Part 34: Chevrolet Constantia


Constantia (or Constanța in Romanian) is a Romanian port city on the Black Sea and the fourth largest city in Romania.  According to legend, this is where Jason and the Argonauts landed after finding the Golden Fleece.

General Motors built cars in Port Elizabeth (now known as Gqeberha) in South Africa and marketed them under the Chevrolet name throughout the 1970s.  The Chevrolet Constantia went on sale in May, 1969 and was based on the Australian Holden Brougham but with a different front end.  Engine choices were a 4.1 litre inline six or a 5.0 litre V8.

A redesigned second generation Constantia was launched in 1972, this time based on the Holden Statesman HQ.  The same two engines were carried over.  1975 saw the introduction of the third generation Constantia, based on the new Holden Statesman HJ, again with the same engines.  In addition to a four-door sedan, a station wagon became available for the first time.  Chevrolet South Africa launched a more luxurious, upscale version of the Mk III Constantia under a name Americans would find familiar, even if the car itself wasn't.  It was called the Chevrolet Caprice Classic!

Constantia production ended in 1978.  Exact production numbers are hard to find but it is estimated that somewhere around 15,000 units, give or take, were built from 1969 through 1978.

So what is this car's connection to a city in Romania?  Well, Constantia also happens to be the name of an affluent suburb of Cape Town.  So it seems Chevrolet's South African marketing people had the same idea as their American colleagues who came up with Biscayne and Bel Air.  Nevertheless, the name of this posh South African suburb still owes it's origin to a Romanian city on the Black Sea, and since this obscure Chevy was never sold there, I'm including it on my list.  Got a problem with that?  Fight me! 

I think they may have found an Odyssey: 2018, very low mileage, decent trim level, all the history, new and good quality tires. Fingers crossed. 

Quote from: CaminoRacer on May 10, 2024, 08:15:56 PMI got a song for you then

https://youtu.be/ohN5WefK4eM?si=elUoZjmyXKtLR9lP

  I'll have to check it out.

Along with the "warning label" on this one hahahaha

Picked up the Tesla today (not mine, it belongs to Ally)

I really enjoyed driving it around today. I get one month of "free" "full" self driving. I gave it a whirl on one stretch and it did ok. Similar stress to sitting in the passenger seat with a new driver.

I'll just stick with the cruise control.

The auto wipers did much better than on the test drive.

Lady was nice and toasty and I was nice and cool.

It was so quiet and comfortable.

The button turn signals were nowhere near as annoying as I thought they'd be. I'm sure it'll suck in the roundabouts

No wheels or doors fell off, so far reliability 10/10.

Tesla now under federal investigation for securities and wire fraud due to AP and AD: https://www.motortrend.com/news/tesla-elon-musk-autopilot-full-self-driving-doj-fraud-investigation/

He had to take over, but it's getting there. Interesting listening to the passengers.

I got a song for you then

https://youtu.be/ohN5WefK4eM?si=elUoZjmyXKtLR9lP

So, the sub is a great addition and well worth the headache of install!

When you push the button to turn the truck off the sub immediately cuts out even though the radio/Pandora keep going for a couple minutes or until the door is opened (whichever is first). The stock stereo isn't terrible but I've always loved bass and it's quite full with the addition.

Not enough to rattle the neighborhood, even at max bass knob.

Quote from: Madman on April 21, 2024, 06:59:35 AMJust be careful, Christian.  I know German laws are pretty strict in regards to "road rudeness" and "offensive gestures."

https://www.dw.com/en/german-drivers-told-to-mind-their-manners-on-the-road/a-2451659


Just giving someone the finger or calling another driver a "dumb cow" can land you a hefty fine.

https://thetravelingovereducatedhousewife.blog/2015/05/06/the-high-price-of-giving-someone-the-finger-in-germany/


You don't want Munich's "Woke" authorities to arrest you, do you?  I'm pretty sure you won't like their soy-based vegan prison food.  Then again, maybe you'll be lucky and the Judge will only make you do community service.  They'll probably have you do outreach work for Munich's local support group for left-handed, transgender, lesbian, Afro-Asian, Midget, Eskimo, Albinos with eating disorders. 

Trust me, I know all about the rules here and I generally don't insult pedestrians or other motorists. 

But lately the stupidity of cyclists, pedestrians and other motorists has literally increased. Cyclists and pedestrians in particular are distracted by their headphones and smartphones and don't seem to pay attention to road safety and other traffic participants.

Been awhile since I hit speeds this high.