It felt like I accidentally stumbled into the 1990s last night seeing this Daihatsu Charade and Suzuki Vitara. By the way, that generation of Charade may have been replaced here in 1993 but it lived on until the 2010s in China. A version of it was built by multiple companies, and chopped and stretched into various body styles including wagons, utes and MPVs. Honestly, just check out the Wikipedia entry for the Charade – it's pretty crazy! #daihatsu #daihatsucharade #80scars #bnecars #suzuki #suzukivitara #suzukisidekick #suzukiescudo #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
I remember seeing Holden utes with Statesman fronts, but I can't remember ever seeing a Falcon ute with a Fairlane front. It kind of works, although I'm a huge fan of the AU Fairlane and LTD. I took a peek inside this and it didn't look like they gave the interior a similar transformation though. #aufalcon #aufairlane #fordfalconute #fordfalcon #fordfairlane #ute #utes #modified #faceswap #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
I went to a car show on the weekend out near Ipswich at this gorgeous country estate, and it was a lot of Corvettes, old Falcons, MGs and the like. So imagine my surprise when this drives in! I won't tell the full Nissan EXA (aka Pulsar NX) story again, but just to recap: this was a small coupe based on the Pulsar. Unlike other markets, we didn't also get the Sunny/Sentra coupe so this was Nissan's only small coupe here. Obviously the colour and wheels on this one aren't stock, though I don't mind the colour. I still don't think I've ever seen one of these with the Sportbak canopy out the back. #nissanpulsar #nissanpulsarnx #nissanexa #nissanpulsarexa #80scars #jdm #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars #nissan
Is this the weirdest Suzuki ever? A two-door, two-seat four-wheel drive coupe of sorts, produced from 1995 to 1997, the X-90 was aimed at the US market but was offered in numerous markets including Australia. The X-90 shared its platform with the Vitara/Sidekick/Escudo, which meant that despite its rather car-like styling it was a traditional body-on-frame off-roader – although four-wheel drive was actually only optional in some markets. A short wheelbase meant the X-90 was crude on the road with a choppy ride and tippy handling. It also had recirculating ball steering and rear drum brakes. The only engine was a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre four with 71kW and 132Nm (95 hp and 97 ft-lbs), as seen in the Baleno/Esteem, which was mated with either a four-speed auto or five-speed manual. Initially commanding a premium over the base Vitara two-door, after successive price cuts it ended up costing the same – and still the (by now almost decade-old) Vitara was more popular. Suzuki sold 279 in Australia in 1997, the year it was discontinued. In contrast it sold 1985 Vitaras. All up, a paltry 484 X-90s found buyers here over its brief run. That’s not too surprising, given the practical nature of most Aussie buyers; it flopped in Europe too. But in the US, the very market Suzuki designed it for, slow sales meant only 7,205 examples were imported over three model years. The X-90 reminds me of the Isuzu Axiom in that it was a bold new body on a shared (and ageing) frame, which ended up not being successful. The difference was the Axiom was, in my eyes, attractive while the X-90 wasn't. A friend of mine, who owns a current-gen Jimny, genuinely loves these X-90s and has one as his desktop wallpaper. I want to tease him but then I remember I have my own embarrassing car crushes, as we all do. I hope he buys one someday to preserve this odd footnote in Suzuki history. #suzuki #suzukix90 #offroader #4x4 #4wd #jdm #japanesecars #suv #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classiccar #classiccars
Spring flower spotted on the way to work this morning 🌺 1974 Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce. . #alfaromeo2000gtveloce #2000 #alfabertone #bertonecoupe #alfaromeo #alfisti #alfaclassic #alfaclassics #classicalfa #classicalfaromeo #carspotting #carculture #classiccar #classiccaroftheday #caroftheday #vintagecar #everydayclassic #parkedcar #soloparking #curbsideclassic #streetparking #veteranbil #bildilla #parkingspotter
For those who believe the only good Sebring is a dead Sebring, I present this properly stuffed convertible. It's in the most unflattering colour scheme too: white exterior with grey interior. Sometimes I wonder just how light an impact can be for a convertible's roof mechanism to fail. #chrysler #wreck #wrecked #ruined #crash #chryslersebring #chryslersebringconvertible #convertible #coupeconvertible #cabriolet #droptop #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #americancars #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
1967 Dodge Dart for #muricamonday 🇺🇸 No recent import, but a car that has spent its entire life in Norway. From the start it would have had the old style number plates (county letter followed by mostly five digits), but in 1977 these were exchanged with the new plates introduced in 1971, most likely after an owner change. . #dodgedart #dodge #dodgeclassic #classicdodge #carspotting #carculture #classiccar #classiccaroftheday #caroftheday #vintagecar #everydayclassic #parkedcar #soloparking #curbsideclassic #veteranbil #parkingspotter
It's become almost a game for me, finding Chrysler Sebring convertibles on Australian roads. Just 636 examples were sold here, slightly fewer than the sedan (776). The third-generation convertible and its sedan counterpart represented the only time Chrysler sold a mid-sized model here after returning to Australia in the 1990s, and now with Chrysler having gutted its lineup in the US and then subsequently withdrawn from Australia we're unlikely to ever see one again. The Sebring sedan is an odd duck that I'll discuss in a future post – strange styling and gimmicky features didn't help it get a foothold in the then fairly competitive mid-sized segment here. The convertible, or Sebring Cabriolet as it was referred to here, was more intriguing. Launched in 2008, it was the only mass-market mid-sized convertible in Australia. Everything else, including the popular Volkswagen Eos, was much smaller. It came here in two grades: Touring and Limited, the former with a soft top and the latter with a hard top. Both, however, came exclusively with a 2.7-litre V6 producing 137kW and 256Nm (184 hp, 189 lb-ft) and mated with a six-speed automatic. Those outputs were scarcely higher than the standard 2.4-litre four in the sedan, and it's a shame we didn't get the 3.5-litre V6. The 2.7's 0-100km/h dash was more of a saunter, taking a claimed 10.3 seconds. At launch, the Touring was priced at $43,990 and the Limited at $51,490, with the latter also getting leather trim, heated and cooled cupholders, heated front seats, a touchscreen and unique tortoise shell trim in addition to its metal roof. The actual interior layout is attractive, but the materials aren't. I still remember the first time I sat in a Sebring at a dealer and was struck by what I perceived as first-gen Kia Rio-grade plastics. [Continued in comments] #chrysler #chryslersebring #chryslersebringconvertible #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars #convertible #droptop #coupeconvertible #cabriolet #americaniron #americancars
