In the past year, we were all out in the Netherlands a little less often than in previous years, but that did not alter the fact that there was enough beauty to photograph. This is the top 10 most read articles of our section ‘In het Wild’.
Also in 2020, you sent in en masse photos of exclusive, deserted or otherwise striking cars in the Dutch street scene, for which our thanks! Often these are cars that were quite common in the past, but are quite rare today. After all, the ravages of time show no mercy. This is clearly visible on a number of cars from this list, but the majority is still neatly included. No less than half of the cars in this top 10 date from before 1980, while only two cars were built after the turn of the millennium. Each one is worthwhile in its own way.
10. Citroën GSA Break Spécial (1984)
Techzle reader Alvin Dirksen spotted this red Citroën GSA Break in Maastricht and came in tenth place. The copy in question has been around for 36 years, but is apparently in good condition. The designation ‘Spécial’ does suggest that you are dealing with an expensive version, but nothing could be further from the truth: this was the entry-level model. This GSA Break also dates from one of the last construction years, because in 1985 the BX took over.
9. Mitsubishi Celeste (1976)
The Mitsubishi Celeste was a true cosmopolitan, because Mitsubishi wanted to please the Japanese, European, Australian and American markets with the design of the car. Nowadays you hardly see it anymore, but Techzle reader Erwin Verweij spotted this copy in Steyl, a town near Venlo. The spotted orange Celeste is special for several reasons. Besides the fact that it still looks very good and that it is almost completely extinct, it has been with the same owner for 13 years! Rightly so.
8. Peugeot 505 Familiale (1983)
Another car that has been with its owner for a long time. According to the available data from the RDW, this Peugeot 505 Familiale that Mickey Kleijwegt has spotted has been with its current owner since at least 2001. A neat looking copy. Good for a car that at the time was mainly intended as a tool!
Chevrolet Caprice (1978)
The third generation of the Chevrolet Caprice is an iconic American, especially since it was often seen in a taxi or police version in the 1980s. That was of course the case for the sedan and not for this coupé, which is painted in a fairly chic color scheme. In 2006, 28 years after he left the factory, he came to our country. The owners have not been as loyal to this Caprice as they were with the previous two cars, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t taken good care of him. The Caprice looks neat.
6. Peugeot 604 (1979)
French top sedans are a thing of the past. However, the Peugeot 604 was a competitor to the Mercedes-Benz S-class in its time. In terms of driving characteristics, it is said to be no less than the flagship van Das Haus. Today they can hardly be found in a good condition, but Techzle reader Michiel Hartzuiker captured this apparently tight copy for us on film. Just dream away at this piece of French luxury on wheels.
5. Mitsubishi Sapporo (1978)
Mitsubishi mainly invented the Sapporo with the American market in mind. Where the previous cars in this list all look neat and original, this is less the case with this Japanese. For example, there are no original wheels and the Sapporo seems to be wrapped. Will the rusty devil have made his move? Who knows. Regardless, the Sapporo is not an everyday appearance, which makes it all the more unique that Techzle reader Gerhard Nevenzel has spotted it.
4. Opel Manta A (1975)
Today, Opel no longer has a coupé in production, but many of us will remember the Manta. Not so long ago, the gentlemen of New Kids gave another twist to the already wrong image of the Manta. The bright green copy that they used to make the streets of Maaskantje unsafe, however, was a Manta B. The Manta A looks a lot more elegant, but the red copy that Techzle reader Menno van Dongen encountered clearly needs some love.
3. WiLL Cypha (2003)
Chances are that you have never heard of this car, nevertheless it has already passed twice in this section. The WiLL Cypha is based on the Toyota Yaris, but can hardly be recognized as such from the outside as well as the inside. The model was built specifically for the Japanese market and was never delivered to the Netherlands. A fan of car curiosities brought this green copy to the Netherlands last year. Techzle reader Guido Bakker spotted the unique creation.
2. Ford Granada (1980)
His respectable age can be seen in him, because this 40-year-old Ford Granada isn’t exactly well looked after. Despite the fact that a complete ecosystem is slowly but surely establishing itself on the car, the Ford has a valid MOT. The last owner has owned it for seven years, but apparently he never bothered to throw a bucket of suds over his car. The car is well worth it, because the GL with the 2.3-liter V6 is not the least of a version.
1. Volkswagen Atlas (2018)
This American Volkswagen mastodon is by far the youngest car on this list. The seven-seater SUV is not delivered in our country, but apparently someone thought it was worthwhile to get it here in 2018 immediately. Given the fact that the 280 hp 3.6-liter V6 is housed under the hood, it seems likely that a significant amount of bpm had to be transferred to the tax authorities. That will probably make the Atlas rarer in the Netherlands than a Bugatti Chiron, which makes it even more special that it has been spotted. You apparently found him the most interesting of all the ‘In the Wild’ articles we wrote this year, because the Atlas is in first place by a considerable margin.