Sounds like a great trip Hunter,
I take it the mini is already in Oz, do you have any pix
of the prep work carried out on it?
How long are you planning on taking to do the lap?

There are probably not a lot of Mini events from Brissy to Perth but I'm sure there will
be plenty of Mini owners wanting to meet you.

Good luck and keep us posted with your plans and progress.

Excellent-Hope to meet up with you in Perth. You will need a oil change by the time you get here Don't worry about accommodation when you get to Perth,we will find somewhere for you and your Mini.

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_______________________________________________________________________________

I was part of a group the went Round Australia in 96 with the Kidney Foundation Kircle Australia Rally in a mini ....
26 days ( including Tasmania )....
though we did have a F100 support truck with spares and tools ...

We used 10" Falkens.... had one flat (on a disused railway line to Greenvale out near Townsville)( had some rally tyres but never fitted them)
Twin tanks.... and spare jerry can... can be some distance between servos ....

We didn't have any non "self-inflicted" issues ...

If sticking to major roads should be no dramas at all...
Dont drive at dusk, dawn , or night when up North if you can help it ... roos, donkeys, camels, buffalo .... (we managed to only hit one wallaby)
and avoid the wet season .... (so this is a good time of year)
(and don't do it in 26 days!!! )

And contact all the mini clubs --- will be plenty of helping hands, spares etc.


(self inflicted issues -see TSpeed Jem stuff on page 2 http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=41160 )

We are 'Grey Nomads' now too but have had too much fun with Minis to rent a new vehicle for the trip.

Looked at car rentals last week for 4 month trip this year (August through November) and compact was going to be +$5,000, so bying a Mini and doing it right achieved two objectives...another Mini adventure and another Mini ROO for the stable.

Here is POOH after rebuild at Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma on 2006 transcontinental run:



POOH earlier in life on the eve of our first transcontinental run to Quebec in 2000:



Those are the infamous Canadian Crash bumpers.

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Select a gear, bring up the revs and release the clutch...off you go!

1) Yes the Mini is in Australia - '73 Clubman Window Van

2) New bits include radiator, water pump, hoses, fan belt, clutch, clutch slave, drop gear bearings, crank seals, output seals, QH joints, SS brake/clutch hoses, rack gaiters etc....and full servicing of the ball hoints, wheel bearings, outer CVs, and so on.

3) Trip is scheduled to begin after Brisbane Mini Muster September 2011 with prologue to Sydney and returm for the Mini 50 (must get to know the Mini, checking our gear etc. etc.) in advance of the Muster and our departure north.

4) Everyone I have dealt with has been first rate - John K with MOCQ, Andrew W former owner, Matt R, Kevin G.

5) I intend to build a list of contacts prior to setting out...so we can hoist a beverage or two and swap lies along the way.

So, if you wish to put contact info into an email, please do so. Use [email protected] as address.

I'm Rick, wifey is Elaine

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Select a gear, bring up the revs and release the clutch...off you go!

Pooh and Hunnypot have also appeared in Miniworld magazine as I recall.

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

When I started the quest to find a Mini to drive in Australia, I was either away too early (2008) or viewed simply as a crackpot. I was also prepared to spend $ on someone's Mini in return for "borrowing it".

This obviously did not catch on...even though I would have paid all the extra insurance required and made the Mini whole after the trip, e.g. a cracked windscreen would be replaced, a new set of tires would go on, full service and warranted repair etc.

So, I was in the position of making one last push to find a suitable Mini to buy or ship Pooh & Hunny Pot across the Pacific (about $4,000 return trip...which is less than a rental). People here said I was crazy (read crackpot idea) and I wasn't wild about driving on the 'wrong' side of the Mini while on the 'wrong' side of the road.

Since I have relatives in Queensland, I emailed all the MOCQ officers and John K responded. Things moved rapidly from early January until the purchase was completed and I am delighted with the Mini.

As said earlier, several people in the Australian Mini community helped and I am very appreciative!

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Select a gear, bring up the revs and release the clutch...off you go!

I think the reason some viewed you as a crackpot previously, is they have seen too many students come to Aus, buy a cheap car and expect to drive from Sydney to Perth in two days.

As for borrowing someone else's Mini, you yourselves would know that can be a minefield no matter how detailed the agreement is. Better to get your own and prepare it, like you have done. At the end you should not have any problem finding a willing buyer for it.

You are obviously, experienced, well-prepared and have thoroughly researched what you want to do. I think it's a great idea and hope you have a great trip. You must be dying to get started. I know I would!

A trip like this is all about the journey and the experiences. If nothing goes wrong and it's all too easy, then there is no fun in it IMHO. That's why taking a Mini and a tent makes it way more interesting than a new 4x4 and an offroad caravan with every mod-con.

I'm insanely jealous. I'd love to do something similar myself when the kids are older and I have more free time.

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

I'd love to be doing too - but I have a mortgage to pay

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

My mortgage is paid off, no debts...and retirement looms - 67 for me, 59 for wifey...so don't be jealous, plan your adventures.

Thankfully my health is good (yes I had a valve job last August, but no other morbidity issues...so my tranny insn't likely to go anytime soon, he says).

I am keen to see Australia, meet its people, especially Mini owners...and Mini drivers.

Karl S. of St. Louis, MO and I founded/funded the North American Classic Mini Brigade to encourage people to prepare and drive their Minis. Because, we knew that if a Mini owner took care of his/her car...it could go almost anywhere.

You will meet a pair of older Canadians who became enchanted with the little car 'Mini' that could...and did.

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Select a gear, bring up the revs and release the clutch...off you go!

Yeah, there's plenty of time.

Well, if you are passing through Melbourne you are welcome to stay here and fettle the car or whatever.

Cheers,

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

Kind, welcoming and encouraging words. I hope to shake all your hands. We are not looking for a bed to sleep in or a p... to p.. in (we can cope), just good companionship at the end of the day!

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Select a gear, bring up the revs and release the clutch...off you go!

Nice yellow Mini on your drive there Mr Hunter2

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

IF you are planning a trip to Alice Springs, i am planning on departing the red centre on another hell journey into the outback.

If your up for 1400Km's of 4wd road, then join me on the TANAMI TRACK.

From Alice Springs to Halls Creek and then onto Wolf Creek Crater, travelling north to Broome across to Darwin, south Tennant out to QLD across the barkley.

If anyone else is interested in travelling in a support capacity let me know. Otherwise ill be doing it like i did the Oodnadatta, by myself.

Good luck on the trip and prepare yourself well.

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Aussie Leyland, Aussie Factory, Aussie Mini S.

It's going to be one hell of an adventure, and you MUST post a billion photos on here for us all to see.

As with Brett's offer, you've got a big comfortable bed, warm shower and garage for use in Toowoomba here if you're passing through our way!!

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"I'm sorry, but a lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part!"