is what the English call “deseamed”. The characteristic joints between the bodywork parts have been removed. I think there are mixed feelings in the Mini community about this. If you do it properly – and expensively, new bodywork parts have to be built.

"Deseamed" Mini Classic without visible body seams.

The car in the top photo is “deseamed.” Note that the body joints are not visible – such as the joint between the rear part of the front fender against the triangular body piece and the torpedo wall inside, as well as the joints that connect the rear section to the rest of the car.

Other English classics

The Scimitar was Reliant's sports car model that stood out from the brand's simpler models. Scimitar SS1 (and SST) were special variants of the Scimitar – pure sports cars with 2 seats. The car pictured is a 1985 model with a Ford 1,6 liter engine. Over a period of 10 years, 1500 cars were produced. According to howmanyleft.co.uk There are now only 95 of these left on British roads. The number is increasing every year, so there are probably more projects underway.

The car above is a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit I from the 1980s. All Rolls-Royces become classics, but at the moment the Silver Spirit is probably the least desirable. The successor, Rolls Royce Silver Seraph (pictured below), are still in service in many places despite being more than 20 years old. It may look as if the Silver Seraph will be more attractive in the classic market than the Silver Spirit.

The new face of Rolls-Royce

The car on the left is Rolls Royce Cullinan Black Badge. I like the new face of the model. It helps make the Cullinan less like London's characteristic Hackney Cabs than Cullinan 1. But once the similarity is noted, it is unfortunately impossible to ignore afterwards.

The car on the right is a Rolls-Royce Specter – an electric Rolls-Royce with a range of 520 km – and expensive.

Air-cooled Volkswagen

Near Notting Hill Methodist Church There are always a noticeable number of classic Volkswagens parked in the streets. Right next to the railway underpass is Jack's Garage. They specialize in classic and air-cooled Volkswagens.

Volkswagen Beetle manufactured before 1967

Berkeley Square — 1962 Volkswagen T1 Camper

Other cars

A 1960 Fiat "Nuevo 500" is worth a closer look in itself. But the olive green Fiat near P is no ordinary Fiat. It has been converted to electric operation with a 15 kWh battery divided into 3 battery banks. The car has undergone a full “nut-and-bolt” restoration in 2018, and was exhibited at the London Classic Car Show in 2020. Unfortunately, it looks like the car has now been left untouched outdoors for quite some time. Has something broken, do you think?

Porsche 911 997 parked on the street in a nice area of London

Berkely Square is a park in the middle of Mayfair, slightly recessed from the surrounding street life. There is always a free bench there where you can enjoy a coffee, check your phone and watch the nice cars that pass by, perhaps on their way to one of the exclusive car dealerships nearby. A Ferrari Roma – in the foreground – does not spoil the view.

The mission

English homes have different technical solutions and a different style. I had been commissioned by my daughter to fix the master bedroom which makes up the 3rd floor of the house. Deep wall-to-wall carpets were replaced with parquet and new colors on the walls. It is nice to be able to contribute to creating a Scandinavian atmosphere in an English home.

See

mini dream — Christmas spotting in London

Portobello Market
eMastered – David Brown Automotive
Jack's Garage London

Car spotting in 2024

Posted 04/01/2025 by Terje Bjørnstad

When you have an eye for nice cars and at the same time travel around the country and beach, it's a shame not to share photos. Carspotting is about discovering special cars that are in traffic or parked in beautiful surroundings - not at exhibitions and museums. And what are special cars? It can be expensive, rare and sporty cars - but also ordinary cars that are about to disappear - and that never end up in a museum. Here are some from the past year.

Classic and sporty

1963 Triumph TR4
I spotted this car - decorated for a wedding - at Sjøflyhavna in Fornebu. I didn't see the bride and groom, just the car with idyllic Rolfsbukta in the background. Is the Triumph TR4 suitable as a wedding car? Very beautiful and beautifully decorated, - but surely there will be barely enough space for the wedding dress and veil?