I was always fond of HSV's largest cars because they were so rare. First called simply Statesman like the Holden they were based on, from 1997 these adopted the name Grange and were offered right up until the end of local production. Unlike most of HSV's other models, the HSV Statesman/Grange virtually never had competition from Ford apart from the short-lived FTE TL50. The later Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) outfit never did a version of the Fairlane/LTD. I always wondered who bought these full-size HSVs, given they were almost always much more subtly styled than the smaller, Commodore-based Clubsport, GTS etc By the way, the VR/VS Statesman and Caprice are a favourite of mine. The huge rear lighting assembly! The wraparound rear window! The car's Commodore roots were well-hidden externally. Rego data says this is a 1995 model. I'm no HSV expert, but the wheels and front lights point to this being a Grange, which came out in 1996. HSV experts, help me out here. While I like these sporty multi-spoke wheels, the VR's dish-style ones were very distinctive. The 185i badge indicates this uses a 5.0-litre V8; the 215i used a 5.7. These names correspond to the car's output in kilowatts; in horsepower, these equate to 248 hp and 288 hp, respectively. While other HSVs offered manual transmissions, the Statesman and Grange were always auto-only. In the case of the VR Statesman and its VS Grange replacement, this meant a four-speed auto. #hsv #holden #aussieaussieaussie #aussiecars #hsvstatesman #hsvgrange #holdenstatesman #v8 #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars #australiancars
I'm driving a Tiggo 7 Pro from Chinese brand Chery this week, which re-entered Australia in 2023. I'll save the driving impressions for my review, but in terms of presentation alone it's amazing how far the brand has come since its last run in Australia. Chery first arrived here in 2011 under a third-party distributor (unlike the current factory operation) It offered the J1 and J3 hatchbacks, plus this: the J11 crossover. It was Australia's cheapest SUV and despite its Toyota RAV4-aping looks it was 340mm (13 inches) shorter, and roughly the size of a Mitsubishi ASX (aka RVR, Outlander Sport). Priced at $19,990 drive-away – $4000 cheaper than the Chinese Great Wall X240 – the only engine was a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four mated with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Standard equipment included leather trim, remote central locking, and power windows. But it didn't have electronic stability control, which meant it couldn't be sold in Victoria which was at the time the only state where it was mandatory on all new cars. It also lacked side and curtain airbags. This helped result in the J11 receiving only a two-star safety rating from ANCAP. Chery later slashed $2000 off the price, while in 2014 it went up by $1000 but the J11 received a facelift, a new engine and standard ESC (images 5-6). The 102kW/182Nm (137 hp/134 lb-ft) 2.0-litre was replaced with a 93kW/160Nm (125 hp/118 lb-ft) 1.6, and the four-speed auto swapped for a CVT. But Chery was rotting, with its image tarnished by recalls and poor safety ratings, and soon the brand disappeared from Australia. Chery sold just 4670 vehicles here between 2011 and 2016, 2262 of these being J11s. The brand is already doing much better here this time around. It sold 5890 vehicles in 2023, not even a full year on the market. Its cars also have a hell of a lot more safety equipment than they used to. #chery #cheryj11 #chinese #chinesecars #cherytiggo #cherytiggo3 #bnecars #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting
The W126 S-Class is quite possibly my favourite Mercedes-Benz design ever, or at the very least in the top three. At launch it looked so modern and has aged so well, and yet it also has the presence required of a flagship luxury sedan. Contrast that with Mercedes-Benz's current S-Class which is attractive but too much like lesser Benzes, or the EQS which is far too blobby. Even rivals like Audi and BMW don't quite nail the brief in my eyes: the Audi has the same issue as the new S, while the BMW 7 Series tries a bit too hard to look imposing. Then there are the other flagship luxury sedans. The current Maserati Quattroporte always looked a bit flabby for me, and is on its way out. The Lexus LS is athletic looking and I personally love its styling, but it's not as stately as it was in past generations. Probably my favourite design of the segment is the Genesis G90 (not sold in Australia), which has real presence in the metal and is elegant and modern. Will its design hold up as well as the W126's has? That I'm not sure about, simply because the W126's design has held up so much better than anything else that came out in 1979. #w126 #mercedesbenz #mercedes #mercedesbenzsclass #mercedessclass #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
#mustangmonday #soloparking #fordmustang #mustang #classicmustang #carspotting #curbsideclassic #parkedonthestreet #parkedcar
Hyundai has come a long way from selling effectively recycled Mitsubishis. I'm off to an event tomorrow for Genesis, Hyundai's luxury brand which competes against the likes of BMW and Lexus (contrast with Mitsubishi, which dropped its premium sedans many years ago and not too long ago dropped its flagship SUV, the Pajero) Even by 1997 when this H-1 van was launched, though, Hyundai was moving away from its reliance on Mitsubishi components. Hyundai still sells a cargo van: the Staria Load, a cargo-carrying version of the futuristic Staria people mover. But this is very much an in-house design. We never received this generation of H-1 in Australia, but I was struck by how common these were in Lanzarote. It's a close relation to the Mitsubishi Delica and looks much like it, though there was a rather challenging 2005 facelift that looked like Hyundai grafted a Kia Picanto front on. I saw a couple in Lanzarote but unfortunately couldn't get a photo. #hyundai #van #hyundaih1 #hyundaistarex #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars #van #vans
Kia is about to drop the Cerato name in Australia, which it has used on its small car for 20 years. But before Cerato came along, Kia went through a few names for its small car. First came the Mentor in 1996, known elsewhere as the Sephia. It debuted the brand here along with the cute but crude first-generation Sportage. The car was already a few years old at this point so a new generation came in 1998. This time, however, there was a handsome sedan, while the hatch had bolder styling with twin headlights like a Lexus GS or Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It used the same basic platform though, which could be traced back to the 1989 Mazda 323. The hatch proved more popular so the sedan got the axe in 2000. It was also renamed Shuma, and lost its base 1.5-litre four in favour of a standard 1.8-litre. Just a year later, the Shuma name was dead and along came this: the Spectra. A handsome, somewhat more conservative facelift, the Spectra was available only as a hatch as well. Kia also retuned the suspension and slathered the interior with "metal-look" plastic. The 1.8 was a Mazda engine, so it was – along with a sharp price – a highlight of the package. But the Spectra, according to contemporary reviews, wasn't dynamically gifted and at this point Kia was still a fledgling budget brand – not the respected top 10 player it is today. Sales for Kia's small car range had dropped off by this point, but this latest update gave it a bit of a bump. Kia ended up selling 3721 Spectras, with a height of 1779 in its penultimate year, 2003. It outsold the Daewoo Nubira that year but didn't even come close to the Hyundai Elantra. The Spectra was replaced in 2004 by the Cerato, which kept the Spectra name for another generation in the US. The Cerato used a platform shared with Hyundai, who had acquired half of Kia in the late 1990s. This acquisition saw Kia phase out its various Mazda-derived vehicles. #kia #kiaspectra #bnecars #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars #hatch #hatchback
