Kathmandu Crown

December 5, 2009

Hi everyone,

I sold my Surf that I had in Albania. I lost a real bundle - seemed like no one in UK wanted a big 4 x 4 even though it was a wondeful vehicle, totally reliable and in super condition. Anyhow, I am now in Kathmandu. I will be here for at least another 18 months but am desperately wishing I had something more interesting to drive than my Land Rover. I was thinking of a Hindustani Ambassador, although there are surprisingly few of them here.

I mentioned my quest to another ex-pat friend of mine today and within minutes he gave me details of (yet) another ex-pat who has a 1964 Sunbeam Alpine, a 1969 Land Rover, and........a 1972 Crown for sale. I haven't seen the Crown but am told that it was imported for the Japanese Ambassador in 1972, white and described as being in excellent condition. The lady wants over $4000 US for it - seems plenty to me, isn't it? There is also a problem here in that one HAS to sell whatever car you own before you are allowed to leave! This could give me difficulties when I have to leave. But, I love the idea of owning one, and with such interesting history. Here most cars you see are old Corollas, Land Rovers, Suzuki jeeps or the new little saloons, and some of these strange Chinese makes.

I am going to have to fight with myself not to go see it, but if I see it I might struggle to resist.

Any advice anyone?

(The Alpine would be great fun, but $12,000!)

Regards from Nepal,

Mark

December 7, 2009

$12k for the Alpine ? :eek:

Goes into a corner & kicks himself, severely :bash: :bangin: :chair:

I owned one of about that vintage :crybaby: Mine was the one with the large tail fins, convertible & l.h.d, having been imported from the States. It had some sort of overdrive, if I recall correctly. I paid £75 for her & sold her to a little old Lady, & I do mean little, who managed to snap a solid steel gear lever :rolleyes:

If only I had all my old cars back, I'd be rich, I tell you, Rich ! :shutit:

December 17, 2009

$12k for the Alpine ?
Goes into a corner & kicks himself, severely
I owned one of about that vintage Mine was the one with the large tail fins, convertible & l.h.d, having been imported from the States. It had some sort of overdrive, if I recall correctly. I paid £75 for her & sold her to a little old Lady, & I do mean little, who managed to snap a solid steel gear lever
If only I had all my old cars back, I'd be rich, I tell you, Rich ! :shutit:

Maybe they increased in value because you sold them on? :P :lol2:

December 18, 2009

Mine was something like this, but with slightly larger tailfins :crybaby:

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1033952802030099838GHLIKP

December 18, 2009

Vic.... was it this model :unsure:

They were very nice cars in their day.... in fact they still are :yes:

December 18, 2009

Thanks Steve :thumbsup:

All the pics I could find seem to be of lhd cars. Mine was too.

Wasn't a problem, unless stuck behind a Lorry on a narrow road, without a trustworthy passenger in the front seat [of the car, of course, not the lorry :rolleyes: ]

December 18, 2009

:oops: :blush: The head is the 2nd thing to go. Well, it was over 40 years ago :crybaby: It has just come to me that I have been spouting rubbish & apologies to all :(

It wasn't an Alpine I had, it was a Rapier Convertible, & still LHD. The Pic shows mine in the exact colours, though not a convertible. It was a lovely car, though not in the same category as the Alpine

http://www.motorbase.com/profiles/vehicle/...88;p=1737887622