It might be 86 years old, but this 1930 Austin 7 proved last weekend it still has what it takes to negotiate the roughest of Central Otago "roads''.
Wanaka helicopter pilot Russell Gutschlag and retired helicopter pilot Dick Anderson [pictured], of Nelson, spotted what appeared to be an interesting track while flying over the Pisa Range recently.
Mr Gutschlag said they decided it would be an ideal route for a day out in Mr Anderson's Austin 7.
With "two cold pies and a bottle of water'' on board, the two septuagenarians in the "baby Austin'' took eight hours to cross from the Cardrona Valley to the Clutha River Valley, near the Lazy Dog Restaurant.
Mr Gutschlag said the Austin never set a foot wrong, despite gravel roads petering out into steep, rutted four-wheel-drive tracks.
Mr Anderson had two other Austin claims to fame already, Mr Gutschlag said.
He was responsible for restoring the Austin 7 in which famous New Zealand racing car driver Bruce McLaren learned to drive.
And he also built an Austin 7 hearse, dreamed up at a light-hearted meeting of Austin 7 owners in Nelson, two of whom have since made use of it.
