1973 350 4 on way to NZ

[Ian H Stewart]

the bugle mag at the farm in vermont where i am farm sitting, issueapril 2006 has lead me to this page.
i am farm assisting in maine as senior semi retired NZ farmer,Chance saw me aquire the 73 convertable in nov 2006, at return visit to NZ confirmed that a 20 year old plus vehicle can remain left hand drive, so i will drive from the east to LA and ship this monster back to NZ.
the vermont farm has a 1955 special 2 door in the shed and i have read the buglein spare time, and now can find out all about my car
should its history which i know(all of it) be of interest to members and if your home is some where between the coast of maine and LA, then as i tow the 72 scotty trailer west i would be interested in learning more about your region,
i write for the BSNL a farming mag based in oregon, have travelled across usa and canada by vehicle 25 times in fored torino 1972, or adodge 72 camper/78 one too or oldsmoble 80 custom crusier so enjoy car travel. My every day car is a toyota echo canadain reg(gas saver)
I look foward to telling stories, with my limited comuter skill!!!!!!!!!! far better at changing spark plugs
I am a 67 year old male, unattached, 4 kids and 7 grand kids ( not a singles request) but indicating that i can choose where and how i move atund thew world. Last year i visited Uk. equador, nz and peru but still had 8 of 14 months in maine, immigartion(cis) sort of callenging my visits to usa,
time to move sheep, more later kiaora ian S

[Smartin]

Welcome to the board! The April 2006 issue had a small article about this website, and a nice picture of my (then) 1971 convertible. Fellow board member "The German" now owns it.

I'm glad to see more folks referred here by that article.

We're eager to hear and see more of the 73 you've acquired.

[Ian H Stewart]

well i read to check when lowering the top,didso for the first as i have always just let it fold down , seemed ok and then crunch and the end of the original heat wierd 1973 rear window,
blessing in discuise as it will be replaced with an un smashable ???? something in a country where there are covertable experts, rather than on the road in Nz
finding my way through this thread i read about the white in germany centurian, late last week on interstate 91 I open up 'betty" as the centurian has become known by friends, somewhere between 110 and 115 mph i decided even with the recently all udated and firm adirect steering parts that was fast enough on a damp surface,even with radials.
i believe i will too need to adjust headlights when it makes it to Nz as we drive on the otherside
see that my typing skills mean read one letter either side of what i write to get full message, howver i have foungd in vermont a classic garage who is taking a personal interest in betty, and back in mainei will have other equally good garage replace the rear panel, this vermont garage even has a left hand mirror i needed
are there only 200 plus centurians left??/ there fore how many rag tops/ mine ie the maroon colour, still original, only the seats,which were cheaper to recover than sew the twoo small tears( that before i read about the all natural cless at shows. ( i do have the original seat covers in the trunk) a new top and old rear window (hahha) and a new carpet as the old top leaked when it rained,
engine untouched just plugs and points and wiring and all the steerring back to new so that it pass's inspection here in maine and in Nz hwere they are realy tough
i have a draw bar and 1 7/8 ball, draggs a 15ft scotty trailer as long as the trailer is heavy on past bus's on the intersate at 70 mph.seemed to get 14 mpg ffrom maine to vermont, none others at the 3 shows hereNH and Ve or at 2 in maine, had electric brakes system put in car for the already wired trailer
next threat, do i motor cross this beast , race the toyoto echo and feel going fro a rear wheel power box to a lively front wheel 1500 cc car would test my skills, however need to get rid of a flat spotat starting of especially when cold, from 60 to 90 mph only th epetrol gauge moves down
for who evr reads this thanks for allowing me to express myself and to know tht betty has a few cousins
flushed the tranny last week, blcker than a deisil engine oil and a magnetic sive that really worked lots of lath like bits and peace(pieces)still doesnt slip
happy motoring to you all kia ora I an S