Tag Archives: Pick UP

DIY Bakkie – Ford P100

In 1971 Ford in South Africa built a version of the 2 door Ford Cortina Mk III with a pick up body on the back marketed as the Ford Cortina Pickup and known locally as the “Bakkie”.

The Bakkie utilised a modified Cortina floor pan with a ladder frame to carry the rear load carrying body and initially used Rover 5 stud hubs, post 1988 examples were fitted with Ford Granada front axles with 5 stud adaptors and 5 stud Ford Transit rear axles.

Ford P100, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham,

In 1977 the Bakkie was up graded with an adapted Cortina Mk IV body which used the shorter doors from the 4 door body and from 1980 adapted Cortina Mk V bodies were used.

Ford P100, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham,

From 1982 the Bakkie was rebranded as the P100 model and exported from South Africa to Europe and remained in production with the Cortina Mk V body until 1988.

In 1988 the P100 received a final upgrade utilising the Sierra body and production of the P100 for the European market switched to Portugal until 1993.

Ford P100, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham,

This particular 1987 Ford P100, seen at the Classic Motor Show a couple of years ago, originally carried a Ford Cortina Mk V front end, but it has been modified to carry older Cortina Mark III wings, bonnet and nose.

A newer Sierra P100 pick up body has been added to the back and it is powered by a Ford Cologne 2.9 litre / 176 cui V6 as used to power the later Ford Granada/Scopio models, the interior includes Porsche 944 seats.

Thanks for joining me on this “DIY Bakkie” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Slightly Reduced Boost – Ford F-150 Supercharged Harley Davidson

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Those watching the 1996 Super Bowl on TV will have been among the first to be introduced to the 1997 Ford F-150 in a catchy commercial featuring Jack Palance in which his F-150 is depicted as being strong enough to pull the two sides of the Grand Canyon together.

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

Featuring improved aerodynamics, larger interior and improved fuel economy powered by either Taurus/Windstar V6 or Crown Victoria V8 motors, the tenth generation Ford F-150 went on sale in late 1996, it was the first all new ground up design for the model since 1980

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

Ford introduced the Harley Davidson Edition in 2000 with a four door SuperCab and standard bed, the following year the Harley Davidson Edition featured a longer SuperCrew cab and shorter bed.

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

In 2002 a slightly detuned 340 hp version of the Triton Supercharged V8 used in the 380 hp F-150 SVT Lightening was added to the Harley Davidson Edition.

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

The detuning was achieved by adding a slightly larger pulley to the supercharger which slightly reduced the boost pressure.

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

Keypad entry systems date at least back to the 1981 Lincoln Town Car, I don’t recall ever seeing one before on vehicle in the UK before, so it was a surprise to find this on a 2002 model.

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

Aside from the external badging, front fog lamps and chrome side bars the Harley Davidson Edition F-150 came with black or dark shadow grey paint, accented by an orange pinstripe, leather interior trim and chrome 20 inch wheels.

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

Interior Harley Davidson Edition features also include chrome steering column stalks door releases and seat leavers, unique Harley Davidson spun metal instrument cluster with 130 mph speedometer and a sequenced VIN plate on the center console.

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

Harley Davidson Editions are said to have accounted for 1 to 2 percent of F-150 sales and the model seems to have divided opinions, F-150 and Harley Davidson owners had their opinions of the brands was reaffirmed, some HD owners switched from Chevy to Ford Pick Ups while some Ford owners who were not bikers thought the Harley Davidson Edition was a cheesy gimmick, that the tie between the two brands lasted twelve years is a testament to the fact both brands on balance benefited.

Thanks for joining me on this “Slightly Reduced Boost” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a veteran design by Ferdinand Porsche. Don’t forget to come back now.

Brighton Speed Trials Under Threat of Permanent Cancellation !

In their infinite wisdom, Brighton & Hove City Council are seeking to ban the Brighton Speed Trials from 2014.

If you care about speed and or motorsport history, please sign this linked petition to save Brighton Speed Trials in 2014 and beyond.

It’s a faf to Register before signing, but relatively painless compared to loosing the event which has been run with few interruptions since 1905.

You do not need to be resident in Brighton or even the UK to sign.

Theosophical Pickup – Standard Vanguard Phase II Pickup

In 1903 by Reginald Walter Maudslay founded the Standard Motor Company in Coventry England. 42 years later after WW2, during which Standard had been involved in the production of utility vehicles and various aircraft including the Mosquito night fighter bomber, Standard recommenced production of civilian vehicles, bought the remains of the Triumph Motor Company which went into receivership in 1939 and was kept busy post war initially with the production of Ferguson Tractors.