Triumph TR4

1992 Alfa Romeo Spider 2000
The Alfa Romeo Spider is quite widespread as an enthusiast car. What makes this photo special is the color of the car which contrasts with the dark office building behind. Location: Hvervenmoen, Hønefoss.

Alfa Romeo Spider

1966 Sunbeam Alpine 1750
It was unexpected to find a Sunbeam Alpine in the parking garage at Oslo Fashion Center in Vestby. Cars must be used, and this tough sports car with the top down was in what can be called used condition. Oily fingerprints on the bonnet said someone had just fixed something on the car.

Sunbeam Alpine

1977 Lotus Esprit S1
I first caught sight of the car from behind, and did not recognize it because of the design of the rear lights. These belong to Esprit Series 1, of which there were only 3 pieces in Norway. According to information on Vegvesen.no, this beautiful car has been sold - so now there are only 2 left? The car stopped by the old flight tower at Fornebu.

Lotus spirit

German quality cars

1988-91 Audi 100 Avant
After more than 30 years, today's Audis will hardly be as nice as this Audi Avant that was parked outside the Highway Hotel in Herbolzheim, just north of Freiburg. The hotel can be recommended as accommodation along the way. Last year we stayed there 3 times.

Audi 100 C3

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280 S
10 years ago you saw the Mercedes-Benz W126 on the road, but rarely today - although many cars would still be suitable for everyday traffic. On my way to a restaurant on a wet February evening, I saw this classic in Bogstadveien. Completely natural.

Mercedes-Benz W126

1975 Mercedes-Benz 240D
In my eyes, it doesn't look old, even though it is almost 50 years old. Here we are talking about a real quality car. I saw it by chance during the "Stolpejakten 2024" along the coastal path in Sætre.

Mercedes-Benz W115

Common before - rare today

Citroen Dyane
A newly registered Citroën Dyane on a shopping trip in front of the fresh produce magazine Grand Frais? Once a month, cars gather for a meeting in the square outside while the magazine is still open. You could say that the French love both classic Citroëns and fresh delicacies.

Citroen Dyane

Ford Escort mk2 approved with 2 liter engine.

Ford Escort mk2 and Opel Kadett C
On a trip to Shell Greaker at Holmestrand, these two 70s cars stopped by. Carspotting with a 70s motif.
Ford Escort mk2
Opel Kadett C.

1958 Vauxhall Victor FA Super
This pastel-coloured car has been seen on roads near Fornebu, but is hardly used as a daily means of transport.

Vauxhall Victor FA

Guidelines for carspotting
Wikipedia: Carspotting

Cars in Chelsea

Posted 13/08/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

Chelsea is known for being a wealthy area of London, and for most people best known for the football club at Stamford Bridge. Perhaps the snobbish touch means that the streets are not flooded with tourists? Here you will at least find pleasant shops, cozy bars and eateries - and beautiful street-parked cars.

When car and house go together

I associate Chelsea with red "town houses" with white painted fixtures and beautiful chimney tops. The rich man's character is visible - in some places more clearly than others. The street-parked cars reveal not only wealth, but also good taste. A 10-year-old Bentley doesn't cost an awful lot of money in England, but parked in front of a beautiful "town house", it creates a good impression.

Aston Martin DB12

Finer English cars

In London's snobby areas, it is not uncommon to find classic cars in front of posh residences. The cars are rarely used, which is natural for old, nice cars. I think that the cars are parked to create a beautiful eye-catcher in front of the house and to prevent craftsmen from leaving ugly vans there. The beautiful Aston Martin cars in the pictures are of course not just for decoration, but also attract "car-spotters" like myself. If the car is over a year old, you can probably find the cars pictured in the same place Google Maps Streetview.

The car in the picture above is one 1996 Rolls Royce Silver Spur. At the time, Rolls Royce and Bentley were subordinate to the aircraft manufacturer Vickers. According to information from an auction company, the car was rebuilt and extended to a limousine as late as 2019 at the coachbuilder McAllister Cars. The car was previously owned by a funeral home and today has a mileage of only 60-70.000 miles. It sold last year for £7.777 before fees and charges.

