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NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 8:47 am
by KA2S4
Just got back from a big road trip to reunite the 970 with 4 of it's previous owners/racers.
5 nights away and many an evening spent sharing stories about the car.
Some of the owners hadn't seen the car in 45 years!
More photos gleaned, and a book of certificates and 3 trophies were given to me by Trevor Wilson, the 1st owner of the car.
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 8:54 am
by KA2S4
Graeme Farr, who drove the car when it was for sale here in Wellington in 1973
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:00 am
by KA2S4
Waiting for the ferry at Picton
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:01 am
by KA2S4
South Island east coast
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:05 am
by KA2S4
Covered in bugs after a quick blast through the middle of the north island
And Trev, (1st owner) giving the car a wash, something he hadn't done for 47 years
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:06 am
by KA2S4
The trophies Trev gave me.
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:11 am
by KA2S4
Maureen Wilson, Trev's wife in 1965 when the car was 2 weeks old!
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:14 am
by KA2S4
Maureen with the car now.
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:17 am
by KA2S4
John Sheppard who owned and raced the car from '66-'69
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:20 am
by KA2S4
Desert Road, middle of North Island.
This is where I had an almost terminal overheat due to faulty radiator cap and temp guage, only mechanical issue all trip!
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:22 am
by KA2S4
L-R Graham Wing (3rd owner) Peter Robinson (who I bought it from as a project) and Me
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:24 am
by KA2S4
Big car wreckers yard in the middle of nowhere - Horopito - where they filmed the movie "Smash Palace"
Some tail lights for Rich...
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:27 am
by KA2S4
on the ferry again!
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:29 am
by KA2S4
back on home turf!
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 11:14 am
by Tim
Fantastic, NZ must have so me of the best Mini driving roads in the world. Its really nice to be able to fill in the history of your car and meet the people who were part of it.
Tim
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 11:21 am
by JC T ONE
Awesome
must be very satisfying to have come full circle.
a car becomes SOO much more, when you have the story.
thanks for sharing.
Jens Christian
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 11:40 am
by foxy52
JC T ONE wrote:Awesome
must be very satisfying to have come full circle.
a car becomes SOO much more, when you have the story.
thanks for sharing.
Jens Christian
....likewise, cracking pics and a great read.... !!!! rgds foxy52
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 3:48 pm
by Pete
Great thread James, not just for the trip , the landscapes (and seascapes !) but for a great illustration of how these cars mean so much more when you add people into the picture. Especially Surf Blue ones.
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 4:41 pm
by guru_1071
no one else has seamed to notice this bit..
1400 miles on a 4.1 diff....
jesus....
have your ears recovered?
Re: NZ road trip 1400 miles on a 4.1
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 5:07 pm
by miniminor
That's a fantastic journey and so good for previous owners to be able to provide the history for you - gorgeous looking Cooper - Surf Blue is definitely "the" colour to have