Heidi Hetzer and Australia

German adventurer Heidi Hetzer's round-the-world vintage car trip in a 1930 Hudson stalls in Adelaide

ABC Radio Adelaide

By Brett Williamson

Posted 12 Mar 2015, 5:09am

 

 

Photo: Heidi Hetzer in front of her 1930 Hudson during a brief break for repairs in Adelaide. 

(891 ABC Adelaide: Brett Williamson)

Two broken pistons and the need for a new engine may have slowed Germany's Heidi Hetzer's driving trip around the world, but nothing will stop the 77-year-old from continuing her journey.

Ms Hetzer loaded "Hudo", a 1930 Hudson, with her belongings and five car-shaped handbags and left Berlin on August 1, 2014. 

 

Photo: A partial map of Ms Hetzer's planned route around the world. (891 ABC Adelaide: Brett Williamson)

 

She has since driven through Europe, the Middle East, China, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore before shipping the vehicle to Perth and driving to Adelaide.
Half way across the Nullarbor Ms Hetzer noticed the car had begun to blow smoke and use a lot of oil.
By the time she had arrive in Adelaide she was burning about five litres of oil per day and knew her treasured car was in a little trouble.
"So far I have driven about 30,000 kilometres – this is a lot for one old engine," Ms Hetzer said as she stood next to the Hudson, resting in an Adelaide mechanical workshop.
Both are now temporarily halted in Adelaide until the car is transported to Melbourne where a new engine will be fitted.

Honouring a German pioneer

Ms Hetzer, a former automobile dealer and rally car driver from Berlin, retired at the age of 75 and decided to retrace and extend the 1920s journey of Clarenore Stinnes. 

 

Photo: The 1930 Hudson at a standstill, waiting for engine repairs after cracks were found on two piston heads. (891 ABC Adelaide: Brett Williamson)

 

"You can only do this either when you are very young or very old," Ms Hetzer said.
When Ms Stinnes set off on her journey she was 27 years old.
Ms Hetzer said she thought she would stay with that era of vehicle to keep true to the original journey.
Along the way "Hudo" has had a piston and clutch replaced in Uzbekistan, with several running repairs made to keep the vintage vehicle running until its terminal cracking of two piston heads in Australia.
The vehicle's original wooden-spoke rear wheel had also been damaged and poorly repaired. Mechanics in Adelaide have been able to create an entirely new replica for her.
Apart from modern, racing-styled seats to make the drive more comfortable, Ms Hetzer's 1930 Hudson remains in its original condition.
"I want to have that feeling, like Clarenore Stinnes had," Ms Hetzer said. 

 

Photo: One of the Hudson's wooden-spoked wheels was rebuilt by mechanics in Adelaide. (891 ABC Adelaide: Brett Williamson)

 

With the speed of the Hudson much slower than modern vehicles, Ms Hetzer's patience has also grown thanks to the recreation.
"At home I was a race car driver and I always wanted to be first, now I have to learn that everybody passes me," she said.
"Now, in one day, if I pass three cars I go 'yay!' and have to write it in my book.
"It's a different life, but at 77 I think now I want to live different; now I think it is my time."
Ms Hetzel will continue onto Melbourne, New Zealand, USA, South America and Cape Horn in South Africa before heading home for her 80th birthday.
"Then I make the next plan."
She is contemplating planning another trip, taking 10 companions, on a similar journey.
"I don't think this will be the end, no."

 

Photo: Ms Hetzer's love of automotive handbags is visible through the rear window of her 1930 Hudson. (891 ABC Adelaide: Brett Williamson)

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