Old ford out west

[Lawrie]

I,m on my way to Alice Springs in the 33:this 35 is still laying on the side of the road close to Winton,in 2002 while out here in the 33 it gave up a set of shocks and links that are now on the 33,
There is not even the chassis left now.
The 33 is going good and have done 1000klms in two days so will have a rest tomorrow
Lawrie

[1934]

Good luck on your trip, Lawrie. Hope you manage to stay cool!
Doug.

[VeryTangled]

Lawrie, cool story, nice picture too! It looks like you are out for about a 3000klm trip! Keep us updated, please?

[Lawrie]

This is the main road west,nice to drive on,but lots of kangaroos,nearly hit on in the early morning,that got my addrenalin going.
I saw lots of cattle trucks,two decks high and three trailers,followed one for 170klms,out of the wind but had to occasionally dodge the cattle excrement.
Good for the reactions
Lawrie

[Ross F-1]

Drop WAAAAY back behind those cattle trucks when you get to hills! That ain't rain!

[Lawrie]

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It also had BIG lumps in it
The road train was heavily loaded as on the hills would drop to 30 mph,I could have passed it but the roads are narrow and with the truck pulling thee double deckers and swaying I thought it was. Safer to stay behind.
Lawrie

[Brian]

I see you drive in the centre of the road over there! lol

[expavr]

Laurie
Driving to Alice...??? My hats off to ya!!! We flew into Alice from Darwin and looking down at that Outback terrain both my wife and I marveled at how anyone could survive that part of the world. I imagine the gas stops are few and far between. Driving there would be a challenge in a modern air conditioned car from what I remember.
Les Williams

[Lawrie]

Les, I have a day tomorrow with FEW fuel stops and nothing else,I will need to fill the Jerry can just in case.
Brian, I like the centre driving,as it stops the drift to the left,and I feel dareing.and I have more space.
Lawrie

[Kpar]

Lawrie, when you hit the Barkley just hope that the wind is behind you and you won't need the extra fuel.
Have Fun
Keith

[Tinker]

Say Hi to Mad Max when you see him. .


Fun update and story on the winton car. Enjoy!

[deuce lover]

You folks down under have AAA road service if needed?

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by deuce lover

You folks down under have AAA road service if needed?

Surely, just "moments away"! Seriously, it's easy to see that a complicated breakdown could become a dire situation, considering the geography and lack of population. I've gotta say that Laurie must have a pair of gi-hugic 'ones'. DD

[deuce lover]

DD,He has to have them big ones to carry them spares.

[melisahe]

Just thinking, extra fuel pump, extra water pumps, extra water ex gas on and on. What a trip. Stay safe.

[Talkwrench]

Good to see all going well Lawrie.. Yes best to avoid the 'lumps' agh! I remember being behind a sheep truck once on a Yamaha FJ1200 I had, yep that wasn't rain ..
Just to let you know my engine startup fired first time , ran it pretty hard all going well.

More pics please!

[Lawrie]

Well, I arrived at my destination Alice Springs this arfo, beaut drive up from home (2650 klms) with the only problem was the speedo stopped about 40 klms from Alice,
Engine looks like it used about 1/2 ltr oil and no water!travelled most times at 50-55 mph,
Got lots of questions asked,and had a new Tesla leap frog me for the last three days,was good to compare cars,they were amazed the 33 went so well, I told him it only took 10 minutes to refuel,
I have a few days rest here before wife and son arrive on Monday,then we are off down to Ayers Rock for a few days,that will be and easy trip as it’s only 480 ks each way
Lawrie

[petehoovie]

Lawrie - Does your '33 have it's original 21 stud flathead with Babbitt bearings?....

[Lawrie]

Pete,I,m embarrassed to say no,it has a 99a block with .040 over and a 4in crank!stock cam and 97 carb,a very nice engine as the trip has proved so far.
Lawrie

[Phil Gillespie]

Originally Posted by Lawrie

Pete,I,m embarrassed to say no,it has a 99a block with .040 over and a 4in crank!stock cam and 97 carb,a very nice engine as the trip has proved so far.
Lawrie

Interested to know Lawrie, this 2000km leg you just completed, was it solo?
As see your wife and son are now meeting up with you.
An inspiration to get out and drive these cars instead of just a polish and short run. Good on you. Hoping to do a trip to West Coast next week, Lewis Pass there and Arthurs Pass on the return.
Phil NZ

[Lawrie]

Phill,yes ,solo,wife is waiting for a kidney donor,and as such needs to be in mobile reception,so we thought it best she and son fly up,I pick them up on Wednesday,
Great driving way out here,some places are 390 ks between!so need the Jerry can.
Lawrie

[Talkwrench]

Originally Posted by petehoovie

Lawrie - Does your '33 have it's original 21 stud flathead with Babbitt bearings?....

Ask Lawrie what his favorite engine is...?

I dont think people realize how remote it is out there hey Lawrie..
You're doing great!

[Lawrie]

Yes Rob ,a long way between stops! Big problem yesterday with the 33,lol!speedo stopped working!got it sorted this morning,was the square on the cable end in the speedo worn,so I’m cutting a bit of tin up in to little strips to take up the play.
Lawrie

[Talkwrench]

Geez if thats all you have to worry about ...

[48-710]

HEY ,you are right Rob,these is a whole lot of nothing out there. May be the odd 'roo, camel or donkey.

[Lawrie]

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In Alice Springs at the same time as me is a huge car rally,mostly pre 70 ish,
In there was two old fords, a 41 and a 34 Tudor, both flathead powered,the 34 was LH drive,, they had been on a rally from Peking to Paris,my 33 looked fragile next to them!as they had big tyres roll bars and competition seats,
There were two huge old Bentley’s as well,
We are off to Ayers Rock on Thursday,just a short 1000klm round trip.
Lawrie

[Brian]

Where's the photos of the 34 tudor and other cars? I like the signwriting on the back of the XY. No roo bars? I thought they'd be compulsory outback

[34 FORDOR]

You’re living the dream Lawrie .We spotted the 35 remains a few weeks ago on a trip to Broome via Darwin , also had a look around the truck museum at Winton where there was several old flathead trucks . The Chrysler roadster is a really well sorted car , it belongs to Bruce Washington from down here in the South Island . He and his son won the Peking to Paris in 2016 , vintage and over all . Enjoy your time in Alice Springs

[Lawrie]

Brian,some more cars,the fords and Chrysler were far from stock,different rear ends!geaboxes front ind etc etc,
Lawrie

[cmbrucew]

Hey Lawrie
Your idea of a walkabout makes for a real adventure.
Too much fun.
Bruce

[Talkwrench]

Thats timing Lawrie !

[fortyonerag]

Love it! I hope the roo's leave you alone on the road

[Mike in AZ]

Thanks for the photos. Keep having fun and safe travels. Mike