In 1966 I went to Beaulieu for the first time, there and back in the day, about 440 miles in my RN saloon. I had to pull into a layby near Lichfield for a cat nap, the eye lids were getting heavy. More recently in 2003 Falmouth to Stockport, 360 miles in 9 hours, but I cheated and used the M5 leaving it just before the M6.

Looking back, I cannot believe that we lived life like we did - Alice was our only form of transport for three years ....

Now I worry if I use the car for the 25 mile round trip to work.

The trials this week has made me less apprehensive and I have resolved to do more miles this coming year.

Back in those years in the 70's I was working in Wellington (Somerset) and Jan finishing her education in Loughborough, so I would drive up the Fosse Way on Friday night and leave at 4am Monday in order to get to work on time.

That went on for nearly a year, and I always made it.

Bonkers!

Simon

Not precisely in keeping with the theme but, as mentioned elsewhere, the NZ VAR mag recently ran an account of a 1925 stunt by an agent with a Seven “Tiger” (?? like chummy) with two (contemporary sized) occupants. Auckland to Wellington return 1,000miles “non stop” in 47 hours, 20 minutes. Via Taranaki, not the most direct route but probably the one with the least empty country, least major climbs, least unmetalled road and fords, and with the bonus of a few miles of seal. Maximum altitude only about 800 ft but numerous repeat climbs involved. 50 mpg, 6 pints of oil (which proclaimed!). The trip was done in May when sunset about 6pm so presumably with a full moon! Then about the only regular through motor traffic for much of the route would be service cars; American tourer cars adapted to provide an occasional passenger and mail service.
Not to be outdone a SI agent conducted a circular tour of the northern half of that island in 1927. Route involved two saddles over 3000 ft, other serious climbs, and several unbridged rivers, either forded or crossed on a horse drawn wagon. 680 miles in 24 hours, 45 mpg.
Could have been grand experiences, depending on the weather! At least they had no traffic lights or hidden speed cameras to contend with. Or oncoming dazzle! Or tourists on the wrong side.
If only travel in old (or any) cars was so interesting today.

Bob Culver

Location: Auckland, NZ

As many of you will know I am a great exponent of long journeys by Austin 7! My journeys are not the longest but generally make up for that with the amount of climbing involved. I believe that when you are hill walking there is a formula that every 1000 feet of ascent equates to four miles of level walking, or whatever, so presumably there will be a similar rule for Austin 7 motoring.
One of my most memorable runs was in 2001 when I decided to drive the RL saloon from Thirsk in North Yorkshire to Chepstow. The first leg of the journey was from
Thirsk to Ludlow. Looking at the atlas this seemed a daunting prospect trying to avoid the major industrial cities. Motorways were out of the question. I photocopied the large scale Philips Navigator atlas onto about a dozen A3 sheets which were held together with a bulldog clip. The Navigator atlas is too big and heavy to use in the Austin, if it is open it falls off the seat onto the floor.
My A3 copies of the atlas were in black and white so I had no idea whether the roads were red, green, brown or yellow. With a red felt tip pen I marked the most direct route across each page and ended up with an almost dead straight red line linking Thirsk and Ludlow.
I set off and had a super journey, avoiding all the major towns and using many roads that were unclassified. I remember that somewhere in the Midlands I was actually driving along a canal tow path to the astonishment of walkers, especially when I had to cross the canal on a narrow bridge only about a foot wider than the Austin! I recall that a short section of the route was a muddy track. Even so, I got to Ludlow mid afternoon which proves that if you can plod along as the crow flies, you can make good progress. The problem with motorways is that they tend to take you the long way round.
Looking forward to some more good trips in the Austins in 2016!

Malcolm - what a great effort, Congrats. And I particularly enjoyed your metaphors - plod along as the crow flies - I'm still trying to visualise it in a Seven! Cheers, Bill in Oz

Location: Euroa

Hi, wrt to OR 2996 that you mention below, I have found a short film clip of this from 1966 in my dad's Single 8 home movie archive. Driving behind us near Buckingham Palace.
I can't find the car in the A7CA register - is there another way of tracing the current owner? Thought I'd share the footage with them.