The auction company that sold the stretched Rolls Royce also sold this great Mini. There is one 1972 Morris Mini 1000 with automatic transmission and just over 30.000 miles on the odometer when it was sold last year. The asking price was £8.400 before fees and charges.

How to travel to Chelsea

Chelsea is not well served by underground stations. If the destination is the main street Kings Road, you can take the Circle or District Line to Sloane Square station. If you find yourself along the Thames I recommend taking an Uber ferry. You pay in the same way as on the underground. The ferry will take you to Battersea Power Station. Then you can walk over the bridge straight into Chelsea. It takes longer, but is a nice experience.

The main photo of the BEDEO Land Rover was taken by my wife at Cadogan Place where she visited a shop. The other photos were taken while my adult son and I were walking residential streets Elm Gardens, Evelyn Gardens, Cranley Gardens og Onslow Gardens - approximately 30 minutes' walk from Sloane Square. Afterwards we had a joint lunch with quality time under the umbrellas at the restaurant Asylum of Duke of York Square.

See

Car Magazine's test of the BEDEO Electric Defender (see our main image)
Top 15 things to do in Chelsea
Uber Boats London - Route Map

Photo Sunday - Copenhagen

Posted 18/04/2023 by Terje Bjørnstad

Tivoli, Strøget and Nyhavn are popular destinations for Norwegians. We have been there on a spring trip together with a couple of friends who know the city better than most. It was a trip with no scheduled car events, but with small quick trips around the city with the one-handed camera ready in the pocket and an eye for special cars.

The area I moved in was Copenhagen Inner City at the end of Strøget which opens into Kongens Torv, where I could take a detour home around buildings worthy of preservation and special cars. My impression of Indre by is that it has not attracted very many car enthusiasts. If you live here, you can actually manage without a car. But if you have a nice Citroen 2CV, it decorates the street nicely.

I think the green Mercedes-Benz W126 S-Class often stands in "lonely majesty" in the same place in a street with commercial buildings. It is a 380 SE, i.e. short version with a V8 engine. I took a picture of the car against the business building on the other side of the street to create a period color like "Venerable company with the director's car", or something like that.

The maroon-coloured W123 Mercedes-Benz in the picture below is pictured in a residential area. I found several cars of the same model on my travels, but they were not as nice as this one.

On Saturday and Sunday there were several classic cars to see in Copenhagen's inner city. Some drove in a group on a trip. I took out the camera for this beautiful Jaguar XJ12 HE Sovereign with a V12 engine and original "Pepperpot" rims. The car had a new owner not long ago. It is an original 1984 model with only 80 km on the odometer. Advertisement

I saw this great 2CV when it came driving along the canal while we were sitting outside in a bar below Højbro plass. On the way home, I found the car parked in a residential area - with the lights on. Unlike other special cars here, this is a car that was used several times while I was here.

The Audi V8 may be confusingly reminiscent of the Audi 100 and 200 (C3), but it is actually stretched out both in length and width. While many of today's Audi models can rightly be accused of being restyled Volkswagens, the Audi V8 appears as a real and genuine Audi project. So does the car in the picture below. Audi A6 (C4) 1994-1997 looks great in profile.

The signal blue Trabant also appears in "Google Maps" when I look for it there, and it was in the same place while I was in Copenhagen. The car looks well-maintained and drivable, and very visible where it stands in a gray street outside a car park. The Trabant 601 Universal (station wagon) must have been a favorite among East German families in the 1970s.

Another splash of blue is this Volkswagen 1300 parked in the same street. Seen from the front, as in the picture, it creates a wonderful 70s atmosphere.

It arrived while I was walking some distance away from the "base" I was staying at. The owner maneuvered it into place with the greatest of ease before entering a venue across the street. I noted that the engine ran very smoothly and nicely, but I don't know what kind of engine these cars have. When you see a classic MG, the hood is usually down. They are nice with the canopy up too.

Another red car is this Peugeot 205. I'm guessing that the car may have had new paint and new rubber strips etc. sometime during its lifetime. The Peugeot 205 today has classic status on a par with the Volkswagen Golf mk1.

