ViaRETRO | Dave Leadbetter | Activity https://viaretro.com/members/leadbetter/activity/ Activity feed for Dave Leadbetter. Fri, 05 Jan 2024 12:47:53 +0100 https://buddypress.org/?v=12.0.0 en-GB 30 hourly 2 9d171b01a8057d4cc8fd6feb5cb473cb Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Driving The DeLorean https://viaretro.com/2022/09/driving-the-delorean/#comment-56388 Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:10:31 +0200 @Lord kim: thanks for your excellent trivia :)

@Niels V: I think a peak and decline is inevitable for 99% of fossil powered cars within the next few decades, but don’t underestimate the appeal of the BTTF […]

]]> fa118fffc095547ec19db3b029c6b864 Dave Leadbetter wrote a new post https://viaretro.com/?p=131242 Tue, 18 Oct 2022 05:00:31 +0200 The Great British Car Journey in Derbyshire have been hosting monthly car nights over the summer months. With autumn fast approaching, I went down to the September meeting to catch the last of the warm […]

]]> db51c109c8756ff8ebc65d85fadabb00 Dave Leadbetter wrote a new post https://viaretro.com/?p=130445 Thu, 29 Sep 2022 05:00:41 +0200 Here at ViaRETRO we subscribe to the principle that “any classic is better than no classic”, which leads us to write about some unusual vehicles. We often like to champion the underdog. Although the team all hav […]

]]> adaf1f46ec54de0d4ada9c26efb78beb Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Great Drives: Hillman Imp https://viaretro.com/2022/01/great-drives-hillman-imp/#comment-56333 Wed, 28 Sep 2022 17:18:49 +0200 Hi Brian, thanks for your contribution. That’s a great Imp and it’s in the right colour too!

]]> 624d8ffcb7aefbfdda695d1a23769f56 Dave Leadbetter wrote a new post https://viaretro.com/?p=129336 Tue, 30 Aug 2022 05:00:36 +0200 The Triumph Stag has recently been the topic of some lively debate on these pages. In case you missed it, our own Tony Wawryk wrote an article in 2020 in which he managed to upset a vocal member of the Stag club […]

]]> a98c96da86675c4cf90a148993dfad61 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Prime Find of the Week : A Classy Corrado https://viaretro.com/2022/08/prime-find-of-the-week-a-classy-corrado/#comment-56224 Sun, 28 Aug 2022 22:12:44 +0200 Four years ago I reckoned this was very nearly a bona classic. Now it definitely is.

]]> d163fd22bddc6abd6d2991b4005b27ff Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, A Little Local Colour (Part II) https://viaretro.com/2022/08/a-little-local-colour-part-ii/#comment-56223 Fri, 26 Aug 2022 16:29:13 +0200 That E30 “M3” is definitely a replica. Let’s assume it’s a work in progress and they’re still saving up for lowering springs :)

Elsewhere, and acknowledging all the Bugattis, I’m drawn to the ZB Magnette; peak […]

]]> 3614c9a019e0afefeddc1bb61ffe2486 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Prime Find of the Week : A Special Cortina https://viaretro.com/2022/08/prime-find-of-the-week-a-special-cortina/#comment-56222 Fri, 26 Aug 2022 16:19:29 +0200 Sold for £8,538 inc premium.

]]> fbc96a1d4e4ac24559ee8c16fc24bef9 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, A Little Local Colour (Part 1) https://viaretro.com/2022/08/a-little-local-colour-part-1/#comment-56192 Thu, 18 Aug 2022 15:46:42 +0200 An eclectic selection there. I’m taken aback at the low number of Nova GSIs still doing the rounds.

I wonder if the Chevette has actually seen some competition action? The presence of ignition and […]

]]> 4e31e683446e4b4335b04fe17de20c9d Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, A Return to the Ashover Show https://viaretro.com/2022/07/a-return-to-the-ashover-show/#comment-56174 Mon, 08 Aug 2022 07:38:40 +0200 Hi David, I can see the resemblance to the Peugeot now you mention it.

