They are basically BMW R75s which were built in Eisenach in what would become East Germany.
However the Russians were not the only ones to copy the R71/5:
Harley-Davidson XA - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
However the Russians were not the only ones to copy the R71/5:
Harley-Davidson XA - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Knock on the old car if you must, but if it is running properly then know that if you were to gas that old a$$ Buick it will run down the road like a raped ape and bury you into the seat, motorcycle trailer or not.
don't forget the marine "jet" engine (Hamilton jet) also a Canterbury, NZ item.
And Ed Hillary (first to climb Everest in 1953) was the first to drive to the South Pole - on a Massey Fergeson 28 tractor.
The quartz chip that sets the time in your cell-phone probably came from Auckland New Zealand where Rakon builds them for everything including GPS systems (military and civilian).
Fortunately, nearby (well, 10 km away) Buckley Systems build specialist electromagnets used in semiconductor manufacturing amongst other things.
The electric fence was perfected here too.
The shed is around 1500km long, 250km wide, and we build fast yachts in it as well at tne moment....
And Ed Hillary (first to climb Everest in 1953) was the first to drive to the South Pole - on a Massey Fergeson 28 tractor.
The quartz chip that sets the time in your cell-phone probably came from Auckland New Zealand where Rakon builds them for everything including GPS systems (military and civilian).
Fortunately, nearby (well, 10 km away) Buckley Systems build specialist electromagnets used in semiconductor manufacturing amongst other things.
The electric fence was perfected here too.
The shed is around 1500km long, 250km wide, and we build fast yachts in it as well at tne moment....
Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention....(And Necessity Is A Mother...)
New Zealand had a long history of cars being very expensive (high tariffs), so any used vehicle that could be repaired, rejuvenated, rebirthed etc, was done so in the home garage.
Every 40+ Kiwi that I know is a well accomplished home mechanic.
Dan.
New Zealand had a long history of cars being very expensive (high tariffs), so any used vehicle that could be repaired, rejuvenated, rebirthed etc, was done so in the home garage.
Every 40+ Kiwi that I know is a well accomplished home mechanic.
Dan.
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Yes, it was a Russian "Ural" (IMZ). I was very active in the community and part of the Siberian Speed Team that went to Bonneville to set records. Alas, I was a part of the team that didn't go to the flats - to my never ending regret. Otherwise I'd have a land speed record or two under my belt.
FWIW, there was a also a French version of the BMW sidecar bike called the Ratier. Very pretty rig. That's how I got my start in sidecars. At the Louvre, in Paris.
FWIW, there was a also a French version of the BMW sidecar bike called the Ratier. Very pretty rig. That's how I got my start in sidecars. At the Louvre, in Paris.
Really?
Off Topic
Been in one of those old Buick's...... I've also been in a Jag of the same era and a BMW. Being fair, of the three, I'd take the BMW.
Though being a biker, I'd flog that and buy a BMW boxer bike.
On Topic.
NZ Lamb - only bettered by locally sourced animals grown locally on small-holdings.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
http://www.sportscardigest.com/cars-for-sale/thunder-from-down-under-1953-cantwell-puma-sports/
I've owned all three of that era. Each has its charms and frustrations.
Did New Zealand ever make a car? That would be cool to see. EDIT: Ah Ha!
Skoda powered
well-spotted Pano and Sippy - the Trekka was the bastard child of milk and import restrictions would you believe.
In the late 1960's and early 70's, a dairy cooperative in NZ started trading with the eastern bloc countries. As they were cash strapped, the countires tened to pay "in kind". One of these trades was with the Chec Republic and Skoda was the item traded.
At the same time, vehicles from Europe (as against the UK) were heavily taxed as "luxury goods". So the Skodas came as a box of parts. The bodies and interiors etc were made here and so the Trekka became our first locally manufactured vehicle.
They were truly awful, not their least awful feature being they were near unkillable. Bits fell off or stopped working (or never worked) but they just kept moving. Zombie cars.
In this they were easily differentiated from the UK products which also had stuff fall off and stop working but generally died politely in a puddle of oil shortly afterward.
Also note the ghastly swing-axle rear they was responsible for many a roll-over crash tragedy...
In the late 1960's and early 70's, a dairy cooperative in NZ started trading with the eastern bloc countries. As they were cash strapped, the countires tened to pay "in kind". One of these trades was with the Chec Republic and Skoda was the item traded.
At the same time, vehicles from Europe (as against the UK) were heavily taxed as "luxury goods". So the Skodas came as a box of parts. The bodies and interiors etc were made here and so the Trekka became our first locally manufactured vehicle.
They were truly awful, not their least awful feature being they were near unkillable. Bits fell off or stopped working (or never worked) but they just kept moving. Zombie cars.
In this they were easily differentiated from the UK products which also had stuff fall off and stop working but generally died politely in a puddle of oil shortly afterward.
Also note the ghastly swing-axle rear they was responsible for many a roll-over crash tragedy...
Wise decision to take Skoda parts.
The Czechs know how to build a car, their problem was lack of investment in R&D during the communist era. Today they use the same parts as VW and Audi but Skodas are better built than either.
The guy who designed the Beetle was also czech but he was working for Dr Porsche and so failed to get the credit he was due.
The Czechs know how to build a car, their problem was lack of investment in R&D during the communist era. Today they use the same parts as VW and Audi but Skodas are better built than either.
The guy who designed the Beetle was also czech but he was working for Dr Porsche and so failed to get the credit he was due.
Interesting stuff
I cured my Skoda Estelle's handling woes with the same techniques used on Hillman Imps.....
And throwing away the interior, which weighs about the same as a small moon.
Braking improved a whole heap too.
I just want to say Anthony Hopkins did not capture Burt Monro's character. Burt was a real deal blue collar Kinda guy, Anthony Hopkins does not have a clue of that kind of life style. Burt worked with what ever he could get his hands on, Anthony Hopkins is spoon fed. I liked the movie but I think they should've pulled some old farmer/Machinist out of a shop somewhere and had him play Burt.
Great movie.
I've pitted for LSR racing teams a couple of times, but haven't been to the races since ECTA moved from Maxton Mile outside of Laurenberg NC to Comumbus OH. I hope to get there next year.
The team got its name from the the SNAL race team (Skinny No AS$ Larry) and later teams adopted a similar names. The current team is simply SNART (the Skinny No AS$ Race Team).
SNART Racing rides again!
It is amazing what shows up at the races. For the last event I went to, there were three Vincents, two of which were Black Shadows. Only one was racing.
I've pitted for LSR racing teams a couple of times, but haven't been to the races since ECTA moved from Maxton Mile outside of Laurenberg NC to Comumbus OH. I hope to get there next year.
The team got its name from the the SNAL race team (Skinny No AS$ Larry) and later teams adopted a similar names. The current team is simply SNART (the Skinny No AS$ Race Team).
SNART Racing rides again!
It is amazing what shows up at the races. For the last event I went to, there were three Vincents, two of which were Black Shadows. Only one was racing.
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