Round two of the tour starts with a 1987 Citroën BX 1.6 TRI. Initially this Bertone design from the late seventies was supposed to become a Volvo, but that never happened. It was too eccentric and futuristic for the Swedish automaker. Citroën -who else- was interested in Bertone’s design though and developed the BX, introduced in 1982.
As Citroën as a Citroën can be, hydropneumatic suspension included. From 1982 to 1994 more than 2.3 million BX hatchbacks and wagons were built.
1961 Daimler Majestic Major, powered by Daimler’s 4.5 liter (well, litre, in this case) V8.
Given its condition this truck will probably outlive all of us, a 1987 Toyota HiLux 2.4D (75 DIN-hp) 4WD.
This 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis had its first registration in the Netherlands. What seems to be the problem, officer?
2001 Jaguar XKR…
…with a supercharged 4.0 liter V8.
1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Automatic. No matter what classic car show you visit, there’s always a good number of excellent Das Haus-automobiles on display.
See? 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL.
Side by side.
1970 Morris Minor.
2007 Ducati Monster S2R 1000.
And yet another American that was shipped to my country after it left the factory, a 1965 Chevrolet Impala with the 230 cid inline six engine (despite the non-stock V8 emblem on the front fender) and a manual transmission.
1972 Mercedes-Benz 250.
1986 Dodge Ramcharger (318 engine).
1974 Lancia Fulvia Coupé 3.
1977 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE. Always mighty impressive, a W116 in a sublime condition.
1973 Alfa Romeo Montreal. With a 2.6 liter V8 and a ZF 5-speed manual transmission.
1955 Daimler Conquest Century Saloon, powered by a 2.4 liter (sorry, litre) inline-6.
1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 CE convertible.
This young Benz, a 2011 E-Class 350 CDI wagon, was parked in the show’s main parking lot for whatever reason. In Europe this is the most roomy wagon on the market, together with the Skoda Superb Combi. I don’t know about other parts of the world.
And a Toyota Land Cruiser is always a classic. This is a 2005 LWB (so with 5 doors) Land Cruiser 120-series, equipped with the 4-cylinder 3.0 liter D4D engine.
2000 Mercedes-Benz SL 320.
2008 Peugeot Boxer (aka Fiat Ducato, Citroën Jumper, Ram ProMaster) food truck/van with a 2.2 liter turbodiesel. I took this picture right after I had finished my broodje bal. That’s a bread roll with a meatball and, in this case, a surplus of peanut sauce – yes folks, a real delicacy!
The last one, a 2010 Fiat Ducato (aka Peugeot Boxer, Citroën Jumper, Ram ProMaster) ice cream truck/van with a 2.2 liter turbodiesel.
Thanks Johannes, great photos again.
There’s some sort of flat-packed IKEA-ish appeal in the BX, at it’s best in lowest possible spec. “I am brilliant as a machine” it says, “So only the barest chic square covering is needed as carroserie, non?”
The Majestic Major, which sounds like a Noel Coward play, has unfortunate rear styling (yes, your bum does look big in that) but also has what must be a stupendous motor. All alloy, hemi-headed, it could get that barge up to an unlikely 125 mph. There are very few of them. Jaguar killed it in 4.5 form because it was fairly pricey to make, but mainly because it easily outperformed its own 6.
My choice from the day is that Impala. What a life it has had, lost so far from home, in Holland since new, and clearly loved. Sometimes cliches are unavoidable; cars really are only original once. And such appeal in that onceness!
Thanks, Johannes! It is always a treat for me in The U.S. to see vehicles that have never been here. Love that Alfa Romeo! That is a cool car even today. I do not remember the Hi-Lux Toyota coming here as a crew cab, so that is also interesting. The three-speed Chevy Caprice is virtually unheard of here. And let us not forget those staid Daimlers. The whole collection is much appreciated.
Johannes: I’ve always wanted to see an Alfa Montreal but never have. And you found a green one! I have some 1/43 scale models of the Montreal and still admire the design.
What is a “Das Haus-automobile”? Does that mean German or Mercedes? I don’t understand the phrase.
Ditto. The Montreal is a find, and one that I’ve not seen in the flesh, at least knowingly.
Mercedes-Benz is also called “Das Haus”, that’s German for home/house, but it also means a family/dynasty/clan. I don’t know what the history behind that synonym is though.
