80s Cars Around the World

[MajorGav]

I've had an idea for a potential road trip. Just an idea at this stage, but I've had some positive feedback and offers of help. Thought it might be an idea to unleash the idea on Pistonheads.

Essentially, I'm looking to drive around the world using nothing other than cars from the 1980s. A test of endurance and sanity! I'd be looking to use a car that in someway links to the country it drives through. So maybe a Mini in the UK, a Renault 5 Turbo in France, quattro in Germany, Testarossa in Italy, etc, etc. Mixing cultural and travel information - or maybe just an excuse for a good old fashioned road trip!

Clearly inspired by the recent Top Gear road trips, this would take months of planning and a great deal of support. If you Google '80s cars around the world', it should appear top of the list. I'm planning a website in due course.

Any comments or bright ideas welcome - thank you!

[Rach*]

Sounds interesting, quite a logistical nightmare, but would be immense if you can make it work!


Good luck!

[MajorGav]

Rach* said:

Sounds interesting, quite a logistical nightmare, but would be immense if you can make it work!


Good luck!

Thanks! Nightmare is a good word! I hope that with a little momentum and a seriously defined approach, it could just work.

Little acorns and all that.

[hesnotthemessiah]

MajorGav said:

Essentially, I'm looking to drive around the world using nothing other than cars from the 1980s. A test of endurance and sanity! I'd be looking to use a car that in someway links to the country it drives through. So maybe a Mini in the UK, a Renault 5 Turbo in France, quattro in Germany, Testarossa in Italy, etc, etc.

Love the quite eclectic mix of cars. From a Mini to a Testarossa. I can see the first two working out, (Mini and Renault) but then it may get a bit more tricky......I might go for an E30 BMW and an Alfa Spider maybe........Good luck anyhooo!

[NiceCupOfTea]

Would you buy one in each country? Then sell it as you leave?

[MajorGav]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Would you buy one in each country? Then sell it as you leave?

Debating that. Would make for a more interesting trip if a car had to hunted down on arrival in each country and then sold on. But this could make it extremely difficult to achieve. Helps if your surname is Clarkson, Hammond, May or Stig I guess!

Once a route is sorted, I'd actually envisage using the website/social media to recruit owners from each country who'd then drive/accompany the trip across their own nation. Would also call upon manufacturers and heritage museums to add some depth. Would love to get hold of the Capri 280 from Ford for example, or a Golf Rallye from VW in Germany.

[davepoth]

Easy really, you can do it in five cars.

Metro Turbo
Renault 5 Turbo
BMW E30 M3
Polski Fiat 126
Lada Niva (the 4x4 one, and you'll need it)
Buick GNX
And that'll get you to New York.

[NiceCupOfTea]

davepoth said:

Easy really, you can do it in five cars.

Metro Turbo
Renault 5 Turbo
BMW E30 M3
Polski Fiat 126
Lada Niva (the 4x4 one, and you'll need it)
Buick GNX
And that'll get you to New York.

And an Amphicar for the damp bits?

PS - OP, was the thread title deliberate? I now have this going round in my head: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlUNSNiaHos

[davepoth]

That's six anyway.

The Baring Strait freezes up some winters, you could probably drive across...

Edited by davepoth on Tuesday 15th June 23:46

[Hairspray]

Saw this idea on your blog- it still sounds like epic fun but incredibly unfeasible! If you ever do manage it, major kudos

[Big Rod]

Liking your idea!!

It's gonna depend a whole lot on where you're travelling and what your plans are.

The 'buy and bin' plan is doable with a lot of prior planning, but I wager you'll need contacts in each and every country to produce the 'minerals'.

Why not just buy a sh!t car and drive round the globe in it?

It may have been done before, but WTF, on;y once or maybe twice.

Here's a thought.................There was a tyre advert in the late '70's, early '80's where a Maxi went round the world on one set of tyres. Why not prove that?!?!?!??

Whatever you do I support you, (Road trip = win!!!)

[Rach*]

From my experience, buying cars in some of the countries bewteen here and here can be virtually impossible..... not to say VERY expensive...

I like the sound of Blogging a Blag..... blag lifts across each country..


Also bear in mind you can't walk over some borders, but usually someone will let you crouch in the back of their jeep