Students Trans Africa Return Vintage Austin (S.T.A.R.V.A)

The four northbound students who took Mugwump back through Africa were:

1. Dan Acutt (age 21) from Southern Rhodesia.
2. Nick Taylor (age unknown) from South Africa.
3. Kevin Quick (age 22) from Southern Rhodesia.
4. Victor Szechenyi (age 22) from Southern Rhodesia.

Mugwump was completely overhauled at Robb Motors (as written by Roger on the 12th of November in a letter to D.J. Hatos), an exercise that took approximately 10 days. A comment from Peter was that Mugwump was in better shape before she left Cape Town than it was at the start of the journey. The Robb Motors building was bordered by Waterkant, Strand and Buitengracht Streets – the buildings have been removed and this is now an open parking space.

The departure ceremony was held outside the Argus Building, St. Georges Street at 2:15 pm, 2nd December 1963. Gathered were girl friends of the four new drivers, as well as Roger Freshman and a crowd of approximately 50 onlookers, including members from the Crankhandle Club and RAC. After everyone was finally on board, the starter was pressed yet again and the car commenced re-tracing her steps back towards Bristol, some fifteen thousand kilometres away. In fine form, Mugwump headed down St. Georges Street to the newly developed Foreshore roundabouts and then north east on the N1 towards Paarl – watch Mugwump departing Cape Town

Photograph that appeared in the Bulawayo Chronicle 9 December 1963. FLTR: Victor Szechenyi, Dan Acutt, Kevin Quick and Nick Taylor. The photo was taken at Kevin Quick’s parents place, 32 Athlone Street, Bulawayo. Photo from the Kevin Quick Collection

Mugwump posing on the Entebbe airport apron with a slightly faster means of transport. Photo from the Kevin Quick Collection

Pyramids re-visited: Dan on the left and Kevin on the right, with guides. Credit: Kevin Quick

Dan and Kevin at the Colosseum. Photograph courtesy of Victor Szechenyi.

Outside Lord Montague’s flat in London. Courtesy of Roger Freshman

Celebrations in Bristol, having reached the end of the road. Photographs from the Kevin Quick collection.

Departure day outside the Argus Building, Monday 2 nd December 1963. Photograph from the Kevin Quick collection.

Just about the half way point on the bridge over the Zambezi River – the official border line between Southern and Northern Rhodesia. Photograph courtesy of Victor Szechenyi.

Two ancient steam driven cranes were needed to hoist Mugwump onto the waiting flat-bed rail wagon. Photograph courtesy of Victor Szechenyi

Unloading in Naples. Image from the Kevin Quick collection

Vatican, Piazza San Pietro, in front of Obelisco di Piazza San Pietro. Photograph from the Kevin Quick collection