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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Opel Kadett C and Ford Escort mk2Ford 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.
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.
A Mercedes-Benz 380 SE can well be called timeless elegance.
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.
Mercedes-Benz W123 in Maroon with contemporary caps and plenty of chrome.In the foreground: Jaguar XJ12 HE Sovereign
On Saturday and Sunday there were several classic cars to see in Copenhagen Inner City. Some drove in a group on a tour. I took out my camera for this beautiful Jaguar XJ12 HE Sovereign with a V12 engine and original "Pepperpot" rims. The car got a new owner not long ago. It is an original 1984 model with only 80,000 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.
Citroen 2 CV parked together with Danish bicycles.The Audi V8 is not something you see every day.
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.
A real Audi – Audi A6 C4 Limousine.A splash of color in a gray street. Trabant 601 Universal.
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.
Volkswagen gives a nice touch of nostalgia.MG TF circa 1955 with the canopy up.
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.
Peugeot 205Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet outside a charming residential area.
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 – Cadillac DinerPhoto Sunday – French car meetingPhoto Sunday - Car meeting at Nebbenes
Céret is one of many villages in the Catalan part of France where cobbled streets with picturesque stone houses still exist. At the beginning of the 1900th century, the city was a meeting place for artists. From our shepherd's hut, we can see into the old garden where Pablo Picasso and George Braque held merry parties 100 years ago - where Salvador Dali was also present.
Céret is located in a very rural setting at the foot of the Pyrenees – very close to the border with Spain. The nearest big city is Barcelona. The town is very far from Paris and the Côte d'Azur – in a positive sense. It is not expensive to visit the restaurants, everyone speaks French and there are cars here that you don't find in the Côte d'Azur. There is no longer a 2CV or Renault 4 on every street corner in Céret. But since we are in an area where cars don't rust, there are still many cars on the roads such as the Renault 5, Express, Citroen C15, Renault Twingo mk 1 and Peugeot 205. These are cars that are almost extinct in other parts of Europe, but here they are common. In 5 years they could be gone for good.
Citroen
Citroen BX Millesime TD
The car in the main photo above is from Céret. It is a Millesime edition that appeared in recent years in production with a nice equipment package. The equipment level, including a rear spoiler, is complemented by yellow lights, integrated fog lights, black license plates and a sunroof. The sunroof gives the car character. According to the owner, the panoramic roof is taken from a Twingo. The car has recently been fixed up after an accident and is often on the move in the city with the owner behind the wheel. If you are on Instagram, you can follow him under the username pali_kao.
Citroen Ami 9A and 2CV
I don't think the new electric Ami is sold in Norway. It's not a big hit in our part of France either. The car pictured is actually the only one I've seen in town. I think it's a shame that it's only made as a moped car . If it had been built as a 4-wheel motorcycle (quadricycle lourd) it could have been registered in vehicle class L7e. If the car could go faster than 45 km/h it could follow the normal flow of traffic. Then I think it would have been better received in the market. The reason I took a picture of it is because of the nice 2CV patina it has – just like the beautiful 2CV on the right.
Lemon Xantia
I forgot to mention that the Citroen Xantia is one of the car models that is still current and drivable here. The car in the picture above belongs to the first series of Xantia. I have passed it several times and have noticed how great it is. For being BX's successor, Xantia seems less distinctive - more "mainstream". But if you get hold of a Xantia with Active Suspension, you have a wolf in sheep's clothing on the road.
Many Citroen 2CVs have been in continuous operation since they were new.Renault 4 GTL
Renault
Renault Espace
Let's forget the 2CV and the R4s for a while. Although there are fewer of them, they still exist. I am particularly impressed by the 2CV and R4 that are still in daily use, like the one parked in front of us at one of the city's supermarkets. I would rather focus on the image of Espace from the first series. This is a model that was designed by Matra – a name that arouses enthusiasm in many. The straight, square lines with large glass surfaces were typical of 80s models. The Espace was not just a minibus, but an MPV with the possibility of converting the compartment into a saloon. I don't know the technology in the Espace 1, but I think the design is really tough - something that belongs among 80s icons like the Aston Martin Lagonda and the DeLorean DMC-12.
