The trip home...

[kev131]

This is a photo summary of the trip home with some of the more interesting shots to share (out of 302 photos taken - Aren't 4GB SD cards great? )

The entire journey lasted 77 hours including 2 overnights in hotels, a 17 hour ferry trip, a long conversation about 131s with Mark in Waterford and 10 mins to pick up my Indian in Limerick earlier this evening! Overall I drove 2158 kms which is an average speed of 28km/h including stops!?

I have not calculated petrol or toll costs but I reckon I spent about ?800 for all expenses including flights, ferry, tolls, food, hotels, etc. The vendor had offered to deliver the car for ?8/900 but then I would not have had the wonderful experience of driving across Europe in a Twin cam Fiat seeing the sights that I did and the mini adventures involving officaldom. In all it was a little holiday and I can not reccomend it enough - If anything it has made me even more determined to try to make sure that 3MA09 in Italy goes ahead. We can chat about that in Scotland maybe..over a few pints! Anyway here are (just a few) of those 300 photos. Hope you enjoy them.?

First fill up....of many...!



Climbing the Alps towards the Mont Blanc tunnel.







Having a rest at the top. Definitely a good picnic spot if 3MA09 comes this way!



Coming down the other side...







The other carriageway...! Climbing Mont Blanc from the French side..!



Studied concentration - Notice how the very efficient ventilation keeps the sagging roof liner away from resting on the driver's head!?



Please Monsieur - Prenez une photo of le Tour Eiffel, la voiture et moi, well at least he got it mostly right!?







In loads of time for the ferry so a little detour to the beaches of Normandy...



Omaha beach...



Continental driving complete...



Home at last...Next time I buy a car with a radio...!

[eugene]

Beautiful car Kev,well done.Those pictures are stuning.Thanks for posting those nice photos.Eugene

[mirafioriman]

Looks like you got a really nice example there Kev, well done! I am looking forward to my visit to Italy in August (I will be travelling in a Mercedes this time). Looking at the photos of the beautiful scenery it is making me jealous!

[Thotos]

Looks like a superb car Kevin (except for the headlining  but that's easily fixed). Also looks like you had some nice weather for your long drive back. I really enjoy driving to and from Italy and those pictures make me very jealous; really looking forward to 2009 now...   

[Andy c]

nice car kev reminds me of my old supermirafiori wouldnt mind another
makes me want some JD when i sold it to pay the rent 
mind you was a few years ago now, well done again kev

[bellamacchina]

Great example of a very fine motorcar! Another one saved forever!!

Goodluck, congratulations you get next weekend in Scotland!

[simon131]

Sorry for the late addition to this thread Kev, been up to my eyes with working at weekends, civic duty at my kids' school, and in sorting mechanical and electrical layouts for the house extension works, etc., etc.,

What can I say about your journey home...? looks every bit as exciting as I remember it with my Abarth and Racing - except without the mechanical and electrical failures encountered by me! I'm really envious of you Kev - car and trip!

The car looks absolutely superb  and so 'pure' in white too! Love the 13" wheels with the liners.....

You don't look very happy about your trip in your photo though mate You look as though you might have liked to have gone a little bit faster Shame about the roof lining - but I'd have to disagree with Theo, it's not easy to permanently fix - unless you remove the fabric completely. (Suggestions on a postcard please Theo, cos I've been trying to find a perm solution for my Abarth since I purchased it - 4 years ago - despite spending a fortune on so called 'fixes' )

I'm totally jealous Kev! I love the series 3 Super, in all of its engine sizes, so can't wait to see yours in the metal The pics really get my juices flowing - here's looking forward to 3MA09 - The European Tour!!! Or should that be 'Italia or Bust!'

[sid131]

well guys for a permanent fix on the roof problem contact spud
http://131mirafiori.com/smf/index.php?topic=954.0

[Thotos]

Suggestions on a postcard please Theo,

Can't quite do it as concise as a postcard but have a look at http://gammaconsortium.com/lanciagammaforum/index.php?topic=7.0 for an article I wrote about replacing the headlining in a Gamma Coupe (you need to download the attached article at the bottom of the message post http://gammaconsortium.com/lanciagammaforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7.0;attach=7).
Same principles apply to the 131.

[simon131]

I'll start a new thread on roof linings under 'The Garage' so as not to hijack Kev's thread

[sid131]

i have just reread the start of your post where you said 10 mins to pick up indian & theres me half asleep all day yesterday thinking you have an indian bike, stupid me ha ha ha .

[bax131]

Fascinating, the only word i've got for the view. Did PB Shelley in the 80's and everything is clear  now of why he's so into Mont Blanc!

(Can't figure out the `Indian' in the posting, sorry.)

[kev131]

Indian? - Takeaway! Chicken Korma, mushroom rice and garlic nan - Yum!?

[simon131]

Chicken korma!!!  My seven year old daughter eats that

[ger]

What's an "Indian Bike" ? 


Simon, after Kev driving all that distance and thoes speeds, i think a chicken korma is all he could handle. Otherwise he would need all that snow in the alps to cool down

GER