Once again I bring you an assortment of various vehicles found and captured in the Holy-land, and brought here to satisfy your huge excitement. Alright, steady on.
You may well have noticed that I’ve bunched up two months rather than the usual one, because June was, well, slow. So starting off with the first video from early June:
That third gen. Nissan Primera was imported into Israel for only two years, and only a handful were purchased – all of which were sedans. Funny, but this makes it one rare car in Israel. Same goes for the Volvo C30, which was so expensive you had to have a really good reason to buy what was essentially a Ford Focus underneath. Despite its age, the Sonoma is still the obvious choice for those who want “an American truck”, but cannot afford a modern Silverado / RAM / F150. But my pick of this video are the two wheeled representatives, oh so different from each other; the three-wheeled Vespa (being ridden by the local Hell’s Angel), and the iconic BMW R80 G/S.
Around the same time I happen to visit one of the Kibbutzim for Shavu’ot Holiday, and found these laying about, presumably waiting for the right moment to be rescued from obscurity (or maybe waiting to donate parts):
In the old days, you could actually find some classic gems in such places, but time moves on and now those Korean “UJMs” (for lack of a better word – you know what I mean) are the new classics. The Punto slots in nicely there. On to the next video:
The T2 Bus is being hauled on a Saturday, which makes me think it started on its wheels and broke down somewhere. The M.A.N. is an example of a typical Israeli fire tender, treating a small weeds fire. The Police car escorting the M.A.N. later passed me on its way to another call and is an example of highway patrol unit (they use everything from Toyota Avensis to Skoda Superb). And the video rounds up with my favorite, a late model Peugeot 205 (and for your amusement, includes a Skoda Octavia who’s driver is late to figure out his destination).
Actually that video ends on the way to a large supermarket where I buy the family’s groceries, in its car park I found this:
This is probably one of the last driving examples of a Mitsubishi Galant in the country. Not only that, but it’s a very early 1990s car. My dad owned a lower class 1989 Lancer, which was of course smaller – yet I still had to check closely to verify I was looking at what was once considered a saloon car, now downsized compared with the current Skoda Octavia parked alongside it.
Every time I see a SAAB I feel somewhat sad, as this is another car manufacturer that went up in smoke. The 9-5 was quite successful in Israel in its day, considering it was always expensive and managing an up-hill battle against the German alternatives. The mini-ambulance (based on the vehicle I wrote about here) is taking EMT services in Israel by storm, as it’ll go everywhere in busy city streets and can provide with initial care quickly. This particular filmed incident was rather comical, as I heard the familiar loud siren but couldn’t spot the usual Savanna EMT’s unit associated with it- imagine my reaction to this micro-ambulance once visual… And of course, the Mustang is always a pleasure to spot mid-day (and is probably the best catch of June).
And as luck would have it, around the same time as the above video, on my way to work I happen to stumble upon an Aero 9-5 sitting still. This is another car that’s looks has been growing on me.
Remember the BMW lover from May’s post? He added another classic BMW, the 7 series E23. This is of course a new import to Israel, no points for guessing its place of origin (well I mean, just look at those bumpers). Onward to July:
The Mazda 626 is another car that used to be so common back in the early 1990s, and it vanished almost completely. Dad almost replaced his aforementioned Mitsubishi Lancer with one (sedan) back in 1991, but had a row over its price with their local salesmen who was stupid enough to say to dad: “I didn’t tell you the wrong price, it was YOU who didn’t understand!”. I can vouch for that story, because I was there when it happened. This method of insulting the customer might work sometimes (?), but not with dad, who preceded to take his money over to Peugeot and leave with a 1.9 liter 405 (which, until the day he died, claimed was the most comfortable car he ever owned). But I digress.
As for the 626 that’s in the video, its driver was somewhat too erratic to my liking, sticking his nose way to close up my car’s boot, so I let him go at some point. The Buick Lucerene might not mean much to US readers, but is another car that’s rare in Israel since it was purchased only buy people like the pensioner who was driving it, much like the clientele described here. These are just about the only people left driving large Buicks.