Renault 5 Express with the passenger car's frontRenault 5 on the loading platform of a Saviem Renault SG2 (3,5 ton truck from around 1980). I hope the Super 5 is headed for renovation and not the car scrap.
Renault 5 and Express
At the moment there are far too many Renault Expresses for me to take pictures of them all. I liked this one because it has a clean (renovated) body, nice rims and the front of a passenger car from the "Supercinq". Most Renault Expresses in the city are pure used cars with signs of use all over. Speaking of the Super 5, I thought the motif of the Renault 5 on the cargo bed of a Saviem Renault SG2 (3,5 tons) was really French and nostalgic. I hope the Super 5 is on its way to renovation and not the scrapyard.
Peugeot
Peugeot 304
I have the impression that few people take the time to restore a Peugeot 304 Berline. The ones I have seen have been in original good condition - probably also the car in the pictures. I have not seen it in the city before, but discovered it on a Sunday visit to the city close to where we live. I had time to admire the stylish Italian lines. They give associations to the Alfa Romeo Super Giulia. I wish Peugeot would find a way back to previous alignments instead of today's crisscrossing lines.
Peugeot 304 Sedan.Peugeot 504 Pickup
Peugeot 504 Pickup
The pickup model was put into production a few years before the production of the passenger car was phased out, and continued until the early 90s. If you see a 504 pickup, it doesn't have to be very old. I think most pick-up cars you see on the road today have undergone some form of renovation - like the car in the picture. I have seen it in several places in the city, including recently at the city's Peugeot workshop. Considering how solid the 504 Break was, there is reason to believe that this pickup will be able to serve for many years to come.
See
Join us for a short tour of the city on the undersigned's bicycle. Céret is surrounded by fine cycle paths, whether you cycle to the beach or in the mountains. My road bike is only suitable on the road, but there are also off-road trails for those who dare.
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 opportunities. In the central districts there are generally few opportunities for "off street parking" as the buildings were built before mass motoring. Moreover, as a consequence of the high property prices, many old stables and workshops have been converted into homes - not garages. Also, consider that many are mega-rich and eccentric - and prefer vehicles that no one else has. Carspotting is not just for "geeky" kids. I myself am 63 years old and I walk around with a journalist's camera, taking pictures and chatting with like-minded people. The nicest cars are well known among carspotters. The most serious ones post pictures on their own websites with all the information. Here are the stories of 5 cars that I found on my round of London carspotting and searching online.
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.
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).
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.
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 advert on the Car-from-UK website . There the car was for sale in Cheshire as an unfinished restoration project. The work looked OK in the pictures. According to the seller, the interior still needed to be refreshed, the headliner replaced and the car given a new coat of paint. Probably a whole lot more that is not mentioned. The car was not MOT approved and had to be collected by trailer. The car was originally red. The price was set at £5.850, but I don't know when the advert was posted. A Japanese carspotter posted pictures of the same car in November 2021, then in the same British Racing Green colour and with the same rims. An interior picture shows that the original seats have been retained. A picture from a junk African site shows the same car in black paint. It is unclear whether this is "photoshopped" or whether the car was first repainted in black.
Image from previous advert (Source: car-from-uk.com)
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 website of the company that transported it, I didn't find anything at first - not until 4 days later. The car had just been picked up in London. This weekend it will be auctioned off - in Pickering , about 5 hours' drive north of London. But you can also place bids online. The car's odometer shows 38700 miles and the model year is 1969. No price estimates have been given, but these cars normally sell for between £7.000 and £15.000 in England. The car seems to have been thoroughly rust-protected through Ziebart , although many people don't trust this rust protection. To me the car seemed as good as a pristine mk2 Cortina can be, but it would be hard to find a completely rust-free Cortina.
"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 – based in Hertfordshire outside London. Before them, there was one owner. It has been dry-stored for 17 years. The paint is original Silberdistel 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.
In London, shopping and spotting can 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
The cars in KensingtonLondon Classis Car ShowLondon Concours 2019Mercedes Benz World
Sunday was not as warm as had been predicted. The sun shone with its absence. Then it was nice to move outside and it was good photo weather. I got to air both the pedal bike and the dog for a few hours this day. I also spotted some really nice cars in Kunstnergaten.
