Tourists drive to Malta from Britain in 71-year-old car

Not many British tourists arrive in Malta in their own car. Fewer still come here with a car that is 71 years old. Briton Peter Sprot was one such visitor. He arrived here in an MG TC built in 1946, and immediately felt at home, striking up friendships at the Old Motors Club in Mosta. The ‘adventure,’ he said, had taken him two weeks of leisurely driving, and his old ‘Blubelle’ never missed a beat, his only problem being two punctures and a small petrol leak that was quickly resolved. The 1.250cc tourer clocked 2,200 miles at an average speed of 55mph. Peter and wife Mandy left for Dover on May 11, the two-seater car’s limited space packed with spare parts including half shafts, hubs, bearings, seals and brakes, which, fortunately, they did not need to use. Prior to leaving he changed the car’s steering box, reducing the turning circle so that it could better cope with the alpine passes. Their journey meandered through several countries including Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Italy, sometimes enabling them to link up with other MG owners on their own trips. Once in Malta Peter said he could quickly appreciate the Maltese love for well kept classic cars. “The car was...