Standard Pickup, Classic Car Show, NEC, Birmingham

In 1948 the all new Plymouth inspired 2 litre 122 cui Standard Vanguard Phase 1 replaced all existing models and remained in production until replaced by the Phase II in March 1953, the main external difference being the Beetle back of the Phase I being replaced by a regular 3 box 4 door saloon shape for the Phase II.

Standard Pickup, Classic Car Show, NEC, Birmingham

By this time Standard were also involved in the production of Rolls Royce Avon jet engines for use in Britains fleet of nuclear armed V-Bombers like the https://www.psychoontyres.co.uk/wings-wheels-dunsfold-aerodrome/12-dscn6360sc/, these motors fitted with afterburners would also form the basis of the Rolls Royce Olympus jets that were fitted to Concorde the worlds only operational supersonic passenger airliner.

Standard Pickup, Classic Car Show, NEC, Birmingham

Apologies I digress alongside the Phase I and Phase II passenger Vanguards Standard also manufactured Pickups which like all other Vanguards seemed to be particularly popular with the Royal Air Force. Phase II Vanguards were manufactured until 1956, a completely new body Vanguard having been introduced in 1955.

Standard Pickup, Classic Car Show, NEC, Birmingham

Today’s featured Pickup, seen at last years Classic Motor Show, was restored some ten years ago and was recently offered on e-bay where it was noted that a floor operated manual Triumph TR3 four speed gearbox with overdrive. The top bid for the Standard Pickup was £7,200 pounds but this was below the reserve so the car appears not to have sold.

While researching today’s blog I stumbled across this linked page for the Theosophy Wales Society who appear to be big fans of all Standard Vangards which remained in production until 1963 in the UK while production of Phase I Vanguard UTE (Pickup) continued until 1964 in Australia.

Thanks for joining me on this “Theosophical Pickup” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me tomorrow for a look at a bright green mid engined icon from Italy. Don’t forget to come back now !

Happy Pick Up – Škoda Felicia Fun (Typ 796)

In the space of 10 years Škoda’s UK reputation went from one of derision by non owners of the rear engined Estelle series to top of the 1998 JD Power Customer satisfaction survey after a transformation initiated by the front wheel drive Favorit models, built from 1987 to 1994, and completed by the launch in 1995 of the Felicia (Happy) series from which today’s featured pick-up takes it’s front panels.

Škoda Felicia Fun, Bristol

The transformation was in no small part helped by the collapse of the “Iron Curtain” in the early late 1980’s and Volkswagen’s acquisition of the Škoda brand and assets from the Czech government in 1991.

Škoda Felicia Fun, Bristol

The Felicia Pick Up launched in 1995 shares the same AO3 polo Mk III platform as the Volkswagen Caddy Typ 9U launched in 1996.

Škoda Felicia Fun, Bristol

The passenger accommodation of Felicia Utility can be increased to make room for two more passengers by repositioning the rear screen, if the weather is inclement there is even a tonneau cover to keep the rear passengers dry.

Škoda Felicia Fun, Bristol

So far as I have been able to ascertain all the lifestyle Felicia Fun models left the factory painted bright yellow with alloy wheels, these appear to be collectable classics in the making and are fetching a hefty premium over all of the other Felicia models.

Thanks for joining me on this “Happy Pick Up” edition of Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at the last in this month’s series of cars fitted with 2 stroke motors. Don’t forget to come back now !

Typ 148 RHD – Volkswagen Caddy

Strangely the Volkswagen Caddy is unknown by that name in the USA the country which gave the initial momentum to the model thanks to Volkwagen of America’s in interest in a prototype pick up version of the Golf Mk 1 Hatchback built in Germany.

Volkswagen Caddy, Spring Performance Car Action Day, Castle Combe

The Typ 14 or more correctly Typ 147-LHD (Left Hand Drive) was first built at VW’s Westmoreland County, PA plant and sold in the US as the Rabbit Pick Up in 1979, so far as I have been able to determine production at Westmoreland ceased in 1982 and was switched to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina where production of the European Typ 147-LHD and 148 Right Hand Drive variants continued until 1992. Production of Caddy’s continued in South Africa until 2007 alongside Mk 1 Golf’s which them selves were in production up until 2009.