I saw several Volkswagen Golf mk1s while I was in Copenhagen. This car was parked in an old and beautiful residential area with low-rise, beautiful houses. The Volkswagen Golf mk1 cabriolet was produced until 1993 when it was replaced by the mk3.

I also include a photo of a Volvo 240 estate car parked outside an old low-rise building. I think that such a building would hardly survive as private housing in the center of Oslo. In Copenhagen, people have been good at taking care of old buildings, - and in this case it may also be important that Amalienborg is not so far away.

A Renault Estafette stood on the dock inside the opera house. It belonged to a company that operates tourist boats. The beautiful bus has been converted into a coffee cart, or something like that. It has been taken out of service, but I'm guessing it may come back in a later life. The Renault Estafette never achieved the same cult status as the Volkswagen buses, which has meant that many may have disappeared for good.

Renault Alouette currently converted into a coffee machine.

See

photo sunday — Photo Sunday – French car meeting

Veteran car day at Tofte

Posted 06/09/2022 by Terje Bjørnstad

A piece of fringe Norway

For many years, Tofte has lived in the shadow of the large cellulose factory which has now been razed to the ground. Back then, the small town is left as an outlying place, even though the distance to Oslo is only a short hour. Apart from the car park, the main street appears to have remained unchanged since 1980. This makes the place an ideal location for the annual Veteran Car Day. It's a car meet where the street is closed to make room for the guests' cars. The surrounding buildings form a nice frame for the cars.

Wide range of vehicles

The first thing I spotted was a red DeTomaso Pantera next to two Wartburgs. Wartburgs were common, simmering two-strokes in the 60s. Italian Pantera, on the other hand, few had seen in reality. What makes Veteran Car Day interesting for car enthusiasts is the wide range of vehicles. Here you can actually find cars that don't come to car meets very often - cars that were everyday cars a few decades ago. You can also find car brands that no longer exist, such as DeSoto, Studebaker, Borgward and Rambler.

Nice hiking trails

One good argument for bringing your fine car to the Veteran Car Day at Tofte in early September is also the nice hiking trails - whether you come via Filtvedt or Klokkarstua. Classic country roads that wind through a slightly hilly landscape with lots of nice things to see along the way. If you want to extend your trip outside Hurumlandet, you can take the Drøbak tunnel to the east or the car ferry across the Svelviksundet to the west.

This car was probably never sold in Norway as new. When the cars were new, you could only buy them as toy cars. Several have later acquired a real Pantera. At the moment there are actually 72 De Tomaso Pantera cars in Norway. The Pantera is equipped with a Ford V8 engine, centrally positioned at the rear. It both sounds and runs really well! But Ford was not just a subcontractor – they bought into the company and sold the cars in the US. The collaboration lasted from 1971 to 1975. It was probably the oil crisis that caused Ford to withdraw. After the breach, production continued in low volume. The Pantera was actually produced until 1993, but was redesigned twice in 1980 and in 1990. From 1980 as the Pantera GT5 and from 1990 as the Pantera 90. The De Tomaso car brand still exists. The rights have been acquired by a company in Hong Kong that builds cars in a very small volume for extremely rich people.

DeTomaso Pantera

Did you know that the Opel Manta is named after a devil skate of the same name? A huge stingray that swims gracefully around the great oceans with wings and a tail? In 1971, the Manta's beautiful appearance made a big impression on myself and other young car enthusiasts. The Manta A was, by today's standards, simple, rear-wheel drive cars based on the Opel Ascona A. The car in the picture is a 1900 SR which originally produced 90 HP. It was registered before the new signs were introduced on 1 April 1971 and is thus an early edition.

Opel for those of us who liked the Manta

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 was produced until 1979. The engine options were a 4,2 liter straight six or a 5,3 liter V12.

Shopping and spotting – Jaguar XJ 5,3 Coupe

Opel uses a letter to indicate model order. Rekord E is thus number 5 in the series, and the last model under the model name "Rekord". The last Rekord was in production from the 1978 model year up to and including 1986. It received a facelift for the 1983 model year. The two series are often referred to as E1 and E2. The facelift involved a completely new front and rear section, as well as new engines. The pictured car belongs to E1. It is rare to see an Opel Rekord E in such fine condition. Not only are all Rekorders today vintage cars, but also Opel classics.

