Are you sure we havent met before?l!
December 5th 2007 13:34
Once upon a time when a vehicle had reached the end of its production run, its tooling and jigs were normally sold at a discount price and dispatched to some third world or communist country to start a new life under a new name. like Glorious ten year march or something!
Like an automotive witness protection programme, the famous or infamous to get relocated included the Hillman Avenger to Argentina, where it was a Dodge and eventually sold as a VW , the Hillman Hunter to Iran now known as the Peykan ( Irans national car), the Renault 12, which not only travelled to South America but also wandered about well beyond retirement age behind the Iron Curtain as a Dacia and of course all manner of Austin / Morris products that ended up with a Chinese accent. The Fiat 124 is still alive and well and living in the former USSR as a LADA. How about a shiny new Peugeot 504 sedan, wagon or ambulance (assembled just last week) available in Kenya. A Mk 1 Golf awaits you in South Africa and down the road at the local Toyota dealership you can still buy a new 1989 Toyota Corolla!
The sub-continent used to be the place to go for the best range of old / new motors.
Ever hankered after a new 1953 Morris Oxford? Well just look up Hindustani Ambassador, this vehicular old age pensioner is still being pumped out in India, they also used to assemble the early 1970's version of the FE Vauxhall Victor. The Rover 3500 hatchback also made the trip there, known as the Standard 2000 this wonderful concoction came with a Standard Vanguard 2000 engine and gearbox dating from 1950, it failed miserably on price and died after only 3 seasons. Best not mention the quality control then! Other migrants to tropical climes included the Fiat 1100 AKA Premier Padmini, the Triumph Herald in 4 door sedan form AKA Standard Gazel, Hows that for excitment??
The champion of them all? How about a brand new Bay window Kombi from Brazil, order one in two tone, throw some whitewalls on, screw on some racks, grab a board and hit the waves Dude!
Like an automotive witness protection programme, the famous or infamous to get relocated included the Hillman Avenger to Argentina, where it was a Dodge and eventually sold as a VW , the Hillman Hunter to Iran now known as the Peykan ( Irans national car), the Renault 12, which not only travelled to South America but also wandered about well beyond retirement age behind the Iron Curtain as a Dacia and of course all manner of Austin / Morris products that ended up with a Chinese accent. The Fiat 124 is still alive and well and living in the former USSR as a LADA. How about a shiny new Peugeot 504 sedan, wagon or ambulance (assembled just last week) available in Kenya. A Mk 1 Golf awaits you in South Africa and down the road at the local Toyota dealership you can still buy a new 1989 Toyota Corolla!
The sub-continent used to be the place to go for the best range of old / new motors.
Ever hankered after a new 1953 Morris Oxford? Well just look up Hindustani Ambassador, this vehicular old age pensioner is still being pumped out in India, they also used to assemble the early 1970's version of the FE Vauxhall Victor. The Rover 3500 hatchback also made the trip there, known as the Standard 2000 this wonderful concoction came with a Standard Vanguard 2000 engine and gearbox dating from 1950, it failed miserably on price and died after only 3 seasons. Best not mention the quality control then! Other migrants to tropical climes included the Fiat 1100 AKA Premier Padmini, the Triumph Herald in 4 door sedan form AKA Standard Gazel, Hows that for excitment??
The champion of them all? How about a brand new Bay window Kombi from Brazil, order one in two tone, throw some whitewalls on, screw on some racks, grab a board and hit the waves Dude!
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