Volkswagen Caddy, Spring Performance Car Action Day, Castle Combe

European Typ 14’s were only ever marketed as Volkswagen Caddy’s where confusion of the name with supersize 5000lb 500 cui V8 US land yachts was less likely.

Volkswagen Caddy, Spring Performance Car Action Day, Castle Combe

The Typ 14 Caddy is not to be confused with later variants, Typ 9K Polo Mk III based Caddy, Typ 9U Škoda Felicia pick-up or Typ Golf Mk 5 based Volkswagen Touran.

Volkswagen Caddy, Spring Performance Car Action Day, Castle Combe

Today’s 1989 Caddy seen last year at the Spring Performance Car Action Day at Castle Combe appears to be powered by the high end 70 hp petrol motor.

Thanks for joining me on this “Typ 148 RHD” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Split Screen Forward Control Pick Up – Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) Pick Up

This month’s monday blog sees a return to the pick up theme, today’s featured pick up is a 1963 Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) seen at last years Classic Motor Show held at the NEC in Birmingham.

01 Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) Pick Up,

The pick up version of the Volkswagen Type 2 was not introduced until 1952 three years after Type 2 production commenced. The pick up variant had the fewest changes of all the Type 2 (T1)’s until the introduction of the bigger Type 2 (T2) in 1968.

02 Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) Pick Up,

1963 saw the introduction of the 51 hp 1500 cc / 91.5 cui flat 4 cylinder air cooled motor which replaced the 40hp 1200 cc / 72 cui unit first seen in 1959.

03 Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) Pick Up,

Sales of Type 2 (T1)’s are often incorrectly thought to have been adversely affected in 1964 by the so called Chicken Tax introduced by the United States on imported panel vans and pick ups, a response to the on going trade tariff war between the US and Europe after West Germany had introduced trade restriction on imported US Chicken. In fact President Johnson appears to have applied a 25% tax on imported panel vans and pick ups in order to avert a strike by the United Auto Workers before the 1964 Presidential election and it was the UAW’s President Walter Reuthner who wanted the reduction on such imports.

04 Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) Pick Up,

Volkswagen pick ups were ready made for transporting racing cars without the need for a trailer, perhaps the single most famous example of such a transporter was run by Fife, WA Volkswagen dealer Pete Lovely who was frequently seen pulling into the Formula One paddock in his VW Type 2 (T1) pickup with his Lotus 49 on the back.

Split screen forward control VW Pick Ups today are highly collectible, I have seen examples in good condition being offered for €22,000, GBP £18,000, US$ 30,000 which is probably a bargain when one takes into account the amount of time and effort it requires to keep one in good condition.

Thanks for joining me on this “Split Screen Forward Control Pick Up” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me tomorrow for the first in a series of two stroke Tuesday’s. Don’t forget to come back now !

Slick & Economical – Austin Mini Pick Up

Between 1961 and 1982 there were very few changes to the Austin Mini Pick-Up except in 1978 when the model was marketed as the Mini 95.

Austin Mini - Pick-up, Malta Classic Car Museum, Qwara

The 1961 Sales brochure reads “The slickest and most economical means ever of transporting a 5-cwt.(254-kg.) load!

Austin Mini - Pick-up, Malta Classic Car Museum, Qwara

Ingenious design and practical body styling have been successfully co-ordinated to produce this revolutionary runabout, ideally suited to the needs of the smaller business.

Austin Mini - Pick-up, Malta Classic Car Museum, Qwara

Such tradesman as plumbers, builders, painters or nurserymen will find that within the compact proportions of the Austin Mini 1/4-ton Pick-up are approximately 19 3/4 sq. ft, (1.83m.²) of floor space and a totally enclosed cab with saloon car comfort for two people.”

Austin Mini - Pick-up, Malta Classic Car Museum, Qwara

The portion of the brochure devoted to the van went on “Similar to the world-beating, incredible Austin Mini Saloon, both of these new light commercials have all the identical features for ultra-safe, speedy and dependable delivery service.

Austin Mini - Pick-up, Malta Classic Car Museum, Qwara

Over the 21 years of it’s production life an estimated 58,179 Mini Pick-ups were built with the Austin, Morris and after 1976 Leyland badges.

Today’s featured example is on display at the Malta Classic Car Museum in Qwara.

Thanks for joining me on this “Slick and Economical edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me agian tomorrow for a look at the last of this month’s Tuesday featured Wolseley cars. Don’t forget to come back now !