Africa Calling!

fitzwinslow · October 23, 2008

"RETURN TO SENDER"

Howzit!

On a recent South African "safari" up near the Cullinan mine, where the famous "Star of Africa diamond was discovered in 1905, I found my own "diamond in the rough"- a rare left hand drive, 5/7 seater '61 Chevrolet Suburban. Incredibly, after lying out under the harsh African sun for the last 30 years, the body had only minor rust. Granted it needed a bit of work but the only thing that really concerned me was the badly damaged, (yellow/black) curved shaped windscreen. The owner, Monty (83), a sun baked, wily African Boer said he'd sell it to me but only if I accepted his challenge - TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO GM HEADQUARTERS! Somewhat amused, I told him I'd think it over and set off to check out another classic - a '35 Chevy Pick Up, on the Skeleton Coast, a heavily restricted Namibian diamond mining area.

Driving through the sweltering Namibian desert, my thoughts kept returning to that "burb in the bush". I just couldn't leave it there to "RIP" (rust in peace!) This old classic had plenty of life left in it. Suddenly, I got an idea. Why not take up Monty's challenge? I'd simply fix it up, ship it to Buenos Aires, drive it West over the Andes into Chile, on up through South / Central America / Mexico, right up to GM's Detroit car park! Who knows, maybe those GM marketing lads could use this old Chevy for a unique publicity campaign or simply exhibit it in their museum! With some serious current losses, these lads needed all the help they could get! Who knows, perhaps potential buyers might be inclined to believe the GM blurb - GM vehicles are rugged and long lasting.

Over a well earned, cold beer in the Namibian coastal town of Luederitz, another idea came into my head!

Why not make a road trip TV "doccie?

Surely viewers and those TV network lads must be fed up with all those reality shows? Here was a real life adventure! Everything was in place - a cool, rugged, weather-beaten vehicle, spectacular scenery, plenty of classics to track down and interesting characters to interview. I had the time, passion, experience, energy and with all my Cape Town movie contacts, it wouldn't be difficult to round up a motley crew of 3/4. There was only one obstacle - dosh!

Sadly, I wasn't exactly flush having invested considerably in my own '40's -'60's collection of Bentleys / Chevy Pick Ups and so on. Granted, renting them out as Cape Town movie "prop" weather beaten vehicles did pay for some of those costly "hospital" bills but if I was going to restore, ship this old Chevy across the Atlantic and film the whole adventure, I needed a partner. Someone who not only believed in the project but confident his / her investment would be recouped from TV network / DVD sales. Any adventurous souls out there?

Perhaps the next time one of your golfing buddies asks you " What's up Dave?" "Well actually Tom, I'm making a road trip movie!

On a recent "safari" I came across an original '53 Chevy hearse which looks like something you'd see in an early Bond film or used by Papa Doc's dreaded secret police, the Ton ton Macute to "voodoo" terrorize local Hatians. I'm thinking of fixing it up, painting it black/cream, tinting the windows and approaching Guinness (my favourite drink) to see if they would be interested in launching a unique marketing campaign. "Dead on Time" wouldn't be a bad slogan!

Slan! The Celt!

Draenor · October 23, 2008

Um...what?

NFSGamerUSA · October 23, 2008

Sounds fake...like one of those mugu emails that say they have millions of dollars waiting for you.

Darkanion · October 23, 2008

Sounds fake...like one of those mugu emails that say they have millions of dollars waiting for you.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, too... A new angle on the "send us some money, we'll make you rich" scams...

Draenor · October 23, 2008

I didnt know he was asking for money...I just got all confused reading it.

fitzwinslow · October 24, 2008

John/Graham/Michael

Sad to hear you're all so suspecious and cynical! You all sound like you've never been out of Louisana/Alabama or Texas and if so, I can understand your weariness! I forgot this was a mainly US website and perhaps this story does sound a bit too far fetched. After living in Boston/NY/SFO/Santa Barbara and driving across the US three times, I think I know where you're coming from. Sure it would have been easier staying in Ireland but pretty boring driving on familiar roads, drinking in the same pub or going into a job every day just to support a comfortable lifestyle. Life is an adventure lads, not simply watching unimaginative, churned out, silly reality / quiz TV shows or dreaming. If it's too confusing, I certainly can't help that. Seems pretty clear to me!

I'm a Chevy enthusiast and simply thought some of you might enjoy reading this story. I merely MENTIONED that if anyone was into investing in producing a fun TV doccie, I would be interested to hear from them. It would be a business proposition where the investor would receive a healthy return from his/her investment from future TV network/DVD sales.

In case you still have any doubts, I've sent more African Chev "bush" classics pics (one of which is that '61 "burb in the Bush) to the webmaster to post. I was unable to add more than two pics. I'll try one more time with that "burb" Anyway lads, perhaps the next time you might keep your negative comments to yourselves and be more positive /curious. Not everyone is a SCAM artist!

Slan

fitzwinslow · October 24, 2008

Another African "bush" classic

fitzwinslow · October 24, 2008

My '67 "scout" car - Impala SS coupe. A very apt name for Africa!

fitzwinslow · October 24, 2008

A Cape Town beach "shoot"

fitzwinslow · October 24, 2008

Another African "bush" pic found in Nambia.

Darkanion · October 24, 2008

John/Graham/Michael

Sad to hear you're all so suspecious and cynical! You all sound like you've never been out of Louisana/Alabama or Texas

Ya - Never left my own county!! I've lived in this same 2 mile radius all my life! You SO nailed that! Jeeeeez!

(EDIT : OH, by the way... That was SARCASM, if you're 'confused' by what I said.)

You show-up on here, with half-filled thoughts and ideas, you mention needing money... Then, you come back and belittle the people you think might be interested in "reading about" your little project... and/or "being a business partner." Anyone can search the internet and post-up some pictures.. This still sounds like a scam...