And now for something a little different, sort of bonus video; in July the Opel Astra COALed here underwent its first MOT test. Since 2016, new vehicles in Israel are having their first test after three years on the road, so the Astra having reached its third year, went through the mandatory test which was captured on dash-cam. Obviously, all speech is in Hebrew, but I think you’ll get the basics:
To clarify slightly; the tester is lighting his way to find the chassis number, until I remembered it was in the cabin under the passenger mat. And the photo insert is a monitor showing you your car from the inspection pit. After the MOT, which finished successfully, I’ve returned home and captured this grader, turning left from a straight-only lane, nearly taking out the Skoda. So added to the video for your enjoyment.
One day early on my way to work, I found this. As most KEI cars go, this is oh sooo cute. Some of you will know this as an Opel / Vauxhall Agila, but this is originally a Suzuki WagonR (a yet even more comical name). Next up:
That Giulietta Spider was immaculate, and I recognize the passenger as Chaim Cohen, one of Israel’s leading (celebrity) chefs. The man is a known classic Alfa-natic, and has made enough money to own this:
I have no idea whether that Spider was his or the driver’s. Either way, that’s a lovely way to start the day, and is maybe the best catch of this post. I added the IDF International as a point of intrest and a typical medium transport truck the Israeli army uses regularly. The JEEP is yet another classic early out; remember, all these classics registered as such must not be on the road between 7:30 to 9:30 AM, so all are driving well before that time window.
Towards the end of July I captured the Mk3 Golf and Mk2 Legacy, essentially from the same era. Another fire-truck was spotted, this time an Iveco much newer than that M.A.N. shown above. But for me, curiously it’s the Kia Shuma that shines in the video (well, “shines” for lack of a better word). This is one of the last cars developed by Kia prior to the Hyundai takeover, and once again I’m shocked to find its shape has grown quite fondly on me. Also, the importer was changed so during that turmoil time for both manufacturer and importer, not many were imported and purchased. Once again, one of the most unlikely cars in this post turns out to be one of the rarest in Israel.
I’ll finish off with a detail photo of a late gen. Mazda 323. No description necessary, but I can tell you that the other side of the boot was also adorned with the same solution (albeit broken):
In the MoT (Astra inspection) video at 5:13 we see the inspector walk the headlamp aim scope back and forth in front of the car as though it’s a race against time. I mean, at least the idea of headlamp aim is at least nominally involved, and the correct tool for the job is on site and at hand (we don’t get anywhere near that fortunate in North America) but the guy might as well have skipped that cursory walk-by altogether. The right way to do it involves careful setup and scrutiny, like this (PDF).
They have so many cars to inspect it’s unreal. I guess if they see a new, preserved and unmolested car they’ll be easy on the test. Had the tester spotted a post accident fascia, he would have forced the issue (well, hopefully).
Great assortment of finds, as usual!
I really enjoyed the MOT video as well. It’s always interesting to see how everyday things like car inspections are handled in other parts of the world. In most of the states I’ve lived in, inspections are performed by private garages… the one exception being Maryland where emissions inspections are done at a large state-run facility that appears similar to the Israeli MOT center, except that you don’t drive your own car in. Also, in Maryland, these are just emissions centers, they don’t check safety-related items like this MOT test appears to do.
Also, great catch of that Galant. I consider that to be one of the better Japanese sedan designs of its era… even the lower-end versions look interesting. And it’s amazing to see how diminutive it seems next to the modern Skoda (which at first, and second, glance I mistook for an Audi).
Thanks. Buy the way, there’s an emission test going on at about 02:40 which you can’t really see (the tester is hooking his cable to the OBD socket in the Astra), where I have to set the engine at 3.5K RPM while they measure the emission.
You should have spent more time focusing in the Fiat Punto instead of the Daewoo Lanos.
Why? How is it better (or worse) than the Lanos? If any, the Daewoo is a great example of a Korean manufacturer of old, and is the equivalent of what we felt towards Japanese car-makers of the early 1980s. How things have changed.