I may have the need to stop and photograph every second car I see when I'm travelling overseas, but at least I'm quick about it. I realised recently there were so many cars I saw on my 2018 trip to Europe that I haven't shared, one being this Mazda 323 hatch. We didn't get this three-door body style in Australia. In fact, from the fourth-gen 323 introduced in 1989, we never saw another three-door 323 again. With this fifth-generation model, there were two different three-door 323s (that's a lot of numbers in one sentence!) The other was a more unusual looking model which, with some cosmetic revisions, was sold here as the Ford Laser Lynx. The quirky three-door was called the 323C in Europe and this more conventional one was badged the 323P. My understanding is the former was offered in continental Europe and Canada but not the UK and US, while this regular hatch was offered in the UK and Europe but not North America. Correct me if I'm wrong! In Australia, we received this model's sedan counterpart as the 323 Protege from 1994, with the Lantis/323F five-door hatch and four-door coupe sold here as the 323 Astina and offering an optional 2.0 V6. The previous-generation 323 sedan also stuck around until 1996 as a price leader model, which was rather unusual. Three-door hatches just weren't as popular in Australia, hence why Mazda didn't bother. This is a handsome small car though – I love the boxy shoulders. The tail lights remind me of the Kia Cerato of around 10 years later. What was your favourite 323 body style of this generation? The Astina four-door coupe was mine but I don't think there's a dud in the bunch. #mazda323 #mazda323p #mazdafamilia #90scars #praguecars #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars #japanesecars #jdm
A workhorse to mark the end of the work week: 1991 Mitsubishi L200 4WD in picturesque scenery 🇳🇴 . #mitsubishil200 #l2004x4 #4x4 #4wd #mitsubishi #pickuptruck #carspotting #carculture #classiccar #classiccaroftheday #caroftheday #vintagecar #everydayclassic #parkedcar #soloparking #curbsideclassic #streetparking #veteranbil #parkingspotter
#soloparking #bmw #bmw325 #sideshot #carspotting #carsandclouds #classicbmw #curbsideclassic #parkedcar #parkedonthestreet
The hottest Holden Monaros weren't called Monaros. This is a HSV Coupe, such a bland name from the performance arm that gave us such distinctive names as Maloo, Grange and Avalanche. To be fair, HSV gave the Coupe cool variant names like GTS and GTO. The latter was especially appropriate as the Monaro was exported to the US, where it was sold as the Pontiac GTO. Holden previewed a very production-ready looking coupe concept of the following VE series Commodore but it never reached production, so the VX, VY and VZ was it for the revived Monaro. I love the very Aussie colour combination with this one. It's not #greenovertan it's green over yellow! Unlike the Monaro, which was briefly offered with a supercharged V6, the HSV versions were always V8 only. Uniquely, there was also a rare all-wheel drive Coupe4 model. #hsv #hsvcoupe #monaro #holdenmonaro #carshowclassic #carshow #holden #aussieaussieaussie #aussiecars #aussie #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
You don't see too many XD Falcons around anymore, and this is a very interesting spec. It's the base GL sedan, but with the largest of the optional V8s: a 5.8-litre (351 cubic-inch) V8, mated with a four-speed manual transmission. DIN outputs were 149kW and 415Nm (200 hp and 306 lb-ft). This V8 slotted in above 3.3 and 4.1 sixes plus a 4.9 (302 cubic-inch V8) Look inside and you'll see the period umbrella handle handbrake and the stalk-mounted horn. The XD entered production in 1979, and though it had crisp, thoroughly modern styling reminiscent of the European Granada, it not only was completely unrelated to that model, but it also shared a lot with the XC Falcon it replaced, though it was slightly smaller and lighter. Wheels withheld its Car of the Year award that year, as it considered neither the XD Falcon nor any other new model that year to be a sufficient advancement to get the award. The XD lasted until 1982 when the updated XE launched, finally ditching rear leaf springs – at least in the sedan. The wagon and ute stuck with them. By the way, to give my North American followers some perspective, this was considered a large family car here – it was larger than the new Holden Commodore, something that endeared it to fleets. Nevertheless, it was around 300mm (11.8 inches) shorter than a North American first-generation "compact" Granada (which could also trace itself back to the original Falcon). The Falcon and its better-equipped Fairmont derivative were even around 200mm shorter than the "compact" US Fairmont. That's 7.87 inches in wretched imperial measurements. #aussieaussieaussie #aussiefords #aussie #aussiecars #xdfalcon #ford #blueoval #fordfalcon #bnecars #v8 #australiana #falcon #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
I can't remember the last time I saw a Citroen 2CV here, but I do remember recently reading a 1980s CAR comparison of budget vehicles comparing it to a Lada, a Skoda and a Reliant. They concluded that it was full of character and they wanted to keep it around on their long-term fleet, while the others they were either ambivalent or pleased about returning. By this point, the 2CV was several decades old. It entered production in 1948, and Citroen finally stopped making it in 1990 after building 3.8 million of them. This is a 1982 2CV Charleston. Even towards the end it still had its appeal as it was designed to be cheap to buy and run and simple and easy to work on. It had been developed to get more French people into cars, particularly those in rural areas. It had also been intended for launch in 1939, until World War II interrupted this and it didn't end up launching for almost another decade. #citroen #citroen2cv #2cv #citroen2cvcharleston #2cvcharleston #french #frenchcars #twotone #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
#asundaycarpic #drivetastefully #oldtimer #carsofinstagram #cargramm #classiccars #carsofinstagram #wanderlust #streetview #blossomwatch #carsdaily #topeuropephoto #londonlife #bestoflondon #facadesandcars #seetoshare #londondiaries #londondecanted #londondisclosure #bestcityintheworld #visitlondon #mylondonphoto #curbsideclassic #carsovereverything #carsinfrontofhouses
