Trip away in the 34

[Lawrie]

I will post some pics and stuff along the way in the next two or 3 weeks in the 34,
We are off down to Grafton in NSW, about 2050 klms , leaving on Monday or Tuesday next week
I have driven up to Mackay from my home in Gladstone (445klm).
The 34 is quite a bit different than my 33 and caravan to drive,mind you, the 33 has a 265 ci engine and 3.78 rear,while the 34 has the original 221 Babbitt engine and 3.54 gears,it hums along very nicely though
Fuel usage to date worked out at 125 ltr/100 is. 18.7 mp us gal. 22.1 mp imperial gal
So far my new exhaust has been fine with no clanging or banging on the bumps and whoopsies on our lovely Bruce hiway
The pic from inside the model A is my friends 28 phaeton,we had been out to the gem fields in it for a rally over the weekend, a 750klm trip, with no drama.8
Lawrie

 

[mercman from oz]

 

[Lawrie]

Trevor, i don't know if the 34 will look like this afour trip down as we are planning on some back roads and dirt
Lawrie

 

[corvette8n]

Looking forward to the pictures, be safe.

 

[39ford coupe ute]

Looking forward to catching up in Grafton Laurie.

 

[Lawrie]

We left Mackay this morning around 8am to beat the mine and mill worker traffic.
Had a really nice drive over the range to Nebo, there is a long pull over the range with a sharp turn halfway up so you can’t get a good run at it,one difference between the 34 and the modelA going up this hill is the A will lug down and just power away, where as the 34 with the little 221 Babbitt engine and 3.54 diff will pull away but not a torquey as the model A.
At nebo, an old geeza came over at the servo to tell us he had a 34 coupe just like this, he showed us a pic, OHH , I said a hot rod ,and plastic body,
Stopped for smoko on the running boards and a big piece of home made fruit cake.
We had been on this road last week in the model A phaeton, I think the 34 was maybe not quite as floaty as the A, but still nice to ride in.
Lunch at Middlemount in the park, then an easy drive to Cappella for fuel with the same bowser that doesn’t shut off as last week and last year.
We are stopped at emerald which is the centre for farming and mining ( black stuff, lots of it)
Small hiccup here as I had booked for tomorrow night not today, as well as the next place,(dumb as that’s me)
But the 34 ran great hummed along at 50 mph no drama , no oil leaks ,no getting hot,but temp on 28c.
Tomorrow off to Roma.405 klms so another easy day,
The lady on the running board is the wife of the late Runnerbun from the A forum
Lawrie

 

[mercman from oz]

 

[Lawrie]

We had a nice easy drive today, but a lot of cattle trucks,we thought more than usual,but the truck driver we spoke to said it was just normal for this time of the year.his truck was carrying wagu beef cattle, average weight 800kgs.and were worth more than the truck and trailers combined
They were off to a property just down the road.
The 34 is going nice,but we are only sitting on around 45-50 mph as the road is full of undulations that will lift you off the seat if going faster, also this speed makes it nicer to drive and take in the scenery.
At Roma for the night and off to Moree in nsw tomorrow.
Lawrie

 

[mercman from oz]

Look forward to catching up with you on Sunday.

 

[danliveshere]

Hi Lawrie. I know why you only fit 400kms per day in. Seems you’re always stopped having a cuppa and a piece of cake somewhere!!����. Have a safe trip south and hopefully I’ll catch up on my way to Brisbane early October. Dan.

 

[Lawrie]

Easy 450 klms today, Emerald to Moree, very minor hiccup today with the fuel gauge, it must have got a air bubble or something, as it showed only 1/4 full when was 3/4 full,
Later after a fueling up with the fuel nearly flowing out of the filler pipe it then read full after a bout 2 miles ,so maybe it’s ok,
Stopped today at an iconic pub, that was along the way, but just got a pic before heading off.
We had four identical Toyotas pass us this morning, then about 100ks down the road they were at a rest stop with all their food and coffees out,
Later on we had stopped at the border for our lunch, these folks pulled in, they came and talked to us, asked about the 34, when told it was a ford V8, they said that’s why we had trouble passing , they had said it was an old car and slow, but we’re surprised when clocking us at 95.
The cotton harvest must be in full swing as these bails were piled up ready for transport.
Tomorrow we will be in Grafton,
And like my 33 the 34 will start hot or cold on lust a push on the starter, have to love the 6v
Lawrie

 

[petehoovie]

Easy 450 klms today, Emerald to Moree, very minor hiccup today with the fuel gauge, it must have got a air bubble or something, as it showed only 1/4 full when was 3/4 full,
Later after a fueling up with the fuel nearly flowing out of the filler pipe it then read full after a bout 2 miles ,so maybe it’s ok,
Stopped today at an iconic pub, that was along the way, but just got a pic before heading off.
We had four identical Toyotas pass us this morning, then about 100ks down the road they were at a rest stop with all their food and coffees out,
Later on we had stopped at the border for our lunch, these folks pulled in, they came and talked to us, asked about the 34, when told it was a ford V8, they said that’s why we had trouble passing , they had said it was an old car and slow, but we’re surprised when clocking us at 95.
The cotton harvest must be in full swing as these bails were piled up ready for transport.
Tomorrow we will be in Grafton,
And like my 33 the 34 will start hot or cold on lust a push on the starter, have to love the 6v
Lawrie

 

[Lawrie]

Man, we had an interesting day today.
First up, at the motel last night these hayseeds pulled in in an old Toyota Ute,the woman passenger was trying to guide them into the parking spot two down from us, first up mowed over the clothes line, then nearly wiped out the veranda’s support pole, quite an entertaining time.
Later down the road we stopped to work out what this contraption was,any guesses,
At our smoko stop we saw one of our Aussie icons in the tree,a koala.
Stopping for lunch in Glen Innes it was so cold we had to eat in the car.
Best outcome of all was filling up in Glen Innes ,drove off and talked about forgetting stuff,I mentioned the fuel cap, but said if I had left it off ,fuel would be pouring out and we would smell it. Just then a car behind started flashing her lights and waving us over, she tells us,fuel was pouring out,Yep, fuel cap left off,as I started the walk back to the servo,(200 mts or so) I look on the top of the rear mudgaurd(fender) and there it was ,talk about lucky.
We drove through the most beautiful countryside,spoilt by -those giant wind generators on the skyline.
We are now at our destination 1240miles
Looks like the 34 used a bit of oil ,maybe a litre,has some rattles inside from mainly the windows and arm rest,, but otherwise did a great job
It needs a wash ,maybe an oil change.
We are here for a weeks activities before heading back home via a different route
Lawrie

 

[mercman from oz]

 

[mfirth]

Neat stuff here, THANKS Lawrie! Always watching .......
Mike

 

[Elmo Rodge]

Lawrie, we went through some of these places on our way to visit you.
Wayno

 

[Model51]

The tall yellow machine may be a pecan tree trimmer. I think there is one like this at the Pecan Farm in Pallamallawa. Just a guess from someone far away.

 

[Lawrie]

Spot on
Here is the new one that works
Lawrie

 

[mercman from oz]

Pecan tree trimmer.

 

[Lawrie]

Wayne, that seems a lifetime away,
How you two going?
How’s the tank going.
Lawrie