Johannes: I’ve been a Mercedes fan for decades going back to the introduction of the 600; I’ve never heard/read “Das Haus” for the brand but I’m not European nor do I speak German.
It sounds sinister and maybe it should. I like it.
I just googled “mercedes benz das haus”. Guess what, I only get Dutch websites…
I typed “Das Haus-automobiles” rather thougtlessly in the article, since everybody over here (that’s in my country) knows it means the Mercedes-Benz brand when it’s about cars.
Quite intriguing, maybe someone from Germany can shine a light on this.
Johannes: I googled it too. Thanks to translation from a Dutch MB specialist dealer, I understand it now. It is a term of respect for the marque and the history.
I recognize the respect – given the history, racing & technical success, commercial record and aura of Daimler-Benz. I think in the USA Mercedes is just another brand but in Europe there must be much more attached to the name.
Interesting! Now I understand where Volkswagen may have gotten their inspiration from when they came up with their downright moronic “Das Auto” campaign ten years ago. It didn’t catch on all that well, though, and eventually burned up in Diesel fumes… I guess it goes to show you just can’t out-Mercedes Mercedes.
I always love the variety at your local shows. I really love that MB 190.
I should point out that in Johannes’ original text, he said the ’65 Impala had a 250 cid inline six. Given the V8 badge on the fender, I changed that to “283 V8”. But then this morning, I remembered that in 1965, the 283 badge included the “283” numerals on top of the crossed flags.
So I can’t be certain what’s under the hood. It may have a six, but if it’s the original engine, it would be a 230, not a 250.
I checked its plate, according to the official registration it has a 6-cylinder engine. Then I went to the English Wikipedia Impala site (I know…too easy/too obvious) and found the 250 as the only 6-cylinder engine option.
I just found this at Hemmings: …”After the base 230, you could opt for a 250-cu.in. straight-six”…
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/mus/2005/04/1965-66-Chevrolet-Impala/1281187.html
The 250 six did not arrive until MY 1966. That hemmings article covers both years (’65-’66) and does not distinguish between the two years. In fact, in 1966, the 250 became the standard six. It was never an option. It’s incorrect in saying the 250 was optional.
I memorized the ’65 Chevy engine line up in the fall of 1964, and have never forgotten it. You threw me for a loop, albeit briefly.
If it’s a six, it is the 230 cid version.
It’s long been my understanding that the 250 was introduced as an option in full-size cars as a running change during the 1965 model year, then became standard for 1966. This is stated in Terry Boyce’s book “Chevy Super Sports 1961-1976”. The Encyclopedia of American Cars also shows the 250 available as an option in 1965.
Just some more trivia for ya Paul 66 is the first year GM South Africa stuffed a Chev six into an Australian Holden for their local market.
Boyce’s SS book also covers the engine badges. The badge on this car was used from 1964 to 1967. It was used with the 283, 327 and 409 V8s. In 1964, cars with the 283 used a smaller version that just had the center section and lacked the flags on either side; all other year/engine combinations used the full badge as seen on the car Johannes photographed. Certain year/engine combinations had numerals above the badge identifying the specific engine used, while others did not. Cars with the 396 and 427 V8s did not use this badge, but came with a different one.
Boyce agrees that 1) this badge was only used on cars with the above V8s, so a six-cylinder car shouldn’t have it, and 2) in 1965, numerals were used above the badge with all three engines (this was the only year the 283 came with the numerals), so it wouldn’t be correct for any 1965 model to have the badge alone, with no numerals.
MCT: Interesting about the 250 six intro. I have no memory of that although I do see it in my Encyclopedia. Yet I cannot find any reference via Google of a mid-year MY ’65 intro. I’d like to see that before I’m fully convinced.
I have simply never heard of it being optional on any ’65 Chevy. And it seems a bit odd to have an optional six on the full-size Chevrolets.
Yes, I’m quite familiar with the various Chevy V8 emblems. it was odd that the 283 got a distinct call-out in ’65 only.
