Car Magazine celebrates its 50th birthday in its biggest ever issue, October 2012.
I’ve only been reading it for thirty three years, beginning with this Feb 1979 issue. It was probably the Fiat 131 on the cover which got 13 year old Robin’s attention but the contents got me hooked.
I haven’t missed a Car since and look forward to ‘50th’ arriving in the mail.
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Although Fiats are not exotic in New Zealand they are fairly rare. I noticed a nice black Stilo Abarth at the lights opposite. Then I noticed its driver looking at my Bravo HGT.
When the lights changed we passed with a friendly wave. I bet that doesn’t happen if two Corollas meet…
For how this image was made see My car gets Wordle'd
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Was it a display of extreme precision driving to get so close to a gate post it left a mark on the rear wheel arch, which could be buffed off without damage*, or extreme stupidity to be near it at all?
* It was a fuzzy rough sawn soft pine post with an ample cover of soft timber paint otherwise I fear the result would have been a visit to the beater and sprayer of panels. The brown scrape looked quite bad but came off without leaving a mark on the clear coat!
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So I don't have the only Flying Spaghetti Monster touched Fiat in West Auckland!
Learn more about FSM at http://www.venganza.org/ or see my FSM Fiat here
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I knew the Reliant Robin was crap long before Top Gear, Mr Bean & “Only Fools & Horses” mocked it.
I’m no fan of personalised plates* but was depressed to see “R0BIN” on my morning commute yesterday. What sort of exotic vehicle would demand such a fine plate?
A smokey old diesel Isuzu Bighorn.
* But if had $800 to waste there is one still available I would buy. It’s is not related to my name, where I live or the car I drive :)
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The new iOS4 update for TomTom had me delving into the settings to try some new options. I don’t really need navigation around Auckland but usually have the GPS running for speed check (it chimes as you go through the limit + 5%), estimated arrival time and just for fun. That means having the sound on but it gets a bit dull hearing direction instructions to go where I know.
I tried some different voices, the default “Australian” Karen (computer) is quite annoying, and accidentally selected Italian. Since I drive a Fiat it seems both amusing and appropriate that my mundane commute is now directed in Italian. I now take the “Autostrada”, not the Motorway, home and “Alla rotonda prendere la prima uscita” seems more interesting than “At the roundabout take the first exit”.
I wish there was a “computer” text to speech voice for Italian, so it could say street names instead of just turn directions, but TomTom don’t offer that choice in New Zealand (why?).
However, it’s a small price to pay as Chiara’s “Arrivo” sounds so much better than the English “You have reached your destination”…
The other new option I like is a rather "Bravo looking" Grey Hatchback icon for the 3D map view and, not new, a nice green night scheme to match the Bravo dash LCD’s.
Looking Italian, Speaking Italian, Bravo TomTom!
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Tonight on the way home I had this view of a Bravo. Given I was behind the wheel of mine (below) and they aren’t common in New Zealand it’s a rare pleasure. It was actually GT, without the H which brings an extra cylinder and few more Kw, so no problem keeping up…
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When people ask "What sort of car would you buy if you won Lotto" they are often surprised by my response. A Bambina, a Fiat Coupe, X1/9, a 2CV and more. There are reasons for all of those and just a few minutes on TradeMe NZ presents a wealth of selections. Now I just need the right ticket
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Back in the 70's my Aunt had one of these, even this colour, and I vaguely remember going to Tim Bailey's Town & Country cars, which became Continental Cars, with her.
I wonder if that was the start of the "Fiat thing" that still determines what I drive.
(Taken Jan 2010 at the Bruce McLaren Tribute Day, Hampton Downs)
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It’s often said that running a car is more expensive than public transport. From 1996 – 2008 I travelled 178,000km in the mighty Uno. A few seconds in Quicken revealed how much it cost:
| Sum of Cost | $/Year | |
| Fuel | $12,479.49 | $1,039.96 |
| Other Auto (Insurance/WOF etc) | $4,228.31 | $352.36 |
| Service (Everything inc tyres) | $13,498.98 | $1,124.92 |
| Depreciation | $11,000.00 | $916.67 |
| Grand Total | $41,206.78 | $3,433.90 |
It’s about $0.23/km. Almost certainly cheaper than a bus, my work commute was $55/week, plus I could go anywhere – literally to Bluff – when I wanted and it was fun (which buses aren't).
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