The last Mile..

Post by **Gordon Hayes** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:14 am

Perth Australia Tuesday 11 October 2005.

7:50 AM and we pulled out onto Stock road ... we were nearing the end of the "last mile".

(I watched the film "The Green Mile" a few years ago this last ever drive in Australia drive has been known to me as the "last mile" ever since).

In the very last section the highway dips the rises both steeply and quickly till it threads its way over a blind crest.

We headed down the dip, a single "B" double truck was on the road before us front, the truck indicated for me to pass.

As I pulled out to pass the truck I could see that the normally busy highway was clear ahead, it was surreal in its self to see that empty road ahead during this the commuting hour..

So in the clear dawn sun light the Cleveland sucked in its last breath's of fresh and crisp spring morning air. Ignoring the 60 KPH signage I let the great legend of a car run loose, second gear and 5,500 RPM ... the Cleveland was blasting, barking .... hell yes ...screaming out an oh so glorious V8 symphony, heading for life in a museum did those 8 side pipes howl into the face of eternity "no ... God no ... send me back to the searing dry land of eternal silence and red dust"

Or was it the collective ghosts off every modified Australian car crying now with one voice... "You can take your bullsh*t Australian road registration laws and stuff them ...I am never coming back".

The final corner approached the V8 growled back down through the revs, and the moment had passed into history..

By 8:00 am it was in the container.

Got to say this has easily been the hardest replica of all to say goodbye to.

Post by **racerx** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:48 am

We may have our problems but God bless the USA's tolerance for vintage cars. It has to be hard to pack up a machine like that.

Post by **Gordon Hayes** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 1:10 am

As you see we did rework the spacer plate under the Scott Hat, we also added the passenger side interior camera mount (the hoop from the lower roll bar) on the passenger side and the interior sun visiors.

Just thought this was a good picture, all nice and clean, and checking in at the freight terminal.

Post by **Bad cop** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 3:23 am

Gordon, thats one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard. And I am serious.

Post by **Gordon Hayes** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:22 am

Hey Bad cop.. Thanks..

I Might have had a tear in the eye when I looked back at the container...

Post by **waynegt351** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:38 am

dont worry man.i dare say it aint gonna be the last you build

Post by **Big Bopper Bart** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 11:10 pm

From Gordys hands to Tojos playhouse

Post by **The Shape** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:10 pm

Is it that tough to register and insure a classic car in australia?

Post by **Chase Bansi** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:32 am

I feel your pain man!

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:26 am

Arizona isn't much good for muscle cars if you live in the Phoenix or Tuscon areas. A BOB replica would be ok but good luck getting a Blown 540ci big block street rod on the road, unless the car was made before 1966. It's pretty strange that a such a restrictive state like California is more muscle car friendly than the major population centers of Arizona; outside of those two areas Arizona doesn't have emissions testing. The Governor signed a bill that would take care of that so there is hope; hopfully ADEQ will agree to the new bill by the end of the year; hopefully after that the EPA goes for it.