I work for a multi-national company and run a couple of my own domains. I see ALL kinds of scams Every Single DAY! Maybe if so many people from Africa didn't send junk like this out, "scam" wouldn't auto-magically be associated with "Africa" when I see someone lookin' for money....

Best of luck, if this is legit...

fitzwinslow · October 24, 2008

Opps, sounds I touched a nerve, my Texan amigo!

Relax, chill, I'm not worried if you think I'm some African scam artist. Again, if you take the time to read the story, I only MENTIONED / INVITED an investor to come on board. It wasn't a HARD SELL! But if you're still suspecious, contact Pam, the Editor of the Stovebolt Club in Virginia, she'll soon dispel your suspecious Texan mind! (www.stovebolt.com) If you look around on her website or simply ask her, she'll tell you to read my 3 FEATURE articles which she kindly published! Keep well!

Slan,

John/Graham/Michael

Sad to hear you're all so suspecious and cynical! You all sound like you've never been out of Louisana/Alabama or Texas

Ya - Never left my own county!! I've lived in this same 2 mile radius all my life! You SO nailed that! Jeeeeez!

(EDIT : OH, by the way... That was SARCASM, if you're 'confused' by what I said.)

You show-up on here, with half-filled thoughts and ideas, you mention needing money... Then, you come back and belittle the people you think might be interested in "reading about" your little project... and/or "being a business partner." Anyone can search the internet and post-up some pictures.. This still sounds like a scam...

I work for a multi-national company and run a couple of my own domains. I see ALL kinds of scams Every Single DAY! Maybe if so many people from Africa didn't send junk like this out, "scam" wouldn't auto-magically be associated with "Africa" when I see someone lookin' for money....

Best of luck, if this is legit...

Draenor · October 24, 2008

John/Graham/Michael

Sad to hear you're all so suspecious and cynical! You all sound like you've never been out of Louisana/Alabama or Texas and if so, I can understand your weariness! I forgot this was a mainly US website and perhaps this story does sound a bit too far fetched. After living in Boston/NY/SFO/Santa Barbara and driving across the US three times, I think I know where you're coming from. Sure it would have been easier staying in Ireland but pretty boring driving on familiar roads, drinking in the same pub or going into a job every day just to support a comfortable lifestyle. Life is an adventure lads, not simply watching unimaginative, churned out, silly reality / quiz TV shows or dreaming. If it's too confusing, I certainly can't help that. Seems pretty clear to me!

I'm a Chevy enthusiast and simply thought some of you might enjoy reading this story. I merely MENTIONED that if anyone was into investing in producing a fun TV doccie, I would be interested to hear from them. It would be a business proposition where the investor would receive a healthy return from his/her investment from future TV network/DVD sales.

In case you still have any doubts, I've sent more African Chev "bush" classics pics (one of which is that '61 "burb in the Bush) to the webmaster to post. I was unable to add more than two pics. I'll try one more time with that "burb" Anyway lads, perhaps the next time you might keep your negative comments to yourselves and be more positive /curious. Not everyone is a SCAM artist!

Slan

For one, I'm not (that)suspicious or cynical.Your reply back, in the manner you have set, is cynical in itself. I never said once that this was a scam. I just could not understand the post. You have to understand people from other countries have a different dialect that 'some' others may not understand. Actually, I have spent half of my life outside of my state and a good bit outside of the US. Most of us receive scam email like this everyday, usually written in the same manner, and always asking for something. So ,I do not blame anyone for doubting the topic.

As for the topic in hand, good luck in finding someone to help you on your adventure.

Another African "bush" pic found in Nambia.

Nice one.

fitzwinslow · October 24, 2008

Draenor,

Thanks for your explanation and kind wishes. Apologies if I sounded a bit harsh. Yep, it's sad that people are no longer trusting. Even those lads in the US embassy are now paranoid - gone are the days you could drop in for a chat, read the papers and be greeted by friendly embassy staff. Such is life. Keep well!

John/Graham/Michael

Sad to hear you're all so suspecious and cynical! You all sound like you've never been out of Louisana/Alabama or Texas and if so, I can understand your weariness! I forgot this was a mainly US website and perhaps this story does sound a bit too far fetched. After living in Boston/NY/SFO/Santa Barbara and driving across the US three times, I think I know where you're coming from. Sure it would have been easier staying in Ireland but pretty boring driving on familiar roads, drinking in the same pub or going into a job every day just to support a comfortable lifestyle. Life is an adventure lads, not simply watching unimaginative, churned out, silly reality / quiz TV shows or dreaming. If it's too confusing, I certainly can't help that. Seems pretty clear to me!

I'm a Chevy enthusiast and simply thought some of you might enjoy reading this story. I merely MENTIONED that if anyone was into investing in producing a fun TV doccie, I would be interested to hear from them. It would be a business proposition where the investor would receive a healthy return from his/her investment from future TV network/DVD sales.

In case you still have any doubts, I've sent more African Chev "bush" classics pics (one of which is that '61 "burb in the Bush) to the webmaster to post. I was unable to add more than two pics. I'll try one more time with that "burb" Anyway lads, perhaps the next time you might keep your negative comments to yourselves and be more positive /curious. Not everyone is a SCAM artist!

Slan

For one, I'm not (that)suspicious or cynical.Your reply back, in the manner you have set, is cynical in itself. I never said once that this was a scam. I just could not understand the post. You have to understand people from other countries have a different dialect that 'some' others may not understand. Actually, I have spent half of my life outside of my state and a good bit outside of the US. Most of us receive scam email like this everyday, usually written in the same manner, and always asking for something. So ,I do not blame anyone for doubting the topic.

As for the topic in hand, good luck in finding someone to help you on your adventure.