OVW 323D

[embee427]

The car would be carried over water six times on its journey from England to Australia. Three ferries, Dover to Ostend, over the Bosphorus Istanbul, Turkey and Penang to mainland Malaysia.

Three ships. Pakistan to India, India to Penang and Singapore to Australia. The car before being loaded would have its battery disconnected and showing a low fuel tank. Once the car was in the hold of the ship, we were not allowed to go back to her on the sea journey. On the short trip between Pakistan and India they managed to scratch the offside front wing and snap the hand brake cable when in the hold !!

 

[embee427]

North East Turkey

 

[the83man]

I love this story.........and the photographs.

Surely it should become a mainstream magazine article? Anyone mind if I point a few journos at it?

 

[Rick]

What about "our" magazine the QB, this topic is ideal for being written up for the whole membership to enjoy.

 

[Peter Meyer]

I'll speak to Geoff about it and get him to do it. He now has a very complete story.

 

[Trident team]

Hi Mike
I am the owner of this Lotus Cortina and have been
since 1975.
Because of the inspiration of my son Neale and
my family we are now able to enjoy using her on a regular basis.
It was Neale's desire to find the man that I bought her off in all those years ago.
Much to my surprise he did and I was delighted.
Now the complete history of OVW323D is
just about complete except for its antipodean adventures since I have owned her.
I will begin posting some pictures of life down under.
Please let me consider your desire to involve mainstream media, maybe QB and the LCR members should get the
full story first.

 

[Peter Meyer]

That was quick!
Geoff this is the place to discuss the current iwater pump issues you are having as a seperate topic under "mechanical" and see what experiece other members have had.

 

[embee427]

India............................Get the stove assembled for a cup of tea

with friends !!!!!!

 

[embee427]

Onboard the ferry crossing the Bosphorus in Istanbul Turkey, from west to east

 

[Trident team]

Hi everyone
I have just been to England and met with Mike Burrows the former owner of this
remarkable Lotus Cortina and he told me about their amazing drive to Australia in 1972.
It's been 37 years since Ibought the car and now I have finally met this great guy as I never actually dealt with him at the time of purchase.
What a story he had to tell the nights were not long enough.

 

[embee427]

 

[Trident team]

Here are a few more old pictures (circa 1972-1975) of its life in Australia.


This one is of the first pictures after I had bought the car in 1972 along with the other Cortinas that I had at the time.

After the car had been repainted. At the same time my brothers 220 got a Lotus stripe as well

This photo was taken the day that the car was first registered in Australia

One of the cars first public apperances in 1975 after the first minor restoration

During the filming for a TV series called 'Marque" by Peter Wherrett

Here is a link to the clip that was shown on TV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlIqmBxGBr8

 

[Trident team]

Some more recent pictures of my car, taken last month can be seen on the ''Ramblings'section of this forum at the end of the post ''Engine vibration''

 

[Trident team]

Latest image of OVW 323D taken after our recent show day 10/11/2019 with my mates 1965 car.

 

[Trident team]

Went to a very nice place today [Sunday] for the annual show of the RS Owners Club of Australia.
A colonial village replicating the early days of settlement in Australia.
A few pictures of the ''gathering''

 

[Trident team]

In November last year the Perth to Sydney Marathon was held.

 

[Trident team]

In November last year the Perth to Sydney Marathon was held.
This was a competitive event running over the same route of the 1968 London to Sydney Marathon.
It was quite a challenge to organise as the various organisations that control the land through which the event was to run
had to be contacted for permission.
It was hoped to use the same roads as the original event, and times have changed.
The groups included indigenous land owners, mining company lease holders, farmers, private organisations and local councils.
When all was ready, the field of approximately 72 cars of all types including several of the original 1968 vehicles was flagged away for their long drive to Sydney.
As the organisers knew previously, that my Lotus Cortina had been driven by Mike Burrows and Keith Denniss, to Australia in 1972 over some of the same roads and through the same countries as the 1968 Marathon. They invited me to come along to the finish at the Warwick Farm Racecourse in Sydney, where the original Marathon ended in 1968.
I then thought it would be nice to invite Mike Burrows, who drove OVW323D here.
Upon hearing of this Mike and his wife came to Australia to spend time with us and go along to Warwick Farm for the event.
As there were no Lotus Cortinas entered this time I think there was a thought that it would appropriate to have a Lotus Cortina there as a tribute to the effort of the late Roger Clark who very nearly won in 1968, albeit in a Mark 2.
I was informed that their was a sole Mark 1 Cortina in the original field and it was a red one, so it was good to be able to take my red GT along too.
Cheers Geoff

 

[Trident team]

A small celebration
I have been the very fortunate owner of her for 49 years today.

 

[Trident team]

I am celebrating my good fortune today to say that I have owned this beautiful Lotus Cortina for 50 years.
It's Australian story in itself is remarkable.
Not forgetting the incredible drive overland to get here in 1972.
Please see a couple of images I have attached.