Australian Adventure

[Andrew Henshall]

Hi all!

I want to spread the word about an intrepid JCCA member named Ian Hepton, who has just commenced an epic adventure: Driving Around Australia Solo by Bradford! Yes, Ian is driving clockwise around Australia (starting in Perth WA) and visiting all mainland states over the next 3 - 6 months.

Ian is using the same Bradford he drove across Australia to Armidale for the JCCA 2006 National Rally, and has completed modifications for outback camping. It still runs the standard engine/trans, etc and cruises at a steady 60 km/hr. Given that some of his daily drives between campsites will be up to 600 km, Ian will have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery!

Ian will be in touch by radio & mobile phone, and plans to catch up with JCCA members in QLD, NSW, VIC & SA. Along the way, Ian will be visiting every Autopro store in Australia to fullfil his sponsorship abligations, and will even be appearing on Channel 9's Postcards program. Ian has plans to mention both the Jowett Cars Ltd centenary and JCCA 50th AGM celebrations to the media at every opportunity.

Watch out for advertisements in your local paper announcing his visit to your local Autopro store, and join him in your Jowett. Depending on the length of time each store needs his fully-signwritten Autopro Bradford to be displayed, and the number of JCCA members who invite him to visit, Ian is prepared to devote up to 12 months to the trip of a lifetime.

I'm sure that Ian's Around Australia Adventure will inspire all Jowetteers to get their cars out on the roads to be seen and enjoyed.

Andrew Henshall
JCCA & JOAC Member & Jupiter E1SA433R owner

[Forumadmin]

We really ought to have a daily blog from Ian on JowettTalk as is done by those intrepid round the world yachtspeople!

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

I am wonderfully curious! Does the Bradford have standard seats? if so I suggest that he should try for some sponsorshiop from a pharmacy supplying cream for sore "down under" parts!

[Andrew Henshall]

Does the Bradford have standard seats?

I believe Ian has retained the original Bradford seats! He has kept the car original looking, except for the wheel/tyres, which he has converted to widened rims & radials as the original size cross-ply tyres will be impossible to get in the outback! Ian has just completed a major mechanical rebuild of the Bradford after returning from the 2006 JCCA National Rally in Armidale NSW. The trip from York WA to Armidale NSW and back (over 4370 miles) should have been long enough to have highlighted any issues with ride comfort!


Andrew Henshall

[Andrew Henshall]

You have to see this Bradford to believe it! The tyres look seriously wide, and while I didn't write down the size, someone in the JCCA who attended the National Rally in Armidale will know - come on you Bradfordites! From memory they must be at least 185-16.

Ian did tell me that with these tyres/rims and the original steering box, the little Braddie had a tendency to dart all over the road after the road-trains went passed on the long trip across the Nullabor. I'm not sure if it was related to the width of the tyres or the fact that being passed by a truck-trailer-trailer-trailer combination more than 150 feet long, in a Bradford weighing not much more than my pushbike with at least a 90 mph speed differential might make your hands shake on the wheel a bit! The remedy was more modifications & a new steering box, and now it sits solidy on course.

Andrew Henshall

[Keith Andrews]

This is a photo courtesy of Neil Moore of one the 2 bradfords, and Jupiter that crossed Aussie on the 50th anniversary.
Thu only truck-trailer-trailer.
Looking at the diff in size..anything would be blown around regarless of tyres

[Tony Fearn]

Hello to all down under, from one up over. We don't seem to have had any recent postings about Ian Hepton and his peregrinations around the fabled island of OZ. The last one was three months ago to the day. Has anyone got the latest news? Tony.

[Andrew Henshall]

Ian Hepton's Aussie adventure ended prematurely in Brisbane in late August after completing a bit over 8500 km in the Bradford from York, Western Australia. The basic issue as I understand it was his funding ran out, as his sponsor (Autopro) aparently left him high and dry as soon as he left WA. Unfortunately the previously agreed national sponsorship evaporated, and so, not surprisingly, Ian abandoned his plan to visit every Autopro store on mainland Australia!

Ian's Bradford was involved in a traffic bingle in Brisbane, (run into by someone trying to read the badge on the grille I guess), but it has been repaired, and Ian is now actually employed and living in Brisbane with plans to settle there permanently after Christmas.

Ian has joined the Queensland branch of the JCCA on local events, and seems to be thoroughly enjoying the company of his many new friends in the northeast. Ian's Bradford (with sponsor's decals displayed prominantly) featured on the cover of the latest edition of the JCCA magazine "The Javelin".

So, what looked like sorry tale, has turned out to have a happy ending after all.

Anyone else interested in tackling the great unknown in Australia?

Andrew Henshall
Secretary - JCCA

[Andrew Henshall]

Just heard from JCCA members in Brisbane that Ian Hepton has recently resumed his trip around Australia by Bradford.

Ian has raced from Brisbane (Queensland) to Broken Hill (NSW) in record time with no issues, and was last seen dissappearing in a cloud of dust towards Port Augusta (South Australia). Only 2700 km across the Nullabor still to go!

Andrew Henshall
Secretary - JCCA

[John Wolf]

Go for it Ian. Some people would think twice about doing it in a modern (around Aus that is). Any chance of a bit more detail on Ians progress.

With reference to Pat Lockyers comments about radial tyres one of our members in NZ has just fitted radials to his Bradford and reports that it improved the handling significantly. I think that they are 165x16. I don't know about Aus, but the locally assembled Bradfords in NZ had bench seats with the seat back attached to the back of the cab.

[Keith Andrews]

Yes John, he has 165x80x16...
I have them on the back at the moment, far smoother ride. but its best running at higher pressures (around 35lbs)
The report from the other member "Its like a new car, increadable difference"
I would also piont other , the other NZ member, Dosent Granny foot, following him, I never knew my Braddy could go fast and cnr as well, and where on X-plys then.
Demert pionts for him to John?

Go for it Ian. Some people would think twice about doing it in a modern (around Aus that is). Any chance of a bit more detail on Ians progress.

Yes...We would realy like to follow his trip, up downs as close as possible, and that not just John and I either...lots of other 'Fans' cheering on over the pond here.