Cars at Omaka (1).

While at Blenheim, I paid another visit to Omaka Classic Cars. Mary said it would be a waste of money, but it turns out they now have a whole new shed of cars that weren't there last time.

Triumph 2000s in both Mk 1 and Mk 2 forms were, and still are, a nice drive.
Both models were also produced in 2500 PI (Petrol Injection) models as well, but proved unreliable and difficult to tune correctly at the time, although many have since mastered their faults and peculiarities.
The Mk 2 was also produced as a 2500 carburettor model, as well, which became a very popular model..
Surprisingly these are still an affordable classic.

The Austin/Morris 1100 was later produced in 1300 form and, as with the smaller engined model, there was also a Wolseley version, as pictured at left. On the right is a 1957 Morris Minor 1000, an icon of British motoring. The Minor was introduced in 1949, powered by the gutless, but reliable, side valve engine from the Morris Eight. In 1952, 4 door models were fitted with the 803cc, ohv unit as introduced in the Austin A30, and other models were so fitted the following year. In 1956 the 1000 badge was added when the 948cc model arrived.  From 1962 the engine was again increased in capacity to 1098cc, but the badge still read 1000.

Many believe the Jaguar XK120 was the best looking sports car of its time, but I've always liked the more modern look of the XK150 as pictured here as a 1959 model with its 3.4 litre dohc straight six.

1967 Peugeot 404.
Although similar in looks to the BMC offerings of the time, the French saloon was a quite different and more refined car.

The EH model has become one of Holden's most popular collectable classics and are fetching unbelievable prices.

Mitsubishi's Tredia was a sedan that was reasonably popular in its day, but then the name was no longer used.
The pictured example is a 1984 1600cc Turbo verion.

Vincent motorcycles were renowned for their effortless high speed.

Rootes made some of the best everyday saloons in 1960s Britain.
This 1965 1600cc Hillman Super Minx is one of many sold in New Zealand at the time.

Subaru's 1600GFT model from 1978 was a variation of their coupe model.

Isuzu introduced this 1500cc saloon to the NZ market and from what I remember they weren't a bad little car. Reliable, but not exciting to drive, but as for all Japanese cars of this period, rust became a major problem after a few years of ownership.

Jaguar's Mk 2 was a popular high speed saloon of the 60s, both in motor racing and as a bank robbers' getaway car.
Although powerful, it was often thought the big twin cam 6 made it a bit front heavy.
The Daimler version, with its 2.5 litre alloy V8 helped this imbalance and to many, was a better car.
This 1967 Daimler is a 4 speed manual with overdrive, which for many years I thought was quite rare (most were automatics) , but I have now sighted several of them in NZ in recent times.

A 1974 Datsun 180B. A good seller in its day.
And a 1979 Austin Princess 2.0 HL a model that wasn't memorable.