My next project "La Petite Chanteuse"

3 minute(s) of a 82 minute read

Thank you Stude17 and Col

In a way you are both right. I get a lot of pleasure of working on my various projects, this despite working under conditions that most people would consider "impossible". It seems as though there are a great number of very "precious" people out there and no doubt some of them either do not understand my particular sense of humour or are themselves totally devoid of any sense of fun. I am always amused by the people who put great store in having the very latest equipment and what to me are palatial work shops but seem incapable of putting a spanner on a nut. One only has to look at the number of unfinished projects and ones that were started ten, fifteen or even twenty years ago and have not progressed passed the stage of buying all the specialist tools and air-conditioning the workshop.

Probably totally unknown outside Australia, we have a national sport called "Taking the Mickey!"

Bj.

Further to the above I completely fail to understand the mentality of people who have a fabulous vintage or classic car but get more enjoyment driving a huge truck towing a vast trailer than actually driving their treasured car. A properly restored car should be totally reliable, safe and pleasurable to drive under all conditions, there is nothing that I enjoy more than driving my cars in company of like minded people. Right now we are busy planing our next three month visit to Europe during the 2014 Northern Spring where we will be using the 1934 Lagonda as a daily driver. That is right, 1,000s of miles from home in a foreign country for three months, driving in a 79 year old two seater sports car, that I restored and maintain myself, every day. Wonderful! 

Bj.

Alpine Passes Conquered.

in the French, Italian and Swiss Alps & the Pyrenees

During visits to Europe with the 1934 Lagonda Rapier CH1998

in 1994,6,9 & 2004& 9.

Col de l’Iseran2,769 metres. (Both directions.) (F)

Passo dello Stelvio2,758 metres.(I)

Col du Galibier2,645 metres. (Both directions) (F)

Passo di Gavia2,621 metres.(I)

Furka Pass2,431 metres.(CH)

Col d’Izoard2,361 metres. (Both directions) (F)

Albula Pass 2,312 metres.(CH)

Julier Pass2,284 metres.(CH)

Susten Pas2,224 metres.(CH)

Penser Joch2,214 metres(I)

Ofen Pass2,149 metres.(CH)

Col de Vars2,111 metres (Both directions) (F)

Jaufen Pass2,094 metres(I)

Col du Mt Cenis2,083 metres (Both directions) (F-I)

Col du Lautaret2,068 metres (Both directions) (F)

Oberalp Pass2,044 metres(CH)

Cormet de Roseland1.922 metres (Both directions) (F)

Mount Ventoux1,909 metres(F)

Passo Tonale1,883 metres(I)

l’Alpe d’Huez1,860 metres (Both directions) (F)

Col de Montgenevre1,850 metres (Both directions) (F-I)

Col du Somport1,632 metres (Pyrenees) (F-S)

Col du Telegraphe1,578 metres (Both directions) (F)

Lenzerhide1,547 metres (CH) 

Monte Bondone1,537 metres (I)

Col de la Forclaz1,526 metres (CH)

Gampen Joch1,518 metres (I)

Col des Aravis1,486 metres(F)

Col des Montets1,461 metres (F)

CH) Switzerland. (F) France. (I) Italy. (S) Spain.

Other countries visited include Belgium, Germany, Holland & Luxemburg

In the UK, High Street in the Lakes District, 815 metres,

the Devils Staircase, Mid Wales, 481metres.

In Australia, Charlotte Pass, in the Kosciuszko National Park, 1.760 metres 

Dead Horse Gap, near Threadbo Village, 1,580 metres.