These intrepid travellers were spotted in Knysna on Thursday, Spetember 6, while they were on a quick test-drive from Cape Town, before departing on their great 12 000km adventure.
In July, eight MGs were loaded into shipping containers in Australia and shipped off to Cape Town were they met two more, shipped from the (UK) and their South Afrcan counterpart who joined the team from Johannesburg.
The Australian contingent of the tour arrived in South Africa on August 29 and flew to Cape Town on September 3 to be reunited with their much loved MGs. "There they were, all pristine in the warehouse, just waiting to be driven! Some took a bit to get going. RIP's [Godwin's MGA] fuel pump had to be encouraged with a large hammer, but, with no fuss, all was cleared and away we drove, in convoy, back to the hotel in full sunlight. What a wonderful experience, and we have 90 days of this," said Godwin.
Before the actual Cape to Cairo journey began, nine of the MGs took a trip to the Garden Route. "The purpose of our trip from Cape Town to the Garden Route, was to sort the car bugs out and start to get everyone synchronised," said Laurel Godwin, Dave's wife.
The Southern Cape MG Club surprised the adventurers on Thursday by awaiting their arrival at East Head Coffee Shop. One of the Australian travellers was delighted when "we turned a corner and there were other MGs and their owners waiting to show us where to park and to greet us".
Ricky Cooper came to the rescue of one of the UK MGs which had arrived with very low rear springs. "They were looking at trouble before even starting, but the MG fraternity organised for the springs in their car to be replaced while we were having lunch at the yacht club as guests of the MG president, [Bruce Henderson]," explained Laurel.
Before the MG owners settled in for lunch at the Knysna Yacht Club, they were shown around the Knysna tourist attractions, stopping to admire the vintage cars at Frost Brothers, as well as Knysna Motor Strippers' locally designed Cooper Healey.
After lunch the MGs left Knysna along the beautiful Prins Albert Pass toward their next stop, Oudtshoorn.
The actual Cape to Cairo trip started early on Sunday, September 9, and Dave lamented the state of the vehicles after the Garden Route trip.
"One broke down, then another broke down and all the hours and money we had spent preparing our steeds seemed to be for naught!" He added that things just seemed to go wrong all the time, like indicators not working, fuel leaking out of carburettor overflows, radiator fans hitting radiators, springs failing, brake boosters filling with brake fluid, alternators not charging, GPS devices refusing to switch on, two-way radios failing to charge. "How will we ever get to Namibia, let alone Cairo." he said.
To follow the MGs as they travel across Africa, access http://rjbastian.wordpress.com/ or www.classiccarclinic.com.au.
These MGs will travel across 12 countries from Cape to Cairo over three months.The Australian and UK MG owners enthused about the beauty of Knysna and its surrounds. (Photo: Elle Photography).