Kunstnergaten by the old flight tower
Fornebu has its own street by the old airport tower, called Kunstnergaten. Since I don't know anything about art, I often feel a bit stupid when I go there. But it's a nice place with nice people. On Sundays, "everything" is open to the public. Every now and then there's a great car outside the Kultur på hjøl car museum . The people who run the museum are car enthusiasts themselves who occasionally bring one of their own eyeballs with them.
Today, several fine youngtimers and vintage cars were parked in the street outside the car museum. As one of the participants said - "When all meetings are cancelled, you'd rather arrange a joint drive". In addition to culture in the form of cars, memorabilia from the early days of flight, arts and crafts, you will find the Odonata restaurant with a nice patio. The restaurant was used for filming the first season of the TV program "First date". But you can of course stop by even if you are not on a date.
Shoots at everything
I use a one-handed compact camera from Sony - RX100M3. It is a top model that can be used with one hand and takes very good pictures - good lenses and good software. It is a camera that many journalists use. You can work quickly and shoot at everything. That's what I do. But here I only show pictures of cars.
Also published in the car catalogue
The photos taken in connection with car meets or carspotting along the road are eventually also uploaded into the car catalog here on the blog. The purpose is to collect photos of cars to show how different car models have developed over the model years - and to show different colors and variants of the same model. Everything is easily accessible on search engines. There are several thousand photos of special cars "spotted" on trips by car, pedal bike, dog-on-leash ...
… just like these – all taken on the same Sunday.
Mercedes-Benz W111 220 SE CoupéThe interior of the Mercedes-Benz 190SL from 19581964 Pontiac Le Mans1968 Mercury Cougar XR-71969 Cadillac El DoradoOpel Commodore GS 2.8Opel Commodore B in fantastic condition.The GS 2.8 was the top model. This is Opel at its best!1973 Renault 15. Beautiful and rare French car.1982 Volkswagen Golf C- Where is MacGyver? Jeep CJ7 Renegade from the same era as the TV series.Mk1 Range Rover in prime condition is being traded today for staggering sums in England.MGF (tv) is unfortunately becoming rare along the way. Especially seeing it standing next to its much younger Chinese-built relative (th)
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Photo Sunday – Citroen and G 500Photo Saturday – Mustang and Mercedes
When I have taken pictures from car shows and exhibitions, I want to show several cars of the same model before they are published. Then it becomes more legitimate to write a story about the model , not the car . But what do you do when you have only managed to take one picture? Here are 5 cars from carspotting that I have not found the same.
Ferrari Testarossa
Ferrari Testarossa
The Ferrari, which was produced between 1984 and 1996, became super popular. "All" royalty and celebrities wanted a Testarossa.
Miami Vice
There was a wait of several years. Many got to know the car through the TV series Miami Vice. Ferrari had donated two cars to the production company. They were in black metallic with a cream colored interior, but were repainted because white probably suited Don Johnson better. The last two sales went for 175 and 000 dollars respectively.
Several celebrities have owned - or own a Testarossa. Elton John is said to have received one from the record company MCA Records. It was red with a "tan" interior. It is said that Elton John regularly drives all his cars. Also the Testarossa which was eventually auctioned off - and which has probably been auctioned off at least once more later. Other celebrities behind the wheel of the Testarossa are Mick Jagger, Miles Davis, Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, Rod Stewart, OJ Simpson, Tom Selleck, MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice.
Facts about the Ferrari Testarossa
Engine: 4,9 litres, 12 cylinders (boxer), 48 valves, naturally aspirated, dry sump, 390 HP at 6300 revs, 490 Nm at 4500 revs. 0-100 in 5,8 seconds.
About the pictures
The main picture was taken near the old control tower at Fornebu on the occasion of one of the Norwegian Sportscar Club's spring rallies at Fornebu. The bonus picture is taken of the traffic on the E18 exiting at Holtet in Bærum. Car spotting and car spotting.
Lotus spirit
Lotus Spirit Turbo
It is hard to imagine that the Lotus Esprit, the cool James Bond car, has become a proper old car.
