Author Topic: Driving an XK E Type from PUB 2011 to Australia  (Read 79913 times)

Garry

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Re: Driving an XK E Type from PUB 2011 to Australia
« Reply #125 on: April 30, 2012, 08:09:34 »
The tale of the Small Moving Space's (SMS) transition from a US XKE Left Hand Drive car to an Australian E Type RHD is coming to an end.

 After purchasing the SMS in Atlanta sight unseen, I trucked it to Joe Alexanders home mid last year in anticipation of my visit to PUB. and a plan to drive it across USA to LA for shipping home.  After some enquiries, Tom Collitt offered to do the LH to RH conversion, as a bonus, he indicated that he would come to PUB  and offered to share the drive back across the US.

Thus the story began on the Space moving from PUB to Australia.  What a drive,  did a similar drive with another member (Art) at the 2009 PUB and it was just as fantastic the second time around.  A great car trip.

With Tom converting it to RHD in his workshop in LA it was then shipped across the Pacific landing in Melbourne at the end of March.  It was then prepped for registration and I have finally got the car registered in Victoria Australia as a RHD E Type as distinct from a US LHD XKE.  Plates were issued late last week.

Sometimes you get lucky and in this instance whilst Tom found a bit of rust in the sills which was fixed, and hours of frustration on Toms part with the new wiring harnesses, after all it is a Jag, the car has come here looking fantastic and going well. Well not as good as a Pagoda, but I have made some allowances for the Lucus electrics that insist on demonstrating the "Prince of Darkness" theory.

Thus the 'Shed" is now shared by a Pagoda and a Jag with another Pagoda still to arrive.
« Last Edit: April 30, 2012, 08:29:41 by Garry »
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

reggie

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Re: Driving an XK E Type from PUB 2011 to Australia
« Reply #126 on: April 30, 2012, 10:58:35 »
Great story Garry, Well done, You are a lucky man,  ;)
1969 280 5 speed zf 180g

bogeyman

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Re: Driving an XK E Type from PUB 2011 to Australia
« Reply #127 on: April 30, 2012, 12:22:37 »
Hi Garry:

Love that second pic - quite a contrast in styles.

You're just going to have to get a bigger shed! ;)
Rick Bogart
1970 280SL Black(040)/Parchment
1969 280SL Silver(180)/Green
1993 500E
1972 350SL
1995 E320 Cabrio

Iconic

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Re: Driving an XK E Type from PUB 2011 to Australia
« Reply #128 on: April 30, 2012, 17:15:25 »
It is sad to hear the story is coming to the end (only because it has been so fun to read about and see in person at PUB 2011), but congratulations to you !!
Those are beautiful cars ... as you know.

I look forward to hear what you are planning for 2013 !  :)
That is a hard act to follow.
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold

Jonny B

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Re: Driving an XK E Type from PUB 2011 to Australia
« Reply #129 on: May 03, 2012, 20:48:48 »
At least the coda will be a picture of the next Pagoda.
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor