Hello tom 7173. Thank you for that snippet. It only got worse after that! In 1991 she "mysteriously sank" (that's how the incident was publicly reported as) & was COMPLETELY submerged for 13 months. Re-floated & towed to Irvine..... I'm sure you know the rest of the story. Now that she is finally on solid ground lots can, & will start happening.

Thank you almac2598. She must have been a depressing sight to see in person in Irvine. I'm only going by the visuals that I have access to, & they tell the sad story. You can hold me to this....There will be a visual external change in her & her surroundings s in the next 12 - 18 months. Then you will most certainly have to pay a visit down under to view for yourself

Couldn't agree with you more. It has taken mountains of patience, perseverance & help by so many people & businesses to achieve this.

Hello RetiredPilot. Sadly, I was not involved in 2014 when it arrived here @ Pt Adelaide (was not until 2017) There is a DVD available at our info centre compliments of Ch 7 (John Riddell) that has this vision in it. I will look into whether I could/may be able to "obtain" footage & not infringe on any copyright in an answer to your question.

Hello david4721 We proved "them" wrong, didn't we!

Hello joachim4728 Many thanks for your comments, & shall pass it onto The Team

Grateful thanks Astrid. A massive team effort by so many.

Hello mark9213. Thank you for your comment sir. The re-furb of the exterior can now finally proceed, now that she is solid ground. It was not permitted whilst on the barge (very limited type of works could be carried out up till now)

From what I've seen they've been fund raising for many years.

Thank you for your comments greg8106. Very much appreciated by all involved. Our Maintenance Team were on site by 5-5:30 am for the preceding 2 weeks prior The Move. I raise my hat to them all!

Hi mike7122. It most certainly has been (and will be) a fantastic effort many persons & businesses for many years.

Hi yh3. The ship + cradle weigh 485 tons. The cradle is/has been basically part of the ship as of 2013 & are weighed as a unit.

Mmmmmm, food for thought (only joking 🙄) & thank you for your comment 😄 I assume they need/require varying degrees of TLC as they all seem to these days 🤔Hope you can get at least one back on the road in the not toooooo distant future.

@@edster9221 me as well, my 85 is identical to yours! Marina blue 567 over white!

I also own a silver one (past 15+ yrs) that has "minor" body mods so no longer original (semi custom more like it) Should do a 10-12 min vid with a side by side comparo of them both one day........

Hi abd Apologies on this question, as mine is a "normal" flyer only i.e NO autopilot etc; etc. Stick input at all times (like my olde 700 gasser)

Hi movikong. As was in my video, when you purchase a clutch for majority of vehicles it includes: 1/ Clutch plate 2/ Pressure plate 3/ Thrust bearing The spigot bearing is a separate purchase (very common size as a lot of makes use the same type of bearing) The sole purpose of this bearing is to support the tip of the g/box input shaft ONLY. It has NOTHING to do with the g/box state/condition. You will have to road test the g/box for any audible growls, excessive humming etc (may also come from tire type noises) Hope this helps.

@@edster9221 Thank you for very useful information! I just purchased the car and am about to change the clutch, your video will very likely be of assistance! Huge thanks!!! movikong

No problemo @@movikong

Hi bryede. Thank you for your comment. How were the XT6's to drive in comparison to the XT? Years ago I worked for a Suby specialist w/shop (nothing was irreparable i.e engines, trans, final drives etc; etc) I have 2 of these beauties. The other one has had the "mild custom" treatment over the years.

Yup...You got it.

Thanks 👍

Hi ArcStriker. It certainly is a beast! They are manufactured for crop spraying, hence the cut outs at canopy sides where 7.5lt fluid containers are located. The spray booms are located below that (why such tall landing gear is required) If one has need of this unit for spraying, it comes assembled & tested. Quite awesome to see it in action.

Hi & thank you for your comment. Always great to hear from past owners of these classics. Do you know if your owned one is still on the road?

@@edster9221 unfortunatly i wedged the door stop under a bmw x5 at a set of traffic lights causing $18k worth of damage to the bmw. I wish i still had it. Was only the FWD NA model though. I have only ever seen another one on the road where i live. I was once pulled over by a cop in my mate's driveway only because he was interested in the car.

Mine was green with brown interior. Loved the jet plane themed interior and both pop up headlights still worked surprisingly. The only thing that went wrong with it was the clutch cable snapping although luckly I managed to find a new cheap replacement online and was a simple fix.

Hello again Matthew. Damn & booga re; BMW "meeting"!! I own 2 roadworthy units. The silver one I've owned now about 15-16 yrs, & during this time has undergone the "mild custom" treatment (I have been informed by other Vorts owners, that it's a one of, should really make time to stitch a few mins of vid on this one also......One day??) I alternate the regos between them both so they do not sit idle for long. There are 5 between 3 of us (that I know of) in Adelaide that are driven regularly. We keep in touch as much as poss.

Thank you jansim7510. Exciting it certainly is! The light at end of tunnel is just that wee bitty brighter of late. Merry Xmas to you also.

Thanks bobo. Time to hang up the tools methinks. Just sent off another rolling chassis (slight accident damage...NOT by me, but "donated" good interior items to blue car) to happy hunting grounds. Last remaining straight body unit (minus some interior items) will retain "Just 'N Case"

Too true! This eating & sleeping stuff takes up a lot of production time!