Opel Record E

Opel Ascona

It was slightly wider, slightly longer and slightly faster than its predecessor. The Ascona B was a car that was on many people's wish lists - and that evokes good memories today. Among the engines delivered to Norway were the 1,3 S (75 HP), 1,9 S (90 HP). The Ascona was the sister model to the more sporty Manta model. Ascona B could also be delivered with larger engines, such as 2,0 S (100 HP), 2,0 E with injection 110 HP, as well as 2,4 E (144 HP). The Ascona 400 did well in WRC rally with a trimmed version of the 2,4 liter engine. The Asconas became popular, both as family cars - and later as youth cars. The cars had a great, GM-inspired design - and ran well. I myself have driven the Ascona 1,9 S when it was relatively new - and am left with good impressions. On the road, it delivered well in all branches. A car that was easy to like and which are sought-after projects for conversions. I hope many keep them original too.

Opel Ascona B

There was no real "schwung" over Audi until the Quattro system came along. It was in 1980 and then it was the B2 Coupé bodywork that was used in the so-called "ur-Quattro". The results in motorsport gave Audi a lift up the status scale. The beautiful B2 Coupé is one of the most beautiful Audis ever made. They were based on the sedan model's platform and engine choice with front-wheel drive. B2 Coupé/GT are cars many people want as a hobby car.

Audi 80B2

The Deville 3 was produced between 1965 and 1970, with small cosmetic changes each year that made customers change cars more often. Engine-wise, the V8 was the only choice – 429 V8 (7 litres) until 1968, then 472 V8 (7,7 litres). A Deville in this period is around 5,7 meters long, just over 2 meters wide and weighs over 2 tonnes. Deville could be delivered as 4 doors with pillar, 4 and 2 door Hardtop (without pillar), as well as Convertible. The car pictured is probably a 1965 model.

Cadillac DeVille 3rd generation

Hidden lights created a tough front end. As far as I know, there was no regular import of Mercury Cougar to Norway, only individual imports via private individuals. The first model generation was sold as model year 1967 through 1970. The Mercury Cougar got the same V8 engines as the Ford Mustang for the corresponding model year. It concerned only V8s – primarily 289, 302, 351 and 390 cubic inches – but also Ford's 7-litre V8 427 and 428 engines.

Mercury Cougar

It came as a surprise when Ford chose to replace its successful M models – the 17M and 20 M. The new Consul and Granada were not only to replace the M models, but also the English Zephyr and Zodiac. Seen in today's eyes, there was little to distinguish Consul from Granada. There were equipment details, grill, interior and chrome. In the beginning, you could choose the 2-door Consul Coupé as an entry-level model, or the 4-door sedan and station wagon. The transition between 17M/20M and Consul/Granada took place at the turn of 1971 to 1972. Based on the registration number, the car in the picture is one of the very first Ford Consuls in this country, registered early in 1972 and delivered with a 1700 V4 engine from the Taunus series. In my opinion, these first Coke-bottle shaped cars are the most beautiful of all the Consul/Granadas. They are also rare, especially with the 17M-V4 engine. Highly preserved cars!

Ford Granada mk1

Chevrolet Corvette C1 color matched inventory

Chevrolet Corvette C1
Borgward Isabella – a popular German in the 1950s

See

Veteran car day at Tofte

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

Photo Sunday – Cadillac Diner

Posted 07/09/2021 by Terje Bjørnstad

It's nice to have friends visit - especially nice when they arrive in a classic Cadillac Convertible with the roof down. We are located in Gudbrandsdalen. The base temperature is 14 degrees, but the sun is still shining. Today, many people drive with the top down.

