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#1
07-08-12, 08:51
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Istanbul to Normandy Convoy - 2014
The Istanbul to Normandy Convoy is on again for 2014. We already have a pretty full complement of Aussies and Kiwis and will soon be starting a waiting list but I would hold a few places for Canadians and/or Americans to come along just for the cultural mix.
6 weeks, departing Istanbul 01 May 14 and ending on the WW1 battlefields in Belgium 12 Jun 14. Really interesting route this time via Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, UK (Jersey Island), France, Belgium. About 6,000km so very easy driving. Camping at mostly first class facility camp grounds. You can see the DVD of the last trip - just Google "Driving to D-Day" and you will find a distributor to supply one. I think some of it is on You Tube. You can also go on our web site to read the blogs, photos etc www.next-horizon.org Take the opportunity to bring your vehicle over (direct shipping from North America to Istanbul is available) or buy something in Europe to take home. ps We will be visiting Vimy and the USA National WW1 memorial. 
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#2
14-09-12, 00:54
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I have worked the initial route (subject to change of course). We can now claim this is an Inter-Continental journey! By crossing on the 2 hour ferry from Istanbul to Mudanya it puts us in Asia for about 300km before we cross back into Europe on the 15 minute ferry from Cannakale to Gallipoli.
We have decided to limit the numbers and if the European/UK/USA people showing interest want to join us, better be quick to confirm as I will take the Aussies on the waiting list by the end of the month. Depart Arrive Distance Remarks 26-30 April 2014 Arrive Istanbul Collect vehicles from port and carry out paper war. Leave 1 May Istanbul Gallipoli 300 Ferry to Mudanya. Drive to Cannakale. Ferry to Kum campsite Gallipoli. Gallipoli Day off to explore Gallipoli Alexandroupolis 250 Cross into Europe - Greece Alexandroupolis Thassos 200 Ferry to Island Thassos Day off to explore island Thassos Zlatograd 150 Into Bulgaria. Very steep narrow winding drive over mountains. Zlatograd Petrich 260 Lovely scenery Petrich Prilap 235 Into Macedonia but swing back through Greece. Great mountain scenery. Prilap Pogradec 131 Into Albania. Fabulous lake and mountains Pogradec Durres 176 Ancient port city. Durres Dubrovnik 300 Into Croatia. Beautiful coast road. Dubrovnik Day off to visit the magnificent fort city on the Agean. Dubrovnik Pag 404 Pass in and out of Bosnia and travel over to coastal islands. Pag Trieste 227 In to Italy via Slovenia. Historic port city. Trieste Venice 159 Follow road around coast. Venice Day off to explore Venice Innsbruck 330 In to Austria via high alp mountain pass. Innsbruck Berchtesgadan 155 In to Germany. Visit Hitler's scenic "Eagle's Nest" Berchtesgaden Munich 250 Via Salzberg. Visit best Science museum in Europe (planes, trains, ships etc) or just sight-see. Munich Konstanz 226 The lovely lake looking across into Switzerland. Konstanz Mulhouse 188 In to France but most of the trip through Switzerland Mulhouse Day off to visit the best European Car Museum, French National Rail Museum and Firefighter's Museum.. Mulhouse Verdun 270 Via Joan of Arc's birthplace and wonderful scenery. Verdun Day off. French National War Memorial and tour the Citadel where 1,000,000 were killed in WW1 Verdun Paris 260 Camp ground on river in middle of the city. Paris Day off. Possible visit to French Military vehicle club storage area. Paris Mont St Michel 370 Camp on coast. Mont St Michel Day off to visit the best known French landmark outside Paris. Absolutely amazing island and monastry. Mont St Michel Jersey 100 Via St Malo then Ferry to English Channel island. Jersey Day to explore island. Jersey Tomb's Farm 100 Ferry to Cherbourg then reception by English family at their Normandy farm (and vehicle collection) Tomb's Farm UK MVT Camp 50 Join the UK MVT at their camp Normandy Trips etc Normandy Trips etc Normandy trips etc Possible reception and dinner at Chateau Normandy trips etc Normandy Trips etc WW1 battlefields TBA TBA TBA Ship out Shipping arrangements are flexible depending on individuals. Recommend Zeebrugge to ship out. Total Distance with various side trips etc is around 6,000km which is easy driving 1 May to 10 June Last edited by Lang; 14-09-12 at 01:46.
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#3
18-06-13, 07:46
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The crew are all excited about the trip and everyone has a vehicle now - EXCEPT ME.