The truth is inescapable. Beneath the hand-crafted fiberglass bodywork lies an old car, technologically low-tech by today's standards. I heard one owner say, "You don't buy an Esprit for performance - you buy it because it's an Esprit . "
Engines
The Esprit model was produced in several series from 1976 to 2004. The first cars were equipped with mid-mounted 2,2-liter inline-four engines developed by Lotus itself. Performance was a modest 160 HP. The Esprit was never a supercar until 1980 when it got a turbo and 210 HP. Eventually, Lotus managed to extract 300 HP from the turbo engine. In 1996 – twenty years after its introduction – the Esprit got V8 engines. The twin-turbo engine produced 350 horses and lifted the Esprit into the supercar class.
Heavy on the steering. Poor turning radius. Low stance and very direct contact with the road. "Everything" is communicated to the driver. This is a car that takes some getting used to.
The statements come from car testers who viewed the Esprit with today's eyes. One thing everyone agrees on. The interior. Everything is covered in genuine leather - handmade English quality - designed like a "man-cave". It is not only comfortable, but gives a real good feeling.
The picture was taken at one of the Norsk Sportsvogn Klubb's spring rallies in Fornebu. It is a Turbo Esprit with an estimated 210 HP. Car spotting.
BMW 503
BMW 503 Coupé Series II – 134 produced
Only 413 of this BMW model were produced. There should be one other BMW of the same model somewhere in Norway, but the probability of meeting any of them on the road is very small.
A beautiful baroque angel
BMW's distinctive 50s models 501 and 502 were colloquially called baroque angels. First appearing as a 503 model, the 1956 Coupé model was a 2-door, 2+2-seater GT model that was offered with only one engine option. The engine was taken from the BMW 502. 3,2 liter V8, 2 carburettors, 140 HP and 4-speed manual gearbox. There is no doubt that under the beautiful costume was a baroque angel - a very beautiful baroque angel.
Little profitable
Production continued from 1956 to March 1959. Considering the gorgeous design and motorization, the model could certainly have been produced well into the 60s. But BMW stopped production due to poor profitability. A total of 413 cars were produced. Of these, 270 were Coupés with a fixed roof and 143 cabriolets with electric raising and lowering of the canopy.
Expensive car
A simple search on mobile.de for the BMW 503 reveals prices between 200 – 250,000 euros for coupes and 400 – 500,000 euros for convertibles. There are several factors that indicate a high price – few examples, built as a quality car, beautiful and expensive for its time. It is surprising that these cars did not do better. The BMWs could not keep up with the American cars of the time in terms of chrome and external dimensions, – but neither could the Mercedes-Benz SL. Despite this, the SL sold well in the USA in the 50s.
About the picture
The picture was taken at one of the Norsk Sportsvogn Klubb's spring rallies in Fornebu. The car is a Series II Coupé with a fixed roof – a variant of which only 134 were produced. Car spotting.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
It was typically Italian to make a model with many bodies. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta was initially a compact family car, but could also be delivered with special bodies.
The Giulietta Spider follows a genuinely minimalist roadster concept. Under the hood is a 1,3-liter aluminum engine with wet cylinder walls, DOHC and single Solex carburettor (Normale) or twin Weber (Veloce). It produced 80 HP in the Normale and 90 HP in the Veloce version – enough to give a lot of driving pleasure in a car that weighs only 860 kg.
Lived on as the Giulia Spider
The Giulietta series (2- and 4-door) was produced from 1954 to 1965, but the Giulietta Spider was called the Giulia Spider when Alfa Romeo began producing the legendary Giulia in 1962. The “new” Giulia Spider received a 1,6-liter engine and an additional air intake on the hood. Otherwise, there were few visual changes between the two models.
Prices
The Giulietta Spider is a true classic, and the prices reflect that. They range from 500,000 kroner to a million on mobile.de.
About the pictures
The white Spider is one of the last cars produced as a Giulietta. It is a "tipo 101.03" - as the registration number indicates. The photo was taken at one of the Norsk Sportsvogn Klubb's spring rallies in Fornebu. Car spotting.