Meeting place

We agreed to meet for lunch at the Cadillac Diner on Tretten in Gudbrandsdalen – a natural stop when driving a Cadillac Eldorado Convertible or another enthusiast vehicle. The cafe is decorated with memorabilia related to Cadillac and nostalgic American 50s. Outside is a Mack Cabover tow truck. Several other guests had arrived in cars with the roof down, including an Austin Healey 3000, Plymouth Special Deluxe and a Ford Mustang. Everyone had a great time in the fine autumn weather.

A break at the Cadillac Diner is mandatory for many in the car and motorcycle community. If you pop in for a bite to eat, you might see some great enthusiast cars outside.

No chain

Our table chose hamburger with fries, American pancakes and bacon - as well as Coke served in glass bottles. The hamburger was very good - just like my grandmother made them. It made a complete lunch meal for me. The Cadillac Diner reopened this summer. Brittirèn Bjerkestuen has gone into partnership with Stavsplassen SA and is thus carrying on his father's life's work, Trond Bjerkestuen, further.

Today, almost all the eateries along the road are franschise places. I prefer places that are independently run - like the Cadillac Diner.

It makes sense for the statue of the Liberty Bell on the outside.

Pictures from Cadillac Diner

plymouth special — Plymouth Special Deluxe Convertible with the top down

nodding though — A nodding dog in a rear window also gives a high nostalgia factor

See

Cadillac Diner on Facebook - lots of nice photos

bmw 2800 cs — Photo Sunday – Youngtimers

Photo Sunday – Youngtimers

Posted 29/07/2021 by Terje Bjørnstad

Sunday morning, holiday time - and calm on the roads. If you have seen a grey-haired cyclist around the parking lot on the swimming beaches around Oslo, it could be me. May I take a picture of your car?

Google

One of the concepts of this website is to show pictures and data of car models that you might not see every day. Being able to display different versions and variants of the same model is useful for anyone looking for information. Our images appear in Google and other search engines. But for that the to happen, the pictures must heap. This is where the man on the bike comes in.

The images in this post are already archived under the respective model pages on the website and complete the scope. You will find them together with thousands of other images in The car catalog.

Scratches in the paint?

I met it on the way into town. The E9 series is BMW's most beautiful. It represents the best BMW could deliver from my own childhood and youth. A car that was made for "keen drivers" who wanted to cover long distances quickly and comfortably. In my eyes, it signaled driving pleasure rather than status. A car for connoisseurs.

It's not often you get to see a BMW 2800 CS. On the way back I made my way to the beach and got a snapshot of this beautiful car in the summer sun. By the way, have you noticed the advertising campaign Cary? In one of the commercials you can see another great BMW E9, namely Jan Erik Bjerkholt's BMW 3,0 CS. It was discovered here on "Terje's cars" and got the main role in one of the enjoyable film clips called "Scratch in the paint" from Cary. Watch it here on BMW E9.

Cary

Cary is a new chain within glass, paint and car care. When I popped into Esso in Ramstad, I saw that a Cary workshop had been established at Naka Autosport. Outside was a 1978 Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC for sale. The SLC is the SL Coupé – an extended version of the R107. The wheelbase has been stretched by 36 cm so that you get a full-fledged 5-seater. From the front and rear it looks similar to the SL, but from the side it looks like a coupé variant of the S-Class W116 of the time. The SLC was then also taken out of production at the same time as the W116.

As a veteran and hobby car, the closed coupe is not as desirable as the R107 roadster, which was delivered with both a hardtop and canopy. On the website Mercedes-Benz SL R107 we have collected many pictures of the R107 SL but had none of the C107 SLC. When I was allowed to study Tommy Martinsen's 450 SL up close a couple of weeks ago, I got to see how solid these cars are. Real Benz feeling through and through.

Link to the advertisement from the seller Fifty fifty AS

ford mustang 200ci — 1966 Ford Mustang 200

Eternal life

I have photographed two completely different models with eternal life - the Ford Mustang mk1 and the air-cooled Porsche 911. They are built to last and therefore there are many of them. So many that you can only take pictures of the finest. I only take pictures when I find something special - without being able to point out what is special on the fly.

