RobiNZ Personal Blog

My last Car?*

I just cancelled my print subscription to Car (magazine U.K.). I have been buying it monthly, one way or another, since February 1979. It was probably the Fiat 131 Racing on the cover which first got 13-year-old Robin’s attention, but the contents had me hooked. ** It's not because of their product, more than physical delivery has been so erratic and have lost interest in what the motoring industry has become. I don't care about dull SUVs, Utes, yet another iteration of Porsche 911 or overcooked overweight cars, both ICE and electric, which are irrelevant to what I like about... Read more →

Cycling to look at the new electric and hybrid Italians

The Fiat 500e, but not yet the Abarth 500e, is just being launched in NZ. I got an email invite from Andrew Sims who had the 500e press preview car for test drives today (Sat Feb 11) & tomorrow prior to the Autumn public release. Decided not to waste their (limited) time booking one—as I won't be buying—but was curious to see the 500e in the metal. I typically go for a bike ride on Sunday but with Cyclone Gabrielle approaching, forecast arrival Sunday evening through to Tuesday, Saturday was a better bet. The morning was dedicated to my usual... Read more →

Cycling across town on Auckland's wettest day

Although a tropical storm was forecast it wasn't expected Friday January 27, 2023, would be Auckland's wettest day on record. Our average January rainfall, remember a summer month, is ~52mm and we got ~260mm on one day. It was raining all day but peaked in the early evening, at times over 60-80mm/hour depending where measured. It turned out to be devastating for many; four lives lost and massive property damage city wide. I was fortunate not to be impacted at all; the house was fine, and we just had an overnight power cut. This post isn't about the event, the... Read more →

The wrap up: 10 Months Cycling New Zealand | Time Out 2021-22

So, it ends: 10 months, 2 weeks (317 days) cycling or drive/cycling across most of New Zealand. Highlights? So many... there are 95+ blog posts... but a few highlights: Expected, but unexpected In many cases I knew what I was getting into, but sometimes it was the unexpected which added delight: Farewell Spit: I'd long wanted to visit but the combination of a small group, fantastic guide, and unusually calm, for the West Coast, weather made for an exceptional day in an incredibly special place. Loved my Takaka Rocks home too. Lake Dunstan: A fantastic trail, keep an eye on... Read more →

Gearing up for Time Out 2021-22

I have most of the gear I need, if not all I want, but will get a few things extra. My travels are going to be a mix of 4-12 day regional visits driving to a hub, then day or overnight cycles, returning home in between. Although some of the trails will require DOC hut stays I haven't planned on any camping as don't like it. Accommodation need not be luxurious unless you consider a proper bed and hot shower luxury. The other consideration is survival; particularly as some of the riding will be solo. The driving bits The drive... Read more →

The Bravo Brochure meets a Bravo

I have a weekly search running on TradeMe (NZ's local on-line trading site) for "Bravo HGT". Because they are rare here, anywhere, it usually returns only parts common to other Fiat models. Recently something different popped up: Fiat Bravo Brochure 1996 40 pages + gatefolds, superbly illustrated. Covers full range including HGT. Mint condition. I bid, won (of one), and it arrived on Friday. It was as good as described, a nice accessory for the car which it was selling. Read more →

How the Raglan Karioi Classic 'Last Dance', a waffle, and a gravel ride changed my life | Time Out 2021-22

I was late to discover 'The Karioi Classic' and first did this brilliant gravel ride around Mt. Karioi and the Whaanga Coast (near Raglan) in 2017. I was quick to register for the July 2021 event—dubbed 'The Last Dance'—as it was the final time the event was being run. What I didn't realise at the time was the weekend would result in a life changing decision. Getting there I drove down on Friday afternoon as had taken it, and Monday, off to make a long weekend. A lovely day and zero traffic combined with some of my favourite roads—SH22 from... Read more →

No Abarth parking?

A colleague was booking airport parking (not on airport) and it seems you can't park an Abarth! Odd given some equally rare, and far more exotic, marques are listed! This, wrong, option is available... Read more →

Reserved for the manual Fiat Bravo

How to get valet park number one at the Airport? The valet part is courtesy of a work travel booking. Park No 01 because they didn't want to drive a manual far or reverse it! Read more →

A history of the first Fiat I drove: The 132

Cool to read the history of the Fiat 132; our family car when I was a kid and the first Fiat I ever drove. Under the Knife – Don’t mention the War | Driventowrite.com During its thirteen-year lifespan, Fiat’s D-segment saloon went under the knife on four different occasions, with varying degrees of success. The Fiat 132 was launched in 1972 to replace the 125 Berlina... [the article uses the acronym 'DLO' which is car design speak for 'Day Light Opening', or windows...) Although not the purest Fiat experience, thanks to soft suspension and slightly 'woolly' steering, the 1973 Fiat... Read more →