The Short History of Ian’s Cars and Motorbikes
In the beginning, there was the old Honda 175 twin – complete with electric start ! It was unlicensed and got all the “road crap” ripped off and a knobby back tyre. It attempted one very wet enduro in Albany and did not fare well with mud clogging the throttle cable and paper air filter. I had this during my latter high school years and sold it when I left Albany. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find a photo of the actual beast, so one I scrounged off the internet will have to do. Mine was red like this – but not nearly as pretty.
Then came the 1976 Escort (pictured before and on one of its many Nullabor crossings):
A few years later, the old TY250 was bought. It was tired then – and is even more so now. In 1999, after 17 years in retirement, it was resurrected and competed in a few more observed trials over the next few years. Finally, in 2016, after many years of sitting in the shed, it was sold.
Then, 11 years, 220,000 kms and 2 engines with the Escort came the 1972 Capri. It was white when I bought it, was grey according to the rego, red according to the compliance plate – and finished up back with the original red (what-ever the official colour is called). It was a bucket of neglected crap when I bought it, but very reliable when I finished with it – so reliable I got bored with it. (pictured before it got fitted with the original pressed-steel “mags”)
Then, after I got tired of the Capri came the 1982 Supra.
At some point, so as to be able to keep up with my mates out in the bush, and have a licensed bike, I borrowed an unused and neglected Honda XL250 from a mate.
Then, in a typical sacrifice that fathers are expected to make, the Supra was sold and Jo’s dream car (a 2000 Ka) purchased for Jo to learn to drive in – and then to purchase from us 12 months later (at which point the plan was I can go and buy a “real” car again !).
Oh how plans change ! Since Nicole would be learning to drive within a year, we went and bought the car of Nicole’s (instead of my) dreams – a 2000 Lancer (which then became Nicole’s – and since upgraded and long gone).
After another long stint working in Port Hedland, some of the overtime proceeds was devoted to a new toy – a 2000 model Yamaha TTR250. The trusty old (borrowed) XL250 went back to it’s true owner (in a much renovated form).
In early 2016, my father decided that the time had come to part with his first car – the 1928 Model A Ford. It soon took up residence in Willetton.
After lusting after a Mustang for 40 of the 50 years they have been in production, a factory-built right-hand drive was produced for the first time ever. It was ordered in Jan 2015, and delivered in April 2016.