This is just a classic "one old lady owner, only drove it to church on Sundays" car, though it looks like it was passed down to an owner who has made some upgrades while keeping it looking largely stock. I don't know what mileage it has but it's in excellent condition, and it even has one of those badges commemorating the owner's 50 years of RACQ (auto club) membership which makes me think this had an elderly owner. This is the Australian version of GM's global T-Car, the Holden Gemini. This platform underpinned, among many other vehicles, the German Opel Kadett, American Chevrolet Chevette, British Vauxhall Chevette and Japanese Isuzu Gemini. Not only that, T-Cars were sold across multiple continents, and additionally under brands such as Daewoo, GMC, Pontiac and Bedford. Launched here in 1975, this is a facelifted TD from 1978 when Holden introduced Radial Tuned Suspension. Holden was improving handling across its range, and for the Gemini RTS included upgraded springs and shocks, new stabiliser bars and steel-belted radial tyres. The TD also got a new rear differential and brakes. The only engine was a carbureted 1.6-litre four-cylinder from Isuzu. It produced 61kW and 127Nm (82 hp and 94 lb-ft) and was offered with a four-speed manual, three-speed auto or a new five-speed manual. Geminis were built right here in Brisbane, at Holden's old Acacia Ridge plant. Closed in 1984, it's now a distribution facility for supermarket Spar This was the first series with a wagon and panel van but the last with a coupe; while that body style lived on in Isuzu-badged models overseas, it was axed here with the 1979 TE. That update also brought a substantially different body for sedan models with blockier styling. #gmtcar #tcar #tbody #holden #70scars #bnecars #holdengemini #tdgemini #isuzugemini #gm #gmh #aussiecars #aussie #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
Utes/pickups get worked pretty hard, so no matter how reliable some of them may be, they'll eventually be junked. So examples of these workhorses from the 1980s are a rare sight. I've seen maybe a couple of first-generation Holden Rodeos over the past several years. This one I saw today, in surprisingly good condition. The Rodeo was a rebadged version of the Isuzu Faster, introduced in 1980. This is a 1984 model. The 1980s saw GM expand the Holden lineup with a raft of models from Isuzu, Suzuki and Nissan. Isuzu models included the Rodeo and Piazza. GM had previously imported Isuzu pickups to Australia and sold them as the Chevrolet LUV, and then later under Isuzu badging before deciding to sell it as a Holden. After this 1970s switcheroo, Holden stuck with selling Isuzu pickups as the Rodeo, though it eventually lost the rights to the name and switched to Colorado instead. #isuzu #holden #ute #pickup #bakkie #isuzuluv #isuzufaster #holdenrodeo #80scars #bnecars #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
#foodtrucklife #houston #chickenwings #curbsideclassic
#babyblue Lincoln Continental convertible #suicidedoors 🩵
#bigskycountrymontana #homeontherange #keepontruckin #curbsideclassic #parkedonthestreet
Here it is: the coolest Proton ever made. To be fair, there aren't many contenders vying for that title. But with the Satria GTI, Proton took the decent if ageing Satria (a reheated previous-gen Mitsubishi Colt/Mirage), got engineers from acquisition Lotus to give it a working over, and put in a 103kW/164Nm (138 hp/121 lb-ft) 1.8-litre four-cylinder from Mitsubishi. The result was a surprisingly decent hot hatch, especially noteworthy as this was Proton's first hot hatch. With a high-revving (if somewhat noisy) engine, a firm ride and adroit handling, the Satria GTI received a largely positive reception from critics. Wheels said in its review "it rides, handles and stops with the precision of a car more than twice its price". Production ended in 2005. Its Satria Neo replacement offered a sporty version in some markets, but Proton never really burnished its fledgling reputation as a hot hatch manufacturer. #proton #mitsubishi #protonsatriagti #protonsatria #mitsubishicolt #mitsubishimirage #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #hothatch #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
The Saab was supposed to come out of storage this weekend, but did it happen? Of course not, because as you can see, King Winter had no intention to abdicate just yet! It’s brrr 🥶 and grrr 😡 at the same time. Here’s a 1975 Strich 8 to soothe the pain, in striking 504 Englischrot and quite a bit of #patinaperfection. The colour coordinated hubcaps were removed just before #wheelPD arrived at the scene. . #mercedesstrich8 #strichacht #mercedesw115 #w115 #classicmercedes #mercedesclassic #504englischrot #carspotting #carculture #classiccar #classiccaroftheday #caroftheday #vintagecar #everydayclassic #parkedcar #soloparking #curbsideclassic #streetparking #veteranbil #parkingspotter #oslobil #parkedinoslo
I spoke of the Daihatsu Sirion in my article yesterday on Australia's cheapest cars in 1999 and 2024. You can read that on CarExpert.com.au Just look how tiny it is next to this LandCruiser! This one is a facelifted model, and not the entry-level cheapie but rather the sporty GTvi. This swapped the base 1.0-litre three-pot for a 1.3-litre four with 75kW and 120Nm (100 hp, 88 lb-ft), mated with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. The Sirion was Daihatsu's last relatively popular model in Australia, in most years outselling all other Daihatsu models combined. It still fell short of Korean cheapies like the larger Kia Rio, however. Reviews of the time said the Sirion was full of character and fun to drive, and it came quite well-equipped too. The 2002 facelift toned down the froggy styling of the Sirion, though the GTvi strangely kept its copious amounts of chrome. A new Sirion came in 2005... Just a few months before Daihatsu packed up shop in Australia. I can't remember the last time I saw one of those. #daihatsu #daihatsusirion #toyota #toyotalandcruiser #jdm #japanese #japanesecars #bnecars #bigandsmall #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
Ok, so this isn't a 1999 Ford Festiva (known elsewhere as the Ford Aspire and Kia Avella) but it's close enough. Why do I mention 1999? Because my article today on CarExpert.com.au looks at not only the five cheapest cars on sale in Australia right now in 2024, but also back in 1999 which – scarily enough – was 25 years ago. One of these was the Ford Festiva, which by that point was on its way out. Check it out to see just how much things have changed in terms of pricing and what you get for your money. #fordfestiva #fordaspire #kiaavella #bnecars #hatch #hatchback #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars #90scars
#dodgeviper #zoomzoom #parkedonthestreet #curbsideclassic #soloparking
Just when you thought winter was over, and this happens 🙄 1983 Porsche 944 blending nicely in with the surroundings this afternoon. Fingers crossed this crap (I mean the snow) will be gone by Saturday, because that’s when the Saab is coming out of winter storage. Stay tuned! . #porsche944 #944 #transaxleporsche #porscheclassic #classicporsche #carspotting #carculture #classiccar #classiccaroftheday #caroftheday #vintagecar #everydayclassic #parkedcar #soloparking #curbsideclassic #streetparking #veteranbil #parkingspotter
