Where are the Antipodeans?

[chris lambert]

Looking at the membership list of both the forum and the Register in genral, there are many Aussies and Kiwis listed, none of whom use the forum regularly Is it because they are scared that we might harp on about the sporting prowess of England, Scotland, Wales and Holland No it can't be that! It's not because we speak a different language or are in a different time zone. Then why is it
Can someone from the Southern Hemisphere enlighten us?
What goes on down there does get reported up here. Here is an example from the March edition of The Automobile in which they give a report on the Great Ocean Road Rally which took place on the 75th November (sic). Lots of our types of cars involved including a 1929 Minor, which according to the magazine, at one time delivered milk in the Adelaide suburbs.





It's also good to see that it doesn't only rain in England!
Come on - show us your cars

[john49]

smt_1.jpg (119.2 KiB) Viewed 2179 times

It being late summer down here, and having scenery like this within half an hour of home, I imagine most Antipodeans are doing some serious motoring while the good weather lasts. Another 8 weeks and it will be time to do some restoration on my 31 Roadster, in the meantime the Summit road looking towards Akaroa beckons. Marvelous views, a twisting undulating road for 30 glorious miles, and bugger all traffic. Suits my 63 GAN2 Midget perfectly.
There, got my first post off my chest.
Thanks for the prod.
John McDonald, Christchurch New Zealand

[halbe]

Hello John,

I have some family in New Zealand, they live in the Napier area.
This picture really makes me envy your countryside
What a beautiful country you live in.

Regards from a totally flat Holland

Halbe

[chris lambert]

Good Morning John (or evening?!)
I knew you were out there somewhere and I have seen you surfing the forum when I am about to go to bed. What a good reason for not sitting at a computer and what a beautiful place to do your driving. Some of us are just finishing our winter projects and are waiting for the first real spring rains to wash the salt from the roads so that we can start our seasons motoring properly. Mind you, one of our forumists, Alister, uses his Minor every day come rain or shine and so he doesn't have a 'season'!
Anyway now that you have made your first post you can tell us all what you'll be bringing to the summer rally in July!
Chris

[Ian Grace]

Hello John,

Wonderful photo. I used to have a 1974 Midget in an earlier life - it was a superb car and an absolute joy to drive fast through the winding lanes of Cornwall where I lived at the time. I broke my left wrist (rollerskating!) and had to drive one-handed for several weeks, reaching across (it was RHD) to snatch gearchanges and then getting back to the steering, which was so precise that I could soon drive it as aggressively one-handed as with two. I took a friend down to the pub in Helston one Sunday mirning and drove it flat out all the way through the lanes - with one hand - he was petrified! After my wrist got fixed, I still drove one-handed just for the hell of it.

[Toby]

Welcome to the forum, John. I have expat friends in NZ, after visiting them I can confirm that you're blessed with a beautiful country and some great roads for old vehicles.

[john49]

Thanks for the feedback chaps.
I'll be bringing my 32 season roadster to the annual rally in July Chris, but I'm not committing to a specific year..............
There was some good initial discussion on doing a body kitset for this model, but it seems to have foundered. Do any plans exist? I have seen a side plan of the body for the 1933/4 roadster, but it was pretty blurred, and the tail is quite different.
Had another impromptu Sunday run yesterday, 60 miles of hilly terrain with another 4 chaps, an hour telling lies over a coffee, then home by mid day. Those telephone poles are a right menace if you get your cornering line wrong.........
Incidently Classic and Sportscar magazine in the UK published a writeup of the Midget in their "Your Classic" section, page 167 of the November 2007 issue.

[chris lambert]

Hi John,
I seem to recollect that there are plans in existence for the '31 onward two seater tourer body and you can buy 'new' completed M Type bodies from one of the pre war MG specialists here. If plans do exist someone on this forum will know.
The Anglian chapter of the VMR hold similar 'lieing' conversations whenever we meet up. Normally involves speed achieved on the way to the meet. It has got that serious that we are all re-calibrating our instruments so that we can lie with accuracy!!
Chris

[Highlander]

Dear John, I hope you were lieing about the coffee!!!! You are in a lovely country - My daughter and son in law lived in Wellington for 10 years and we visited about 10 years ago - super. I have just come in from taking a dancing class in Scottish Country dancing and with a name like yours I hope you cheered Scotland on Saturday!!!! Welcome to the forum. Highlander (Alister)