On the Kadettangen near Sandvika, I spotted a blue Ford Mustang Hardtop with a white vinyl roof. According to the chassis number, it was produced with a 200 ci straight six. I don't know if it's sitting there today, but at least it went very well. There is something real and authentic about the car - as if taken straight out of an American film. Mustangs are popular advertising objects. Some of the Mustangs we have previously photographed on the page Ford Mustang 1, has featured in advertisements and brochures.

Seaplane Harbor

Sjøflyhavna kro in Fornebu is a favorite destination for people with finer classic cars such as air-cooled Porsches. I take fewer pictures of older 911s now. There are simply too many of them. According to the VIN number, this lowered 911 is a 1980 model, but the bumpers could be taken from a later model, like the 964. Classic Porsche look that looks very good, especially with the Cessna seaplane in the background. In terms of style, the funky buildings at Sjøflyhavna in the background also fit in well.

Porsche Carrera S 911 — 1980 Porsche 911 Carrera S

Shooting brake

Over the years, many strange station wagons have appeared. The recipe seems to be simple. You take an existing sedan, extend the roof and insert a couple of side windows and a rear door. But sometimes it can be really delicious.

One example is Ferrari FF. I took a picture of one a couple of weeks ago, but didn't manage to show the most important part, namely the rear section. I got that last Sunday from a great Jaguar XJS Lynx Eventer. Enjoy the view. A total of 67 cars were built, of which 18 were cars with the steering wheel on the left side. Of these, 2 must have Norwegian plates.

Volvo 240 B23 hgv — 1992 Volvo 240 B23 Manor wagon

Manor wagons

Among station wagons, it can be said that the Volvo 240 Manor House represents a completely different line from the Ferrari FF and XJS Eventer. Nevertheless, the Volvo 240 gets more clicks than the Ferrari on WordPress and Instagram. I came across a 245 with the little rise that extends like a V from the grill to the back of the hood. Small details distinguished different models and variants. The elevation on the bonnet indicates that there is a B23 engine in the car. Black door handles and black areas around the side windows tell us that we are dealing with one of the very last vintages.

Jeremy Clarkson narrates that the Volvo 240 – which originates from the 140 series – should compete with antique cars such as the Austin Cambridge back in the 60s. Many years later, the Volvo 240 sold better than the technically far more advanced Citroen XM. We do not have any photos of Austin Cambridge. It must have been a yawn in automotive history. The Citroen XM, on the other hand, has written itself into history a long time ago. Nevertheless, I felt that the XM station wagon I took a picture of in front of the old Rikstrygdeverk building did not seem very old. Is there anything to take a picture of, then? But on further reflection, the XM is not a car you see very often anymore.

Read more about Citroen XM

See

Photo Sunday - cars on display along the road

Posted 12/07/2021 by Terje Bjørnstad

Sunday morning is a good day for cycling

Then it is calm and peaceful along the roads. Last Sunday I took pictures of cars on display outside car shops in Billingstad. Not just any cars – but cars that had something special about them. Bentley Arnages, for example, are rare even in London's snobby precincts. They certainly arouse curiosity. How much does one like that cost? What kind of engine does it have? You don't need a price tag on the route. You have a mobile phone and can search for the car on "Finn.no" or on the car dealership's own website. A kind of modern window shopping. Join the trip!

The space outside car dealerships is an excellent place to display special cars. They can then attract car enthusiasts.

And you ... Terje's cars seller not cars. We just type about them. We are not the ones selling these cars. Click on the link to the ads if you want to know more about the objects for sale - or just enjoy the pictures!

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4

Year Model: 2021
Presumed exhibition car or demo car at Porsche Center Asker & Bærum, Billingstad.
Engine: 4 liter 6 cylinder boxer engine
Power: 420 HP
Price: From 1 + equipment
Link to point of sale
Underrated sports car in Norway. "Not a real Porsche" - "Porsche for those who can't afford a 911", and so on. The fact is that this is the only Porsche model with a mid-mounted engine – a car designed to provide lots of driving pleasure.