Here's an ancestor to today's Genesis products. It's a first-generation Hyundai Equus, developed in conjunction with Mitsubishi which sold its own versions called the Proudia and Dignity. Launched in 1999, it slotted in above the Grandeur, and gave Hyundai a rival to the SsangYong Chairman. It would be the last luxury sedan developed by Mitsubishi (the following Proudia and Dignity would be rebadged Infinitis) but it was just the beginning for Hyundai. Though this Equus was largely sold in Korea, the following generation was exported to markets like the US, as would that car's Genesis G90 replacement. The first in this line of flagship luxury sedans was the only one with front-wheel drive, but the Equus was also offered with a transversely mounted V8 – a configuration not offered by many brands outside the General Motors stable. Lesser Equus models packed V6 engines, and Hyundai's flagship sedan could be had in two different lengths. The Equus was vastly more successful than the Proudia and Dignity, which were axed after 15 months and under 1500 sales in total. The V8 engine, developed by Mitsubishi and the Japanese brand's first, continued to be used in the first-gen Equus which ended production in 2009. This would appear to be a 1999-2003 model; a facelifted model was launched in 2003. By the way, I totally didn't notice the SsangYong next to it when I photographed it. I guess the camo worked. #hyundai #hyundaiequus #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars #korean #koreancars
Following on from yesterday's post, here are two generations of Opel Insignia, badged as Holdens. Let me explain for those not from Australia. The first Insignia came here late in 2012 as part of the launch lineup for the Opel brand. It was available with either 2.0-litre turbo-petrol or turbo-diesel engines, in base or Select trim, and as either a sedan or wagon. An all-wheel drive turbo V6 OPC sedan arrived a few months later. But Opel ended up being yanked from the Australian market less than 12 months after its launch, catching staff by surprise; they were in the middle of launching the Zafira here at the time. Fast forward to 2015, and the facelifted Insignia OPC was launched here as the Holden Insignia VXR. Holden still had the VF Commodore with its performance variants, as well as the four-cylinder Malibu, so it's unclear what the point of the Insignia was. It wasn't to introduce the name ahead of a new generation, as when the second-gen Insignia came it was called the ZB Commodore, the VF's run ending in 2017 with the end of local GM production. The ZB Commodore range was sprawling. There were turbo-petrol or turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines, plus a naturally aspirated petrol V6. Honestly it's worth a whole separate post explaining the convoluted lineup. Anyway, most you'll see in Australia are RS models, one up from base; that's what you'll see here. By the way, I at one point considered an Insignia VXR but though a 239kW/435Nm (320 hp/321 lb-ft) turbo V6 sounds tempting, it really wasn't as quick as you'd think and I recall quite a bit of variance in published 0-100km/h times. It was heavy and thirsty too. With a turbo four, I might have been more interested; funnily enough, I know Americans will say they wish their Buick Regal GS had the turbo V6! #opelinsignia #holdeninsigniavxr #holdeninsignia #oldvsnew #holden #opel #german #germancars #germanengineering #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
#buick #buickgs #carspotting #classicbuick #curbsideclassic #parkedcar #soloparking
It's funny that the Toyota Avensis, the brand's humble family sedan, hatch and wagon in Europe, had an entirely different persona in Japan. Ok, so there were still tame versions, but there was also a hot turbocharged GT-T flagship with the 3S-GTE engine (shared with the Celica and MR2) and all-wheel drive, pumping out 191 kW (256 hp). The Caldina was also only available as a wagon. Toyota seemed to be taking the Caldina in an increasingly sporty direction. The first generation, sold in Europe as the Carina E, had no such sporty variant; the third and final, which had no European counterpart, had aggressive styling. This is the second generation, produced from 1997 to 2002. Sadly, there would be no fourth generation. Japan had some really cool wagons in this era, including the Mitsubishi Legnum and Nissan Stagea – both of which were also offered in high-performance variants. What's your favourite hot Japanese wagon? #jdm #japanese #japanesecars #turbo #wagon #wagons #stationwagon #toyotacaldina #toyota #ohwhatafeelingtoyota #ohwhatafeeling #bnecars #90scars #toyotaavensis #sportwagon #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
No, it's not a Chevrolet or GMC Suburban. It's a Holden Suburban, one of just 746 sold here during the huge SUV's very brief run in Australia. You can read the history of the Holden Suburban in my article today on CarExpert.com.au, called "More Holdens you may have forgotten". #holden #holdensuburban #4x4 #4wd #suv #chevysuburban #chevroletsuburban #americaniron #americanmade #americancars #bnecars #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
I'm not sure what's going on here with this two-tone treatment; I've never seen another Falcon ute with this change made to it. While the AU Falcon sedan's design was controversial (though, IMO, has aged well) and the wagon was frumpy, the ute was handsome – so much so that Ford made its grille design available on the sedan. Of course, the XR6 and XR8 utes shared their more aggressive front end design with the XR6 and XR8 sedans. This is an XR6 ute, which means there's a 4.0-litre inline six under the bonnet. It was the only member of the AU ute family to not offer a V8. The sporty V8 model was the flagship XR8, but you could also get a V8 in the XL and XLS. A new Falcon ute was a long time coming. The XH ute that ended production in 1999 was just another facelift for the 1979-vintage XD, which itself shared much with its predecessor. As with the wagon, the substantial BA upgrade didn't bring sheet metal changes for the rear so this handsome behind continued on for several more years. But not as long as the XD ute's posterior... #ford #aussieaussieaussie #fordfalcon #aufalcon #aussiecars #melbournecars #ute #australian #australiana #utes #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars #falconxr6 #aufalcon
Some 1980s flair today with this lovely ‘84 Toyota Land Cruiser. One of the local usual suspects, according to @carbrochure. 1984 was the first year of the J70 Land Cruiser, so this is quite a catch, actually! . #lajapdujeudi #toyotalandcruiser #j70 #landcruiser #toyotaclassic #classictoyota #toyotanation #4x4 #carspotting #carculture #classiccar #classiccaroftheday #caroftheday #vintagecar #everydayclassic #parkedcar #soloparking #curbsideclassic #streetparking #veteranbil #parkingspotter
Now that’s what I call a proper Easter egg 🐣 I’m in London with the family for a few days, and while Mrs. Parkingspotter is hoping for a spotless holiday as always I couldn’t walk past this lovely Fiat 500. Where are the other classics? London hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, but I haven’t given up yet! . #fiat500 #fiatcinquecento #cinquecento #yellowcar #fiat #fiatclassic #fiatclassics #classicfiat #carspotting #carculture #classiccar #curbsideclassic #classiccaroftheday #caroftheday #everydayclassic #classiccardaily #parkedcar #soloparking #autoprofiles #carportrait #thingspeopledrive #retrorides #drivetastefully #streetparking #carsofinstagram #carstagram #carphotography #parkingspotter #parkedinlondon #londonclassics
