240 General: Down Under holiday snap

[John Tancredi]

Originally Posted by JIM C

Your DS looks stunning. One of my pals is a Citroen nut who has a CX.
What fantastic high tech cars the DS were in there day.
Thanks for posting the photo.

Thanks Jim... The funny thing is that the DS and the Volvo 144 (and even very early 244) were contemporaries and sold for similar money...

The DSs rusted away and gave owners big maintenance bills, while the Volvos just kept on going...

Then the DSs got restored (more money)... while the Volvos still kept on going...

And now the expensive headache DSs are worth a lot MORE money than the ever faithful Volvos... Someone please explain the logic to me... it's a mad world...

It will be interesting to see if the CX becomes a valued classic as well at some stage... they can generate even bigger bills!

All the best, John.

[John Tancredi]

Thought I'd post these pics (just found!) of my 1985 240GL which I shipped out from the UK to NZ in '92 and subsequently sold... and regretted! I came across it again by chance in Oct 2005 in Wellington when I was on a trip in my 86" LRover Series One... I was delighted to see it again. I think it has now been scrapped, but at least the original number plate still survives on my current 240 (under the NZ one!)

[JIM C]

Great photos. Love your Land Rover series one. You have a fine collection of classic cars. There appears to be no logic on the value of classic cars and why some are so expensive and others ignored.
Best wishes
Jim

[John Tancredi]

Originally Posted by JIM C

Great photos. Love your Land Rover series one. You have a fine collection of classic cars. There appears to be no logic on the value of classic cars and why some are so expensive and others ignored.
Best wishes
Jim

Thanks Jim... It's not easy keeping them on the road... I've just received an email suggesting I should get my DS serviced by a Rolls Royce and Bentley specialist as some of the hydraulics are similar (were supplied by Citroen)... You can imagine the hourly rate of a RR/Bentley workshop...!!!!!

[JIM C]

I have always liked the DS style, shape and technology but the potential repair costs always put me off. But my friend has had a few CX`s which have been reliable cars if properly maintaned. I am just happy having the Amazon easy to repair with classic styling.
Best of luck
Jim

[John Tancredi]

Originally Posted by JIM C

I have always liked the DS style, shape and technology but the potential repair costs always put me off. But my friend has had a few CX`s which have been reliable cars if properly maintaned. I am just happy having the Amazon easy to repair with classic styling.
Best of luck
Jim

I'd love to have an Amazon... but I think there are only a handful in NZ. A local guy and member of this Forum - Neil Glasson - has three in differing states of repair, and there are a few up north but that's it. They were mostly brought out by private individuals moving to NZ from the UK or Holland. I don't think they were ever officially imported. The other day I happened to see a beautiful P1800 parked on a driveway not far from home.. was in gunmetal grey. I couldn't stop and by the time I made my way back it had gone! Was same story with those I think - most if not all were imported privately.

Those here wanting a car with lovely classic body lines like the Amazon would probably tend to consider a Peugeot 403 or a Borgward. The Borgward in particular is very stylish while the 403 was locally assembled for some years so relatively easy to find. Kind regards, John.

[JIM C]

I like the 403 Peugeot. Not many in the UK. My Dad had a 504 Ti and now you never see them in Scotland anymore. A neighbour has a lovely Rover 60 and a 1965 Rover 2000.
Jim

[John Tancredi]

Well, it looks like my 240 will be sharing garage space with yet another old vehicle... not a Volvo I'm ashamed to say... but a 1961 Fiat 1100. I haven't got it yet but "negotiations" are in train. I'll post some pics if it all comes off. Vehicle is very rare here in NZ, but it seems to have quite a following elsewhere (and I remember them well from my childhood days in Italy), so it should feed my classic car addiction... (seems to be an affliction with no known cure!) Kind regards, John.

[cywprof]

Originally Posted by John Tancredi

While most of you guys are wrapping up your 240s against the winter weather, here's a quick taste of the weather Down Under... (Constance Bay, South Island, NZ)...! Happy Christmas! John.

Thanks John, Spring only 4 months away!
Nice wheels!
regards,
Bill

[cywprof]

Originally Posted by Checkpoint Charlie

For those of us who live North of the Bombay Hills (a small hill range at the southern border of what everyone sensible would describe as the suburb of Manukau but in reality is the southern edge of Auckland) we do not get any of that white stuff that falls out of the sky - ever. We had one night last winter when there was a slight dusting of frost on the windscreen but not on our lawn, only once though!

I just could not go back to living in the UK winter, did it on and off for over 30 years and that was 29 years too long. We have a great climate here and I would commend New Zealand to anyone who wants to live in a great country. I have lived in many parts of the world over the years and this is the place. They used to call it Gods own country and I reckon they were not far wrong.

Strictly speaking we should send greetings from on top, to those of you downunder in the UK since astronomers show north as down not up, so in astronomical terms the South pole is at the top of the globe.
Seasons Greetings from NZ,
Checkpoint Charlie

Don't have to sell us on New Zealand. Although technically Spring arrives March 21 here, doesn't feel like it until May! Until then our classic cars hide under cover.

I use to teach in a college where every January/Februrary recruiters would come from Australia & post giant bill boards advertising their programs. Mostly large photos of the "Surf & Sand". Several of my graduates went to either Australia or New Zealand, most to pursue degrees in teaching after completing their diplomas here. Lost a neice to the draw, gained a nephew-inlaw.
Only rationalization that I can muster is that when Spring finally comes it is really appreciated!