Pabloau Posted 5March, 2014 Report Share Posted 5March, 2014 So 2009, when Wheels magazine took a 911 around Australia in 17 days, the Idea of a one way trip was firmly planted in what is left of my brain, Bucket list stuff after the last experience crossing the Nullarbor in a US made A.D.F. International Truck (no - in the back) with the rest of the S.L.F. (Self Loading Freight) for a 3 day trip of absolute hell........ 2014, March, car having been fettled by Steve & Ted at T & D Automotive in Brisbane,(Thanks team most sincerely), this middle aged man now seriously doubting his own sanity, is now firmly locked in to drive Brisbane to Perth in 4 days. Why you may ask? Late 2013, work advised me that the next 8 months I would be over West, no rotation, office based, start in November. This promptly attracted an attack by an elderly European immigrant with a strong challenge with Australian, let alone English resulted in the panel beating issue (another story), end of my relationship (still good friends) and having to move over to WA. December 16 T&D have the car, well thank God I did that, the litany of abuse by the PO's, my stupidity (completely cocked up reading the tyre date, blown intermediate seal resulting in new clutch = the car being in for an extended stay, major service, wiring removal, Brake Pads, 1 set Sumitomo HRZ III's.... geqr linkage refurb.... won't talk about the spares kit Steve & Ted have put together, suffice to say this car is in much better shape than it was 4 months ago............ The trip was planned for early Feb (postponed twice) - postponed because of work, now the stars are aligned, the Car is ready so no more excuses, realistically this is the only chance between now & August & the car has been ready for a week, So this Thursday morning then - "Panzer Auf Marche - MARCHE" to Perth Aside from the mechanical love & attention from T & D, some other prep was taken. Go-Pro (Black) B1 style Medical Kit (No John, I do not need a Tracheotomy kit, but I will take the bandages etc)........ 2 x 2kg extinguishers (another long story) Puncture repair Kit, tools & spares from the T&D team 40L Water / Esky (Thanks Debs!) In car munchies ( 5kg trail mix) Emergency ablution needs on the road Iridium Phone (from a good mate who is a professional "Bush Basher") All necessary electrical charging equipment for I-Pad / Go Pro Z& 3 bloody phones 48 gig of pace notes from various sources..... Thanks Tony & Tim & others Mapping BP / SHELL gas stations en route...... Noise cancelling ear phones ( Ear inserts, a must have with this car!) Looking at 1,100 to 1,400km stages, subject to weather, driver hour management, however should be do-able in 4 days. So posting here will be subject to internet connection (Motel at night) & some photos at the end of the day..........So on the Red Eye Perth to Brisbane in 4hrs (please let the upgrade God smile on me) and Cry Havoc & let loose the pent up stress, worry and enjoy myself with the car...... More tomorrow with Photo's at T&D to start...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabloau Posted 5March, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 5March, 2014 sorted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris-p Posted 5March, 2014 Report Share Posted 5March, 2014 Gees good luck and safe travels. Look forward to the updates... C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberpunky Posted 5March, 2014 Report Share Posted 5March, 2014 Awesome adventure Pablo. It will be great to travel with you via your updates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvs11 Posted 5March, 2014 Report Share Posted 5March, 2014 Wow! That's a long haul. I know it's late notice, but have you considered protective plastic film on the front. Even if it's temporary it will help soften the blows from the inevitable stones. Safe journey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabloau Posted 5March, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 5March, 2014 Nose is getting swapped out as part of the back date plan Harv's..... I ordered it up yesterday so should be here by the end of March (including rear bumper)........... But thanks for the idea & will be put on after the new gear is fitted....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvs11 Posted 5March, 2014 Report Share Posted 5March, 2014 Backdate sounds interesting. It looks more like a resurrection back to original. . Keep us posted on the progress. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pauly Posted 5March, 2014 Report Share Posted 5March, 2014 Looks like you're well prepared! Good luck mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabloau Posted 5March, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 5March, 2014 05h50 - in Taxi on way to pick the car up, spend some time with Steve before his rush starts....... God the nerves are high this morning.... Internet radio rocks so whilst in coverage.... iPad well stocked....... Let's do this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustJames Posted 5March, 2014 Report Share Posted 5March, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatSix Posted 6March, 2014 Report Share Posted 6March, 2014 Good Luck Pabloau! No quick detour up a particular unrestricted speed road? When you change your front bumper I would be more than happy to take that front splitter off your hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabloau Posted 6March, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 6March, 2014 09h35 - epic fail! On the side of the road, just short of Toowoomba! Everything dead........ Call to T&D, Ted, my sincere thanks for dropping everything & coming out to try & get me going, after 2hrs trouble shootinginding PO had "hacked into the wiring at the back of the MSD & issue (separate) with the fuel pump, leaving no option for calling the dreaded flat bed back to Brisbane..... Whole range of emotions, bottom line is that the wiring found was not evident, not clearly visible & as usual with this car, parts not readily available.......... Lessons learned? Is what it is, 43 year old car up till today has been bullet proof is victim to the urges of Idiots who don't deserve to own cars like this. If you get the urge to add / move/ delete ANYTHING involving electrics - get a professional who knows Porsches...... What Ted & I found in the rear was frankly frightening to me....... Don't stuff around, PAY to get it done right or sell the car....... pay now or Pay Later, some one will pay for your acts............ So Work / Parts required after today..... New MSD unit New Coil Replace Fuel Pump Rewrire rear end of the car Back to T&D and the saga continues ..... Plan for another crack at this inside the next 4 - 6 weeks when they are happy it is as good to go & pay the piper. Huge thanks to Ted for dropping everything, loading up his truck & coming out to me, not many garages I know would do that & is service I did not expect, but was very grateful for...... Back West now, at home, P.P.S now in overdrive (Porsche Paranoia Syndrome), bloodied but unbeaten, this trip will happen & many thanks for the good wishes on start. Post note: After driving her for the first time in 3 months post T&D, the work done transformed the car. Gear shifting better than any G50 I have ever owned (3 in the past) Sax clutch IS THE GO! Very impressed with the Sumitomo tyres, road noise halved & driveability out of this world.......... Maybe next time do trip, then write it up....... Cheers Pablo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvs11 Posted 6March, 2014 Report Share Posted 6March, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris-p Posted 6March, 2014 Report Share Posted 6March, 2014 That's a real shame. Best wishes to you, I can imagine the emotional let down after the build up. Take care Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-banger Posted 6March, 2014 Report Share Posted 6March, 2014 Feeling your pain. Could have been worse...say this happened half way across the Nullarbor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withers Posted 6March, 2014 Report Share Posted 6March, 2014 Oh crap Pablo! I hope the PPS passes quickly and you are back into it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveT Posted 6March, 2014 Report Share Posted 6March, 2014 Good luck next time Pablo. T&D do go the extra mile, but Ted went quite a few extra miles this time by the sound of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveF Posted 6March, 2014 Report Share Posted 6March, 2014 Bugger. Sorry to hear this but are looking forward to hearing about your next attempt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatSix Posted 7March, 2014 Report Share Posted 7March, 2014 Unlucky mate but as banger said better it happened there rather than in the middle. Fingers crossed for next time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabloau Posted 7March, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 7March, 2014 Thanks people, 24hrs later P.P.S back in its box & confident that it will be fixed, after all it's only money & this is MY Middle Age Crisis......I will do it & plan is already underway........... The car was let down by me & her previous owners..... Me? Not thinking it through when Steve found the issues up front..... Should have slowed it down & gone with the gut instinct to look into the rear of the car..... The litany of sins & a uses inflicted on the car by previous PO's has now made me more determined than ever to see this through, after all, we fly round Australia in 50yr old airplanes (767's) & if a bloody 28 FORD can be driven unsupported across the Nullabor then Eva can & will be! Had a laugh with one of the guys from work, likening this car to a rescued dog from Death Row..... So well behaved at the start then craps in the lounge when they think no one is looking........ Decision is actually pretty simple to rectify the issues as I'd never get near the money spent on her to date (close to purchase price with this little incident) and I won't be selling her any time soon....... So failure only means trying something and not getting the result, no reason to quit and it is achievable Simples Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvs11 Posted 7March, 2014 Report Share Posted 7March, 2014 Good luck with the repairs Pablo. Persistence will be rewarded. Your attitude reminds of a quote on a totally unrelated topic. "You never achieve anything by giving up". - Mary Coustas on having a baby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9fan Posted 8March, 2014 Report Share Posted 8March, 2014 That's it Pabloau - what they need is LOVE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stardust Posted 8March, 2014 Report Share Posted 8March, 2014 That's it Pabloau - what they need is LOVE ! And a good thrashing. Or is that just getting into weird territory? Stick with it Pabloau and get it fixed quickly. You don't want time to dilute the urge to go. Reminds me of a trip I once did .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Man Posted 8March, 2014 Report Share Posted 8March, 2014 That's a bummer, however as others have said, better now than later. And a good thrashing. Or is that just getting into weird territory? Not weird at all. Isn't that how they should be driven? Only way you know if something is going to break!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabloau Posted 10March, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 10March, 2014 Stardust, you nailed It & no she appreciates a "good thrashing". - faint hearts never one diddly etc etc...... Thanks all for the words of encouragement, but it is only $$$ and it is fixable & with a good crew who know what they are doing so .......got back to work & all the side bets became visible, quite a hoot with all the terms from another busted VW to " Shit we thought you were joking" so all good & another 2 911 owners on the same floor as I am have come out of the Woodwork & now looks like I have a co-driver IF schedules stay on track so.... Concentrate on the work & wait for the go sign from Ted...... The number of people who have said " I had the chance but regret not doing X / Y / Z"..... Has removed the Don Quiote feeling behind this..... It is all in perspective as well.... :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.