The dashboard – Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Opel Kapitän
Opel Kapitän P2
1959 was a good year. Lolita topped the charts with "Seemann". Mercedes-Benz launched a brand new model and Opel got a new Kaptein.
It has been a long time since an Opel could measure up to a Mercedes. It could do that in 1959 when both came with completely new models. Mercedes' new W110 and W111 – the so-called "find Mercedes" was perhaps the best mass-produced car of its time. The year before, Opel had launched a brand new Opel Kaptein with large fins and panoramic windows at the front and rear. The P1 looked like an American, but was too strong a diet for sane Europeans. Many complained about poor visibility through the panoramic windows and tight access to the back seat because the rear window actually curved into the door opening. It sold so poorly that the management at Opel began to design a new Kaptein – the P2 – which came already the following year in 1959.
Most beautiful Opel ever
It was no secret that the P2 was designed on the same platform as the P1. The two cars had the same wheelbase, while the new one was a little wider, a little longer – and a little less American. The new Opel Kaptein was not only beautiful – it also sold better than all the Kapteins both before and after.
Facts Opel Kapitän P2
Production time: 1959-1963
Engine: 2,6 liter inline six.
90 HP at 4100 rpm
191 Nm at 1900 revolutions
Front suspension: Double A-arms
Rear: Rigid rear axle with leaf springs
Brakes: Drums
0-100: 16 seconds
Top speed: 150 km/h
Consumption: 1,21 litres/mile
Source: Auto Zeitiung test of Mercedes 220SE against Opel Kapitän
The picture was taken in the parking lot at the Bendix meeting at the Bendix house (old Lunner Dairy). Car spotting.
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This is article number 5 in a series about the French car industry and French cars - seen through Norwegian eyes in France.
When, a few weeks ago, Renault Norge ran an advertising campaign on Facebook for its new Captur, there were many angry comments from slightly older readers. Not about the Renault Captur, but French cars in general. It didn't help that today's owners praised their cars to the skies.
Captur is a typical result of the modern car industry across national borders. The typically French is gone – for better or for worse. The Renault Captur is unlikely to be singled out as an example of French car-building art.
The fact that modern French cars lack a French character is unlikely to dampen new car sales. The distinctive French character is a thing of the past, which contributes to giving older, French cars an ever-increasing cult status. In France, there is great interest in typical French cars - not least among young people. Air-cooled Citroëns and small Renaults have long had cult status. Now it seems that more and more French cars are being embraced by local car enthusiasts.
Renault 12
Renault 12Renault 12
Renault 12
I came across a Renault 12 during my last visit to the South of France. They were hugely popular in Norway, not least the station wagon. You couldn't get more car for the money at the time. I never perceived the Renault 12 as distinctly French. In many ways it can be compared to today's Captur.
The Renault 12 was surprisingly conventionally constructed compared to other Renaults. It had a rigid rear axle – not independent suspension like other Renaults. The ingenious, space-saving torsion springs had been replaced with ordinary coil springs. The model lacked much of what was associated with French car design. Nevertheless - or in spite of this - the owners were very satisfied with their cars - certainly at least as satisfied as today's Captur owners.
The Renault 12 did not have a particularly long shelf life, especially on salted roads, - a fate it shared with most other commercial vehicles of the time.
Fiat Regata 85 S
Speaking of short shelf life…
I also came across a Fiat Regata. No, it was not produced in France, but at Fiat's Mirafiori factory in Italy. Nevertheless, it suits our small town with Catalan architecture very well. The navy sedan is owned by a young man with an interest in Latin cars. Several young people in the city where I live take care of such cars. The warm, dry climate means that the cars do not rust. Then even cars like the Fiat Regata can have an eternal life if you don't drive them to wrecks.
It's no secret that Regata had a very short shelf life. Firstly, they were badly screwed together and secondly, the rust was relentless. Other than that, I think it was quite nice to drive the Fiat Regata a few times in the 80s. I liked the soundscape, which was mainly conveyed through the exhaust system. Typical Italian. Then you can see between the fingers that the interior plastic panels occasionally loosened while driving on bad roads.
