Staples2Naples 2006
COMPETING in the annual banger rally for wage slaves, the Staples2Naples, has become a bit of an austin-rover.co.uk tradition.
Competing in 2004 and 2005 was a case of 'the sublime to the ridiculous' with our chariots being the fast and capable Rover 216GTi 16V in the first year, followed by 'Molly' the beige Allegro 1500 Special last year. In order to get back into 'Sublime' territory, we decided to look no further than Jaguar for our choice of car...
Views like this made it all worthwhile: Stelvio pass photographed from the top...
love motoring marathons - and I'm sure most you lot do, too. I'd already decided that 2006 was going to be a year of even more motoring related travel than ever before, and as a result, signed up for a third attempt at the annual Staples2Naples Challenge...
Okay, we won't be going anywhere new on this one, but there will be laughs along the way, and despite the fact we've been there and done that, I don't really need an excuse to get on an early morning jaunt through the Alps. In the past couple of year, Alexander, Declan and I have seen some amazing sights; and nothing beats seeing a bunch sub-£100 bangers hooning down Italian Autostradas and diving into petrol stations in unison, Sunday mornings in sleepy Italian villages being shattered by the shreiks of over fifty car horns being sounded in unison...
Because of my professional involvement in the classic car scene, last year's Rally saw us hobble down to Italy in 'Molly', our beige Mk1 Allegro 1500 Special. It wasn't my idea of driving heaven, although I did warm to her charms whenever I wasn't behind her Quartic wheel. For this year, I wanted something recognisably classic, within what we do at austin-rover.co.uk, but most importantly, something fun to drive...
The answer was obvious: a Jaguar XJ40.
I put the word out - I was looking for a Jaguar XJ6 for under £100. But could I find one? And if so, would anything work in it?
Getting in amongst scenery like this is one main factor for joining in Staples2Naples - another is the fun factor...
Next: The preparations
Related links:
Please contact me if you would like to submit a link for this page.