The hatchings of a possibly daft idea.

[Getragdogleg]

I quite like to complicate my life when I feel its all getting a bit samey, with the feeling of sameness building in me like it does from time to time I have hatched the latest daft idea.

I live in Cornwall. I fancy buying an old (1970s) Alfa Romeo from a bloke in Malta. I feel like flying out there, giving him some money and driving home.

I would obviously make sure the car is legal in Malta, tax/mot whatever.

Then ferry/drive back to roscoff and then ferry to Plymouth and drive home.

What might the implications be for all the various countries I will pass through in a smoky/probably semi shonky Alfa ?

I realise I will create a world of pain with DVLA once its back but I intend to restore it once its home then put it on the road here.

Am I mad ?

[Getragdogleg]

I also propose to serialise the trip here on PH.

[Flintstone]

You're still here?

Get on with it.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Getragdogleg said:

I fancy buying an old (1970s) Alfa Romeo from a bloke in Malta. I feel like flying out there, giving him some money and driving home.

If you're looking to do something daft in an old Alfa I'm sure you'll find one in Truro.

[Getragdogleg]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Getragdogleg said:

I fancy buying an old (1970s) Alfa Romeo from a bloke in Malta. I feel like flying out there, giving him some money and driving home.

If you're looking to do something daft in an old Alfa I'm sure you'll find one in Truro.

Yeah but I could do that in an afternoon, I need to break down in a remote area and have to bodge it up with a fag packet and a bit of hairy string. I need a language barrier, I need a mountain pass to cook the old brake fluid, i need the kind of adventure that means i will have a beard when I get back.

I am readying a co-pilot and have contacted the seller to ask if its in any way legal.

Its a daft idea.

Brilliant.

[Parabola]

Which Alfa is it?
I think it's a top idea.

[Parabola]

Which Alfa is it?
I think it's a top idea.

[Getragdogleg]

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...

Its right up my alley, not too desirable, miles away, cheap to buy, unusual.

[Balmoral Green]

I bet your flight will be on time, and most pleasant. The car will be much better than expected, and the vendor will have prepped it nicely for your journey home, and he will put you up and feed you too with great hospitality. The trip back will be uneventful and the car will not miss a beat

[madala]

....brave man.....

[Mighty Flex]

I think the trip to malta is nececary, as I belive every last alfetta in cornwall has slowly been erroded by salt spray . Good luck. the sense of achievement will be even greater it if there are small mishaps along the way that demand 'inventive' repairs

[DennisTheMenace]

That looks to be a bit of fun , go for it !

[*Al*]

Sounds like a plan! Love it.

[Silent1]

have you left yet?

Take a camera.

[Engineer1]

Pick the daftest route back that time will allow, so assuming the car is better than expected up through Eastern Europe.

[honest_delboy]

in Dorest :

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...

Once it's been road tested get the ferry to Bilbao and your adventure starts there !

[Getragdogleg]

The seller has emailed me back and it seems the car is legal, drivable and very clean and tidy.

The wife seems quite ok with the idea so far.

I have priced up flights, trains and am looking into ferrys from Malta to Sicily, well I thought i might drive up Etna as well while I am about it.

If I could go today (right now) then I would.

[Chris71]

You'd want to be pretty sure that the car was sound before you went, but yeah, sounds like a top plan.

[AbarthChris]

Malta's a lovely island as well, and they seem car mad. I was out there for a month earlier this year and the number of mk1 Escorts, old landie's, alfa's, completely chavved up hatches and incredibly rare classics was astounding.

The people are lovely too, and 95% of the island speaks english.

It will be a great trip!

[Dunclane]

AbarthChris said:

Malta's a lovely island as well, and they seem car mad. I was out there for a month earlier this year and the number of mk1 Escorts, old landie's, alfa's, completely chavved up hatches and incredibly rare classics was astounding.

The people are lovely too, and 95% of the island speaks english.

It will be a great trip!

Not to mention the amazing Leyland & Bedford buses, I loved them so much character!