Air cooled is cool
Citroën Visa 17 RDAir-cooled Citroëns such as the 2CV, Dyane, Ami and Méhari are very popular and prices are now rising. If you are looking for something truly French, Citroën Visa can be a good alternative. Early versions had a slightly enlarged air-cooled 2CV engine, 652 ccm 34 HP and umbrella gear. The drive unit can well be regarded as an attempt to carry on the 2CV spirit. On the road, the Visa drives in typical "Citroën" fashion, softly with a long suspension travel. The models beyond the 80s eventually got water-cooled petrol and diesel engines from Citroën's engine range - as well as floor gearboxes. In France, there are still a great many Visa vans. You see them everywhere. They are fully drivable, although they often look quite battered. When the Citroën Visa was introduced, the air-cooled drivetrain was seen as old-fashioned, at least here at home. Today it's French and cool.
Peugeot 104
Another French robber is the small Citroën LN and its sister model the Peugeot 104. These are built on the same platform as the Citroën Visa. I find it difficult to imagine that these cars are actually classics, - or future classics. They look way too modern. These are the forerunners of today's subcompact cars, which really took off when the Ford Fiesta was introduced a few years later. The French were first.
Citroen 2CVCitroen 2CVCitroën Dyane and Renault B90 in the background
Citroen AcadianeCitroen Acadiane
The 2CV wave
In the "French classics" series, you cannot miss the 2CVs. In the past it was quite common to see abandoned 2CVs. Today it seems that everyone who can be saved has been cleaned up and hit the road. Some look like new, others have a patina over them. I can't think of anything more French than a "clattering" 2CV through narrow city streets. Although the 2CV wave has sent prices up, you can get a usable car for between NOK 50-80.
Citroen Dyane
If you're not too picky about coolness, the Dyane is a good alternative to the 2CV. It follows the same concept, but has a little more space, a little more comfort - and is perhaps less quirky than the 2CV, so to speak. The management at Citroën had intended that the Dyane would be the successor to the 2CV. The paradox is that the production of the 2CV survived both Dyane and Visa. The 2CVs rolled off the production lines long after Dyane and Visa were history. Unlike the 2CV, there are still many abandoned Dyanes out in the countryside. The red Dyane in the pictures was standing outside a workshop that brings old cars to life. I'm guessing someone has plans for it. In the same place is also an Acadiane – the van version of Dyane. Dyanes are rarely seen on the road, but Acadianes are still kept alive – as practical utility vehicles.
ACL Rodeo – based on the Renault 4.
Beach cars
The Dyane/Acadiane shares a platform and drivetrain with the Citroën Méhari, the popular open beach car made from soft plastic. It must be easy to get parts for these cars. In terms of coolness, Méhari is probably one of the coolest to drive to the beach with - at least here in France. The model may be a bit reminiscent of the Mini Moke, which is also now produced as an electric car.
In the small harbor town of Port-Vendres, I came across something as rare as an ACL Rodeo. It is Renault's answer to the Citroën Méhari. Renault used the Renault 4 as a platform for its "beach car".
Citroën HY
Finally, I bring one of the coolest French cars at the moment, the Citroën HY or H-type van. The prices of these cars have skyrocketed. Many say that the HY follows the trend we have seen with Volkswagen's Type 2 – T1 and T2 – the so-called hippie bus, samba, van or pickup. The pictured HY is in normal operation. I don't know if it had an errand in the carpentry business (pictured) or in the greengrocer next door. I'm guessing the latter. What could taste better than sun-ripened tomatoes from the South of France transported in the back of a Citroën HY?
Saturdays in June are good days for photography. Then car meets are organized almost everywhere. In addition, many are out to air their fine car. Then I set off on a trip, - either in a motorized vehicle, or on a trike, like now. I am a car enthusiast, car blogger and car spotter. On nice Saturdays, I like to study nice cars, take pictures of them and publish car stuff online.
The first stop was RøhneSelmer in Billingstad. They organized Mustang get-togethers with country on the stereo and hot dogs on the grill. This is the third year I have visited. Without own Mustang. The space outside was quickly filled up. RøhneSelmer itself has a couple of great cars that they exhibit. Shelby Mustang GTE and Super Snake. The Hottest Mustang Ever!
