I think I saw one of these once, back when I used to live in Melbourne. Probably the same car. That’s a 1967 Victorian registration; if that VH Valiant in front is anywhere near new, the poor Silvia’s paint isn’t holding up well. I’d forgotten how early metallics didn’t last long in the hot Aussie sun.
The rear window moulding on the Valiant still looks like chrome, which may indicate it’s fairly new,, those mouldings aged quickly, with the plastic chrome turning brown.
I like your model workshop, with the 69 Charger awaiting it’s vinyl roof.?
Good point about the moulding, I’d forgotten how that style of moulding never aged well; you’d be left with a sharp contrast between the ‘rusty’-looking plastic and the pristine metal corner pieces.
My workshop thanks you. The models are a lifetime passion. I built the Silvia about five years ago from a Japanese highway patrol car kit. Here’s another shot of that Charger.
That’s about a ’76 registration, Pete. If it’s one of the Australian Silvias – private imports barely occurred back then – it probably means it began life interstate.
The similarities are quite remarkable, actually. And contrary to what one might assume, the Silvia was first, shown in September 1964. The Fulvia coupe appeared in 1965.
In the flesh, the Fulvia has an elegance missing in the Nissan. The latter has thick roof pillars, and, shall we say, a nose that arrives too soon before the rest of the car.
I quite agree that something in the proportions makes the car fall short of greatness, but, forgive me, to try and adjust them is like pulling at a loose thread to fix it – the problem increases…
Looks like a Vauxhall Firenza to me. Manufactured from 1971 to 1975 in the UK and probably the only Vauxhall that teenagers lusted after. That’s a wonderful collection of models you have there Old Pete.
Wow – not a common car. Only 554 were made, out of those 49 went to Australia (like this example) and 10 to other countries.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Silvia
A lot better looking than the 200SX Silvia for sure. Looks a bit like an Opel mated with my old 1969 Datsun 1000.
Snap!
I think I saw one of these once, back when I used to live in Melbourne. Probably the same car. That’s a 1967 Victorian registration; if that VH Valiant in front is anywhere near new, the poor Silvia’s paint isn’t holding up well. I’d forgotten how early metallics didn’t last long in the hot Aussie sun.
The rear window moulding on the Valiant still looks like chrome, which may indicate it’s fairly new,, those mouldings aged quickly, with the plastic chrome turning brown.
I like your model workshop, with the 69 Charger awaiting it’s vinyl roof.?
Good point about the moulding, I’d forgotten how that style of moulding never aged well; you’d be left with a sharp contrast between the ‘rusty’-looking plastic and the pristine metal corner pieces.
My workshop thanks you. The models are a lifetime passion. I built the Silvia about five years ago from a Japanese highway patrol car kit. Here’s another shot of that Charger.
That’s about a ’76 registration, Pete. If it’s one of the Australian Silvias – private imports barely occurred back then – it probably means it began life interstate.
I thought the same thing justy, but I think it’s JLK, the bumper is hiding the hook on the J
Ah! Yes, just so. The plate is not of that ilk.
Sorry, the plate is not that of “ILK”.
It has a hint of the Lancia Fulvia about it.
Just a hint? More like a strong suggestion. 🙂
The similarities are quite remarkable, actually. And contrary to what one might assume, the Silvia was first, shown in September 1964. The Fulvia coupe appeared in 1965.
Coincidence? Or?
The next time we feature a Fulvia I’ll be sure to mention that it has a hint of the Nissan Silvia CSP311 about it… 🙂
In the flesh, the Fulvia has an elegance missing in the Nissan. The latter has thick roof pillars, and, shall we say, a nose that arrives too soon before the rest of the car.
I dunno, the proportions don’t look correct. I found an image on line, and extended the cabin 6 inches or so, and to my eye it looks a bit better.
Once I start, it’s hard to stop. This one keeps the longer cabin, but moves the C-pillar back. I’m seeing some AMC Javelin, but I’m liking it.
Six more minor moves and it’ll look just like a Crew Cab F150 🙂
Extend that a bit further and add two more doors and you’d have a killer Cedric!
I quite agree that something in the proportions makes the car fall short of greatness, but, forgive me, to try and adjust them is like pulling at a loose thread to fix it – the problem increases…
That’s a pretty car, and seems hand made panels.
Looks like a Vauxhall Firenza to me. Manufactured from 1971 to 1975 in the UK and probably the only Vauxhall that teenagers lusted after. That’s a wonderful collection of models you have there Old Pete.
Thanks Delboy. I’ve only ever shown a tiny fraction (there’s hundreds more), not wanting to shift the spotlight too far off the car in the article. 🙂
This car has been in my wife’s name since 1969
It has been in our garage since 1978 and requires restoration