Stimulating Drives.

A couple of interesting vehicles I drove this week.
I had Tuesday afternoon off in lieu of pay for some time owed to me. Went to Petone and had to have a look at the Zero electric motorcycle which is on Trade Me. Although I made it clear I wasn't buying, the owner asked if I would like a ride.

I somehow couldn't manage to say no. The owner's helmet wouldn't fit my big head, so had to resort to a jet ski helmet. I know one shouldn't ride without protective gear, but I didn't have mine and it was just a quick trip round the block. It really was fun to ride, with ample performance and nice handling. Weight is around 130kg and centred low down. It would be an ideal commuter bike as long as you didn't need to exceed its 130km approximate range. This of course would vary on the speed used and the amount of hill climbing required. I would love to have it to run to work, but at just under  $10,000, that's more than I paid for my car. The owner doesn't really want to sell it, but the finance will help with more stock for his business, which  sells electrically assisted bicycles.

Later in the week I got to drive this Fraser, with its 1600cc Toyota power plant. The owners wife ( whom I work with) needed it transported from one side of town to the other and she doesn't like driving it in stop start traffic with its racing clutch, which is heavy and very sudden. Also the seat is not adjustable and one needs long legs to get the clutch pedal right to the floor.
It was fun with its sparkling performance and direct steering. The exhaust exiting out the side also gives a lot of very audible "crackles" and "pops" especially when blipping the throttle for down changes.
I'll have one of each thanks, when the Lotto gods smile on me.

And just to give you an idea of our small it is....that's a Suzuki Swift on the right.

Other Trucks.

Some more recent truck pics.

Burling's first Freightliner seems comfortable among the Kenworths...

...but the second one appears to prefer to be alone.

Scanias in Renalls yard at Waingawa.

Nearby in Wairarapa Livestock Transport's yard is K&N Livestock's 2013 Kenworth and.....

.... a 2010 DAF CF85 in Ellison's colours.

The truck that picks up the waste tyres from my work is a freshly imported, used 2008 Hino Ranger with a full chrome front bumper.

Lunchtime Wander.

Here's a few snaps I took at lunchtime on Friday.

Dalefield Transport's 1995 Volvo F12 420 heading back to the forest for another load

I'm not sure who operates this 2004 Nissan CG400 also forest bound.

9 axles of 2013 Scania R620 and trailer heading north.

This motor home is built on a 1976 Ford R chassis with an English Plaxton Supreme body. The owner told me he was about to replace one of the windscreen halves. I was surprised at their availability, but he said there was still enough of them around to make some parts still accessible. Side windows  (with their slight curve at the top) may be a different story, although he thinks they are still supplied in the UK, with a cost of about $7000 to have them landed here.

Big Boys' Toys

I went to Big Boys'Toys in Palmerston North yesterday with Max, who contributes to this blog.
Here's a glimpse of what we saw.

I guess Big Boys'Toys wouldn't be that, if it didn't have a Ferrari........

....and a Lamborghini.

I liked the Dodge in white, but not so sure about the Mopar graphics on the sides, but I did like the little Superbee badges.

Chev's  muscle car contribution looks awfully similar to the Mopar to me.

"Back to the Future" Delorean replica attracted a lot of attention for the kids.
Some of them very large kids!

Polaris side-by-side development of their popular 3 wheeled motorcycle was.........weird.

KTM had a good display, but unfortunately one of the few motorcycle brands represented.

Big Boys'Toys just had to have a bike like mine even if it is a slightly later model and "policified."

DB9 I could live with.

Retro race cars were cool. I would have liked to have seen more of this sort of thing.

Outside, the bucket racers were competing.

Vauxhalls in Palmy.

Max has sent some pictures of a Vauxhall gathering in the square of Palmerston North.

1948 J14.

As the rego plate reads; it's a '56 EIP.

At the top of the PC range was the luxurious (by the standards of 1971) Viscount.

An L model Velox from 1951. This was the model that came between the J model and the EIP.

In 1958 the EIP models were replaced by the American styled PA.

Later PAs, like this '62 model, had a bit of a facelift.

The owner of this '66 HA Viva is very passionate about his car and turns up at most Vauxhall or British car events in the lower North Island.

This PB model Velox was powered by the 3.3 litre engine

I never thought the wrap around screen styling worked as well on the '58 Victor as it did on the sleeker PA Velox (and Cresta).

More Labour Weekend Autos.

This Pontiac 6 I have shown before (at the Vintage Harvest last year), but it's so lovely it's worth a second look.

Heading south to Wellington on Saturday I noticed a gathering of Armstrong Siddeleys at the Masterton Motor Lodge.

I think these are all Star Sapphires which were produced from about '57 to '60.

In Wellington I found this Sabb 95 on Roseneath Terrace.

As far as I can tell it is a 1973 Saab 95, which would have the V4 Ford motor, unlike earlier models which had a three cylinder 2 stroke power plant with a freewheel transmission.

Minis In Labour.

Labour Weekend, saw the Mini enthusiasts have their national event, here, in Masterton.

The BMC A motor in all its glory; with twin carbs, in this instance.

Many in non standard colours.

One of the last "real" Minis.

Standard Morris Cooper S in one of the most popular colour options.

Sliding windows and exposed door hinges are in contrast to the flairs and chrome wheels.

Lift up front and front mounted radiator. I meant to come back and take a snap of the engine, but got distracted, so I can't tell you what is re-powered with.

Standard, early Morris:- Exposed hinges, sliding windows and long gear lever.

Re-bodied variants.

1300cc Suzuki conversion.

Van in Clubman form....

....pick-up....

....and Moke.