MCT: I did a bit more Googling, and I cannot find any confirmation of the 250 actually being available/installed in MY ’65 cars. A possible source of misinformation may be this:
Here’s the codes I found for a 230 6 Cylinder for 1965 full size models. I know that I once read in Chevy Super Sports 1961-1976 by Terry Boyce that the 250 6 cylinder was introduced mid year in full size Chevys but his own list of suffixes does not give a code. In fact it say “na” when it lists codes for the 250 on page 171. I hope this helps you.
1965 FA 230 140HP 1 bbl 3 speed
1965 FE 230 140HP 1 bbl 3 speed H.D. clutch
1965 FF 230 140HP 1 bbl 3 speed AC, H.D. clutch
1965 FK 230 140HP 1 bbl 3 speed Taxi
1965 FL 230 140HP 1 bbl 3 speed AC
1965 FM 230 140HP 1 bbl Powerglide
1965 FP 230 140HP 1 bbl Powerglide Taxi
1965 FR 230 140HP 1 bbl Powerglide AC
1965 GA 283 195HP 2 bbl manual
Terry Boyce’s book(s) are a pretty common reference. So although he says the 250 was introduced mid-year, there is no valid production code for it in 1965. Which is almost iron clad proof of it not existing.
Try finding any valid reference to a ’65 Chevrolet with the 250 six. I can’t. I don’t think there are any or ever were any.
For some reason, the Impala in the article has the backup light in the innermost light of the triple cluster. Actually, it’s the center light that should have the backup light. A minor error in restoration?
Europe required amber rear turn signals. Best guess is that behind the clear lens is an amber bulb, and that fixture holds the turn signal, not the reverse light.
A friends Impala coupe is setting in my driveway right now, and looking at the wiring and bulbs the turn signal and back up light bulbs could be switched without moving the lense. Maybe they just like it that way. On the ’58 Continental Mark III convertible I had, I changed the tail lights to red/white/red from red/red/white. I liked it better
Boyce’s book also has diagrams for each year showing the engine badges. These agree with Paul that 1) this badge was used only on V8 cars, so a six-cylinder car should not have one, and 2) while the badge was used this way in other years, it is incorrect for any ’65 to have the badge with no numerals above it indicating the displacement of the engine. Boyce shows the following:
This badge was used from 1964 to 1967. In 1964, it was used only with the 327 and 409 (the 283 used a smaller version with essentially just the center section, lacking the flags that appear at either side of the full version). In 1964, it was used with the 283, 327 and 409. In 1965-66, it was used with the 283 and 327 (the 396, introduced as a midyear change in 1965, and the 427, introduced for 1966, used a different set of badges).
In 1964, the 409 came with numerals above the badge, while the 327 did not. In 1965, all three engines that used the badge (283, 327, 409) got the displacement numerals. In 1966-67, the 327 got the displacement numerals, but the 283 did not.
On the ’65 Impala. There’s a possibility the front clip was replaced with one from a V8 car. Also can’t tell exactly without a side shot, it looks like it may be an early production car. The rear suspension sat too low on the early cars and was a running change in production. I had one of the early ones years ago and was told about the change by the Chevy dealer. It was more a looks problem than mechanical.
Not at all likely, as the ’65 V8 emblem was different than this one. If you had read all the comments, you’d know that.
Someone just added this emblem.
There were more comments in this section a few days ago (a couple of them mine) which seem to have gone AWOL. The main points from mine:
1) According to Terry Boyce’s book “Chevy Super Sports 1961-1976”, the 250 was added to the full-size engine lineup as an option midway through the 1965 model year, then became standard for 1966. The Encyclopedia of American Cars also shows the 250 as optional in 1965. If those sources are correct, a ’65 full-size could have had the 250.
2) Boyce’s book also has detailed diagrams showing the engine badges used by Chevrolet in this era. The badge on the car Johannes photographed was used with the 283 from 1964-67 (’63s with the 283 used a smaller version with just the center section, no flags to either side), the 327 from 1963-67, and the 409 from 1963-65 (after which the 409 was dropped). Some year/engine combinations came with numerals above the badge indicating the displacement of the engine, while some did not. In 1965, all three engines that used this badge came with numerals (’65 was the only year the 283 did). So Boyce agrees with Paul that 1) a six-cylinder car should not have this badge at all, and 2) it is not correct for any ’65 to have just the badge with no numerals above it indicating the displacement of the engine.
MCT: I don’t know what happened to them. I did trash one of mine, because it was wrong. Maybe that took the others in the thread with it.