]]> 0aee72c951f90077415bfd2f4ad2c079 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Prime Find of the Week : A Dazzling Dino https://viaretro.com/2022/07/prime-find-of-the-week-a-dazzling-dino/#comment-56166 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 15:11:35 +0200 Memorable as the Mafia-mobile in the Italian Job of course. I remember when these were going for peanuts, etc…

Certainly not cheap any more but a lovely thing nevertheless. I’m a bit torn on the colour as […]

]]> 526ab4f580cfe3ef41f6d59f20c00e07 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, A Return to the Ashover Show https://viaretro.com/2022/07/a-return-to-the-ashover-show/#comment-56147 Thu, 28 Jul 2022 09:04:50 +0200 @Holm: you are truly a man of distinction!

]]> 1f08671c6ec81c93709d9ac15523b155 Dave Leadbetter wrote a new post https://viaretro.com/?p=128662 Tue, 26 Jul 2022 05:00:06 +0200 With record temperatures forecast, the incentive for staying indoors was strong. My cool and shady lounge adjacent to the beer fridge was my odds-on favourite location, until I received a last minute reminder […]

]]> a3da7befbcb87ff341b234f5fa8c4e23 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Great Drives: Austin 1300GT https://viaretro.com/2022/07/great-drives-austin-1300gt/#comment-56117 Wed, 20 Jul 2022 14:58:16 +0200 @Harry M: Careful now, that would be fighting talk on the Stag thread :)

@Tony: £16k sounds a lot of money but they’re not exactly plentiful here, never mind in Portugal.

It’s proven to be quite a popular […]

]]> 95a70d41c39ab563530d4b70dcbb0c54 Dave Leadbetter wrote a new post https://viaretro.com/?p=128438 Tue, 19 Jul 2022 05:00:41 +0200 Tony’s recent article marking 60 years of the ADO16 means it’s the perfect time for the latest in our series of Great Drives, courtesy of the Great British Car Journey in scenic Derbyshire. As well as housing an […]

]]> e77c373537f62bd0ca3cf15cd74ffc52 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, 50 Years of the Triumph Stag https://viaretro.com/2020/02/50-years-of-the-triumph-stag/#comment-56110 Sun, 17 Jul 2022 17:49:52 +0200 Wow, a thread from the dead!

I haven’t really got a horse in this race though I can definitely see the appeal of a Stag and the high number of survivors prove its popularity beyond doubt. I can also appreciate […]

]]> aa12bd7306b5e606ddaa87723800f838 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, A Look Back at the ADO16, 60 Years On. https://viaretro.com/2022/07/a-look-back-at-the-ado16-60-years-on/#comment-56099 Fri, 15 Jul 2022 12:33:40 +0200 Excellent stuff. Coming very soon, I drive a 1300GT courtesy of the Great British Car Journey as part of our Great Drives series. Watch this space. Well, not this exact space but you know what I mean.

]]> f4ab1ca2686999416773dac4964589f0 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Prime Finds of the Week : FIAT 128 or Datsun 120Y ; Which Would You Choose? https://viaretro.com/2022/07/prime-finds-of-the-week-fiat-128-or-datsun-120y-which-would-you-choose/#comment-56098 Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:36:21 +0200 I like the idea of a Datsun 120Y but someone evidently really liked this one; £9430?!

I hope the new owner inspected their purchase before bidding. The description may have claimed it to be in “unbelievably […]

]]> ef9ac59a72e775956a0e01410ac42b23 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Back to my Roots Pt. 2 https://viaretro.com/2022/06/back-to-my-roots-pt-2/#comment-56045 Wed, 22 Jun 2022 10:40:53 +0200 Great to see the old Mercedes back in its natural habitat. I can’t believe you’ve owned it for two years already, time flies.

Nice to see your holiday snaps of Luxembourg. I worked in Saarlouis for a short […]

]]> be152c2cf4c99c1a36c08fd13e717a97 Dave Leadbetter wrote a new post https://viaretro.com/?p=127383 Tue, 14 Jun 2022 05:00:24 +0200 As you are probably aware, we recently had a long weekend of celebrations in the UK to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. That’s 70 years without a break, and although I’m not the country’s biggest monarch […]

]]> e3df80fb62aca3dfee4f4983f2b9e271 Dave Leadbetter wrote a new post https://viaretro.com/?p=126531 Tue, 10 May 2022 05:00:22 +0200 No doubt you’ll already have read Part One of our coverage from the Donington Historic 2022, looking at the racing action. Here’s the second and final instalment, this time focussed on the road cars found in the […]

]]> 30337e70c2d5280f8b319a72008a6f42 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Prime Find of the Week : Feel the Wind in your Hair (if you have any) in this Baur https://viaretro.com/2022/05/prime-find-of-the-week-feel-the-wind-in-your-hair-if-you-have-any-in-this-baur/#comment-55818 Mon, 09 May 2022 09:05:16 +0200 I’ll be surprised if this doesn’t meet or exceed top estimate.

