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1966 Isuzu Bellett 1500 ratter 
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Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:15 am
Posts: 1991
Car(s): 1965 Wasp, 1966 Bellett, 1967 Bellett, 1969 Florian, 1973 Bellett GTR, 1976 Buick Opel by Isuzu, 1978 Gemini van
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Hey guys,

I just noticed that I never put pics up of my 'ratter' Bellett.

Sure, there are stacks of pics of it in various places on the forum; Nationals pics (was at the Adelaide Nationals), SA events, etc.

So here's a section just for it.

It's a 1966.5 model, built in approximately November 1967 if this theory here (http://www.bellett.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=685) is accurate.

It has the old-model roofline and is the 1783rd-to-last built before the roof changed over to the revised shape.

This is how the car came into my possession.

Long before Bellett.net, a fella rang me to say he had a Bellett GT shell and a spare sedan and wanted to part with them. He wanted to sell it all, but if I didn't come and get it, it would all go to the tip.

Needless to say, that would not do. So I offered him $300, which he rejected... in favour of towing it to the tip... OK...

I ended up offering him $700 which he accepted. It took me about 3 trips to and from his house at the opposite end of Adelaide just to move the parts, then two more trips; one for the GT shell and one for the daggy sedan.

Here it is on the way home:
Attachment:
01 - Bellett and VY panno - 02.JPG
01 - Bellett and VY panno - 02.JPG [ 65.35 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


He'd repainted his sedan for his daughter to drive, but she hated it (and bought a 180SX; you can buy performance, but not taste), so it sat in his back yard for about 6-7 years, deteriorating.

His paint job wasn't overly well prepped, resulting in the fine patina you see on it now.

I was going to wreck it for parts. It had a bit of rust, but ran a nice 1600cc Florian motor and Galant disc-brake conversion. It had also had a second leaf put in the back. It sat out the front, then I even agreed to sell it for $300 less the motor, but then my Mum got sick.

Here it is sitting in my old front yard:
Attachment:
02 - Isuzu Bellett - Red - 1967.jpg
02 - Isuzu Bellett - Red - 1967.jpg [ 108.75 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


I needed another daily driver, so I got the exhaust fixed, threw some tyres on it, then hit the road.

We took it to 2lDOHC Ross's house for the work to get it running again:
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03 - Isuzu Bellett - Rat Bellett - 02.JPG
03 - Isuzu Bellett - Rat Bellett - 02.JPG [ 40.12 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


My wife and I daily drove it for a few months, otherwise I would use it on days I saw Mum (which was still more than 50% of the time).

Here's a pic of it with the boot full of crap - super dumped!!!
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04 - Really dumped Isuzu Bellett - 02.JPG
04 - Really dumped Isuzu Bellett - 02.JPG [ 37.74 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


It also managed to pop up on Google Streetview; both on South Road in my work car park (albeit not very clearly...) and here in Bagot Street, North Adelaide, outside my wife's old work address.
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06 - Google Streetview - Bellett Bagot Street.JPG
06 - Google Streetview - Bellett Bagot Street.JPG [ 51.34 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


I did take it to a few shows, just for fun. Here it is at the first All Japan Day, complete with minilites and 2nd hand tyres.
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05 - Bellett at All Japan Day.jpg
05 - Bellett at All Japan Day.jpg [ 65.31 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


I eventually removed the wide minilites and put those tyres on my GT, then put a set of stockies on the car so I could get historic rego in SA. I used the powdery re-treads that had come on 2ldohc Ross's sedan (ie the ones he felt were too dangerous to actually use!!!) and drove it around like that for a while.

I threw the keys to Gav for the 2009 Bay to Birdwood...
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07 - Isuzu Bellett - 079 - Dave's ratter driven by Gav.jpg
07 - Isuzu Bellett - 079 - Dave's ratter driven by Gav.jpg [ 70.7 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


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15 - ratter Bellett from sedan.JPG
15 - ratter Bellett from sedan.JPG [ 105.3 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


I was also invited to take part in a "rat shoot' for a magazine article. There, it would be joined with an awesome Toyota Lite Stout, BMW 2002, Porsche 356, VW Beetle, KE10 Toyota Corolla, 1955 Desoto Diplomat Plaza and my Wasp. Unfortunately no magazine article eventuated, but we had a fun time.
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08 - Isuzu Bellett 1500 - Dave.JPG
08 - Isuzu Bellett 1500 - Dave.JPG [ 35.47 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


