Following advice on this Forum that the book available in local library, I have now read. It is a well written tale and reminds how extensively much of the World has changed to uniform modernity in the last 50 years. For those unfamiliar, car was driven via Asia to Australia, then years later thru NZ and N ans S America, returning to UK.

The book is not primarily about the 1929 aluminium coil ignition saloon, but a few points of note. Following a broken crank, motor was rebuilt probably late 1950s for L30, say a fortnight's good wage, so may have had a new crank and no problem in the subsequent 48,000 miles. The not unexpected problems experienced included; broken springs, outriggers, and repeat dynamo problems, the major attributed eventually to the customary mistake of overcharging, otherwise brushes. Broken kingpin. One axle. Diff damaged but due adjustment failing. Several decokes and valve grinds; my and others experience at the time was that about 5,000 hard miles between valve grinds was typical using valves then commonly supplied. What is current experience with current valves? Presumably these are of modern non magnetic materials, or at very least XB steel.
Almost no mention of daily mileages or speeds maintained, although mentions 35-40 cruise.
The author was involved in vintage and Austin circles. Does anyone know of any more technical report published please?

Bob Culver

Location: Auckland