Thanks 👍

Hello Alex. As you will have noted in my video, they have a number of issues their age & where & how it has been "stored"! Is it driveable, & if so, could it be driven to your trusted mechanic (if you are not one yourself) for a good "look over". Alternatively, if there is reluctance in this dept (quite understandable) is get your mechanic to site to check over. Bearing in mind we are dealing with 30+ yr old vehicle here. Ask to view recent work performed receipts etc; etc. It all depends how keen you are to own one, & if yes, be prepared for some expenditure. I have 2 of these fine vehicles. One drives well, smooth gearing where the other has a very clunky gear change feel (box is ok, synchros good, but it's harsh in operation) Hope this is of some help.

Thank you for your comment Peter. A very dedicated team of volunteer personal involved with this massive project.

Thank you for your comment sir. Very doubtful for any other resto's! Way, too many other projects (not vehicle related) since this one. I just "dabble" in the world of Bodywork & Paint, as am mechanic by trade.

Hello John, & thank you for your visit & comment. To term it as a milestone, would be an understatement when it finally leaves the barge come Sept/Oct to it's permanent home on solid earth.

It's a 5 speed manual transmission. Manual select auto trans is still an auto transmission. When the vehicle has 3 pedals it is a Manual box. If it has only 2 pedals it's an auto trans.

Hello Steam Crane. Thank you for your comment & interest. All things being equal (as we well know, not all is equal!) As mentioned, the month of September is set for Stage 3 & the final "sailing".

Thank you for your question, but unfortunately I don't fully understand. Could you please elaborate a bit more. I am a mechanic by trade (50yrs +) & would like to assist you if at all possible.

عندما احرك السيارة وتبدأ بالتسارع تحدث صدمة لحظية اي عند تغير النقلات للكيربوكس علما الكيربوكس اوتماتيك

Thank you for your comments TJ. Just an added P.S to the volunteers....NOT one single person (from the Board of Directors to all others involved) receive ANY remuneration whatsoever. This includes the numerous trips to Scotland & UK some Board members made in the early stages of this massive project entirely at their own expense.

Only 2 are proposed at this stage (the Captain's cabins possibly in the future) The final "sailing" (& home) related works program has priority at this stage.

Makes sense, good job all the same

You would be most welcome "rankoutsider2363"

Thank you Jan. Super effort by all.

Thank you sir

@@edster9221 THANK you 😊

Show some respect. They've got a lifetime of knowledge and experience. I'd rather she was restored slowly and properly by these guys than quickly and badly by a bunch of cowboys working on just another contract.

Hi Rick. Just type in edster9221 & here it will enable you to subscribe. Could you not access the Subscribe tab? Seems rather odd, as nobody else has had any difficulty. Please update me as to what transpires. Ed

Point taken The Iron Man. Tried that , but for some reason not a success for me. Hopefully one does not have to repeat this journey. Thanks.

You have my sympathies re; your incident. I had an altercation a few years ago in my other one (owned for past 15yrs) We finally/once again had our All Japanese Day here in Adelaide in Feb (after 3 yr absence due to dreaded Covid!) Besides mine, until that day I had NOT seen one on the road for past 15 odd years & on the day we ended up with 3 of us parked side by side! Absolute coolness!!!

@@edster9221 coolness is a perfect word for this car🙂

Thank you sir...

Hello Stuart. I suspect your memories will once again be rekindled while you are here. Hope we can meet.

@@edster9221 Hi. Should be there on 4th June. In the 60s as a nipper I travelled out of the city to visit an aunt. The bus went along Clyde St so it was a big event to climb on the seat to look as the ship. Fast forward to the early 80s and I was a beat policeman. Clyde St was one of the borders to my beat. By that time the ship was the RNVR Club. Being a private club police were only allowed in/on by invitation or if they had a good reason. However, on nightshift when the club was closed we got to know the night watchmen well and many times we were invited on board for a heat/cuppa/something stronger. I moved to Australia in 92. Last time I saw her was lying on the slipway at Irvine during a visit home. Very sad. I later missed her being towed away by one day.

Hello again Stuart, & thank you for updating me re; your "involvement". It certainly would have been quite stunning inside at that time (going by images seen) & envy you. It would have been extremely disappointing for you to have missed her leaving Irvine! I am assuming (not always a good move) that you are not Adelaide based? It does appear you will miss the 3 day jacking up exercise (June 1-3) in readiness for her last "sailing destination" later in the year. Would you be visiting in the morning or arvo? (Open to visitors 10 - 2)

@@edster9221 I am on Qld Sunshine Coast. My brother is in Adelaide so I will check what his plans are on 4th.

Stuart. We appear to have opposites i.e my brother is on the GC & yours here. Please keep me posted re; your visit as I am only a few minutes away. Look forward to meet.

Hello Chall, & thank you for your comments. I also have a silver one for past 15 yrs. It is driven regularly also.

Hi Mr Newman sir. Thank you for your comments. I have 2 spare rolling chassis still, so lots of body spares. You mention "body kit"? Also have a silver Vorts that has incurred some "mild body customization" (owned it 15 yrs) I alternate regos between it & the blue one (blue is expired, so time for silver's turn)

Many thanks Jan. The all volunteer maintenance crew do great job irrespective of weather.

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