#chevytruck #soloparking #carspotter #curbsideclassic #classictruck #keepontruckin
I still see so many of these V20 Camrys around. Launched in 1987, these were the first generation to be manufactured in Australia (though the V6 sedan was imported from Japan) and were also rebadged as the Holden Apollo. There was a minor facelift in 1989; this is a 1991 example. Toyota Australia made some changes to the steering and handling, while also swapping the base 1.8-litre four for a carbureted version of the carryover 2.0-litre (the 2.5 V6 remained exclusive to a single, imported sedan model). The Camry proved immediately more popular than the rear-wheel drive Corona (and imported front-wheel drive Camry hatch) it replaced. But it was still in the shadow of the also locally built Mitsubishi Magna, a widened, Australianised Galant. That would change with the next generation of Camry, referred to as the wide-body. #ohwhatafeeling #ohwhatafeelingtoyota #toyota #toyotacamry #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars #wagon #wagons
Here's something I wasn't expecting to see: a Suzuki Alto. While the Alto nameplate has been offered in Australia before, this generation wasn't available here. And that's a shame because it's adorable. I love Suzuki's recent crop of quasi retro designs, like the Ignis, Jimny and this – I enjoy them a lot more than the more conservative designs of models like the Swift. I also enjoy this Alto much more than the current generation model, which replaced it in 2022 and is a bit dorkier looking to my eyes. While you could get these in sporty Works and Turbo RS trims, even this basic-looking model looks great. As it's a Kei car, this Alto was only available with a tiny engine: a 658cc inline three, with or without a turbo. Produced in Japan from 2014 to 2021, the eighth-generation Alto was also sold as the Mazda Carol. After all, Suzuki is strong in Kei cars so it made sense for Mazda to tap them. #keicar #kei #suzukialto #suzuki #sydneycars #jdm #japanesecars #japanese #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
I saw this 1964 Peugeot 403 parked by the side of the road, far from any other car or driveway, so naturally I thought it was for sale. Oddly, it wasn't. It was just... parked in the middle of nowhere. By moving to a shield-shaped logo and displaying the model name up front, the latest Peugeots are giving a nod to classic models like this. The 403 was produced from 1955 to 1966, initially as a sedan but later available as a wagon, ute and convertible. The latter is best known as the car of Lieutenant Columbo, played by Peter Falk. The styling was by Pinin Farina, and am I crazy or is there just a hint of Ponton Mercedes in its styling? Well, some in Europe and the US did refer to Peugeot as the French Mercedes back in the day... The 403 was assembled in markets such as Australia and New Zealand. It was an evolution of the 203, the first post-war Peugeot, though that model stuck around as a low-cost option even after the 403 launched. So it was no surprise that Peugeot did the same thing to the 403 when it launched its 404 successor in 1960. Praised for its dynamics, comfort and sturdy build, the 403 was popular in many markets. A total of 1,214,121 of all 403s, including commercial models, were produced over its lengthy run. #frenchcars #peugeot #peugeot403 #60scars #french #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
I can't remember the last time I saw a first-generation (1983-87) Ford Telstar! It even still has at least one of its original wheel covers. The Telstar, an Australian-built, subtly restyled front-wheel drive Mazda 626, was a hot seller back in the day; in 1984, for example, it outsold the Mitsubishi Sigma, Holden Camira, and of course the Mazda 626, and wasn't far off the Toyota Corona. The only engine available was a 2.0-litre four-cylinder, unlike the Cortina it replaced here which offered a six. The flipside here is the Telstar was much more popular. Indeed, Ford used to sell thousands of Mazda-based Laser and Telstar models, and yet now in Australia it not only has no small or medium car here (putting our market in the same boat as markets like the US), but it's even discontinuing its combustion-powered crossovers here. This is a 1987 Ghia sedan, the most expensive of the sedan range; the Telstar was also offered as a five-door hatch, called the TX5. The flagship TX5 Ghia hatch offered electronically adjustable dampers and, from 1986, an optional turbocharged engine. This was the first of three generations of Telstar sold in Australia, before the line was dropped in favour of the European Mondeo. Ford had three different vehicles in this segment in the 1980s, depending on the market. The rear-wheel drive Sierra was developed in Europe but offered in some markets like New Zealand and South Africa; the front-wheel drive Tempo was offered in North America; and the Telstar was sold in markets like Australia and Japan. What's your favourite of the three? #mazda626 #ford #80scars #fordtelstar #ghia #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
Today’s sudden (and very unwelcome!) snowfall can’t hide the fact that road salt has taken its toll on this 1990 Mercedes 260E… . #w124 #mercedesw124 #mercedesbenz #mercedeslovers #mercedesclassic #rustycar #mercedesw124 #carspotting #carculture #classiccar #classiccaroftheday #caroftheday #vintagecar #everydayclassic #parkedcar #soloparking #curbsideclassic #streetparking #veteranbil #parkingspotter
I find it so interesting that Lexus made the first two generations of ES 300 look so similar to each other, much as it did with the LS 400. This is the first ES 300, sold here from 1992 to 1996 and based on the contemporary Toyota Camry. It's not actually the first ES though, as there was an ES 250 sold in North America based on the Japanese-market Toyota Camry Prominent – it was pretty forgettable, and was more or less a stopgap model to give Lexus showrooms there a more affordable option for buyers who couldn't swing for an LS. Not that this ES was all that exciting. Unlike the LS, which was essentially a bespoke model for the Lexus brand (though it was sold in Japan as the Toyota Celsior as Lexus wouldn't be offered there for another decade or so), the ES – sold in Japan as the Toyota Windom – borrowed heavily from the Toyota parts bin. It was utterly smooth but with a soft suspension and unexciting dynamics. It was also considerably cheaper than the LS and had a familial resemblance to it (without looking like some nesting doll version of it), so it sold very well in the US. At around A$60k at launch in Australia, around half the price of an LS, the ES battled the Mazda 929, Alfa Romeo 164, and Saab 9000. We missed out on the first generation of GS here, a more dynamic, rear-wheel drive model. When it came, it and the even more overtly sporty IS ate into ES sales and led to the nameplate's eventual discontinuation. The ES got the last laugh, eventually coming back, and now the GS is dead globally and the IS locally. #lexus #jdm #lexuses #japanese #japanesecars #toyotawindom #90scars #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
