It's A Kingswood Holden!

Photo caption: A green Holden Kingswood was parked on the road side of Jalan Kebon Sirih, Bandung.

The discovery brings back memories from my childhood. The company where my father worked used to have one of these. I remember my father taking me on a trip out of the city on this car. It was a comfortable and powerful car.

From this source, I learned that it's a Holden HJ or HX model, which respectively was released in 1974 and 1976. It was available in 2.8-liter and 3.3-liter inline six-cylinder engines. It used to be one of the most popular cars here. Even now, I think, it still has its own fans.

Holden is an Australian-made car, produced by General Motors-Holden.

There are a couple of mechanics and workshop that specialize in remaking/rebuilding/reconditioning old cars on Jalan Kebon Sirih. I think that's why the car was there.

A Midget Car

 You might wonder what car this head lamp belongs to. But look at the photo below:

 

Yes, it's a three-wheeled Daihatsu Midget.

According to Wikipedia, the car was first introduced in 1957. The original (the first or the DK) model of this car had an air-cooled, 2-stroke 250 cc engine which produced 10 hp (7 kW). In 1959, the second model (known as the MP model) was launched with a slightly bigger engine, 305 cc, which can produce 12 HP (9 KW). A variety of DK models had since then been produced until 1972, when Daihatsu, the manufacturer, decided to stop the production. By that time, nearly 350,000 units of it had been produced.

In Bandung and many other cities in Indonesia, the car was popularly called Bemo and used mainly as means of public transportation. Hence, the word 'Bemo' became for a long time synonymous with public transportation mini buses.

A Vintage 1957 Red 3600 Chevrolet Truck

One of the things exhibited at BDG Mooi! Fest was this vintage 1957 Red 3600 Chevrolet Truck. The owner said that the car was all in its original condition except for the paint. It was well-maintained, ready to drive, and that it was for sale. I didn't ask how much for. It's a very nice car.

 

Car on Fire

One of the advantages of having a camera with you all the time is that you will be ready for action whenever a situation occurs, like this one. On my way to work a few weeks ago, I saw a car caught on fire. I immediately stopped and took some pictures of it as some people were trying to help the owner of this car to extinguish the fire.

It was a terrible fire. Luckily the car did not explode and nobody got hurt.

Covered in Snow

On that car, it's not the real snow, of course. We live in the tropic, and the only real snow we have here is the eternal snow glacier at the top of Jayawijaya mountain on the Indonesian province of Papua (see inset picture courtesy of the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism).

"Snow" is a term used for the snow-like soapy foam sprayed from a special machine called foam injector that is used in a car wash like the one in the top photo. Snow wash, as it is called here, is very popular.

Car Wash in Bandung

I snapped this photo with my cell phone camera while waiting for my car being washed at a tire shop and car washing station on Setiabudhi Street in the north of Bandung.

Hand car wash like this is quite easy to find here and is relatively cheap. Basic cleaning services cost between IDR 20,000 to IDR 30,000 (USD 2 - 3). Additional services are usually offered in the form of maintenance and beautification packages by car washing stations that also label themselves as "Salon Mobil" (Automobile Beauty Salon).

1967 VW Beetle

Just by looking at the shape of this headlamp - and before you even look at the embossed VW logo on it's lid - you can definitely tell that this is a photo of VW Beetle. And if you happen to be someone who has a very keen interest in this one of the most influential cars ever built, you'll know that this is of the 1967 model.

1967 is an important year in the development of VW Beetle. It was in this year that the drivetrain or powertrain of the car was significantly improved and the engine capacity enlarged. It was also in this year that the invention of first air conditioning system that was specifically designed for this car was granted a patent. (It was invented by Don P. Dixon of San Antonio, Texas.)

Here are some of the features of the 1967 VW Beetle:

Engine: 1500 cc OHV H4, 40 kilowatts (54 hp) @ 4200 rpm, 105 N·m (77 lb·ft) @ 2600, bore 83 mm, stroke 69 mm, comp ratio 7.5:1
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Wheelbase: 2400 mm (94.5 in)
Length: 4079 mm (160.6 in)
Width: 1539 mm (60.6 in)



As I said in one of my previous posts, VW Beetle is called by different names in different parts of the world. In Indonesia it is called VW Kodok (Toad or Frog VW). To my knowledge, the same name (frog, frogy, toad, toady) is only used in Iran (where it is called folex, which means frog), Iraq (agroga or frog), and partly in Malaysia where it is commonly called kura (turtle) or kodok.

I Love Traffic Jam?

"I love traffic jam!"

What?!!!

Yes! You did not misread it. That's the advertising slogal written on this car with wings parked on Jalan Diponegoro, in front of Gedung Sate gubernatorial office mansion, in Bandung.



What does it advertise and sell? Cell phones!

What do cell phones have to do with traffic jam? It's not that difficult to see.

I'm just wondering if this uniquely designed car is also found anywhere else.

A Walk of Discovery: Volkswagen Beetle

I discovered this eye-stopper VW Beetle at a neighboring housing complex on my Sunday walk the other day. VW Beetle has always been one of my favorite cars, and its yellow color, which also happens to be my favorite color, had my heart skipped a beat. Needless to say, I instinctively took out my camera and, after asking the owner if I could take photographs of it, I began exploring the beautiful details of this car.

VW Type 1, the official name of this car, has different nicknames in different countries. It is called VW Beetle/Bug in English, VW Kodok (Frog/Toad) in Indonesian, and Kafer in German. What is it called in your country?

This is what I know about this car from some references I have read:
The Beetle was produced between 1938 until 2003, during which 21 million of it were produced. According to an internatinal poll, it is the fourth most influential cars ever produced after Ford T Model, the Mini, and Citroen DS. This car was designed by Ferdinand Porche upon the request of Adolf Hitler who wanted a cheap and reliable car for the masses.