]]> 1524f9416e83ac5c9823735d7abd2801 Dave Leadbetter wrote a new post https://viaretro.com/?p=126215 Thu, 05 May 2022 05:00:33 +0200 The Donington Historic festival returned for 2022, running over the weekend of Saturday 30th April to Sunday 1st May. Although competitors had their fun in 2021, this was the first year since 2019 that spectators […]

]]> 5b231381bb9e4df98ae615ac9acdc5e0 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Prime Find of the Week : A Very Cool Karmann Ghia https://viaretro.com/2022/04/prime-find-of-the-week-a-very-cool-karmann-ghia/#comment-55698 Wed, 04 May 2022 17:26:03 +0200 I took a deep breath at the price too, but to be fair the auction listing gives an overview of the work done and the many new parts bought, which didn’t come cheap. It does ride very low so I’d want to check that […]

]]> 42b042c3c7619988fcfbd03d25b92599 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Bountiful Bicester Scramble Dazzles in the Sun https://viaretro.com/2022/04/bountiful-bicester-scramble-dazzles-in-the-sun/#comment-55610 Sun, 01 May 2022 22:34:09 +0200 Comment 1: Nice Vauxhall Senator, best police car ever.
Comment 2: What’s that Sunbeam Lotus doing on a C-plate? First registered April 1986?
Comment 3: Bloody hell, a Porsche 959!!!

And it was a lot more […]

]]> aae40d8accd76707dfd674a833ff6b13 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Prime Find of the Week : A Rare Sovereign https://viaretro.com/2022/04/prime-find-of-the-week-a-rare-sovereign/#comment-55502 Mon, 25 Apr 2022 10:21:29 +0200 Personally I prefer the facelifted models with the raised chrome bumpers, but let’s not be picky, that is a stunning car.

Squadron Blue paintwork must have been quite a brave choice.

]]> 4389dedad05b7fa50abed4719793f5b9 Dave Leadbetter wrote a new post https://viaretro.com/?p=125386 Tue, 19 Apr 2022 05:00:37 +0200 2022 marks a big milestone for a little car; the Renault 5 is 50. Being a January arrival, it’s already into its sixth decade by the time you’re reading this. As one of the biggest hit records of 1972 almost sai […]

]]> 24147dc18f385e28e5d0dccd83d18ca5 Dave Leadbetter wrote a new post https://viaretro.com/?p=124503 Tue, 29 Mar 2022 05:00:25 +0200 I know what you’re thinking; what’s so great about a Vauxhall Astra? Granted, it may not set everyone’s pulse racing but it’s a pretty important car in Vauxhall terms, marking the transition from old tech to new […]

]]> 2c82f1fe8956539f7d83968a39d439ae Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, At Last, the Yorkshire Motorsport Festival https://viaretro.com/2021/07/at-last-the-yorkshire-motorsport-festival/#comment-54888 Wed, 23 Mar 2022 13:53:25 +0100 Just a bump for the 2022 event which will run from 24th-26th June.

More details at https://www.ymsf.net/

]]> 9c3bf538e4992217a5d7c3d75fff1e52 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, The Practical Classics Show Returns to the NEC After a Three Year Wait. https://viaretro.com/2022/03/the-practical-classics-show-returns-to-the-nec-after-a-three-year-wait/#comment-54885 Wed, 23 Mar 2022 12:52:43 +0100 It’s good to read the report as work commitments meant I was unable to attend myself. Looks like a grand do with plenty of variety, right down to a pink Holden Torana. It’s a shame the Fiat 128 Coupe owner didn’t […]

]]> 6111b6a2801b532148da3b4f5a258a65 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, A Sunday Morning Smorgasbord of Classics at Sixways Stadium https://viaretro.com/2022/03/a-sunday-morning-smorgasbord-of-classics-at-sixways-stadium/#comment-54668 Wed, 16 Mar 2022 15:09:52 +0100 Supercool Cavalier Sportshatch.

Good to see the 911T getting an airing at long last. It is behaving?