Here’s my accidentally trashed comment about the 250 six:
MCT: I did a bit more Googling, and I cannot find any confirmation of the 250 actually being available/installed in MY ’65 cars. A possible source of misinformation may be this:
Here’s the codes I found for a 230 6 Cylinder for 1965 full size models. I know that I once read in Chevy Super Sports 1961-1976 by Terry Boyce that the 250 6 cylinder was introduced mid year in full size Chevys but his own list of suffixes does not give a code. In fact it say “na” when it lists codes for the 250 on page 171. I hope this helps you.
1965 FA 230 140HP 1 bbl 3 speed
1965 FE 230 140HP 1 bbl 3 speed H.D. clutch
1965 FF 230 140HP 1 bbl 3 speed AC, H.D. clutch
1965 FK 230 140HP 1 bbl 3 speed Taxi
1965 FL 230 140HP 1 bbl 3 speed AC
1965 FM 230 140HP 1 bbl Powerglide
1965 FP 230 140HP 1 bbl Powerglide Taxi
1965 FR 230 140HP 1 bbl Powerglide AC
1965 GA 283 195HP 2 bbl manual
Terry Boyce’s book(s) are a pretty common reference. So although he says the 250 was introduced mid-year, there is no valid production code for it in 1965. Which is almost iron clad proof of it not existing.
Try finding any valid reference to a ’65 Chevrolet with the 250 six. I can’t. I don’t think there are any or ever were any.
A great show, and thanks for the write-up. It’s lunchtime, though, and now _I’m_ hungry for a broodje bal. Did you bring enough for everyone? 🙂
I like the BX make mine a turbo diesel, there are one or two Daimler MMs around here,and the dumpy Daimler Conquest actually held a lap record at Silverstone for its class they are not rare here.
Great variety here, as always. And just when I think I’ve seen every variation of Ford Panther than exists, I see something like that Grand Marquis!
Regarding the M-B 280SE, just yesterday I happened to have seen another W116 (450SEL) driving down a highway. It reinforced why the W116 always ranks up there as one of my favorite cars — seeing it surrounded by a sea of other vehicles, it looked absolutely majestic. While virtually any other car from its era would just look like an older car, the W116 somehow still exudes an aura of impressiveness and respect.
Some great cars here Johannes! The Montreal is wonderful, looks like a much loved and well used car. I also love the Fulvia, the perfect nimble sporty classic.
Those Toyotas don’t look right without a machine gun on the back.
Dutch and Belgian fast food is the best!
Broodje bal, our world famous kroket, braad en knakworst, the frikandel our warm spicey peanut-sauce and mayonaise, everything drenched in mayonaise and curry-ketchup.
Saté, viandel, mexicano, kip-corn.
Not forgetting these fabulous Belgian fries dipped in the weird sauce of your choice! Those from Antoine’s in Brussels are the best IMO but I know I’m treading on thin ice here…
And it’s always nice to see a BX in this condition. I drove many miles in these.
Quite right. And let’s not forget the double-sauces. Like the “French fries special” (mayonaise + curry/ketchup + onion) or the “French fries war” (mayonaise + peanut-sauce, see below).
I was going to pick Morris Minor as my favourite, but since I’m Canadian I’ll go with the Montreal 🙂 although I too have never seen one in person.
A gezelligheid selection.
I can really dig the Montreal! I believe it passed me once when I was on vacation in Germany, but I’m still not sure.
The Chevy is with it’s Six cylinder and manual really the European way to get an American car!
Montreal for me, I think, though that 280S and 190SL are very tempting.
And did you buy the Morris Minor (te koop)?
No, a cute little round shaped car is not my cup of tea.
The HiLux and the 280 SE are my favourites of round two.
Thanks Johannes, very interesting with so many of the cars in incredible condition.
To your question on the largest wagon, the specs show the E350 has 1950L (68.9 cu.ft.) cargo space, with 6′ of floor length. The 1997-2006 Holden Commodore wagon beats that handily with 2683L (94.7 cu.ft.) and approx 7′ of floor length, and thanks to the high roof and IRS allowing a very low floor there is around 900mm height.
The Holden is huge for sure, but I was more thinking of the wagons currently available (like the Benz E-Class, Skoda Superb and Volvo V90).