Ping Elder..

Any piccies and how much? I would be shot if I bought it, but a few of the Retro Riders like them, as does Rich KP. Hmmm, Tatra on LPG. Hmmmm. Stop it my head hurts.

In news: snipped-for-privacy@news.individual.net, Elder wittered on forthwith;

No piccies yet as I've not actually found the right car. I have a multitude of my Czech buddies out on the rampage looking for the best T603s hidden away in the mountains of Bohemia. I did 200km on Saturday searching for a nice Barkas B1000 for my next expedition in April / May, saw a few, but they were a bit too shagged. My tame Czech mechanic knows Barkas and Tatras inside out and will only tell me about the best ones.

It all depends really, I have to import the Barkas first and then price will depend on how much it all works out at once duties and import costs are taken into consideration.

Found some *really* interesting stuff though.

I've made mention that you are trying to sort something on Retro Rides. So you may have a customer ready even if me or Rich KP don't have it. They love their tatras over on RR too.

In news: snipped-for-privacy@news.individual.net, Elder wittered on forthwith;

Cheers dude.

It's a while off yet, as I said August or September, but it'll be one of the best 603s available without going insane. My Czech mech is a Tatra specialist and judging by the stuff he showed me on Sat he knows everyone in the classic car circles around where he lives.

Stuff I saw included 12 fully restored US WW2 military trucks, Dodge 1/2 track was fun, a 1937 tractor still in daily use and in bloody good condition, a 1950s ARO 4x4 thing - as they described it " Romanian piece of shit, but it won't die", a 1961 Beetle in original condition - as in unmolested and excellent throughout, a '73 Buick Regal believed to be ex-US Gov't.. been in Cz since mid '70s, bought from an ex-Soviet official after the collapse of communism, more Skodas than even you could dream of, and a couple of Barkas - one a pick up in mint condition, the other a van hadn't been used for about 6 years and was beginning to look a bit tired but certainly saveable - I was almost tempted to buy it for about £100 and get it fixed up.

Czech mech mate is brilliant and cheap. Runs about in a Sierra 4x4 estate, but a really weird German spec one. 2.0 CLX 4x4. No 'lecky windows but otherwise GLS 4x4 spec estate. Sierra is worth pennies but runs brilliantly and is ideal for travelling through the Czech countryside when it's snowy as f*ck. Snow tyres and 4x4 is great fun, huge great lairy powerslides or total security depending on the driver - not the weather.

Best thing is, when I find a nice 603 I'm going to have to drive it to the UK. I'm seriously contemplating taking a 603 around the Nurburgring in summer. According to one of the Czechs I was talking to the 603 is actually very capable at speed, just a bit worrying if you get it wrong..

In news: snipped-for-privacy@news.individual.net, Elder wittered on forthwith;

No piccies of a Tatra yet, but here are a couple of pics I took the on Saturday.

Barkas (unwell one), but look what's to the right of it!!

Love the willys. How much they want for it?

Fraser

In news: snipped-for-privacy@mid.individual.net, Fraser Johnston wittered on forthwith;

I'm not sure the Willys is for sale, there are 12 US WW2 vehicles that have all been restored by the same one guy in Czech, and he actually uses the Willys as a daily driver (mad bastard in sub zero temp), but I will be making enquiries as to what he's selling, if anything.

I'm sure a reasonable offer would probably get it though.

Hard to tell with that Snow. Skoda to one side, but is that a Maestro on the other?

Not just a Maestro - but an MG Maestro. Wow!

David

In news: snipped-for-privacy@news.individual.net, Elder wittered on forthwith;

Yup, MG Maestro, not many of those out there.