We also did the awesome annual Rock N Roll Rendezvous held up at Birdwood. Here it is next to my mate's Desoto that was in the rat shoot.
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08 - Isuzu Bellett ratter - 03.JPG
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Using strategically cut vinyl, traced from pics I found off the Net, I managed to create this kind-of reverse-paint pin-up girl graphic, while plastic pinstriping tape placed on the car, then lifted off created the reverse pinstripes.
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10 - Isuzu Bellett ratter bonnet.JPG
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I also added some Japanese writing on the door. Not know what to write, I put "Ginza Province Isuzu Taxi" into Google Translate, then put the result into WordArt, then sent it off to my signwriter mate, stuck it all on, peeled it off and got EXACTLY the desire effect! I overheard an old farmer musing about it at the rural Cavalcade of Cars in Kadina "Must've been some kind of Hong Kong taxi!!!" Close, old fella.
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11 - Isuzu Bellett ratter sedan - 01.jpg
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12 - Isuzu Bellett ratter sedan - 02.jpg
12 - Isuzu Bellett ratter sedan - 02.jpg [ 51.82 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


Eventually I put the Cooper Trendsetters I had set aside for my teardrop on the ratter; because the teardrop wasn't hitting the road anytime soon and the tyres were pushing 7 years old having had about 500 miles put under them. At the same time, I removed the chrome trims and fitted a set of meshy wire trims. Similar items were fitted to dodgy, locally-constructed Bellett Deluxes (made out of non-Deluxes) and were also a popular aftermarket thing. Especially on VW Beetles, I recall...

I guess there are really awesome aspects to the old Ratter Bellett. One, it drives, stops and handles like no Bellett should with what it has; all old crap thru it. At the risk of jinxing myself, all I've done so far is change the oil, aftermarket brake booster and.... that's all I can think of. I've probably spent less than $500 on it, tyres aside.

The other really good thing about the ratter is that it's incredibly photogenic when it wants to be. You know the story; some girls are hottt, but when you take a photo of them they look like hell, while other girls that might be construed as plain or a bit odd looking (or, let's face it, just plain fugly), might always - almost without fail, take an awesome photo.

The Ratter is a bit like that; it's not particularly pretty to look at, but once it's all Autosolled up and been treated to a wipe down with a towel, it actually looks pretty cool. Obviously. It's a Bellett.

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13 - Ratter Bellett - 01 - with Sarah.JPG
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14 - Ratter Bellett - 02.JPG
14 - Ratter Bellett - 02.JPG [ 75.49 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


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15 - Retroscene - Isuzu Bellett 1500 ratter - 03.JPG
15 - Retroscene - Isuzu Bellett 1500 ratter - 03.JPG [ 118.89 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


It received positive attention at an informal "Pizza'n'Cars" gathering down in Middleton too...

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16 - Isuzu Bellett ratter, Holden Gemini coupe and rods in background.JPG
16 - Isuzu Bellett ratter, Holden Gemini coupe and rods in background.JPG [ 60.72 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


Attachment:
17 - Isuzu Bellett ratter.JPG
17 - Isuzu Bellett ratter.JPG [ 67.56 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]



The other day, when I put my Watanabes on it. Technically that's not cool under the club rego rules, but I've just put them on until I get my new GT, plus they are an era-spec wheel. Some cars on club rego seem to get away with old-school mags in the style of the period, some don't.

Here it is at the Uraidla Classic & Hot Rod Picnic, parked next to BettyBellett Leigh's almost identical, Roman Red 1966.5 sedan!

Attachment:
20 - Isuzu Belletts - Dave's ratter and Leigh's sedan - 05.JPG
20 - Isuzu Belletts - Dave's ratter and Leigh's sedan - 05.JPG [ 69.44 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


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19 - Isuzu Belletts - Dave's ratter and Leigh's sedan - 01.JPG
19 - Isuzu Belletts - Dave's ratter and Leigh's sedan - 01.JPG [ 94.22 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


Attachment:
18 - Isuzu Belletts - Dave's ratter and Leigh's sedan - 06.JPG
18 - Isuzu Belletts - Dave's ratter and Leigh's sedan - 06.JPG [ 72.06 KiB | Viewed 29458 times ]


So that's the story of the Ratter Bellett!

