'The odometer ticked back to 0000...it only counts up to 9999 the Seven was not intended for crosscontinental trips'
Classic & Sports Car|April 2023
Two Brits drive from Maryland to Tierra del Fuego, via Alaska, in the UK's first people's car
CHARLIE CALDERWOOOD
'The odometer ticked back to 0000...it only counts up to 9999 the Seven was not intended for crosscontinental trips'

Exploring the world in a classic car is the dream of many enthusiasts, but few choose to make the process quite as challenging as attempting a journey equivalent to circumnavigating the world. while driving an Austin Seven. Like all pioneers, serial Seven owner Guy Butcher and partner Eunice Kratky stood on the shoulders of those who had gone before them. John Coleman's 1962 book Coleman's Drive, in which the English schoolteacher drove a baby Austin from Buenos Aires to New York, served as inspiration. Coleman himself roughly followed the route of Aimé Tschiffely, who had completed the journey on horseback from 1925-'28. But while a Seven is faster and more comfortable than riding a horse (just), Guy and Eunice had planned a route far longer than either Coleman's or Tschiffely's.

The idea was to land at Baltimore in the USA and draw a reverse '7' across the New World in celebration of the Austin's 90th anniversary in 2012, taking the little car first to Alaska before beginning the long journey down to the Ruta del Fin del Mundo at the southern tip of Argentina: 25,000 miles, in a car that usually needs an engine rebuild every 20,000 or so.

The Seven chosen was a 1936 car, originally built as a tourer but recreated as a short-chassis 1928 Austin Chummy following an accident in the 1970s. Guy rebuilt the car himself, fitting a trials-spec engine and a rear axle modified with a lower, 5.125:1 ratio to help attack hills.

The trip would be a fundraising journey, so the Seven was liveried with information about the campaign, named BESPK - Bringing Extra to SPecial Kids. Save the Children and the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust would be the beneficiaries of the adventure.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2023-Ausgabe von Classic & Sports Car.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2023-Ausgabe von Classic & Sports Car.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS CLASSIC & SPORTS CARAlle anzeigen
RAY HILLIER
Classic & Sports Car

RAY HILLIER

Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 2024
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Classic & Sports Car

SHORT BACK & GLIDES

Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
December 2024
People's choice
Classic & Sports Car

People's choice

The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint

time-read
10 Minuten  |
December 2024
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Classic & Sports Car

PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM

Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.

time-read
9 Minuten  |
December 2024
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
Classic & Sports Car

A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR

The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?

time-read
9 Minuten  |
December 2024
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
Classic & Sports Car

"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"

From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career

time-read
8 Minuten  |
December 2024
Still going strong
Classic & Sports Car

Still going strong

Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim

time-read
9 Minuten  |
December 2024
One for the kids
Classic & Sports Car

One for the kids

General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement

time-read
8 Minuten  |
December 2024
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Classic & Sports Car

A NEW BREED OF HERO

Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.

time-read
10 Minuten  |
December 2024
Brits with SIX appeal
Classic & Sports Car

Brits with SIX appeal

The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
December 2024