IN THE SPIRIT OF “EDWIN CANNONBALL BAKER”
THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE AUSTRALIAN CONTINENT IN AN AIR COOLED 1927 FRANKLIN CAR
Plans are under way by a small group of air cooled Franklin enthusiasts to attempt an endurance trial that will entail driving a restored 1927 series 11B Franklin sedan around the periphery of the Australian mainland. The trek will also include the beautiful island state of Tasmania. This has never been done before.
Departure from Sydney (N.S.W.) will occur early August 2011 heading in a northerly direction cris crossing the great dividing mountain range that flanks our eastern shore. Please note this is NOT a race as the journey will take an extended period, allowing travel to be broken up in 4 or 5 sections . The Franklin is owned by Australian based Franklin club members David Rundle and Geoff Morris. Geoff will provide a 4 wheel drive back up vehicle with attached covered box trailer to carry baggage, fuel, camping equipment plus logistical support for the venture.
United States club members Cliff Stranberg and Pete Ziegler intend joining us for sections, although I can assure you that this venture will not be for the faint hearted, conditions in Australia constantly change due to unseasonable weather. An example is rainfall this year in North Queensland's channel country that created a lake the size of the United Kingdom.. The distance to be travelled is greater than England to India, without counting the circumference of Tasmania.
Due to our slow progress & the possibility of breakdowns and delays, lodgings will consist of what we can find when we arrive. Generally we will attempt to stay in old country hotels built in the 30's and 40's with shared everything, although the dining rooms usually manage to knock up some “beaut Aussie tucker” (food). A tent will be our backstop with Geoff's bush cooking around the camp fire. The Franklin has a camping body (back of front seat folds down) and the trailer could hold 2 tired trekkers to keep them away from snakes, spiders, dingo's and other Aussie nasties. Remember this would be 5* for CANNONBALL BAKER'S Franklin feats.
If we arrive in Darwin (Northern Territory) within a month, we may garage the vehicles in storage and fly home to Sydney to catch up on home affairs. The trek would resume when time permits for all involved. Alternatively, we may proceed on to the picturesque Kimberly region of North Western Australia, to allow some time to explore this 4 W.D. area of Australia.
The tropical wet season can start from December at which time the top end of Australia is generally cut off for months, therefore we must be out of there well before the wet strikes.
The Franklin would carry 2 drivers allowing rotation, 4 other persons would be in the Mitsubishi Challenger (Shogun in the U.S.A.). I envisage rotation between both vehicles, as due to limited Franklin speed the Mitsubishi can deviate to interesting areas, leaving the Franklin to continue on it's predetermined path. Other interested people (including couples) have indicated that they may choose an area of travel to join us in a rental vehicle for the experience of a moveable trek and camaraderie. David & Geoff would anticipate that our wives Diane & Leonie, would fly into various locations where we have rest days for sightseeing. It is hoped that Aussie friends would also join us for segments or sections.
Geoff and I would expect that expenses eg. fuel & maintenance for both vehicles would be shared in a combined kitty by the core group, therefore we may elect a treasurer from this group. We may even run a kitty for meals & accommodation.
Communications equipment will be required eg. Satellite phone (possibly hired). We have line of sight hand held intercoms but these are often useless when vehicles are parted for sightseeing. Hopefully we will gather together each afternoon at the overnight venue.
We are receiving great assistance from Pete Ziegler as he is purchasing for us the Smithy Week's type of engine oil pressure system that he may even re modify to suit the anticipated conditions. Pete is also sending an electronic ignition. He is compiling a spares list to be shipped over, just in case, as we only have around 5 Franklins of any year left in Australia. These spares will eventually be sent back to the U.S.A. upon completion of the trek.
Let us hope that these endeavours DOWN UNDER, like those of The Kern family and committed Hickory Corners crew, continue to inspire our kids and grandchildren into adventures around the world with vehicles of yesteryear, freeing them from the chains of TV. and computer screens, to marvel at a rising and setting sun, followed by a canopy of stars.
