skidz

Quick somebody buy this before I do! Manual, LSD, BBS, M Tech steering wheel, Sports Seats, what is not to like https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/535i/listing/3323287643?bof=f4cUVXyh

Looks pretty clean for a barn find. At least the rego is on hold.

Hmmm, interesting. I guess we will see when the head comes off.

And just last Friday a trip to Castle Point with a group of enthusiasts, was a great day with sunshine and some fabulous roads. But sadly, the car has started using water - lots of water, and there is a film of oil in there too. I did not mean this car to become a project, but looks like that is the way it is heading. I thought the stories of M30 engines running to 500km were urban myth, and this just proves it. This engine has only done 486,000km! Even if it is just a head gasket, starting anything on this engine would likely result in a full rebuild being required. Probably not an economic proposition. Still have my de Joux to finish so that will have to take priority at the moment.

so, have been using the car a bit. Up to Manfeild, where it met its sister, an E28 in the same Artic Blue Colour

spotted this BMW motorcycle and sidecar, parked up in the neighbourhood.

Elvis Presley had one, bought it in Germany when he was there with the US Armed Forces

I cruised past this afternoon, but you were out...

Thanks, Jon. How is your project coming along Will we see you out racing this season

Ok here are some more photos- managed to get the whole family together Some pics of the Baur too

Me too. For some reason they seem to be a love or hate style. I have grown to love them.

Yes, Artic blau. It is a much lighter colour than some of the photos show but looks great in the flesh. And yes, I will bring to a club meet soon.

Not a garage find as such. I will get some more photos when the whole family is home.

An off-market transaction, you might say.

Not enough! I am now Two short!

Had the opportunity to purchase this, 1986, two previous owners. It is very original and complete and I am very pleased with it.

I use the RHD kit on my M20B30 race engine and it is excellent cheers...Stephen

mate that is so sad. After all that time, energy, not to mention the money. Hope your next project treats you better.

Give me a call on Thursday Richard I will have a look for you cheers. Stephen 021 744 881

That is a lovely car. So good to see these survivors reappearing.

After a night at the luxurious Mt Lyford Lodge we headed north to Picton to catch the ferry and say our goodbyes. Here we met our only kiwi roadblock- a flock of sheep. Lining up in Picton terminal you would expect a group of MGs to be centre of attention- but we were upstaged by a group of ModelAs plus a 1922 Rolls Royce, on their way to a back country rally at Taihape. so ended our 12 day odyssey to the South Island - mainly the lower half. The weather was good, the scenery fantastic, and the car went perfectly. Couldn’t ask for better.

Day 10 and getting near the end now. But for some this was the highlight of the trip with a visit to Rodin Cars in Mount Lyford. If you have not heard of Rodin before, check the website Rodin-cars.com. Basically we have a wealthy Australian enthusiast who has set up a race track and race car construction complex in a remote valley in North Canterbury. Sound too way out there to be true? We thought so to until we were at the Skope Classic meeting at Ruapuna a couple of years ago. There was the car, a Formula 1 lookalike, there was Greg Murphy driving, and bam! There goes the outright lap record. And that was just the prototype! The idea is that wealthy individuals can purchase the car to run at track days or whatever. That first public display was very, very impressive. They build everything in house, except the engine which are currently Cosworth V8. Butthey are now building their own V10 engine for the latest versions. at one end of the test track is the engineering workshop including a 3D printer that produces parts in titanium, carbon fibre ovens, design shops etc. At the other end is the toy shop that houses some of his cars. Potential customers are greeted in the lounge (all decked out in black and gold, same as the cars. I mean, the bench tops are black, but the taps are gold...) and are taken out for a few laps in aRenault Clio Cup car, the progress to a Formula 3 car, the F2, and then to the Rodin FZed Stage one of the track is about 2:5 km, stages two and three about the same. We were able to view, but that was all. also in the toy shop were a few of his personal cars, a McLaren Senna, Lamborghini Countach, and under the cover, a Ferrari Mona. About six million just in those three. Did I mention that he is wealthy? The Monday is road registered. I asked the obvious question- does he drive it on the road? “Oh yes, he takes it to Amberley, to get his groceries “ And why not?

Day ten and we continued north to Geraldine via Mount Cook and Tekapo. Another cracking day and fresh snow just added to the spectacle. Like most places we visited this whole area has suffered badly with lack of tourists following the Covid 19 outbreak. But we were amazed by the growth in places like Tekapo - I reckon the place has doubled in size since we were last there. The drive in and out of Mt Cook was just stunning. Sorry if I am running out of superlatives for the trip! I will let the photos tell the story.

We stopped for the night at the historic Cardrona Hotel, lovely meal and comfortable accommodation but no sign of the ghost. A short detour for us through to Alexandra via Cromwell and Clyde dam - another government Think Big project from the 1970’s. Then regroup at Tarras for the drive through the Linda’s Pass and on to Twizel. But first a stop at the Clay Cliffs at Omarama. We have driven past the sign many times but this was the first time we have ventured in. It was well worth the effort.

Next day we were off to Milford Sound by bus. Another day of great weather despite a cool start, and the scenery is just out of this world -simply stunning. PreCovid this road was busy every day, with tourists in buses, car, campers etc. When we were there, the bus park, which can hold 48 tour coaches, had only three plus our 18 seater. They were hoping and praying for the Aussie bubble to open, so they could see a return to more normal levels of customers. We were lucky enough to have a pod of dolphins swim with us on the boat trip. Another night in Te Anau and then off north via Queenstown and Arrowtown for lunch. But first a stop at Kingston-to view the Kingston Flyer a tourist train that has been idle for years. We had a photo shoot in front of the station, safe that no trains were coming. And then we see on the news just a few days later the train was back on the tracks for a trial run.