Valencia Classic Vehicles

Strange tales of adventure while buying and importing classic vehicles from the continent.  All images and words are our own, unless otherwise noted.  More?  www.valenciaclassicvehicles.com

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Coming soon.  The best driving Series IIA I have ever experienced.

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Coming soon.  A car that is virtually impossible not to fall in love with...

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VCVC: Fiat 130 Coupe - Short Drive

A very brief startup and drive in our 1975 Fiat 130 Coupe. This vehicle has a 3.2L SOHC V6 engine and 5-speed manual transmission. The engine is an Aurelio L...

A quick run around the block in our 1975 Fiat 130 Coupe...

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The Lancia Delta and the Unimatic Modello Duo - two bits of Italian design excellence within the reach of everyone. Kudos to Unimatic for making such a handsome, durable timepiece without any unnecessary clutter. www.valenciaclassicvehicles.com

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Our 1986 Nissan Patrol has arrived.  127k original miles.  Black over perfect gray and black cloth.  SD33 inline six-cylinder diesel.  5-speed manual transmission.  Dual batteries.  Available now in Richmond, VA for $16,500.

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“The Wabi Sabi Motorcar:  How Ancient Japanese Aesthetic Concepts Can Apply To The Collector Vehicles We Love.”

Read the article here:  http://www.valenciaclassicvehicles.com/stories/2017/1/15/the-wabi-sabi-motorcar

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“I saw my first wild boar that day.  And my second.  A couple falcons and a whole bunch of sparrows.  But no human beings.  On a closed trail near the top of a difficult mountain, it's just you, the vehicle and nature, and that makes the surroundings feel pretty special.  Why do it?  Why drive a Nissan Patrol all the way up here, likely breaking a few laws and risking an embarrassing recovery if you put a wheel wrong?  Because that's what Nissan Patrols do, frankly, and the challenge of making it up and down without help is an inspiring one.

Up there, high enough for the clouds to start closing down the ceiling, there's nothing to bother you.  Nothing to pay attention to except the available grip and the scenery.  Nothing to worry about.

Then my phone beeped...”

For the rest of the story, visit: http://www.valenciaclassicvehicles.com/stories/2017/1/12/1986-nissan-patrol

And for others, www.valenciaclassicvehicles.com

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“Another creation of the legendary Aurelio Lampredi, the 3.2L engine is essentially a larger, SOHC version of the Ferrari Dino powerplant, without the flat-plane crank and chain driven camshafts, but with the same fundamental architecture and with a scintillating exhaust note all its own.  Less screamy and more basso profundo, with a roar at higher RPM that makes the hairs on your forearms stand up and is encouragement enough to push through the gears again and again.  Better still, the ride/handling compromise is truly one of the best I have ever experienced in a vintage motorcar.  There is consummate composure and tremendous isolation over bumps, but the car will bend flat into a corner and rip through with startling speed and steering accuracy.  It's a big car, this, with legitimate rear seating for adults and enough luggage space to satisfy the Clampetts, but the size disappears when you're driving and the overall impression is one of precision guidance and ease-of-use.  For a period grand tourer, it just doesn't get much better than that...”

For the rest of the story, visit: http://www.valenciaclassicvehicles.com/stories/2016/12/21/1975-fiat-130-5-speed-coupe

And for more, www.valenciaclassicvehicles.com

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“The BU-825 isn’t so much a driving road as it is a rally special stage, an insane, murderous clown chasing you through the Spanish forest.  The challenges come thick and fast, with the road surface pitching the car around like mad, threatening to chuck it off into the weeds at almost any moment.  Camber changes mid-bend.  Radii decrease with no warning, often over crests.  Goddamned cows block the road in places.  COWS.  You don’t drive the BU-825, you smack it around and tame it, because if you don’t, it smacks you first.  But if you do, you’re rewarded with one of the true jewels of motoring - a stretch of the LR-113 into the famous La Rioja winemaking region that is as smooth and fast as you could ever ask for...” The full story is coming soon.

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A very happy and prosperous New Year to you and your family from all of us at Valencia Classic Vehicle Consulting! Thank you for your passion and support, and we look forward to many new adventures in 2017! www.valenciaclassicvehicles.com

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The Girardo & Co. Christmas Video

This is "The Girardo & Co. Christmas Video" by Girardo & Co. on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Our friends at Girardo & Co, reminding us how to enjoy the little chores of the holiday season...

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“I eventually came to a section where the road seemed to end.  Or, not end necessarily, but a section where the road was... interrupted.  There was a wall of smallish rocks which pitched up at an incredibly steep angle, but only for a few meters, before it flattened out again and I could see the trail continued on up the mountain.  It looked like a smallish wall of rocks that had slid down to form a terribly steep (and rough) ramp.  I paused and got out to walk it and see the obstacle first-hand.  The heat was massive, truly withering, and although I didn't particularly like the look of the stones in front, I also didn't fancy the idea of reversing back down the steep trail to find a place where I could turn around.  I figured I'd better give it a go...”

For the rest of the story, visit: http://www.valenciaclassicvehicles.com/stories/2016/11/25/1991-land-rover-defender-110-200-tdi-2-door

And for more, see: www.valenciaclassicvehicles.com

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Mercedes-Benz 250GD.  At the top of a mountain.  Why did I drive it there?  Because that’s what Geländewagens do.

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Memories of the 2015 Maroc Challenge Rally.  We didn't win, but the RRC was awesome and the on-board refrigerator never broke, which meant ice cold Mombasa Club gin and Fever Tree tonic for the entire trip.  (If you can’t compete like civilized human beings, what's the point?)

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A sunrise breakfast on the beach, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.  Res Ipsa Loquitur.

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