New Victorian Member
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2014 12:14 am
Hi There All,
Am new here, but not to the "cult" of Hafy!
My father, who was an Austrian expat, purchased a 700AP new from AFB in Melbourne in December 1974, and it has been in the family ever since.
My first introduction to this "car" was on Christmas day 1974, and have been enamored since at this little marvel.
We went on a number of outings as a family up into the mountains where we lived (and still do), in Mount Beauty (located in North Eastern Victoria, Australia), three kids in the back bouncing around and sharing the two seats, and no seat belts!
Fantastic fun, as we stood up and hung onto the hood sticks when the canvas cab was rolled back.
Kind of dangerous really thinking back, and a tad illegal these days one would imagine!
My father worked at Falls Creek ski resort, just over 30kms from Mount Beauty, until 1980, and the Hafy was his daily driver up and down the mountain.
Perfect transport for the snowy mountain roads, although with no heating system and the canvas cab, a somewhat chilly ride from memory!
He also made regular trips to Melbourne, well over 300kms away (a long drive in a Hafy).
Some aftermarket modifications from 1976 on include the addition of a second fuel tank on the rear right (moving the tool box to behind the front wheel), alterations to the exhaust system, external side protection rails and a roll cage, and the change to 13” wheels and tyres (unfortunately am not certain what happened to the original 12” rims).
Also, the addition of an electric fuel tap in the late '80's to replace the difficult to use manual one, which was located in the engine bay, so required a stop to change from front to rear tanks.
The original canvas cab was damaged in an accident in ’81, and was replaced with an inferior item in ’85 (due to financial constraints at the time).
All the mechanical repair work was done by Tony Hrelja in Melbourne.
A very knowledgeable and helpful man indeed!
In fact, it was Tony who did all the service and repair work to this vehicle after the original purchase.
It has been registered since ’74 with a lapse of approx. 4 years between ’82-’86.
Currently has full Victorian registration (as a utility), runs, but requires some work, as has not been driven regularly since ’88, as was living away in Melbourne, and for many years in Brisbane, so only got to drive it on holidays.
Still have the original operating instructions/owners manual, repair workshop manual, spare parts catalogue (which has been helpful for the growing "wish list"), and assorted promotional/sales brochures.
Have been reading the forum over the past few weeks, and am impressed with the dedication to the Hafy, and the camaraderie.
As well as the assistance and support given to each other.
Just awesome!
Cheers,
Richard.
Ps: A few pics of the "car" I have known for almost 40 years now!
Am new here, but not to the "cult" of Hafy!
My father, who was an Austrian expat, purchased a 700AP new from AFB in Melbourne in December 1974, and it has been in the family ever since.
My first introduction to this "car" was on Christmas day 1974, and have been enamored since at this little marvel.
We went on a number of outings as a family up into the mountains where we lived (and still do), in Mount Beauty (located in North Eastern Victoria, Australia), three kids in the back bouncing around and sharing the two seats, and no seat belts!
Fantastic fun, as we stood up and hung onto the hood sticks when the canvas cab was rolled back.
Kind of dangerous really thinking back, and a tad illegal these days one would imagine!
My father worked at Falls Creek ski resort, just over 30kms from Mount Beauty, until 1980, and the Hafy was his daily driver up and down the mountain.
Perfect transport for the snowy mountain roads, although with no heating system and the canvas cab, a somewhat chilly ride from memory!
He also made regular trips to Melbourne, well over 300kms away (a long drive in a Hafy).
Some aftermarket modifications from 1976 on include the addition of a second fuel tank on the rear right (moving the tool box to behind the front wheel), alterations to the exhaust system, external side protection rails and a roll cage, and the change to 13” wheels and tyres (unfortunately am not certain what happened to the original 12” rims).
Also, the addition of an electric fuel tap in the late '80's to replace the difficult to use manual one, which was located in the engine bay, so required a stop to change from front to rear tanks.
The original canvas cab was damaged in an accident in ’81, and was replaced with an inferior item in ’85 (due to financial constraints at the time).
All the mechanical repair work was done by Tony Hrelja in Melbourne.
A very knowledgeable and helpful man indeed!
In fact, it was Tony who did all the service and repair work to this vehicle after the original purchase.
It has been registered since ’74 with a lapse of approx. 4 years between ’82-’86.
Currently has full Victorian registration (as a utility), runs, but requires some work, as has not been driven regularly since ’88, as was living away in Melbourne, and for many years in Brisbane, so only got to drive it on holidays.
Still have the original operating instructions/owners manual, repair workshop manual, spare parts catalogue (which has been helpful for the growing "wish list"), and assorted promotional/sales brochures.
Have been reading the forum over the past few weeks, and am impressed with the dedication to the Hafy, and the camaraderie.
As well as the assistance and support given to each other.
Just awesome!
Cheers,
Richard.
Ps: A few pics of the "car" I have known for almost 40 years now!