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Off to South Africa, that is.

The 22 La Carrera Pan Americana cars were mailed to Richard (slotting since 1963) this morning. It should take 8-10 business days for them to reach him in Dan Pienaar - Bloemfontein.

You can't get much closer to the center of South Africa than Bloemfontein, which, by the way, translates into "blooming fountain". It is also called the "city of roses"; a nice name, and it's one of the three capital cities of South Africa. In Seshoto Bantu, it has another name: Mangaung, which means "place of cheetahs". Think maybe they can build some fast cars down there? Sheesh, even their cats are the fastest...............!

Did I know all this before I Googled Bloemfontein on Wikipedia - nope! :lol:

I have no idea what temperatures the transporter will encounter en route to its destination. So, although its Winter now in the Southern Hemisphere, I used a belt and suspenders approach to packing up the cars.

First, I wrapped each car in tissue paper, to prevent temperature/plastic-induced etching of the paint jobs:



The I wrapped them in bubble wrap:



Then into the transporter. First layer of cars in:



Padded and false-topped:



Second layer of cars in (you can see Todd's yellow Caddy in the lower right):



Padded and false-topped again:



Topped:



Ready for the Post Office - this is what to look for, Richard:



They should be to you by the end of the third week in August. Have fun with them!

Allan

Very Nice packaging Allan! that should hold them through anything.

Bob

W O W !!!
Allan - that is absolutely awesome packaging!
Kudos sir!
Hopefully the field likes the ride to south of the equator and puts on a good show! Definitely looking forward to seeing how they do down there! :D

I work at a FedEx store, that specializes in packing items that customers bring in (my job)..I laugh at myself, because not only do I want items to arrive safely, I want them to LOOK good also! From one packing "artist" to another....GREAT JOB!

Hopefully, mine will finish in the front then? or does it not work like that?......oh well

Bob

That's awesome!!! Great packing job!!!

One NEAT looking parcel. So neat I hope it doesn't draw too much attention,!

Mine should still run fine as it was potty trained here.
Don't know about the rest. We might have to rewind the armertures in reverse!

Winter temps. -3 to +16 sunny and dry which is regarded as EXTREMELY cold.

Thanks sweet; I guess your comment is as good as it gets.

RIchard, I, too, hope that package doesn't get too much attention.

Feel free to re-wind the armatures on all the cars (I've heard that 2 turns of #10 insulated wire on each pole can be fast, so go ahead and try that........... :liar: ); except for the #23, 36 and 105 cars; let's leave them as they are now and just see how they do...........................! :lol:

Fingers crossed that they arrive safely; I've never shipped anything to RSA before.

Allan

Thank you Allan for how you packed the beloved cargo.

Well, the cars have made the trip across the pond and are now being processed by customs in South Africa. Let's hope that they don't think that we're shipping 22 packets of contraband...................... :pray:

Rumor has it that Bloemfontein (the package's destination city) has, at some points in the past, been considered the "Medellin" of South Africa................... :pray: :pray: :pray:

...........just kidding, Richard............................ :lol:

Allan

.............still waiting for the package to clear South African customs................... :angry-tappingfoot:

Cant understand why a Package of individually packaged homemade devices with wiring and other unknown construction would raise a flag in customs in any country? :laughing-rolling:
Its a wonder we can ship these cars at all with the world in its current state.



Bob

It's beyond me...........really...........

There is LIFE!
Gone from HELD BUY CUSTOMS to ARRIVAL AT INWARD OFFICE OF EXCHANGE.
Just hope the don't have a slot car track!
Will keep you posted.Was hoping to add the unpacking to my TGIF list this weekend.