Crossing back in the US

After such a lovely couple of weeks with family, I wasn't as excited to return to the US as I thought I would be. I don't see my Canadian family very often and it was sad to say goodbye until the next time. On top of that, my parents were flying home also and I hadn't seen them for a while and wouldn't see them again any time soon.

However, it wasn't long down the 401 bound for Detroit that I realised; not only was I going to see some amazing places that I hadn't seen before, but that I would still be enjoying it in a car that had never been to these places either. As a petrol head (gear head to my American cousins), that in itself is and exciting notion.

Oakville Ford factory, ON

https://youtu.be/2_Zs2VB0WJQ

Until next time Canada...

Next stop, border control. I wasn't that nervous as both Canadian and American border protection had told me in the phone there would be no issues getting back across - and my crossing into Canada was such a breeze, I wasn't at all nervous. 

https://youtu.be/XWvuplrLhT4

Then I arrived. The guys had no idea at the gate what to do with my plates, which I half expected. However, this problem coupled with trying to justify what I was doing in the US and why I had brought a car with me was enough to make me nervous. Before long, I was pulled for a vehicle inspection and a chat with a border protection official inside. 

He was really nice actually and made me feel far more relaxed. In fact, the entire team were quite funny; making light hearted jokes about being a welcome centre when a coach load of people were directed into the tiny office. One operated irritated and another told him to have a 'Snickers', which made me giggle. 

About 20 minutes inside and I was free to enter the US with a new stamp in my passport - good thru December. 

Phew!

ON Canada

Vlog

https://youtu.be/2iQ4QpvbZbk

Oh, Canada.

Such a beautiful, clean country with reserved people from melting pot of different cultures. 

It has been lovely to hang out with family for the last couple of weeks and with the opportunity to make a couple of small repairs before heading off, I took a day to revisit Niagara Falls with my folks before heading up to Toronto to see some friends. 

Hamilton 

Some of my family

The Canadian Falls

The Whirlpool (downstream of the falls)

Another first (possibly)… Ford Puma in Toronto!

Time to hit the road

See you in Detroit!

British Car Day, Oakville ON

http://youtu.be/qHVsISh0Jso

Picture it: I'm standing on my Aunt's driveway talking to her gear-head neighbour about his Ferrari and my Ford and he tells me the biggest British car show in North America is on the weekend and 20 mins up the road. 

My eyes light up as I push for more details; it had been over a week since I'd even really had a chance to think about the car. I had been having a blast visiting other family in Ontario - but without the plucky little Pumba as my parents had picked up a rental... With real-life suspension (it was also quite nice to be chauffeured around).

The neighbour's wife pulls up details of the car show in her cell and proceeds to show me what I was about to miss out on. Excited and determined, I talked Dad I to coming with and drafted an email to the chairman (no less!) of the huge event; requesting permission to enter my scrap car so late into the show. 

Dave Sims got back to me swiftly cordially inviting me to attend provided the car was either manufactured or designed in Britain and all of a sudden it dawned on me... The car was made I. Germany with a Japanese/German engine! I seemed to recall watching a video on YouTube about the introduction of the Puma and was certain that we had designer it in Britain, so I got googling and sure enough; it ha been penned by none other than Ian Callum - world famous car designer from Scotland responsible for Astons, Jags, work on other Fords and TWR.

Sunday morning (after cleaning the car in the wee hours), Dad and I fired up the 1700cc's of 15 year old rust and headed to Oakville - armed with advice from the Toronto Triumph Car Club website. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvuhnIMyHN8

The day could not have been better. The sun was shining, the car was a hit and the millions of dollars worth of British metal were a joy to see altogether.

One chap told me that it has never rained on this day as long as he's been attending. 

It wasn't just a pleasure to be here at this world class show, it felt like a real privelage. I felt welcome and loved talking to people that were excited about what was essentially a scrap car 9 months ago!

There were people there that could read the plate better than I could and I was thrilled to learn that the car was either registered in my home town (spooky!) or that it was registered to a FoMoCo employee. 

It was also most entertaining that I fell into the category of 'post 1960s sedans'! - naturally, I was proudly alongside the Capris.

But even though I had cleaned the car TJ within an inch of its life, I felt like my £60 pocket rocket was almost an imposter among the Jags, Astons, TVRs, Rollers, Bentleys, Lotus' etc!

This is Alan of the Grey Brits car club in Ontario with his 1959 Moggy van. Alan, like many were most knowledgeable and good fun to chat to during the show.

A good time was had by all. A special thanks to Dave Sims (chairman) Ralph (the neighbour) and my Dad for making the day so fantastic for me. 

Thanks for following... Until next time folks!

Crossing into Canada

For months, literally months - I have been a little nervous about crossing the border with this car. 

What paperwork will I need... Will they turn me away... Will I need to pay for a bond.... The list of questions was endless until I called both US and Canadian customs at a land crossing;

"No problem at all, Sir. We have RVs from Europe cross all the time. We take the VIN number and check it off when you return to the States."

Armed with this information, my panic ceased and I finally made it to the border. The car was acknowledged but the lady was more interested in my passport and them at I still had a valid stamp from earlier in the year... 2 minutes and I was in!

Well that was easy!

Ooh... Look what I found!

And there you have it... The first EVER picture of a Ford Puma with Niagara Falls (somewhere) in the background!

A Euro Ford at the American/Canadian Falls - how worldly!

Onto meet my parents who are rendezvousing with me in the area.

My Mum

My Dad

The irony is that both of them have ridden in the car in our home town of Brighton in England!

With the car safely at my Aunt's house in Hamilton, it was time to put it to bed for a week - give it a little rest while I got chauffeured for a change!

And so this will be the last post for a little while :)

Stay tuned however for the next update 👍🏻🇬🇧🇨🇦🇺🇸

Buffalo NY

https://youtu.be/K6QuwLjY9fQ

Across MA and NY in a day, I finally made it to the Canadian border. 

Crossing some beautiful terrain...

The drive was long. Really long. 

The roads just went forever... 

And ever...

And ever!

But I stopped a couple of times and the whole journey has been enjoyable. 

I mean, just think... Who else has ever taken a RHD Ford Puma across the USA before now?

Speak now or forever hold your peace!

Finally....

Made it! Safe and sound. 

This car has really been looking after me. So I found him some friends....

Went to get a bite to eat and left my Puma with some heavies to guard him ;)

Some BBQ later, I went to explore some of Buffalo and to take some pictures of the car.... Proof that it's been there!

That night, I made a friend at a bar and he allowed me to stay the night in his spare room.

Meet Sean. What a gent. Thank you buddy. 

The following morning, Sean took me to the top of the building in the above picture and I could see nearly as far as Toronto!

I let Sean drive my Puma. As its so unusual here, it's a real novelty for most :)

Then I hit the road and headed for the Canadian border crossing....