It is a challenge to take pictures of glossy paint and chrome in broad daylight. You have to find an angle where the sun is not reflected and the shadows do not become too dominant. Another challenge is not to get too many people in the picture, either. Those who do come along should appear in a pose and an expression that they themselves would be able to nod approvingly to. Sometimes I fear that I will photograph someone who is with his mistress from work, at a time when he should actually have been on a sailing trip, - and that his wife will discover him on terjesbiler.no. Anyway, I hope it works out.
Super Mustang
It's not every time you get to study a brand new ShelbyMustang up close. I liked the GTE pictured. I think the Mustang 6 has captured the style of the Mustang 1 in a nice way. It also has the Mustang 5. There are some fantastic versions of them. For example, the one that was voted the public's favourite. A red Cobra convertible. Not the worst vehicle to have when the summer holidays are just around the corner.
Audience Choice Cup. Ford Mustang 5 at Mustangtreff at RøhneSelmer Billingstad 2018.
Ford Mustang 6 details.
Many will probably choose the Mustang 1 as the finest Mustang series. It is impressive to see so many parts available as new - or newly manufactured. The light blue '67 model in the pictures below has been built with a new drivetrain. Ford's 427 (6,8) liter V8. Everything looks brand new. It's fascinating to see how well the over 50-year-old design has held up, despite the absence of computer screens and touch-screens. Analogue clocks apply here.
1967 Mustang 1 built with a brand new drivetrain. 427 V8.This is a Ford Mustang 1 that meets all the requirements of a high-performance car - free of digital instruments and touch screen.Ford Mustang 6 in foiled matt black.
A great Ferrari 612
Ferrari 612
On my way out towards Holmen, I spotted a magnificent Ferrari 612 in the car park outside AutoXO. I have published several photos of the Ferrari 612 on terjesbiler.no, but the 612 is such a rare model that I chose to photograph it again. Moreover, it was beautifully "parked solo" against a calm background - and the lighting was just right. As I got into shooting position and got the camera ready, the owner arrived. I felt the situation a bit embarrassing. Why has a gray-haired cyclist positioned himself directly in front of your car in an empty parking lot?
The owner was a gem and offered me to take pictures. I take the liberty of publishing it as well. I only publish pictures of cars liker. The best. And as I drove on towards Holmen, I thought that the beautiful Ferrari made the Mustang GTE look like a Tesla.
Vintage cars on Holmen?
1955 Jaguar XK140 Roadster
I had seen on Facebook that Holmendagen 2018 was being held right now, and that there would be some vintage cars on display. Holmendagen is a kind of family day for residents of the vel'et. The vintage cars were used cars from when I was young myself, including a Volvo Trygge with Frydenlutnd decoration and a Bedford flatbed. It is the same type of distribution van that I myself drove in my younger days. Nostalgic to see how primitive it was inside the cabs. It was difficult to take good pictures.
I still took one photo of a great Jaguar XK140 there. It gives a very special feeling to sit behind the large steering wheel of such a car and look ahead over the bonnet. It's class.
Cadillac Style at Solvik
Cadillac DeVille 4
On my way back to Oslo, I came across a classic Cadillac at Solvik Båthavn. The car was missing fender skirts, or the owner had chosen to remove them. Other than that, it appeared to be in very good condition and probably hasn't gone very far, either. I note a white Stetson hat on the hat rack and imagine 8-track cassettes with Ella Fitzgerald or Patsy Cline.
Stjerneløpet – Mercedes-Benz arrives in Fornebu
Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren
When I'm out cycling on nice Saturdays, I stop at places where nice cars can be parked. The area around the old flight tower at Fornebu is such a place. On Saturday, the Stjerneløpet 2018 was held, and Oslo got to see several classic Mercedes-Benzes rolling away in the fine weather. In the afternoon they gathered in Kunstnergaten in Fornebu. There are several art studios and museums there. The old airport buildings go well with the beautiful Mercedes.
The picture above is a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. 5,4 liter V8 with supercharger. A real supercar. I see several cars with license plates from when the cars were new. Several of the cars have probably belonged to the same owner, or the same family over several decades.
Applies to ventilation and McLaren decals.1962 Mercedes-Benz 220 sbMercedes-Benz 240D (W115) facelifted Version.Mercedes-Benz 450 SE (W116).Kulturgaten at Fornebu. Arrival Stjernløpet 2018.
