Open-Top motoring....

[NewcastleFalcon]

One lives in the same road as me... Got a bit of a soft spot for them, reputation notwithstanding!

Have a chat with the owner Jim if you get the chance, see what they think of it! and maybe bring some first hand info back to the thread from the horse's mouth. Maybe by this time any niggles which needed sorting have been sorted
They might even fancy the yellow one up for sale at WB and Sons Saturday 22nd April 2023.

Details
https://auctions.wbandsons.com/auction/ ... 6&pn=2&g=1

Neil

[CitroJim]

I will, I often see him out walking his dog and enjoying a crafty ciggie...

[NewcastleFalcon]

The good old MGB Roadster very nice example in yes probably Old English White, with plenty of chrome, wire wheels and a bit of enhancement over standard in the upholstery department. The dash was nice too, bit of shiny dark wood rather than the black plastic. They will have to have the top up right now to avoid a soaking, but earlier on very much looked the part.

Neil

[CitroJim]

Old English White is a bit of a special colour to me as my very first car was in that colour...

An MGB looks remarkably good in it

[NewcastleFalcon]

I would give a fair few points for this, but unlikely to be claimed.

Has anyone seen a "Fiesta Fly" They were also known as the Fiesta Flirt in some parts...

Have a trip over to project Bobcat, and you will see a register of Fiesta Fly's click on the blue "view" highlight if there is one on a register entry and all should be revealed.

http://www.projectbobcat.com/register/f ... nvertibles

eg this blue "flirt" conversion from Holland
http://www.projectbobcat.com/uploads/GNdfsfdf4.jpg
Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

I would give a fair few points for this, but unlikely to be claimed.

Has anyone seen a "Fiesta Fly" They were also known as the Fiesta Flirt in some parts...

I'll make it easy Sam Tait snapped this one, some time ago in 2009
Ford Fiesta Mk1 Fly by Sam Tait, on Flickr

Neil

[CitroJim]

I rather like the shade of yellow but frankly, the roof looks a bit naff and uncomfortable - like it's been forced upon a car that was never designed to be a convertible and really didn't want to be one. A bit like if you tried to dress me up in a city gent's pinstripe suit and bowler... I'm not sure the poor little thing would look a lot better with it fully removed unless the rear side windows can be removed too...

Perhaps it's just me but I find a lot of these aftermarket open-top conversions leave a bit to be desired...

[NewcastleFalcon]

The Fiesta Fly was originally a Crayford product, subsequently continued by F.English

https://www.crayfordconvertibleclub.com ... iesta.html

Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Before we leave the Fiesta Fly and is goes into loing-term hibernation in the FCF forgotten archives lets take a moment on the open-toppage thread to enjoy this little "sell the benefits" bit from the brochure.

?

It's fun
Yes and refreshingly so. The Fiesta Fly puts you in complete control of the style and climate of your motoring. It gives you the chance to enjoy the fresh pleasures of open-top travel in an exciting modern way. It takes the sameness out of driving, and puts back the fun element that is so often lacking in today's familiar saloons and hatchbacks.

It is a convertible for the breezy 1980s, a car which cleverly combines the best of both worlds. On balmy spring and summer days, it welcomes in the sun to put sparkle into your driving enjoyment. As soon as the weather tums sour, the Fiesta Fly lets you change its personality to suit the climate. With the hood up, it is as warm and dry inside as a saloon. Based on Ford's best-selling small car, the Fiesta Fly is a full four seater with luggage room behind the back seats. It has all the advantages of low cost of ownership and the back-up facilities of Europe's foremost motor manufacturer.

It is a true fun car with a big name behind it. Three big names, in fact Ford Crayford Auto Developments, world renowned conversion experts, who designed the Fiesta Fly And the Coachworks Division of F English Limited, who have the exclusive world manufacturing rights and 60 years experience of coachwork craftsmanship.

There is more the brochure has further paragraphs to complete the pitch...

Its Fun, Its Quick, Its Different!

Neil

[CitroJim]

A great piece of advertising copy there... Love it

From the other thread, I must say the Fly looks a million times better with the hood and windows down

[NewcastleFalcon]

SWVA in Poole have this coming up in their sale 28th April 2023



There is also a coupe version in a similar shade described as "Pink" in the catalogue



Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Had a nice mooch around the cars at the WB and Sons pre-auction "Sunday Club".

I always look out for these coming up at auction, not to everyone's taste, but this is the Floride incarnation of the Renault Caravelle a notch above the Caravelle. It has a hard top and soft top. Unusual front end styling of course and the Tesla model 3 and Y carry Caravelle-esque front ends many decades later.

Personally speaking I would regard it as being a desirable vehicle very different to the usual, and few come up and in general the RHD models have a very niche market in the UK, and prices for similar vehicles in LHD in Europe sell to an enthusiastic following and prices are higher.

I have temporarily changed back my avatar pic, as a reminder of the romantic image of motoring for pleasure on the Cote D'Azur in a yellow Renault Floride

Still got an interest, this one is a very shiny red, in good order, and I put myself behind the steering wheel for a "feel". Have to admit like all sports cars, its too low, awkward to get in and out of, cramped inside, minimum comfort soggy seats with little adjustment, a tiny windscreen with a poor view, and likely to have an unpleasant hard ride on the potholes of Northumberland!

I think I have to face reality...I prefer the Leaf and the Micra!

Renault Flouride...edit..that should be Floride!

Neil

[mickthemaverick]

Speaking entirely personally Neil, good to see the Renault avatar back. It's so much easier to find a post from you when scrolling through threads!

[NewcastleFalcon]

Speaking entirely personally Neil, good to see the Renault avatar back. It's so much easier to find a post from you when scrolling through threads!

Thanks Mick, Maybe I'll keep it for the Spring and the Summer and garage it for the Autumn/Winter

The moochers are not Falcons, but they did spend far too much time for my liking hovering around the Floride even if I have no intention to bid!

Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

This particular Red Floride appeared at Humbert and Ellis timed auction less than a month ago ending on 27th March 2023.

The sale was part of "The Somerset Collection of Classic Vehicles Part 2 of 4 - Timed Online Only Auction"

https://www.bidspotter.co.uk/en-gb/auct ... -srjp10524

The Auction notes indicated that the cars were at Yeovil for viewings and collection. That sale seems to be a mix of barn-finds, and restored collectable vehicles.

I presume either the car didn't sell, and has been entered at WB and Sons, and shoved on a transporter for the 600+ miles round trip to try it at WB and sons, or its been bought at the first auction at a price to still realise a potential profit, after paying hammer price plus buyers fees at Auction 1, transport costs, and then sellers fees at Auction 2. At least one interested observer here. Nothing at all will have been done in the period between it leaving Yeovil and arriving at Killingworth as the pics on the March listing confirm.

I do wonder what it sold for at the Humbert and Ellis Auction, but the auctioneer has chosen not to release the price.

Neil