Australians don't seem to appreciate Fox-body Mustangs. Given they weren't sold here, their historical significance may be lost on us. This generation was sold from 1979 to 1993, and when it first came out it discarded some key Mustang design cues like the segmented tail lights and the distinctive side creasing for a cleaner, more European look. It looked rather ahead of its time, before myriad cars shifted to a similar design language and the Mustang ended up looking rather anonymous. But it was nice to see Ford didn't want to do just another retro pastiche, and the Fox-body was a handsome car. It also saw the eventual return of genuinely high-performance variants, after an initial nadir, as the fuel crisis and emissions controls and poorly retuned engines of the 1970s became a distant, unpleasant memory. It also saw the return of a convertible body style in 1983, which had been missing from its Mustang II predecessor, as well as the first turbocharged Mustangs. This is a 1986 GT convertible. Foxes are very rare here, as they were never officially sold here. They're more common than the Mustang II though. #ford #carshow #carshowclassic #racqmotorfest #fordmustang #convertible #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars #bnecars #80scars
Still a bit early for spring flowers, but at least this 1983 Mazda 323 1.5 has emerged from the snow! First neighborhood spot in ages. . #mazda323 #mazdafamilia #classicmazda #mazdaclassic #mazda #carspotting #carculture #classiccar #classiccaroftheday #caroftheday #everydayclassic #parkedcar #soloparking #curbsideclassic #streetparking #veteranbil #parkingspotter
So one of my favourite car shows in Brisbane was on this morning and I had no idea! Bummed I missed out on #alljapaneseday so here are some photos from 2022. I loved seeing these two Nissan Cedrics next to each other: one a '64 wagon, the other a 2000 40th Anniversary sedan. That makes these the first and final generations of the Cedric, which was in production for 10 generations from 1960 to 2004. The Gloria was a similarly sized vehicle that was inherited from automaker Prince, and debuted in 1959. But by 1971 the Cedric and Gloria had become the same vehicle, differing largely with trim. It, too, got the axe in 2004, but not before the Y34 Cedric/Gloria spawned the very first generation of Infiniti M, which packed a unique interior and a V8. Personally, the Y34 may just be my favourite Cedric/Gloria series. Both were replaced by the Fuga, which was sold outside Japan as the Infiniti M. But after just two generations, the Fuga is dead. Nissan once had myriad sedans, but in its home market it now has just the Skyline (there are more in markets like the US and China). #nissan #jdm #japanese #japanesecars #nissancedric #y34 #y34cedric #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars #carshow #carshowclassic
While the Australian Chrysler Valiant was once closely related to the American Plymouth Valiant, the two lines diverged. The most dramatic departure came in 1971 with the VH redesign, with its fuselage-style body that looked more like a Plymouth Satellite or Fury than the very squared-off, upright Plymouth Valiant sedan that persisted until 1976. The 1976 CL was the third (and penultimate) facelift of this redesigned Valiant, and the range would never be wider: sedan, wagon, Charger coupe, ute and panel van, though by the time the other two-door coupe and long-wheelbase sedan body styles were gone. Also gone was the 360 cubic-inch V8, leaving the 318 as the largest option. The less powerful of the two Hemi sixes was dropped as well. The CL update brought not only cosmetic changes, but also retuned suspension. This is a Regal; both the sedan and wagon came in base and Regal variants, with the sedan exclusively offering a plusher Regal SE variant. In 1978, the final CM series was launched, offering only sedan and wagon options. Local production of the Valiant would end in 1981, as by this point Chrysler had sold off its local operations to Mitsubishi. #clvaliant #australiana #australiancars #mopar #chrysler #aussieaussieaussie #aussiecars #chryslervaliant #valiant #bnecars #70scars #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
My third and final Mercedes spot from my weekend away. The W202 C-Class must surely be one of the few examples of a car where the wagon was sleeker than the sedan. The sedan of this generation was like a brick with smoother corners, while the wagon has a rather curvaceous rear with a rakish tailgate. I see sedans of this generation regularly but the wagons are ultra rare, to the point that I forgot they even sold them here. This is a 1999 C200, which was the most affordable C wagon offered in Australia that year and the only one with a four-cylinder engine. #mercedes #mercedesbenz #mercedesbenzcclass #wagon #wagons #estate #germanengineering #germancars #german #stationwagon #cclass #w202 #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
The W126 S-Class was a tough act to follow, but while the W140 isn't as graceful in appearance it still has plenty of presence – perhaps too much, as it was criticised upon launch for being too large. It was longer, taller and wider than its predecessor, and heavier to boot. It's no surprise, then, that this wasn't any more efficient than its predecessor. This generation did, however, bring plenty of technological firsts like HID headlights, rain-sensing wipers and rear parking assist, features that have subsequently filtered down to much more affordable models. But that's the S-Class way: if a new generation debuts a new feature, it'll probably wind up on a C-Class eventually. This is an S320, which was the most affordable S-Class offered here. In 1993 it was priced at just over A$180,000, or $40,000 more than a Lexus LS400. Unlike the Lexus, it used a six-cylinder engine (though V8 and V12 engines were offered in other S-Class models). The 3.2 inline six produced 174kW and 315Nm (233 hp, 232 lb-ft). This example is looking rather forlorn by the side of a country road with expired rego. #mercedesbenz #mercedes #mercedessclass #mercedesbenzsclass #benz #luxury #luxurysedan #luxurycar #germanengineering #germancars #90scars #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
I won't bother stopping for R107 SLs – they're still pretty common, and their styling has never done anything for me. But pop a roof on them and I'm more interested for some reason (I promise I'm not anti-convertible!) This C107 350 SLC, which packs a 3.5-litre V8, definitely got my attention with its licence plate and the colour-keyed wheels. Mercedes arguably did colour-keyed wheels better than anyone! C107s wrapped up production several years before their convertible siblings as they were replaced by a coupe version of the W126 S-Class. This was a return to normalcy, and there would never again be an SL coupe. #c107 #mercedes #benz #mercedesbenz #mercedesbenzslc #mercedesslc #byronbay #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
