Athol's genius with 1940 Plymouth

A phone call last night from Athol in Mitchell told Doug excellent news.

In early February this year, the Maranoa River flooded Doug's 1940 Plymouth sedan to a level over the steering wheel. Subsequently, Athol offered to care for and tinker with the old girl.

In the process, he drained the engine of two buckets of water and oil. Then he flushed the engine with diesel, cleaned out the carburettor and distributor, fixed the starter motor, charged the battery, and drained the gearbox and diff.

"The old girl is going!" declared Athol on the phone last night, "better than ever!"

Doug's not surprised, as he knows better than me of Athol's remarkable mechanical skills. Nevertheless Doug's very happy! And so too am I.

1940 Plymouth Update: Mitchell outback Qld

After quite a lot of work -- some enjoyable, some not -- Doug has a Roadworthy Certificate for his 1940 Plymouth Sedan. Application has been granted for Historic Car Registration through the Mitchell Government Agency.

Now he can drive around town in style.

In many ways this car is ideal for Mitchell. Time is more elastic in outback Australia. There is no need to rush from one place to another; there's time to drive sedately and safely; time to savour the internal workings of this sturdy yet stylish motor car.

Doug is justly proud of his car and will keep it here in Mitchell where the air is dry and rust rare.