Regards

Oliver Hale

Last Thursday, 30th March 2017, I drove my 1930 RK from Tenby in south Wales to Stafford, a distance of 178 miles, in 5.5 hours ( plus two comfort stops!) with two up and a fair amount of luggage. I know many have achieved far more in one day but not bad I think for an 87 year old car and its OAP driver of 79 years!

The car ran very well despite a small issue with the nearside rear brake and averaged 32 mph and 40 mpg. The car is quite standard with Austin crank and rods, up draught FZ22 carb., and low compression head.

You will notice the speedo reading: downhill with the wind behind of course!

The Garmin GPS was pre-programmed at home before our trip to my wife’s exact and chosen route she had prepared using a map. This is then plotted on a PC and then downloaded to the Garmin. Takes a little time but it takes the strain out of navigating on the road and the voice command I like very much and can hear well in the RK despite the wonderful A7 noises and my poor hearing.

Here I hope ar three pics:

Lovely!

Have done the Lowestoft to Lands End a couple of times -- in one day -- around twelve to thirteen hours in my special. Remarkable tthat driving an Austin Seven over that sort of distance is not more tiring. Reckon I would fall asleep in a modern.
I suspect some of the Jogglers will have done greater distances.

Charles

Location: Norfolk

I've often wondered if any one has ever done Lowestoft to Ardnamurchan Point.

Location: Bristol

Now there's a thought. More interesting than jogle too, I'd imagine.
I've done it, or something like in a sailing boat but don't suppose that counts.

It would be hell of an anti-climax arriving at Ardnamurchan point after the journey from Lowestoft in an Austin 7, Amenities are somewhat limited, there might be a telegraph pole to pee against!

I know an ace pub not too far away

It would be an absolute delight compared to arriving at the appalling nightmare that "greets" you at Lands End.
Also there is a perfectly lovely tea room at Ardnamurchsn which I can fully reccomend.

Location: Bristol

My longest single trip with stops only for coffee and comfort breaks was from the 2016 Scottish Club rally site at Guildtown back to Shropshire, as near as matters, 350 miles in 10 hours. It rained every inch of the way!!!

Ian Mc.

Location: Shropshire

With the 100th coming up are there any special runs planned? Circumnavigate the country perhaps, people can do the whole thing of just join for the section that passes through their area. A couple of us are discussing the possibility of doing something similar in NZ.

Location: NZ

I did the run up to the SA7C Doune Rally, twice many years ago.
Firstly in a Nippy. Broke the crank half way up. Towed to Doune. Fresh crank and rods procured by the Scottish lads. Engine rebuilt over the weekend and drove back down on the Monday.
Second time in my fabric saloon. Dynamo packed up near Newcastle on way back but battery able to give sufficient sparks to get home.
650 mile round trip each time but was exhausted...possibly due more to the hospitality and dancing over the w/e than the driving!!

Location: Melton Mowbray

Location: Rokeby, Victoria, Australia

I think the late Peter Blackburn did well on the JOGLE in I think 1972, completed single handed in his RN saloon in under 24 hours, it was reported that he had to be lifted out of his car.

The late Pete Blackburn qualifies. I was there when he arrived, having arrived first, 2 hours before. Glimmering headlights appeared in the cold and dark as he drew to a halt, alone in his box saloon. A faint voice cried "Help me out!"

Location: Moseley

I bought the 1937 Austin Seven Ruby BNG 51 from Ray Walker around 1965 for £28 (I think) and sold it a few years later to a German guy for £70? who was thrilled that he would be the only one in his (German?) village to own one! I Googled the registration and found Ray's Perowne St, Cambridge yard photo on your website with my car before I owned it!

Location: Earith