I'm down on a little holiday in northern NSW and spotted this mint condition VP Calais. With the 1991 VP update of the redesigned VN Commodore, the most obvious visual change was a new grille. But the range-topping Calais got extra attention, with more visual changes to distinguish it from lesser Commodores. The VN Calais was distinguished mostly by its two-tone treatment and unique wheels, but the VP got these partially covered rear wheel wells, chrome trim around the windows, and striped tail lights. Yes, it was more fussy, but you also wouldn't mistake it for a Berlina, or the new Berlina VP that bridged the gap between the two. The VP brought various updates under the skin, but the highlight for the Calais was standard independent rear suspension. Anti-lock brakes were optional. #vpcalais #90scars #australiana #vpcommodore #holdencalais #holdencommodore #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars #holden #aussiecars #aussieaussieaussie
I had a dream last night somebody had imported a first-generation Opel Tigra to Australia. Not even joking. Naturally, dream me was very excited to see it in a parking lot. Real me wasn't quite as excited to see this second-generation Tigra at a used car lot, but given I've seen maybe two Tigras in the past few years and haven't been able to photograph either, this is a win for me. Unlike the first Tigra, which was a coupe that never ended up coming here despite reports suggesting it would, the second Tigra was a hardtop convertible built by Heuliez. Remember, this was the 2000s when seemingly every company from BMW to Mitsubishi to Volvo was doing one of these. Its roof took just 18 seconds to fully retract, but its appeal in Australia, where it arrived late in 2005, was limited by the lack of an automatic transmission. Only a five-speed manual was available, mated to the old Barina SRI’s naturally aspirated 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with 92kW of power and 165Nm of torque (123 hp, 122 lb-ft). We missed out on a 1.4 petrol and a 1.3 diesel, plus an Easytronic automated manual. No great loss, any of them. The cute Tigra weighed 1248kg, or around 250kg more than the XC Barina (Opel Corsa) upon which it was based, which meant performance was average at best. Holden may have enjoyed some success with the Astra convertible but the Tigra was met with buyer apathy. The company projected 1000 annual units but in its first and only full year on the market, Holden shifted 651 units. The $10,000 pricier Astra convertible, in contrast, had 907 sales in the same year. But it did have rear seats, allowing more people to enjoy fun in the sun... All up, Holden sold just 1056 examples here. I can imagine some just get scrapped when faced with an almost certainly costly roof repair bill, so I had to photograph one when I had the chance. #tigra #opeltigra #hardtopconvertible #coupeconvertible #holdentigra #bnecars #vauxhalltigra #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
I saw a TR Holden Astra (aka Opel Astra F) today for the first time in a long time. I couldn't get any really good photos as it was driving, but it reminded me of all the Opel Astra Fs I saw in Europe a few years ago. I've shared a couple of these before, but here's the whole spread – all that's missing is a five-door hatch and a van. Some of you may remember my first car was a hand-me-down TR Astra which, despite being in terrible condition, was a great first car. In fact it was a maroon sedan like the first car in this post; specifically, it was a GL 1.8 with a five-speed manual. We only got the sedan and five-door hatch here, in City 1.6, GL 1.8 and GSi 2.0 variants, and it was a super delayed launch – it arrived late in 1996, and was sold for only two years before the next-generation (TS) model arrived. That model sold a lot better and was around for a lot longer, so the TR was always a fairly rare sight. In its only full year on sale Holden sold 4578 examples – less than almost all its rivals, including the Ford Laser, Hyundai Lantra, Mazda 323, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Pulsar and Toyota Corolla. This generation was much more popular in Europe, where 4.13 million units were produced from 1991 to 1997. As of 2021, it was Opel's highest-volume model ever. Engines included 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol and 1.7 diesel units. Honestly if I saw a 2.0 GSi here, which I don't think I've ever seen, I'd be so tempted. It was hatchback-only and I think the sedan looks a lot better, but in its funky yellow hero colour it looked great. #opel #opelastra #astraf #opelastraf #astra #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
COMING SOON!!! Go follow my husband business page @_curbsideclassic SUPPORT SUPPORT !!! #foodtrucklife #comingsoon‼️ #curbsideclassic
Some more awesome finds from a dealership I visited for the first time in years. You would think it's just Skylines and vans from outside, but then you go into the big shed... #lotus #lotusesprit #lotuseuropa #mgrv8 #mg #nissan #nissansilvia #jdm #mitsubishigto #mitsubishi3000gt #jaguar #jaguarxk8 #bnecars #lotuselan #vintagecars #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
Some LA Studebaker Noir on a Sunday night. This is a peachy pink 1959-61 Lark sedan just a few blocks from our house. . #studebaker #parkedinla #curbsideclassic #lanoir #dailyturismo #orphancar #studebakerlark #americancars #madeinindiana #streetsoftorrance #streetsofla
Caged Avanti✨
…..a Sunday car pic…vintage…. . . . Shot on iphone #asundaycarpic #jj_detailsandvintage #patina_perfection #patina_transport #raw_country #jj_mobilephoto_4i3 #drivevintage #curbsideclassic #tv_transport #rustord_blue #rustlord_carz #classictrucks #fordvintage #justnewjersey #vintagecarspoetry #asi_es_blueworld #rebels_transport #bestoftheglobe_usa
En alweer een rode klassieker ♥️ En ook veel verschillende balkonnetjes! ° ° ° ° ° #leeuwarden #frenchcar #citroen #2cv #citroen2cv #vintage #voitureancienne #vintagecars #carsinfrontofhouses #citroenfanphoto #vintagecitroen #carspotting #carphotography #instacar #oldtimer #iconiccar #classiccaroftheday #classic #classiccar #thesundaycarpic #sundaycarpic #asundaycarpic #curbsideclassic #voiturefrancaise #citroenlovers #passioncitroen #igholland #hollandinbeeld #ig_discover_holland #teampixel
COMING SOON!!!!! #curbsideclassic #htown #foodtruck Curbside Classic
Found @jwongwong11 's dream car today. I can't remember the last time I saw an Aston Martin Vanquish. What an absolute knockout! And this colour is unusually beautiful. I personally would prefer a DB9, but this is still stunning. If I was rich – and I mean rich rich – I still don't see myself owning a fleet of Ferraris and Lamborghinis. But Astons? Hell yeah. I'd love a DB9, or DBS, Vanquish, Vantage, Rapide, Virage... #aston #astonmartin #sportscar #exotic #grandtourer #astonmartinvanquish #007 #gt #coupe #british #britishcars #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics #classiccar #classiccars
🍔 Rᴀʟʟʏ’s Hᴀᴍʙᴜʀɢᴇʀs #bigbuford #rallys #fastfoodnation #southwestusa #signspotting #lenscaptureofficial #fastfoodfriday #sunkissed_photos #burgersandfries #theremix #cheeseplease #fryburger #curbsideclassic #buildingdetails #burgerjoint #outwest #sunlightbrilliant #fastfoodjunkie #shots_super_pics #tgif
It's not in concours condition but this second-generation Supra looks mean. I know the first two generations were very closely related to the Celica, and that that is plain to see just by looking at them, but I still love how aggressive these second-generation models look... Even when they're not painted in black. #ohwhatafeeling #classiccar #classiccars #ohwhatafeelingtoyota #bnecars #toyotacelicasupra #toyotasupra #80scars #curbsideclassic #curbsideclassics #carspotter #carspotting #carsofinstagram #classics