Cars - last updated 15 April 2007

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This is my fiance's brother Jiri who is going to lend me his Skoda Favorit and Jawa motorbike when we stay at his house for our honeymoon.



This used to be my fiance's family car, she used to drive it

Hillman, Ford Escort Van Mk.1, Ford Escort Estate Mk.1, Peugeot 504.

My Dad said that his first car was a Hillman. His second car was a Ford Escort Mk.1 Van, the registration was SBH xxxH I think, it used 2 star petrol. He replaced it in 1982 with a Ford Escort Estate Mk.1, registration POM 218M (August 1973 - July 1974). This used 3 star petrol. He then had two Peugeot 504 estates, both R reg (August 1976 - July 1977) and they used 4 star. Here we can see Paul standing in front of it. He kept saying how much I would enjoy driving this car, of course being 13 years old when he got rid of it, I never did.

In September 1988 he got a Vauxhall Cavalier Mk.2 registered in February 1983. It was on its second engine. Gave it to me in May 1995 after it had been stolen by joy riders and I got rid of it in July 1995 as it was totally wrecked and cost too much to make it worhwhile fixing, this was after getting my Austin Metro.

Nissan Micra 1.2GS

This has a 1.2 litre engine with automatic transmission, Made in Japan. Registered March 1992. An excellent car which is very quiet to drive. It uses unleaded petrol. Bought from the Arriva Nissan dealer in October 1998 for £2,995 plus £300 for the warranty and interest, returns 39-55 mpg, had 42k on the clock. There was not a scratch or dent on it when I got it. This photo was taken one Sunday afternoon in July/August 2000 in Parnwell. It now has 70k on the clock. Have not had a single problem in the five years that I have had, other than consumables tyres, exhaust, wiper blades, battery etc. Do not get rid of cars that do not break down!

Austin Metro City 1.0

I bought this car in June 1995 privately for £395.00. 69k although second engine. Made in Great Britain. Registered February 1984.This had a 1 litre engine and returned 42-50 mpg but used leaded petrol, it was manual transmission. The tracking was perfect. Had a problem with it every 2000 miles. The engine and gearbox oil were in the same sump. Engine design dated back to 1959! Taken while we were camping in Overstrand in summer 1998. Only did 96k miles when I scapped it! in December 1998 - very sad.

Austin Maestro 2.0 Perkins Deisel

This is my brother Paul's car, it has a superb engine, done 230k! on the original engine. I love the look of this car, I like the squareness of it. The engine would last about 5 Maestros, they do rust and I think that will be the reason it will be replaced. This was taken at Sacrewell in August 2000. The L plates are for my sister. Made in Great Britain (including Perkins engine). Bought for £1,100 in November 1998. Scrapped at the end of 2003 as my brother bought a Montego with the same engine in it.

Ford Escort Mk4 1.4

This was bought in November 1995 by my Dad for £1,350, it had done 90 something k. It finally did 197k before it was scrapped! although this is on the second engine. Had an accident which the 3rd parties insurance had to pay out for and so replaced by the above Maestro. Kept in storage for 18 months until my brother Paul rescued it and arranged to get it back on the road. He hired a paint room for a few hours and painted it matt black. He is a mechanical engineer and so he enjoys working on it. Made in Great Britain. This photo was taken in Old Hunstanton in May 2001. On the way there we were in a traffic jam and it started to overheat, for some reason the fan did not kick in so when the traffic stopped we both jumped out, I lifted the bonnet and he manually overode the fan and jumped back in so we could catch up with the traffic. The bash on the back was caused by another driver bashing into him. The dog is called Tess.

Ford Escort Mk4 1.4 Ghia

My brother David was given this car. It has better trim than Paul's and has done less mileage (over 100K though). I don't have a photo yet. It has since failed its MOT and was replaced with a Peugeot 405.

Peugeot 405

This is David's car and he bought it for £300 from one of Netti's friends, he has now got a Honda Civic. He has now sold it to someone on the same street which is confusing.

Rover Montego 2.0 Turbo Diesel Countryman Estate

This is Paul's car, he bought it for £500 from someone in Essex. We drove down together, it has done 80k.

Rover 200

This is my Dad's car, someone gave it to him as he was getting a new one.

Ford Escort 1.3 Popular

I bought this to do my ADI part 2 as BSM would not lend me a car and I needed a manual transmission. I bought it for £165 and sold it for £80 three weeks later. Will never make a used car salesman, will I. Superb to drive, tracking was perfect.

Honda Jazz

Paul used this car for work when his was off the road. Very smooth car - although I never drove it.

Phillips Fold Up Bike

Not a car, but a great means of transport. I can drive somewhere pull this bike out of the boot and unfold it and go for a cycle ride! I bought it brand new for £150 from Bristows and the extras were about £50 on 10 November 2001.

Raleigh

I got this bike in 1994, it cost me £35 and I was living in Leicester during the week and coming home to Peterborough where my other bike was. It saved me having to transport my bike between two cities! I think I gave it to Nick but I am not sure. He has spent far in excess of £35 on it anyway. It has now been stolen, I put it in my wheeley bin and the dustman took it out and put it net to my house, next thing it was gone.

Raleigh Pioneer Classic

My parents bought me this bike brand new from Bristows in June 1991, it was £175. The cogs at the back have worn out on the high gears and so I can only ride it on low gears. It costs too much to fix the gears, hence the Phillips fold up bike. I did actually get the cogs fixed at great expense (£60) but it was not really worth it. I have given this to Sarah now as she liked it.