My man restoring the Dodge WC53 Carryall in USA has fallen seriously ill and it will not be completed on time. Further investigation has proven my little Morris "Y" van to be so limited in performance it is unsuitable for the long run from Istanbul to Normandy, particularly for the trip leader who often has to double back to find lost sheep. I want to buy something in Europe that would suit a trip leader vehicle. This time all the vehicles are either Dodge or Jeep (except Nigel's Chev C15 CMP which is surprisingly nippy) with no trucks so the convoy will be moving along quite smartly. Being much too old to sit in a Jeep for 6 weeks I thought maybe a Dodge or a staff car of some sort - anything that will keep up with the mob. Happy to look at the weird and wonderful. Any suggestion or offers gratefully received. Lang Last edited by Lang; 18-06-13 at 08:28.
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#4
18-06-13, 10:28
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Found a suspect
Hi Lang
Darcy Miller, M.V. Spares in Sydney has a staff car for sale. See Photo and details below;  Cheers Tony  1941 OLDSMOBILE MILITARY STAFF CAR $30,000.00 This car is the rarest 1941 Oldsmobile Staff Car you will ever see. The car was one of 73 built by General Motors Holden (GMH) in Australia. The cars came from the Oldsmobile factory in the USA as a rolling Chassis along with all front sheet metal right up to and including the firewall and dashboard. The rest of the body was built by GMH and is absolutely peculiar to the Australian design. The restoration has taken nearly eight years and at a cost I never want to admit to but the end result is the preservation of a very rare car and it is nice to know one has preserved the only remaining example of this unique car. The restoration was detailed, with in excess of 1,000 man hours spent on the body tub alone, every aspect was restored, if rust was or could be present it was to be cut out and new panels manufactured, no plastic type fillers were allowed, all panels were file finished in the best tradition. New fenders were sourced from the USA and the engine, transmission, axles and suspension were rebuilt to original specifications. Trimmed in Genuine leather just like the original it is a pleasure to just sit in this car. For more detail or pictures of this fabulous piece of WWII History please email us.
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Anthony (Tony) VAN RHODA. Strathalbyn. South Australia
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#6
18-06-13, 14:58
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B**ger
Quote:
Oh well.. back to the old drawing board.  Cheers Tony
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Anthony (Tony) VAN RHODA. Strathalbyn. South Australia
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#7
18-06-13, 18:57
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__________________
Regards, Hanno --------------------------
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#9
19-06-13, 00:12
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Lang,
No connections with the seller but I do know this is an ex-Swiss half-tonner so it likely didn't do a lot of miles and was well taken care of. It was imported into Holland about a decade ago and restored by its previous owner. Regards, Hanno
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Regards, Hanno --------------------------
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#10
01-07-13, 23:57
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Lang,
As a second option....there is a HUP for sale in Italy. Ideal as a camper (?). Maybe some of your Fiat 500 friends can help out with a fresh-up for the convoy  http://milweb.net/classifieds/large_...ad=68265&cat=3 Alex
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Chevrolet C8 cab 11 FFW BSA Folding Bicycle
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#11
02-07-13, 00:59
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Thanks Alex,
I think that would be OK for the trip. I just have to convince the cook to ride in a blitz. She went off them years ago on Fraser Island when we were wizzing along the beach in a C15A and hit a dip in the sand and got airborne. She hit her head on the roof, knocked her out and half a dozen stitches! I will contact him. Lang
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#12
18-09-13, 22:52
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Lang, I was about to suggest you should buy a bike with side-car for the Istanbul to Normandy convoy when I checked your website.......of course you have been there, done that
 Alex
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Chevrolet C8 cab 11 FFW BSA Folding Bicycle
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#14
23-09-13, 11:12
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Quote:
Have you found a suitable vehicle for Normandy yet? Some very nice Dodge 1/2 tons and Staffcars have come up for sale lately. Alex
__________________
Chevrolet C8 cab 11 FFW BSA Folding Bicycle
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#15
24-09-13, 10:22
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Alex,
Looking at a half ton Dodge at the moment. I am also leaving for Texas tomorrow to see if I can drag the Dodge Carryall out of the ashes and find somene else to finish it in time for Normandy. Lang
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#16
25-09-13, 07:46
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Quote:
Would David welch be worth a try? http://www.tristatemv.com/welch/index.html Cheers John W.
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#17
25-09-13, 08:02
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John,
I just got some photos of my Carryall and progress is a bit further along than I anticipated. The body is completely finished (except the fabric roof). The undercarriage was finished by me on my last trip. New engine and gearbox in. I have some hope that 3 weeks continuous work will give me a good usable vehicle although it will not be a show piece. $1,000 to ship it to New Jersey from Texas to a place I have no control over the bills is not really the go but thanks for the suggestion. I have plenty of airline points and stay free with a friend in Texas so it costs very little to be on the spot with full control. Lang Last edited by Lang; 25-09-13 at 08:17.
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#18
25-09-13, 13:37
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