Page 19 - Beep Beep November 2022

Bruce tells the story...
“A friend of mine Neville Darke (aka Darkie) asked me if I would go with him on a rerun of the Australian leg of the 1968 London–Sydney Marathon. So with my limited mechanical knowledge and his wallet, we set out to prepare a 1969 Peugeot 404 for the non-competitive 5,500km rerun of the Perth-Sydney Marathon. We were originally on the reserve this but eventually we were moved to the official entry list of 84 starters.”
Modifications were required.
All new brakes fitted with new linings, pads, drums and discs skimmed, new master and wheel cylinders, all new tubing and flexible lines. The brake booster was rebuilt. The original Peugeot 404 front seats are wide, flat and as sticky as buggery in the hot weather so Darkie sourced a pair of Subaru WRX seats and Bruce made adapter frames to mount them into the 404.
Upgrading the suspension proved an issue but they finally tracked down a set of KYB shocks and coil springs and suspension bushes.
The car had its share of rust, but a few days of cutting, fabricating and welding rectified most of the structural repairs.
The standard engine in the 404 is 1600cc but they removed that and fitted a 2 litre engine from a 504 Peugeot which had been rebuilt, and a new fuel line bent to shape and fitted.
Also fitted was a duel-throat carburettor, alternator, larger Holden radiator and other ancillaries.
Various problems along the way of course were discovered and eventually sorted out. There were also extra tasks necessary for the trip such as fitting ‘agricultural-looking’ sump and tank guards, fabricating a rack for 2 spare wheels in the rear seat area and, for comfort, fitting self-adhesive foam and foil on the floor and the fire wall and overlaying with leftover carpet from Bruce’s house. Darkie reckons they will have to drive in slippers and a smoking jacket !!
Bruce’s son Glenn is joining them on the marathon driving a backup service ute which Bruce and Darkie will share with another friend on the trip, Andrew Miedecke who is running a Volvo 122 Amazon.
End of day two...
19
The Perth – Sydney Marathon ends on
6th November and hopefully Bruce and his team are going well. Update on how they did in the next issue. Editor.