Because the Punto is kinda interesting, it’s unknown in many regions and its design is curious, however the Lanos is ubiquitous and it is something carefully designed to deteriorate faster in both condition and style. But it’s my own impression, after driving a Prince and an Espero I was very disappointed with the following breed of Daewoos, the Lanos, Leganza and Nubira. They where pretty bland, boring and uninteresting if compared to the Opel based line.
If you can get Peugeots why would you bother shopping for a 626 the difference is chalk and cheese and here at least so is the price, 405s are an excellent drive. You inspection is very mild and I prefer the ones we get, my garageb guy takes the car for a brake test with a tappley meter then put it on a lift to check the underside its quite comprehensive, that leaves me free to check out the current crop of classics awaiting attention, he has quite an eclectic collection of cars and motorcycles himself and a local has him working on 1920s Rolls Royces, has anyone else seen the complicated 4 shoe braking system on those old two wheel braked Rollers? There was a nice 60 Rambler cross country wagon on a lift last time I was there factory V8 and AC, yes a far better experience than the clinical affair shown here and pre 2000 cars are inspected every 6 months.
The 405s were indeed excellent, while they worked. Here in Israel almost none survived, certainly no early ones. They’re more rare than the 626 in the post. My dad’s car dropped a piston, and this was a car that was serviced meticulously (because I was the one who managed it). That was in the late 1990s, when the car was some 7-8 years old. I remember the guy at the local PSA service center taking me out back and showing me a bunch of cracked blocks and various other faulty ancillaries. I love Peugeots from that era, the 306 and 405 especially (I had owned both), but they just don’t hold up well.
Besides, dad didn’t care about meaningless stuff such as drivebility, ride or handling. He wanted A to B with minimal fuss, and the 626 did the job.
Love those Alfas.
I very much like the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider in the top photo and video.
Always think of the movie “Day of the Jackal” when I see one of these. Great movie.
My aunt used to have an Opel Agila, they called it the rollerskate. I believe it was the same pale yellow. No issues, as opposed to some of the other Opels they had over the years (diehard Opel family, the only outsider I remember over 40 years or so was a Mitsubishi L200 van).
Some excellent finds there, Yohai! Israel is one of the few remaining places I want to go to and explore for the first time, and your videos add a whole different dimension to it. Thank You.
Just a reminder that here in California, there are no vehicle inspections at all, except for either tailpipe emissions and a visual check of emission controls, or a download via the OBD port on newer vehicles. Those are not annual; frequency varies by age and type of car. Zero safety inspection – not headlights, nor tires, nor brakes or wipers. Nothing. By the way, your comment on the WagonR’s name made me wonder if Suzuki was inspired by the Jeep Wagoneer.
Thanks for your comments.
🙂
In all this excitement you missed the Nissan Terrano next to Jeep, another vehicle which has almost become extinct now:)
Not in Israel – would you believe they fetch way more than what they should? It’s a cheap alternative to a Toyota Land Cruiser / Mitsubishi Pagero, which are outrageously expensive here.
Hah! Here they mostly turned into rust long ago…
I’ll confess to plain old jealousy about Mr “Celebrity Chef” – a phrase which always makes me think the chef cooks celebrities, but anyway – because that Alfa GTC is just covetable. And what an unlikely colour it is.
The chop-top “fixed” the Guigiaro coupe (to me), the removal of that downcurving roof some how lifting the saggy bum and just changing the whole look. And made it a beautiful car in the way that the nice-enough coupe is not.
Great stuff here, sir. Good to see the VW van is doing what it did in period – getting towed.
That GTC I think is the only surviving original import in Israel and was the subject of a meticulous restoration a few years ago. I remember seeing a few deteriorating GTCs in the late 70s early 80s, most likely owned by a 4th or 5th owner and very much on their way to the scrap yard – it’s a miracle that car was saved.
I think that Alfa has got to be the pick of the bunch…..absolutely gorgeous!