Recreation of first vehicle to Cape York in 1928
Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2015 at 17:01
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PeteS
We are currently near
Coen in Queensland on our way back from the Cape. Came across a little Austin 7 in
Coen yesterday that is making its way up to the Cape, recreating the same trek done in 1928. Full details are available at:
http://fiat500expedition.blogspot.com.au
Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Tuesday, Jun 30, 2015 at 19:09
Tuesday, Jun 30, 2015 at 19:09
I called into
Laura in 2008 on the way to The Cape
The local storekeeper had a green Austin 7 in a shed out the back of the store.
He told similar stories of it being the first motor vehicle to reach the top.
I don’t know if it’s still there but you should
check it out.
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Follow Up By: PeteS - Tuesday, Jun 30, 2015 at 19:14
Tuesday, Jun 30, 2015 at 19:14
Thanks Dennis. I believe that is the original vehicle.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Tuesday, Jun 30, 2015 at 21:37
Tuesday, Jun 30, 2015 at 21:37
No, the Austin in
Coen is not the car that went to the Cape. In fact I believe it is a year later model.
The original Austin 7 that was the first motor car to travel to the Cape finished its days on Thursday Island.
Incidentally, my first car was a 1927 Austin 7, also known as a Baby Austin, same as the one driven to the Cape. Very economical on fuel but expensive on crankshafts!
The Austin at
Coen used to be displayed on the front lawn of the store. No longer apparently.
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Follow Up By: PeteS - Tuesday, Jun 30, 2015 at 21:42
Tuesday, Jun 30, 2015 at 21:42
Sorry Allan. My comment 'I believe that is the original vehicle' referred to the one in
Laura. And yes I agree, the car driven by Lang and Bev Kidby is a year older than the original car that did it.
Such a tiny vehicle. We towered over it in our photos.
Cheers,
PeteS
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Follow Up By: PeteS - Tuesday, Jun 30, 2015 at 21:53
Tuesday, Jun 30, 2015 at 21:53
According to our reference book, when the original car arrived at Red Island Point (Seisa) it was purchased by Alice
Jardine Vidgeon on Thursday Island. Her joy was short lived however when she learnt the cars agents wanted it back to put on display down south and she reluctanty parted with it.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Tuesday, Jun 30, 2015 at 22:10
Tuesday, Jun 30, 2015 at 22:10
My memory has recovered a little......... the Austin did not stay on Thursday Island, after several years there it was en route to America when the ship sank and the car was lost.
I have the book "We and the Baby" at
home but I am currently on the road so unable to
check all details.
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Follow Up By: Member - tommo05 - Wednesday, Jul 01, 2015 at 20:29
Wednesday, Jul 01, 2015 at 20:29
Correct, the one at
Laura is definitely not the original either.
I hope they're not going to build a raft to get it across the
Jardine like Hector and Dick did. The locals would not be happy with them getting across for free!
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