Aussie motorists bring classic MGs to end of the road
AUSTRALIAN classic car enthusiasts made an epic 10,000 mile road trip to celebrate the 60th anniversary of one of the most iconic models of the 1950s.
The Antipodean MGA Tour shipped their classic cars from the southern hemisphere all the way to the UK to take part in the 10-day MGA Diamond Anniversary Land’s End to John O’Groats tour.
Fifty cars took part in the event, with 18 making the trip from Down Under to join the special tribute.
The cars completed their journey last Thursday when they arrived at John O’Groats after leaving Land’s End on Sunday, September 6.
Ian Prior had his classic MG shipped over from Melbourne for the event.
“It is not the first time I’ve shipped a car to the UK,” he said during his stint in the far north. “I brought a car more than 10 years ago for the 50th anniversary of the MGA.
“However we only came up as far as Ullapool – we didn’t come up this far.”
It took six months for the Australian contingent to transport their vehicles, with nine coming from Melbourne, six from Perth and three from Brisbane.
A total of six 40-foot containers each stored the MGs, with a mere six inches separating them from each other. All were tied down securely before leaving Australia. The containers were transferred at Singapore with the majority of the cars shipped to either Felixstowe or Southampton. Some of the cars were dropped off in Italy where their owners took them for a two-week drive at Lake Garda.
The Antipodean MGA tour then arrived at Land’s End where they met other enthusiasts from the UK and one from Madeira to begin the end-to-ender.
Mr Prior said it was a challenge which required concentration and patience but it proved an enjoyable experience.
“The pace is the most challenging aspect. At first the distance between Land’s End and John O’Groats doesn’t seem all that far,” he said.
“But you’re just on the go the whole time doing 180 miles a day on B-roads.
“Even though you’re not going all that fast, you do have to concentrate.
“The scenery from Ullapool to John O’Groats is just spectacular and weatherwise it was just perfect to drive.
“A lot of us have had the hoods off even in the rain over the last 10 days, so it has just been a fantastic experience.”
The group left their cars in Thurso on Friday as they crossed the Pentland Firth to enjoy a day of sightseeing in Orkney before heading back on Saturday on a 10-day journey to London.