My next project "La Petite Chanteuse"

3 minute(s) of a 82 minute read

Roger Z will probably tell me that I have shown you this one before but I think that it is worth showing again. Don't look at the car or the happy lady but look at the scenery. To coin a phrase, the peak of motoring experience. The summit of the Stelvio Pass,in the Italian Tyrol, 2758 metres. A long, long way from South Eastern Australia. No back up car, no four wheel drive with enclosed trailer, no little men in white overalls and baseball caps......

Bj.

Hi Ben

Not really bragging, just trying to explain where I am coming from. I get the impression that the average person living in the USA and reading this has no real idea what drives me. 

The thought of carting my 1934 Lagonda around in a trailer is a complete no brainer as far as I am concerned as is the idea of sitting around in a folding chair in the centre of a show field. A sure way to kill off the few grey cells I have left in my brain. 

To me basket cases are for restoring and restored cars are for driving. I fully restored the Lagonda from the ground up when I first bought it in 1978. Since then it has had a couple of engine freshen ups and the paint was touched up in 1996. Last year I did some work on the gearbox. In 2004 I replaced the differential pinion bearings while on a Rally in Harrogate, England, in a leaking cattle shed. The car was off the road for slightly less than 24 hours, using the tools that I carry in the car. After all I was on the other side of the world, ????? miles from home.

I have said it before and no doubt I will say it again. God put wheels on cars so that we could drive them.

In just over six weeks time I turn 77. I had spinal surgery 12 years ago and major surgery for prostate, bladder & kidney cancer 11 years ago. I am not going to live forever so I might as well enjoy the years I have left.

The one thing that both my wife Helen and I really enjoy is driving in the Lagonda. The more challenging the drive the better. Funny thing is that the Lagonda loves being driven.

To get more enjoyment driving a truck towing a 25ft trailer with their car safely tucked up inside away from prying eyes than actually driving the car must say something about the car???

Bj.

9-29-2013

Hi All

Not a great deal to report on the Singer, just more of the same work, work, work with not a lot to show for it yet. Just lots of cutting, filing and hammering. So far most of two out of three sheets of aluminium have "disappeared". Probably another week of "more of the same". Amazing how and where the time goes when you are having fun.

Bj.