Reply With QuoteLooks like we'll be getting some of the "A" cars from Europe here in the next few years....
New Zealand post-WW2 like other countires hadrestrictions on the importation of goods cars included.
Only those with funds held overseas could buy the car they really wanted. Known as the No Remittance Scheme, it carried on until the 1970s
Some of the intereisng new smallish cars that came into New Zealand had strange names and the three I mention all had 2-stroke engines
Goggomobil http://www.microcar.org/carspecs/goggomobilt300.html
Isetta (BMW) http://www.microcar.org/carspecs/bmwisetta-gb.html
Messerchmiitt http://www.microcar.org/carspecs/mes...mitttg500.html
Rex
On the Sunshine Coast, in the Sunshine State Queensland (QLD), Australia
Looks like we'll be getting some of the "A" cars from Europe here in the next few years....
All three of those enjoyed a brief moment in the sun, in the US - the Isetta being most popular. A messenger firm decided to replace their bicycles with the Messerschmitt, but withdrew them after just a year when it became apparent that three-wheeler was even less visible than a bicycle, and could be run over quite easily. All this in the 1956-1962 time frame.Originally Posted by Kwozzie1
Renault or Peugeot are selling small cars in NZ now for less than Japan, or therebaouts, with frugal diesel engines or petrol, but there is buyer resistance. They come with things like air and cruise control standard, and look good on paper. But people 'trust' the big Japanese names, and buy Korean for budget. NZ is a small market, so nobody expects the manufacturers to back new car sales especially well. And Euro cars are cursed with the past, and the 'unusual' ,'rich person's toy', 'it'll break down' baggage.
Renault or Peugeot are selling small cars in NZ now for less than Japan, or therebaouts, with frugal diesel engines or petrol, but there is buyer resistance. They come with things like air and cruise control standard, and look good on paper. But people 'trust' the big Japanese names, and buy Korean for budget. NZ is a small market, so nobody expects the manufacturers to back new car sales especially well. And Euro cars are cursed with the past, and the 'unusual' ,'rich person's toy', 'it'll break down' baggage.
Makes sense... and it'llbe interesting to see how they do here. The "B" cars (Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, etc.) will provide a clue...
Both the messers and Isetta were here too... and by 1969 when I started uni they were very cool cars to have. Few of us knew how to make them run, but they were seriously COOL.
But not quite as cool as a Norton or Triumph....
Posting Permissions