Adventure, it’s been too long. Sequence & specifics of events may have been changed to avoid incrimination or family worry.

For those that do not know the history of my 71Veloce, it started out as a “track” prepared car (read roll-cage included), moonlighting at Simola Hill Climb but mostly fulfilling duties as my, until now, very reliable daily driver, underwritten by AA (Automobile Association) membership.

Re-installed original springs with spacers, for additional ride height, to cope with local road conditions before serendipitously moving to a farm around the same time, so the Safari Evolution became. Slowly returning my baby to reliable original (ish) state, with led headlights (took only a week to crack an original), windows, wipers, locking bonnet (explains the temporary white Nurburgring wall hanging unit) & boot, fuel tank and other personalisations of convenience or comfort. My plan is to enjoy the car while I collect all the original bits before it eventually gets a full RestoMod, once all my other projects are done. By then I hopefully know what I’m doing.

George Car Show 2023, all going well, until it isn’t.

Minor panic ensues as the car stalls, ominous smoke rising from bonnet. “Open bonnet” I instruct the Navigator (lever on passenger side), not wasting words or time, grab extinguisher, apply handbrake and exit the (still moving) car. As I try lever the bonnet open, I hear navigator suggesting not to open it…. I will not let my baby die like this I think to myself as I teleport to the passenger door which for some reason is open, navigator still firmly installed in seat, looking quite relaxed all things considered. Reach down, unlatch bonnet and unleash all hell on the imposing little flame.

Calm down to a panic, check vitals and eventually decide to summon AA to tow us to an auto electrician, while navigator sources a rental car for the day.

Complete my call to AA, lookup to see a LandCruiser barrelling down on us in the yellow lane. Appropriate looking prop forward slides out, introducing himself as Johan, “are you the guys on fire? Moenie worry, you guys are safe now, my truck will be here shortly to pickup the car, put your stuff in my bakkie so long”. WTF, im thinking, news spreads fast in this place. I move slowly, buying time, thinking this is one elaborate plan to steal my car and abduct us, bleeding edge hijacking right here in Mosselbay.

Navigator exits the car, looking very pleased with herself, to meet Johan.

I steal her aside to share my hijacking theory, she laughs, and laughs and laughs, then says, this is the brother in law of the car rental guy I spoke to, who happened to be driving in our direction at the time… who is also somehow involved in the towing company. Coincidence! I’m not convinced…

Alls well that ends well, an epic and log overdue roadtrip to tantalise the senses. Just what I needed. Pleased to say it seems my sense of humour is returning, slowly, but eventually.

2 days later, during drivers debrief, I find out the boot had been opened (boot latch in passenger b-pillar) instead of the bonnet… while I’ve been overthinking she seemed quite determined for me not to open the bonnet!

* This is not my first fire. Or my second. By now I consider myself self trained Am-Pro (on the job experience). Do not try this at home!

** never leave home without Fire extinguisher or AA Membership.

It is said, 4 wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the soul. I say, RoadTrips clear the mind. Drivetastefully!