Ichi Mouse & Purring Pussy Set Forth


ICHI Mouse and Purring Pussy Set Forth

	Once upon a time, the mouse and the pussycat went to sea in a pea green boat … ... but that’s another adventure story. After months of dreaming about it, weeks preparing for it, the day to commence our XJ-SC Jaguar Round Australia Tour to honour, celebrate and commend Les Taylor and Dick Rendle’s XK120 Darwin to Alice Springs World Open Speed Record in 1951 had arrived.

Day 01 07:30 and all set to go, but alas, not to be – Purring Pussy failed to proceed. No battery power, so after jump-starting Purring Pussy, down to the auto-electrician to discover the alternator regulator had gone on holidays without us. After necessary repairs, finally repacked all our goods and chattels, and away at 15:30, putting us in the middle of Sydney’s Friday afternoon traffic all trying to get out on the same road south. On arriving at Goulburn, a little weary and hungry, decided to stop for the night, have a scrumptious meal and bunk down. Day 02 Off to an early start to make up for lost time from previous day, however 20kms short of Wagga Wagga, Purring Pussy again failed to proceed. The trusty NRMA rode to the rescue and after harnessing up took us into Wagga Wagga for the night.

Picnic Lunch with a view

Day 03 Sunday morning, surprise, the alternator- not even “The Prince of Darkness” Mr Lucas responsible, as I have fitted a 90 amp Bosch. Seems these are ok in a Commodore that only does 4,500 revs, but a V12 at 6,500 revs and the diodes think Thor has struck. Mistake, change pulley to limit total revs. A new alternator fitted, under way again, peddling along now to catch up for two lost days. The four speed GM 700 box certainly transforms the car to having a Jeckyl & Hyde personality – sitting flat through a series of sweeping bends, holding 100mph in 2nd gear, the V12 with a snarling growl at 6000 revs, is pure ecstasy then cruising along at 120kph in 4th with torque converter lock-up on at 2000 revs returning 24mpg, shows just how diverse the Purring Pussy is.

My gearbox man builds a solid box, usually to go behind 1,500hp drag cars, so my 350hp is a wee trifle. The time I spent developing adapter plate, solid rear gearbox mount, kick down control and lock-up control is certainly paying dividends, the car is magnificent, with no gearbox banging up and down on that silly spring mount Heath Robinson designed! We leave the Sturt Highway and pass into Victoria, on through Oylen and then into South Australia arriving in Adelaide late evening.

Day 04 The morning spent with relatives, then on to Elizabeth to visit with more relatives. Consumption is not as good as I expected, the higher efficiency radiator and twin electric fans are terrific in summer, but now in the cool of winter, can’t get the engine temperature above 72 on the highway, so the computer is richening the mixture. Have put cardboard blanking pieces on radiator to restrict air flow, temp up to 78 - mistake, forgot to fit new thermostats before leaving Sydney. Wonder how many of these changes to fit to recently purchased XJC. Enough technical waffle, back to ICHI Mouse and Purring Pussy adventure.

Day 05 Morning spent fitting new tie ends to front sway bar and some general maintenance, and then off to Port Augusta, only to find no booking at motel that is full, so hunted down other accommodation. Searched out Ian Hutchinson and mate in his XK150S, also heading for the XK120 Commemorative Run, they are enjoying themselves.

Day 06 After Port Augusta down to the coast, ooh how magnificent – sandy white beaches perfect for lolling on, silken smooth bays perfect for water skiing, sweeps of ocean in lee of land with slight chop to get maximum performance out of the power boat, and vast expanses of windswept ocean perfect for sailing – idyllic for ICHI Mouse with salt water in his veins, the Port Lincoln to Ceduna coastline must be one of Australia’s best kept secrets.