Francis Birtles Pioneer Trip

Yes Steve there are a few around. Birtles used one as his support vehicle on his first Mebourne to Darwin trip.

Farck. And I reckon the Haka is absolute bullsh!t! It's nothing compared to these poseurs.

Lang wrote:

No problem for foreigners. Indian and Pakistani registered cars may not cross or operate in the other country.

I can drive across in an Australian registered car but the locals must walk or bus and be met on the other side. Remember there are several hundred million moslems living in India who want or need to visit Pakistan and vice-versa. They are not the best of mates but life still goes on.

Border crossings form the basis for many a dinner party discussion but you never know until you get there. No matter what the problem there is always a way out. A big smile, sometimes a donation, sometimes having a spiv :helper" and sometimes just waiting for the shift change and getting a new bloke.

There is no problem time and money will not fix - if you don't have one you can use the other.

Here is the ceremony every afternoon. The crowd on each side barrack for their team like European football fans. It is a great show fully choreographed between them.

Lang I wish you and your team all the best for your adventure. As you say all border crossings are possible when officials begin to like you after you've paid them enough money. Last person I know who did what you are doing is Mr Newsway but he had a 6x6 Merc with 20 odd punters and that was over 10 years ago. Caught up with him when he was camped at the West Beach caravan park. A few years later He managed to convince the Sudanese Customs to allow entry from Ethiopia for one of the Range Rovers in our convoy of 9 and proceed to Khartoum where he could organise a new Carnet for the one that was stolen . We then split into 2 groups and myself & Cath and 3 other Range Rovers headed for Wadi Halfa to get a ferry to Egypt. Mr Newsway and the 3 others caught us up in Aqabah in Jordan. Yeah, like I said Lang, GOOD LUCK. Pete

At last the car is being loaded this morning in SA. I am looking forward to seeing it in Brisbane.

We now have FIVA Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens fully backing the project with advice and administrative support. FIVA is the sister organisation to FIA which runs formula One and all the international rallies. They look after and make the rules for concours, rallies and any major event involving veteran, vintage and classic cars.

Our first big possible hurdle of Iran seems to be solved with the local FIVA rep organising a border to border escort for us by members in their old cars. They will then hand off to FIVA in Pakistan who will do the same thing to India.

Just Myanmar (Burma) to sort out as our last difficult access country.

Lang

This is fantastic Lang. I am really looking forward to following your latest adventure.

I am disappointed i didn't get to see the car before it left SA, but visiting that museum just hasn't seemed to work out yet. Thanks for sharing the photos here.

Brett.

The car finally arrived and I am seeing it in the flesh for the first time. Twilight delivery so better photos tomorrow. It is bigger than I imagined.Bev got the first sit in. Says it is comfortable but looks pretty squeezy to me.

Lang m80

RE: looks pretty squeezy to me

just wait till U 2 try to give the car a christing
LOL

the mind boggles
But
where's there a will there iz a way

cya

Having sat in it I am already designing a way to push the seats back 4 inches. Only way to push the brake pedal is with pointy toe RM Williams boots. Normal boots or sneakers can not fit between the steering column and the side wall (centre accelerator like an army blitz).

Some copies of copies of David Ragless photos of his restoration back in the 80's.