]]> cd0e40e94e1ee2303032dd8129873d34 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Prime Find of the Week : French Mustard https://viaretro.com/2022/03/prime-find-of-the-week-french-mustard/#comment-54657 Tue, 15 Mar 2022 20:47:38 +0100 Are these things really going for that much now? According to the estimates, that’s literally Integrale money. It’ll be interesting to see what the two cars achieve, given both Prime Finds are in the same sale and […]

]]> 48c54a90691b34a50cc9dd921e265c62 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Car Spotting in ITV's The Ipcress File https://viaretro.com/2022/03/car-spotting-in-itvs-the-ipcress-file/#comment-54581 Thu, 10 Mar 2022 10:27:54 +0100 I’m pleased to confirm the “rolled” Rover seems to be alive and well, and is a Studio434 rental that’s popped up in a few TV shows. The staged accident didn’t show any contact with the van, before cutting away to […]

]]> 72ce1621b7dec57202d2f1546426d1ae Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Prime Find of the Week : The Last Great Lancia? https://viaretro.com/2022/03/prime-find-of-the-week-the-last-great-lancia/#comment-54518 Tue, 08 Mar 2022 09:10:23 +0100 This a great Prime Find. It’s the purest and best looking shape of Delta in my opinion, and those original alloys are perfect. It’s also nice to see one that isn’t red. My personal preference would be for the more […]

]]> c29661bcccc3bbe30b5f3cb48bcdc82a Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Great Drives: Ford Sierra Sapphire GLS https://viaretro.com/2022/02/great-drives-ford-sierra-sapphire-gls/#comment-54351 Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:59:49 +0100 You suspect correctly Tony, the rear spoiler contributes zero meaningful downforce. But it looks good :)

I had three Sierra Sapphires around 15 years ago, using two of them as cost effective rally cars. It was […]

]]> 1d85baeaf7cd45849d94f4f7f642ad04 Dave Leadbetter wrote a new post https://viaretro.com/?p=123377 Thu, 24 Feb 2022 06:00:38 +0100 Believe it or not, 2022 marks 40 years since the Ford Sierra was introduced. We’ll be marking the occasion with a special article later in the year. In the meantime, it’s a good time to reacquaint ourselves wit […]

]]> 3a4f3c6c9465042b577aa87033cd4604 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, The Greatest Porsche 911 at 50 https://viaretro.com/2022/02/the-greatest-porsche-911-at-50/#comment-54078 Thu, 17 Feb 2022 14:36:48 +0100 A rallying friend of mine navigated one of these in the late 70s, not on wide open stages but down narrow slippery lanes in the dead of night on Motoring News events.

I’ve never driven a Carrera 2.7RS either, […]

]]> dc468f70c092981baea003d2f5aea863 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Prime Find of the Week: A Classic '70's Wedge with a Famous Former Owner https://viaretro.com/2022/02/prime-find-of-the-week-a-classic-70s-wedge-with-a-famous-former-owner/#comment-54067 Wed, 16 Feb 2022 17:52:09 +0100 Let’s be honest, the reason these things are cheap is because the styling is something of an “acquired taste”. The fastback Eclat looks so much better, and begat the Excel which was the best of the lot.

I […]

]]> 292048d01da68d92e429604f32180527 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, A Chilly but Enjoyable Coffee and Chrome Morning at Chateau Impney https://viaretro.com/2022/02/a-chilly-but-enjoyable-coffee-and-chrome-morning-at-chateau-impney/#comment-53904 Fri, 11 Feb 2022 16:44:54 +0100 The good old days from before the world went mad:

]]> a0d54a389ab055c24f7a452333dc56dd Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, A Chilly but Enjoyable Coffee and Chrome Morning at Chateau Impney https://viaretro.com/2022/02/a-chilly-but-enjoyable-coffee-and-chrome-morning-at-chateau-impney/#comment-53903 Fri, 11 Feb 2022 16:43:15 +0100 I’ll take the Maestro van please, looks like a Ledbury.

