RobiNZ Personal Blog

Traffic Light Thought - Fiat’s 850 vs Mitsi Mirage

This listing on trademe reminded me of a fine little Fiat didn’t own and only ever drove a few times. The price seems a bit OTT but if as good as looks in the photos would be in my “When I win Lotto Garage”, if I had won Lotto. My Aunt owned a yellow, or was it mustard?, Fiat 850 Coupé until the early 80s. She’s partially responsible for my Fiat fondness as I remember at least one other 850 and a 1600 124 Coupe in her automotive past. I vaguely recall going with her to Tim Bailey’s “Town &... Read more →

The Red Bull Formula 1 Car Owners' Workshop Manual

Want to build, or maintain, a 2010 Formula 1 Championship winning car? This Haynes Manual would be a good start. The last/only Haynes Manual I owned was for a 1973 Fiat 127. Although the technology in this one is rather different the format is familiar. There are lots of cutaway illustrations, assembly diagrams and info on all the car components, systems and the technical rule requirements which drive the design. There is enough detail to satisfy a F1 fan, especially those who love the techo and design aspects of the sport, although not detailed enough to have McLaren heading for... Read more →

Finally...

My Niece’s response to me getting a new(er) , than a 1992 Uno, car: FINALLY! I've started a " My Cars " collection on Flickr for images which, in any way, feature the Fiats of my life. I’ve neve... Read more →

2007 Blogging Highlights

It’s time to do a Blog related review of the year so here goes… Best Blog Discovery: I use this heading every year but it isn’t really appropriate for this years selection. Simon’s Web Journa... Read more →

Fiat 500 - 2008 European Car of the Year

Fiat’s brilliant little ‘un takes the Euro COTY. It’s no guarantee that it’s a great car when you consider some of the previous title holders . It must have been a lean year that saw the Renault 9, 86... Read more →

Grande Punto, the big little car gets Fiat back on track

Yet again it’s the little cars that Fiat falls back too when the going gets tough. The Grande Punto, and new Panda, joins the Topolino, Nuovo 500, 128, 127, Uno, Punto and other great little Fiats whi... Read more →

Lancia return to the U.K. - Does that also mean New Zealand?

It’s been a long time since Lancia had a right hand drive model to offer. They were here until the demise of the RHD Delta, Prisma, Thema and their retreat to LHD only. I even remember seeing a few... Read more →

2006 Blogging Highlights

Seems like the time of year to do a Blog related review of the year so here goes... Read more →

Morris Marina collectible, I'm driving a "rarity" - Who'd believe that?

I never thought I’d read the words “Morris Marina” and “collectible rarity” in the same sentence! The Morris Marina is on my “Cars I’ve Owned, Driven” list with the comment: “This is very possibly the worst car I've ever driven. The sort of product that made the British motor industry what it is today...” I learnt to drive in a Marina and still remember it was not a rewarding experience! Now I find it’s not only considered rare, it’s even collectible. If you have one, if you like them, that’s fine but I don’t want to drive it! Then I... Read more →

Cars I've Owned, Driven, Rented

Inspired by Jack Yan's much more exciting list...but with comments & memories. Like my own version of CAR Magazines:The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (GBU). Explore the map (below) by expanding/collapsing the branches, clicking the link icons will show the wikipedia post for that model/series. The icon is cars I’ve owned. Note: The map embedded in this post requires the free IE Mindjet MindManager Viewer Control from http://www.mindjet.com/viewer_blog/ For those without i.e. the text export follows; BMW http://www.bmw.com BMW 318i http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E21 A couple, courtesy cars from my mechanic mainly BMW 320i http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E30 A old courtesy car from my mechanic,... Read more →