Today's Saturday brought new pictures which will eventually find their way into the picture database at terjebiler.no. And by the way, now you can click on the pictures to see them in a larger format.
Mustang meeting at Røhne and Selmer.Mercedes-Benz history at BrooklandsExcursion to Hadeland Glassworks
Alvis is a car that you like to find in Kensington - or, as here, in Frogner.
Kensington in London and Frogner in Oslo have several similarities.
Quiet residential areas close to the city center that attract people with good incomes. Both areas were developed in the era before mass motoring, so that almost everyone has to park along the street. You don't have to walk far to spot a Porsche, BMW M series or classic vintage car. This year's cold Easter did not tempt anyone to take out the vintage car yet. At Skillebekk I found a stately Alvis TD21 Drophead Coupé. Large British car with a 3 liter inline six. There are cars that can safely be characterized as a gentleman's car and are mentioned in the same breath as Jaguar and Bentley. Only Anglophile car enthusiasts here at home know about the brand. As far as I know, no importation of Alvis into Norway was ever established.
Drammensveien 66, was built around 1890 - a small, exclusive block of flats on 4 floors with only one apartment on each floor. The architect was Henry Bucher and the builder was a consortium of 3 gentlemen.
991, please
I find several Porsche 911s in the streets. I feel slightly blasé. It is difficult to decide which 911 I should photograph. At the housing estate on lower Gimle, I found a 911 from the last generation (991) that came in 2012. Well, a 991.1 – not the very latest, 991.2, – although there is little difference in appearance between the two. Porsche, with the internal designation 991, is built on a completely new platform compared to previous models (997). With a longer wheelbase, it looks significantly better with larger wheels than its older brothers. You don't think about it until you've seen several Porsches. At Frogner you can.
To the left we see Sophus Lies gate 4-6, semi-detached house, designed by municipal architect Messel and built in 1915. To the right Gimle terrace 2-8, also semi-detached houses. The building was designed by the architectural firm Hals, Harald & Øue, who were also the builders in 1914.
I choose something in orange
I am photographing an orange Audi TT S. Orange, yellow and red cars stand out among today's gray tones. In the TT S version, more power is extracted from the 2,0 TFSI engine. 272 HP and 350 Nm from 2500 rpm means that the Golf-based car can live up to its fresh image. Frogner appeals not only to rich people, but also to artists, actors and artists - people who stand out as individualists. I wonder if you find a higher proportion of orange, yellow and red cars in Frogner than elsewhere in the country?
Frederik Stangs gate 33, almost right up by Bygdøy allé and Gimle Kino was formerly one of Oslo's many boarding houses. Today, probably converted to dormitories.
A rare find
That people at Frogner are more concerned with aesthetics and artistic values is evident when I pass a Citroën CX. A CX with plates is almost impossible to get hold of today, even in Citroën's homeland, France. I know because I have been on the lookout several times. This is one of the last, - a CX 25 GTI. It has conventional round instrument bells, but hydropneumatic suspension. A real Citroën. It's amazing to think that this great design dates back to the early 70s.
The Red Cross Clinic in Fredrik Stangs gate 11-13 was designed by Morgenstierne & Eide and has been in use since 1918.The architects Morgenstierne & Eide also designed the Hotel Gabelshus just below.
The Porsche 911 has a distinctive, somewhat strict design
I notice how well the simple and stylish design fits the strict architecture of Frogner. The buildings from the 20s and 30s are free of the decorations and extravagance that were around the turn of the century. The silhouette of the 911 is also free of frills, if you ignore the painted brake calipers. Although, they signal function and not decoration, right? German-inspired architecture from the interwar period fits well as a background for this beautiful 911 (also a 991.1). Incidentally, the background would have suited a black original Volkswagen with a split rear window, too.
The housing complex on the corner of Gabels gate and Thomas Heftyes gate was designed by Adolf Jensen and completed in 1923-25. The architecture is kept in a fairly strict Central European style.
So if you don't have time to go to Kensington to look at great cars and architecture, you can just go to Frogner 🙂
