Latest news with #abandonedvehicles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Hidden UK Farm Reveals Trio of Forgotten Classics, Including a Hillman Imp and Austin A30
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious A remote British farm hides long-abandoned Hillman Imp, Austin A30, and VW Beetle, slowly being reclaimed by nature. Deep in the British countryside, a long-forgotten farm has revealed a remarkable trio of classic vehicles hidden beneath decades of overgrowth and decay. Captured on camera by urban explorer 'Exploring With Boss,' the site appears untouched since the late 20th century and is home to a Hillman Imp, an Austin A30, and a Volkswagen Beetle. The first vehicle spotted is a green Hillman Imp, partially protected under a barn's collapsed roof. A product of the Rootes Group, the Imp was the first British mass-production car with an aluminum engine block and head. Launched in 1963, it struggled with early reliability issues but remained in production until 1976. Around 440,000 units were built, and while not highly collectible today, surviving examples in solid condition are increasingly rare. Next is what appears to be an Austin A30, nearly indistinguishable beneath thick brush. Produced from 1951 to 1956, the A30 was Austin's answer to the Morris Minor. Powered by a modest 803cc inline-four, it offered frugal motoring for postwar Britain. Fewer than a quarter-million were made, and rust claimed many of them decades ago. Finally, partially obscured in the dense foliage, a Volkswagen Beetle can be seen — the world's most produced car of the 20th century. Though details are scarce due to its position, the rounded fenders and sloping roofline are unmistakable. The vehicles' exact location has not been disclosed, likely to protect them from looters or vandalism. Yet without intervention, the odds of their survival are slim. 'These cars are history, frozen in time,' the host says in the video. 'It's a shame they'll probably never move again.' Their fate, like that of many rural relics, remains uncertain — slowly surrendered to rust and roots.
RNZ News
06-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Much loved swimming spot dumped on again
A two-door coupe style vehicle was found in the Tauranga River at Wardlaw Glade. Photo: LDR / supplied A rusting car body found in the Tauranga River at Waimana's Wardlaw Glade, about 20km south of Whakatāne, is just one of many the Bay of Plenty Regional Council is likely to have to pull out of rivers this year. Regional council compliance team leader Trudy Richards said last year, the council received 28 reports through its Pollution Hotline regarding vehicles abandoned in waterways across the region, from Katikati to Waioeka and surrounding areas. The two-door coupe-style car was reported to the hotline on Tuesday afternoon along with an assortment of whiteware and other rubbish dumped in the carpark beside the popular swimming spot. Richards said the council would arrange for a contractor to remove the car body from the river once weather conditions were suitable. "If feasible, we will also retrieve the whiteware." Pollution outside of the river bed typically falls under the responsibility of the territorial authority, which in this case is Whakatāne District Council. However, as Wardlaw Glade is alongside State Highway 2, this is unclear. A variety of whiteware has also been dumped at the Wardlaw Glade carpark. Photo: LDR / supplied The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is responsible for rubbish collection on and alongside state highways. "However, where possible, we collaborate with local councils and Waka Kotahi to minimise costs." The cost of removal for the car varies depending on site accessibility, the need for traffic management, and potential fuel or oil discharge but, on average, each removal costs ratepayers about $2000. Richards said the regional council had not been able to assess the environmental impact of the car body on the river because of a lack of information on how long the vehicle has been in the waterway and whether it was fully intact or contained fuel or other fluids when it entered the water. "It is always disheartening to witness such disregard for our environment through the careless dumping of waste," she said. Transport agency system manager Andy Oakley said maintenance contractors were dealing with an "increasingly awful job", cleaning up after illegal rubbish dumping at rest areas along SH2. "It's been a growing problem over the last couple of years at this rest stop and others, and can vary from domestic household rubbish, to large household items, such as beds, chairs, headboards and washing machines, to broken toys and push chairs." "Stopping at rest areas to pick up litter was costly in terms of both money and, more importantly, time, when they could be prioritising other work that is vital to motorists such as fixing potholes. "Littering in public places is illegal. We would love the support of the community to please report any sightings of fly tipping to NZ Police or call NZTA on 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49). LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