Bentley Bentayga Hybrid

Year Model: 2021
Demobile for sale at Bentley Oslo, Brookland Motors, Billingstad.
Engine: V6 3.0 liter petrol + 94 Kw electric motor
Battery: 17.3 kWh Lithium-ion
Power: Combined power 449 hp / 700 Nm
Price: 2
Km: 5900
Link to advertisement
Big and bulky like an elephant, but interesting in a hybrid version. That makes the car more affordable - if you can use such a word about a Bentley. Range of the batteries is stated to be 39 km (WLTP). The car has 4 separate luxury chairs - i.e. a 4-seater for 4 top managers.

Bentley Arnage Green Label

Year Model: 2000
Used car for sale at Bentley Oslo, Brookland Motors, Billingstad.
Engine: BMW V8
Power: 354 HP
Price: 679
Km: 60
Link to advertisement
A classic long before it achieved vintage car status. The Bentley Arnage ticks all the boxes associated with classic Bentley. "Green label" means that it has a BMW engine taken from the 7 series.

Ferrari Spider 488

Year Model: 2016
Used car for sale at AutoXO Sport, Fekjan.
Engine: 3,9 liter V8 twin turbo
Power: 670 HP
Price: 2
Km: 50
A Ferrari like this is reminiscent of how the car industry can create completely unique "man - machine" interfaces - like a Tour de France cyclist can experience between body and bike.

Maserati Granturismo S

Year Model: 2009
Not for sale. Just a great car "spotted" in a parking space outside the car dealership.
Engine: 4,7 liter V8
Beautiful car in the color Rosso Mondiale.

Ford F-150 Harley Davidson Supercrew (tv)

Year model: 2019 (the pickup on the left)
Used car for sale at RøhneSelmer Asker and Bærum, Billingstad.
Engine: 5,0 liter V8
Power: 400 HP, 542 Nm
Price: 1
Km: 100
Link to advertisement
Never mind that the Ford F-150 is now at full speed into the electric car world. These raw cars will roll around for more than 50 years and represent the pinnacle of American V8 trucks.

The white pickup is probably equipped with 3,5 V6 Ecoboost petrol 408 HP and can cost around NOK 1 million incl. VAT.

Citroen Xantia 1,8i

porsche centre — Citroen Xantia series 1

Year Model: 1994
Used car for sale at Asker Bilmegling, Slependen.
Engine: 1,8 liter petrol
Power: 101 HP
Price: 29
Km: 89500 (!)
Link to advertisement
Xantia with air suspension and very low mileage. The shine reveals that the car may have been partially repainted. Presumably parked in garage. A youngtimer that gives a very special grip in the corners - and which will undoubtedly become a future classic. This is a car for enthusiasts who know what this is. If you are looking for a cheap used car for the family, you should find something else.

Other English classics

The new face of Rolls-Royce

Air-cooled Volkswagen

Other cars

The mission

See

Classic and sporty

German quality cars

Common before - rare today

When car and house go together

Finer English cars

How to travel to Chelsea

See

See

A piece of fringe Norway

Wide range of vehicles

Nice hiking trails

DeTomaso Pantera GT5

Opel Manta A 1900 SR

Jaguar XJ 4,2 Coupe

Opel Rekord 1,9 E1

Opel Ascona

Audi B2 Coupe GT

Cadillac Coupe Deville 429 Convertible

Mercury Cougar XR7

Early Ford Consul 1700 V4 Coupe

See

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

About this car

Sources

Jaguar XJ 5.3C

General information about the Jaguar XJ12 5.3C

About this car

Sources

Ford Cortina 1600E

General information about the Ford Cortina 1600E

About this car

Sources

Mercedes-Benz 230.4

General information about the Mercedes-Benz 230.4

About this car

Sources

Best places for Shopping and Spotting

See

Meeting place

No chain

Pictures from Cadillac Diner

See

Google

Scratches in the paint?

Cary

Eternal life

Seaplane Harbor

Shooting brake

Manor wagons

See

Sunday morning is a good day for cycling

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4

Bentley Bentayga Hybrid

Bentley Arnage Green Label

Ferrari Spider 488

Maserati Granturismo S

Ford F-150 Harley Davidson Supercrew (tv)

Citroen Xantia 1,8i

See