It’s a shame to see the Chateau all shuttered up. I’m surprised it’s being used for a cars and coffee event, though the current owners are car friendly. […]

]]> cda57182e96dcfe2d8e70577727a4504 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, The Fog Lifts and the Sun Shines on the January Bicester Scramble https://viaretro.com/2022/01/the-fog-lifts-and-the-sun-shines-on-the-january-bicester-scramble/#comment-53608 Mon, 24 Jan 2022 12:10:18 +0100 Well, we’ve had a bit of behind-the-scenes discussion about the number of surviving Lancia Betas in the UK. Tony has correctly questioned my assertion that there are only 3 surviving Lancia Beta Berlinas. Upon […]

]]> e0023dda217f4201c041b026f664fc9f Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, The Fog Lifts and the Sun Shines on the January Bicester Scramble https://viaretro.com/2022/01/the-fog-lifts-and-the-sun-shines-on-the-january-bicester-scramble/#comment-53532 Thu, 20 Jan 2022 10:51:11 +0100 A few Stony Stratford cars evident, it is just up the road after all.

I love the 280TE cycle team bus, that’s brilliant, and great to see the Pontiac Parisienne still going, that’s a Bicester regular. […]

]]> d8dabf3d4b66f9561f8969cd48ca30ba Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Great Drives: Hillman Imp https://viaretro.com/2022/01/great-drives-hillman-imp/#comment-53513 Wed, 19 Jan 2022 17:29:28 +0100 Much the same I expect, but it depends exactly where you live. At my house, all of the trees are bent over in the same direction and we have big rocks on the garage roof to stop it ending up in the field… :)

]]> effc76bb62ee997f4bca1d093d86aa97 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Great Drives: Hillman Imp https://viaretro.com/2022/01/great-drives-hillman-imp/#comment-53499 Wed, 19 Jan 2022 12:22:45 +0100 Like most rear engined cars, I’m led to believe they are a bit sensitive to crosswinds. Apparently a bag of cement in the front luggage compartment improves matters. Rootes did some wind tunnel testing and found […]

]]> 6462aa00e6f6c77e622499c21705be1f Dave Leadbetter wrote a new post https://viaretro.com/?p=121722 Tue, 18 Jan 2022 06:00:51 +0100 Last year we brought you the first in our new series of Great Drives, courtesy of the Great British Car Journey, and now, well into 2022, it’s about time we follow up with our second feature. Unlike most car […]

]]> 5de9306b1e887f70c05b059fc807c61c Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Prime Find of the Week : A Barely Used, Time-Warp Opel Manta GT https://viaretro.com/2022/01/prime-find-of-the-week-a-barely-used-time-warp-opel-manta-gt/#comment-53448 Mon, 17 Jan 2022 10:58:29 +0100 A lovely car, and not unreasonably priced given the current market. I’d want that seat bolster fixed though. The seat bolster did prompt me to check the mileage history online but (back to 2007 from when records […]

]]> 839fe4f01dd01198680f42826b7ef3c3 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, 60 Years of One of the Most Famous Cars Ever Built https://viaretro.com/2022/01/60-years-of-one-of-the-most-famous-cars-ever-built/#comment-53290 Wed, 12 Jan 2022 12:17:41 +0100 These best examples of these are surely the plastic bodied ones on a Datsun 240z chassis? No?

I recalled with interest in 2020 that Ares Design brought a case against Ferrari to challenge Ferrari’s retention of […]

]]> 00bee47fe62610621fe63c243cb8a71a Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Prime Find of the Week: A Smart Stag in a Great Colour https://viaretro.com/2022/01/prime-find-of-the-week-a-smart-stag-in-a-great-colour/#comment-53246 Sat, 08 Jan 2022 19:45:19 +0100 Yes, a good reminder of when you rubbed the Stag-lickers up the wrong way without actually intending to :)

After last week’s controversy over the cost of a pint of beer, you’ll be glad to know I know nothing […]

]]> e3b8f086934a9c760490b7a180078ae6 Dave Leadbetter commented on the post, Vintage Stony Returns https://viaretro.com/2022/01/vintage-stony-returns/#comment-53150 Wed, 05 Jan 2022 18:37:05 +0100 @yrhmblhst: Yes, the dog is excellent. If I was a dog, I’d want to be that dog.

I agree the white Fiesta is a cool thing. Unfortunately we were up that end of the high street when the rain started hammering […]

]]> 4b0409a46aa779350c5e11f5229303a4 Dave Leadbetter wrote a new post https://viaretro.com/?p=121984 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 06:00:33 +0100 New Year’s Eve is the one day of the year I don’t drink excessively. This is partially because I don’t get invited to any decent parties, but mainly because it’s good to start the new calendar with somethi […]

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