Overgrown Classics.

Pid_16V

Pid_16V

Admin (Uncle Al)
Club Admin
Nov 20, 2006
26,405
8,268
Mansfield (Robin Hood Country)
In a derelict garden at a derelict address, hides a treasure trove of some old classic motors and even a couple of old bitsabikes. Enjoy.

All images click for full size:

Citroen BX 4x4 x2 ....and a Matt :)
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...and more but of the estate version:
DSC_0009.jpgNote the tree growing through the door shut :shocked: DSC_0006.jpg

Then there was this very nice Triumph Herald but with the front end from a Vitesse:
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..but these Bond Equips really are somethin else:
DSC_0010.jpgMatt opened the boot of this one very cautiously and inside........ DSC_0011.jpg yes, some old radiator cover and radiator, and a motorbike cylinder block. DSC_0012.jpg

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Further along we stumble on this, yet another Bond Equip but very well hidden :eek:

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Tucked away right in amongst the under/overgrowth were a couple of old motorbike frames. On close inspection these appear to be Honda CG125 from the 70's? Zoom in on the VIN and you can clearly see the info.
DSC_0008.jpgDSC_0007.jpg.
 
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Fantastic Al, they give a real flavour of what it was like there. Not sure about the mat on the bonnet (or the other one for that matter :) ).
The cars here are really too far gone to save, but with so few bx gtis of any type still in existence the Citroen guys must be itching to get their hedgetrimmers out.
Sadly although the Bonds are mostly fibreglass bodied, they have steel body framing and chassis so once again will be parts only. The orange one is apparently a convertible, although the others might as well be now :)

Al, I believe Classic & Sportscar magazine (and others) pay money for photos of finds like these - might be worth sending them in with a writeup, it might even cover the trailer hire :)
 
I could weep for the loss of this man's cars.

What we've got here is someone who wanted to save things he loved, but who lacked the ability to do so. Plenty of money, but no energy, no inertia.

It's a terrible situation, though we're going to do the best we can for his Cougs. The Citroens are beyond salvage though.
 
Not sure it would be legal for me to use these photos in such a way Matt. Where's mofo when we need him? Re the Bonds, yes, they have a lot in common with the Herald sat there, iirc they share the same chassis along with a lot of other parts.
 
Enough other people do mate, theres several pages each month dedicated to such things. No need to reveal the location. Just a thought.

I must admit I was quite taken by the Herald, its a car I've always admired. Plus theres the lovely wooden dash which I can't believe I never got a pic of :)
 
Pid_16V said:
Not sure it would be legal for me to use these photos in such a way Matt. Where's mofo when we need him? Re the Bonds, yes, they have a lot in common with the Herald sat there, iirc they share the same chassis along with a lot of other parts.
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There's apparently nobody resident at that house - it's been empty for at least 9 years.

If any permission were needed, it would have to come from the owner (Kevin?) in much the same way if they were selling the property.

To put it another way, who do you think would complain?
 
poose said:
Such a shame and a sad end for those cars, I always wanted a Vitesse.
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I had a Vitesse convertible great fun.
Swopped the knockin straight 6 for a dolomite 1850 slant lump. Supposedly can't be done but I did.
About the same power but much lighter. Went pretty good.
The yellow one in the undergrowth looks like a Spitfire rather than a Bond. The Equipe used Herald / Vitesse doors but that looks more spitfire, I recogonise the curve and the handle, maybe the wrap around rear bumper.
The rad grill in the boot looks like early mercedes but I'm not too familiar to name which.
Was it a herald or a vitesse, a peak under the bonnet is easiest confirmation, 4 cyl = herald 6 = vitesse. Early 1600 6 cylinder is the rarest and usually most valuable. I had a part rebuilt triumph 2500 engine ready to slot into my Vitesse which is an easy swop but divorce and then theft of the car kinda spoiled that plan. I gave the engine away when I moved house, probably was scrapped but I'm hoping not.
I was nearly given a bond equipe years ago from a house sale. Sadly somone else snaffled the house so I missed the car.
The BXs might be saveable fair bit of plastic panels. The hydraulics pipes and spheres are probably shot and are not an easy fix but it's only pipes and fluid for anyone with the time. 4X4 very very rare and should be saved.
The bike frames are of no value. was loads around pretty sure you'd need the documents for the frame to rebuild it but only what I've heard over the years.
If I had the space it'd be the 4X4 bx for me.
 
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