Memories
Although my memory is relatively young, as I only purchased my dream car 6 months ago! I had the most epic and terrifying adventure bringing it back down to Tasmania from Sydney. The journey started by convincing my wonderfully patient fiance that purchasing a 100% together 1980 Saab 99 Turbo was obviously a great idiea. Relentlessly dropping trivia and reminding her how often they come up for sale! She eventually conceded and I was off to Sydney! Flight and hotel booked (no return. I like to live dangerously) and the Spirit of Tasmania booked. The lady told me I got the last spot on the spirit. I was obviously very thankful. Pretty lucky! The following day I'm on a late flight to Sydney next to a lady concerned and anxious about flying, for obvious reasons. I reasured her that most people are nervous and won't admit it and it's completely reasonable to be nervous. So I talked to her the rest of the way to take her mind off the flight. We land safely and I make my way to the hotel room, next to the only construction site in Sydney... Didn't sleep much so there wasn't any waking up. More a patient wait. I dressed and prioritised a coffee before my 4 hour train trip to mittagong. I have to say, I've never seen so many foxes during daylight. I finally arrive in mittagong and the first thing I see is my 99 sat waiting for the beginning. I already knew I was gonna buy it :) I was shaking as I shook his hand while looking at the car. The car wasn't prefect to say the least. It had dents from doors swinging open, the mags have kissed the kerb one too many times, had a distinct smell of fuel and most of all... It didn't boost properly! Non of these were enough reason's to not throw my money at him... We made the deal, organised my insurance and made my way to fill up. Then, I couldn't open the fuel cap! It was locked and the new key wasn't accepting. He came back and helped me out which was nice. Finally after 5 hours I was off on my way to find the high way. The seller followed me filming his baby for the last time. I was too excited to think about the bad start. We were going great. I had a big old smile on my face as I took over a MGB GT Targa car. 2 hours down and the car was starting to struggling on hills. It started getting worse. And worse... I pull over to fill up a reassess the situation. I filled up and went to pay. As walking to the sliding doors I looked back and saw some fluid cascading out the bay. My heart sank and when it was my turn to pay I asked how long to Melbourne? 2 and a half hours! I pull away to find a spot to see if I can spot the fault. The car isn't over heating, no funny noises only the lack of boost. But it was fine before? I check the oil and add a little more thinking the Turbo might not be getting lubricated, with my choices limited I'm forced to keep going. My mantra was "please don't stop, please don't stop" as we took every hills at 70 km's with trucks and grandma's flying past me looking very disgruntled. Quite rightly so! It was dangerous, but not as dangerous as a 90 x 90 steel post I managed to dodge last minute. My phone nearly flat and my anxiety at an all time high I then accepted a breakdown, only it can't happen on the main land. Tasmania is fine. Not the main land... This would bankrupt me. I was already at a stretch purchasing the car. This was my new mantra... As I neared tulamarine the day was cooling and the power was improving. 3 degree inclines were no longer my main concern. Confidence building back up I pass Sydney rd! "bugger". As my phone was pretty much flat I was forced to Zen navigate my way through Melbourne to within five mins of my mates place, imagine that! Good old zen navigation you sometimes almost never let me down! Super stocked and in disbelief I'd made it, my car was no sooner stuck on the tram line not taking a gear. Couldn't believe it. The tram is tooting it's horn and the cars are starting to pile up. Freaking out at the opisit side of calm I was wondering why no-one was helping? I calm myself. Shut the car off and back on and managed to find second! And I'm on my way to my mates for a big night of celebrating not completely breaking down. We went out for a few then I realised how tired I was. I was up first thing in the morning ready for the most brain blistering boring trip possibly imagined... The spirit of Tasmania... I was fortunate to get onboard last minute but not fortunate enough to have my own bunk. Beggars can't be choosers. I pre purchased as many classic car magazines I could and after a frustrating few attempts to nab to choice spot I was finally successful. I read each magazine at least twice and napped a few more time. The announcement came on and we were all horses at the gates ready to forget what just happened. I was waiting in my car ready to turn it over when a young Canadian staff member approached me asking about my car. "when are you going to restore it" he finally asked like it was the obvious next question. I replied "never hopefully. Just maintain it". He was confused and let me drive out when it was finally my turn. As I exited, so very pleased that she started I was looking at the next lot ready to board. Poor b******* I thought. Please note this isn't my first red Saab on the spirit. As I neared the quarantine I'm looking at my temperature Gage and trying to calculate the wait vs chance's of overheating and then I noticed a beautiful maroon Bristol 405 that looked immaculate. I gave the guy a thumbs up and he smiled. Perhaps he had just picked it up fresh from a resto? Either way he looked very pleased with himself, as you would of course. It was late in the Arvo and what was left of the day was cooling off. I was hoping the cool air would help me for the last leg of the trip. Off I went, headed towards launceston. Will I make it? I bloody hope so. I was fortunate enough to land myself behind what looked to be an ambulance? Perhaps an organ transport van? Maybe I was tired and making thing ups. Anyhow, this chap was cruising at 80 Max. I couldn't believe my luck so I tricked behind happy that it wasn't me upsetting the system. I followed the van till launceston then he vired off to town. I was lucky to get this far with him. I said goodbye and off I went alone. I was nearing the town Perth and was very near low on fuel and decided to fill up. I was very lucky as the guy was closing for the night but took pity on me and let me be his last customer. I was very greatful of course. Maybe I looked really tired and bent out of shape? That's how I felt anyway. Good thing I got a coffee. I stuck on 80-90 the rest of the way weary of the wildlife, not that I could really go any faster... But made it the rest of the way. I finally made it home at about 1am completely amazed that I had made it. My partner was up waiting for me "how did you go" as she hugged me. I then told her about my seemingly impossible journey and told her how pleased I was to be home.
This is the thing I love about owning a classic. You never really know how it's going to go, where it will take you, and who you will meet along the way. Thanks for taking the time read my story