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Tue Dec 06, 2011 11:44 am
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Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:39 am
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Location: Adelaide Hills
Car(s): GU Patrol, AU ute, 1969 florian deluxe, 1976 Luv & 1980 KB 4x4 isuzu
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love it! nothing wrong with a rat!

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Tue Dec 06, 2011 1:01 pm
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Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2012 10:12 pm
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Car(s): 1967 Isuzu Bellett
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I love it too! Love the timeline and subtle changes & custom trickery. She looks beautiful. I can't wait to get mine out of storage on thursday! Bit scared though. She'll definitely be in need of love.


Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:53 am
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Car(s): 1966 TEARDROP ...MANUAL ...
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what a bloody good read.. fantastic shots.. and you know its exact history what about some on the gt? cheers davo


Tue Jan 31, 2012 9:06 am
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Car(s): 1970 Bellett, 1968 Bellett, Triumph Stag, 1940 Traction Avant, T Ford 1938 Pontiac plus the usual modern stuff
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Great story Dave
You're right, a "good" ratter does have a certain appeal about it.
Loved the paintwork tricks. Thanks for taking the time to put it up for us.

YP

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Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:14 am
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Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:16 am
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Location: Adelaide north near the hills.
Car(s): Roman Red 1965 Sedan, Mint 67 Sedan Auto, 1967 GT , 1.5x 1967 sedans, 1968 Deluxe Sedan, 1965 Wasp Ute (Resto project)
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Super story there Dave.

Thanks for taking the time to put it up.

We all love to follow the Provenance


OZ

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Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:47 am
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Car(s): PR90, PR91, Teardrop Bellett Sedan, 1979 Pontiac Trans Am Firebird, 1975 HJ Belmont Ute,Yamaha YB100
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Nice photos. Anything else there you've forgoten to put up photos of Dave


Wed Feb 01, 2012 1:32 am
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Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:16 am
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Location: New Zealand
Car(s): 1968 Isuzu Bellett
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Looks great Dave, wish my bellett looked half as good, instead of ratty it just has bad paint!


Wed Feb 01, 2012 1:45 am
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Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:29 pm
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Location: Kallangur, Brisbane QLD
Car(s): 3x1965 PR20(Donkey, Jenny n Bundy) 1 1969 PR20(Percy) 2 1968 PR20(Eugine n GT Donor) 1 1968 PR91 GT, 1 1965 Wasp
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Donkey would look great parked on the grass next to your ratter Dave. ;)

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Wed Feb 01, 2012 4:33 am
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Car(s): 1968 PR91 Bellett GT. 2014 ISUZU MU-X, 2016 Jayco 22' Starcraft Caravan, 2013 KIA Reo shopping trolley!!
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Dave,
What a great read and story, how could you do anything to it now :?:
Ratter has so much history with you, behind it or under it now, it deserves not to be "modified" :o

This is what GREAT STUFF, is made of :lol:
Dave M.

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Wed Feb 01, 2012 6:10 am
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Car(s): 1964 GT Isuzu Bellett
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So surprised to find out the "RAT" has not been exposed on "My Bellett" yet, until now. Us fortunate folk who are in the neighbourhood have become accustomed to seeing it and it's great owner around the traps. And it's always exiting to rock up along side in another Bellett.

Many a true word about Ratters, Belletts, Women and photogeneality Dave, as only YOU can express this.

It was on a cold dark morning 4 years ago at about 5 am, I first met the man and his Ratter. It was at a servo on highway 1, and we were ready to embark on a 200 km round trip to a show near Kadina, both the Ratter and my Blue Beastie. What I didn't know back then, it was to be the begining of some awesome and unusual connection which the path of life sometimes leads you down by default. I still remember the shear excitement and intrepidness of the day. And things haven't changed !!

Well, here are a few quick photo additions as I've known the Rat in this short time,


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Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:11 pm
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Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:15 am
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Car(s): 1965 Wasp, 1966 Bellett, 1967 Bellett, 1969 Florian, 1973 Bellett GTR, 1976 Buick Opel by Isuzu, 1978 Gemini van
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I put this stuff up and forgot to check the thread again.

Thanks for the nice words; it's good to hear that people appreciate it, even though it's daggy. I like it the way it is... I had grand plans for a matt-black paintjob when I first started driving it, but the Roman Red has a certain authenticity... even if it is a dodgy spray job over dodgy prep-work over original paint! It's an archaelogical dig right there!

claws wrote:
Nice photos. Anything else there you've forgoten to put up photos of Dave


Yes Claws... there are others.... but they need love before they get coverage!

Dave

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Wed May 02, 2012 3:35 am
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Car(s): Doris, AuntyMary, Shrek, Jimmy; GT, Wasp, Flo & Sed unrestos; 65 Elf; 82 Rodeo, 60 TX550, 72 Sport, & a Sigma.
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Attachment:
19%20-%20Isuzu%20Belletts%20-%20Dave's%20ratter%20and%20Leigh's%20sedan%20-%2001[1].JPG
19%20-%20Isuzu%20Belletts%20-%20Dave's%20ratter%20and%20Leigh's%20sedan%20-%2001[1].JPG [ 94.22 KiB | Viewed 29017 times ]



Well looky here! I've found another!

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Belletts (4)_resize.JPG
Belletts (4)_resize.JPG [ 100.17 KiB | Viewed 29017 times ]


And yep, thats my driveway.
EVERYBODY should have a Roman Red Ratter! ;)

I read your story here a while ago, sorry about the slow reply. I too enjoyed the read, and the little changes. I like how this car seems to go a lot of places with you, and it always gets attention. I reckon it's fine just the way it is. With any car, while there isn't rust to be dug out it's good to be able to just enjoy them.

The car above? Well maybe I should start it a thread, It came to me as part of the job-lot with Aunty Mary, I've just been slack enough not to take any pics until now. BUT the time has come for some love. :)
Starts (real easy), drives, but doesn't stop (without a hill) so first up might be brakes. :idea:

Cheers & thanks for showing,
Matt.

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Fri May 18, 2012 1:05 pm
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Car(s): GU Patrol, AU ute, 1969 florian deluxe, 1976 Luv & 1980 KB 4x4 isuzu
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yes everyone should own a rat at some stage!

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Fri May 18, 2012 10:07 pm
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Car(s): '72 Sport Bellett (imported 180912), M/B AMG A35, i30, had Belletts in past, 2 sed, 3 GT's.
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Those Roman's sure painted a lot of cars.

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Fri May 18, 2012 11:37 pm
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I have got my Roman Red ..........
KB


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Belletts 25022011 017  s.jpg
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Fri May 18, 2012 11:55 pm
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Car(s): '72 Sport Bellett (imported 180912), M/B AMG A35, i30, had Belletts in past, 2 sed, 3 GT's.
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they are coming out of the woodwork! Used to have one myself, long gone now though....

there is something nice about that colour.

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Sat May 19, 2012 12:03 am
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Car(s): 1966 TEARDROP ...MANUAL ...
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did you say roamin ...oh sorry ..2 blokes and wifes are roman around nth qld and in indonesia lucky buggers ..cmon kerry its time you went ..roami roamin roamin down the river (murray that is ) cheers davo ...farmer yet another fine x blackwell car from wangaratta its funny i called tn there while visiting the grices gary capps dad was alan capp who had a big dealer ship in wang my dad worked for him as a panelbeater/painter in the 60/s my first bellet bought from blackys old man (jack) and i side swipped a cattle truck and got s/h doors guess what colour they were on my the blue car ...yep you guessed it ............roman red ..


Sat May 19, 2012 12:43 am
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Car(s): 2 GT Belletts bellett sedan . Florian.gt project.fj Holden. Gemini.lc gtr.datsun240 z
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In Asia not Indonesia Dave. Spotted quite a few Honda Dax bikes kjb would be over the moon. Gricey


Sat May 19, 2012 1:03 am
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Car(s): Bellett GT, Bellett Sedan, Prince Skyline GT, Porsche tractor, Lanz Bulldog, 996 Carrera 4,Prince Miler,
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Dave ,
We are just back from 3 weeks in Vanuatu.... and you want us to head off again,give us a break please! There were Belletts in Port Vila in the early days, I have spoken to the importer,he brought some into Vanuatu to try and create some interest in Rallying and hence sell more cars but did not really work....he went on to sell Isuzu trucks and has just relinquished the dealership.
(By the way, I could not find any Bellett left overs...............)
KB

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Sat May 19, 2012 1:24 am
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